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NES Emulator Project A custom game console that runs NES software on an STM32.

2019 hardwaresystem designfirmware

Project Intro

Build the console, then emulate the machine.

Jeff and I designed and built a custom hardware game console for UCSB ECE 153B. The console combines a purpose-built PCB with STM32 firmware that emulates NES software.

View source on GitHub

Context

The goal of this project was to build a hardware game console and develop firmware on an STM32 processor to emulate the NES processor so the console could run NES games.

Jeff originated the idea because he is a big fan of NES games and had always wanted to work on a project like this. Although I am not as interested in NES games as he is, the engineering process involved attracted me.

Engineering Challenges

This project is challenging in the following aspects:

  • We needed to finish the hardware design in only one week, including system design, component selection, schematic design, and PCB layout design.
  • We had to make sure the system did not have hardware-level mistakes in the first version.
  • A 24-bit parallel LCD screen is used in this system, which adds difficulty to port planning, PCB layout work, and firmware development.
  • External SDRAM is used, which makes it harder to plan the ports and route the PCB.
  • Developing firmware to emulate the NES CPU and PPU is tedious.

Development

The whole project can be divided into the following phases:

  • Planning the functionality
  • Designing the hardware systems
  • Choosing the components
  • Designing, manufacturing, and assembling the PCBs
  • Developing the firmware
Bare console PCB
DEVELOPMENT / 01Bare console PCB
Console PCB underside
DEVELOPMENT / 02Console PCB underside
Console board with display
DEVELOPMENT / 03Console board with display
Assembled console
DEVELOPMENT / 04Assembled console

Current Status

Currently, we have finished the PCB board design and assembly work. The driver-level firmware has been completed and tested. The CPU and PPU are almost finished but still need bug fixes and further testing. (Updated 07/28/2019)