Flash cartridge fitting original case
Posted: October 15th, 2010, 14:41
After some chat concerning flash cartridge with MrBlinky we came to a conclusion that although it would be really nice to have a flash cartridge it is impossible to build it unless one takes again the connector from a PM. If we only could fit some wireless chip and antenna into the cartridge...
Few days later it hit me: the PM actually has a wireless connection, just not very popular now days... So the idea would be to use infrared communication to send the ROM image to the PM, which in turn would burn it to the flash chip.
Now my question is which way to use IrDA would be the easiest? Here are some ideas:
1) External USB->IrDA PC adapter. Those typically emulate a virtual COM port so it should not be so difficult to write a program that uses them. Probably easiest to implement.
2) Use 2. PM device as a programmer. We would need some way to connect it to a PC and also a way to run programs on it. So USB/Serial/Paralel connector + Flash/ROM + CPLD for addressing. This would make it possible to run homebrew fast on the "Programmer" PM, and make a real nice flash cartridge on the go.
3) Use Nintendo DS + Pokemon HeartGold or SoulSIlver. One of the expensive solutions and not the most convenient to use in practice. Not sure if the IrDA of those games is reverse engineered...
4) Use Gameboy color Irda. Not sure is the flash cards for those are still available.
Other ideas? What do you think?
Few days later it hit me: the PM actually has a wireless connection, just not very popular now days... So the idea would be to use infrared communication to send the ROM image to the PM, which in turn would burn it to the flash chip.
Now my question is which way to use IrDA would be the easiest? Here are some ideas:
1) External USB->IrDA PC adapter. Those typically emulate a virtual COM port so it should not be so difficult to write a program that uses them. Probably easiest to implement.
2) Use 2. PM device as a programmer. We would need some way to connect it to a PC and also a way to run programs on it. So USB/Serial/Paralel connector + Flash/ROM + CPLD for addressing. This would make it possible to run homebrew fast on the "Programmer" PM, and make a real nice flash cartridge on the go.
3) Use Nintendo DS + Pokemon HeartGold or SoulSIlver. One of the expensive solutions and not the most convenient to use in practice. Not sure if the IrDA of those games is reverse engineered...
4) Use Gameboy color Irda. Not sure is the flash cards for those are still available.
Other ideas? What do you think?