Skip to content

boards.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
156 lines (115 loc) · 5.04 KB

boards.md

File metadata and controls

156 lines (115 loc) · 5.04 KB

Supported Boards

Joypad OS runs on RP2040, ESP32-S3, and nRF52840 microcontrollers.

RP2040 Boards

Adafruit KB2040 (Recommended)

Default board for most console adapters

  • Features: USB-C, 21 GPIO pins, boot button, WS2812 RGB LED
  • Form Factor: Pro Micro compatible (1.3" x 0.7")
  • Apps: USB2PCE, USB2GC, USB2Nuon, USB2DC, USB2Loopy, USB2Neo
  • Purchase: Adafruit

Why KB2040?

  • USB-C connector (modern, reversible)
  • Built-in RGB LED (status indicator)
  • Pro Micro footprint (fits existing designs)
  • Widely available
  • Good GPIO breakout

Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W / Pico 2 W

  • Features: Micro-USB (Pico) or USB-C (Pico 2 W), 26 GPIO pins, boot button
  • Form Factor: Unique Pico layout (2.1" x 0.8")
  • Apps: All console adapters, bt2usb (Pico W/2 W), wifi2usb (Pico W/2 W)
  • Purchase: Raspberry Pi

Pico W / Pico 2 W have built-in Bluetooth (Classic BT + BLE) and WiFi — no dongle needed for wireless controllers or WiFi apps.

Adafruit Feather RP2040 USB Host

  • Features: USB-C (device) + USB-A (host), 21 GPIO pins, boot button, RGB LED
  • Form Factor: Feather (2.0" x 0.9")
  • Apps: usb2usb (USB passthrough)
  • Purchase: Adafruit

Use Cases:

  • USB passthrough applications
  • Built-in USB-A host port (no wiring needed)
  • USB → USB conversion

Waveshare RP2040-Zero

  • Features: USB-C, 20 GPIO pins, boot/reset buttons, WS2812 RGB LED
  • Form Factor: Ultra-compact (0.9" x 0.7")
  • Apps: USB23DO, USB2DC, USB2Neo, usb2usb
  • Purchase: Waveshare

Features:

  • Smallest RP2040 board
  • USB-C connector
  • Built-in RGB LED
  • Castellated edges for embedding

Adafruit MacroPad RP2040

  • Features: 12 mechanical key switches, rotary encoder, OLED display, RGB LEDs
  • Form Factor: MacroPad (3.4" x 2.8")
  • Apps: controller_macropad
  • Purchase: Adafruit

Use Cases:

  • Custom macro pad controller
  • Stream deck alternative
  • Fighting game button box

ESP32-S3 Boards

Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3

  • Features: USB-C, BLE, WiFi, 11 GPIO pins, boot button, user LED
  • Form Factor: Ultra-compact (0.84" x 0.70")
  • Apps: bt2usb (BLE to USB adapter)
  • Purchase: Seeed Studio

Notes:

  • User LED on GPIO 21 (active low)
  • BLE only (no Classic Bluetooth)
  • Requires ESP-IDF to build (see ESP32-S3 platform docs)

nRF52840 Boards

Seeed XIAO nRF52840 (BLE Sense)

  • Features: USB-C, BLE, 11 GPIO pins, user LED, IMU, microphone
  • Form Factor: Ultra-compact (0.84" x 0.70")
  • Apps: bt2usb (BLE to USB adapter), usb2usb (with MAX3421E FeatherWing)
  • Purchase: Seeed Studio

Notes:

  • BLE only (no Classic Bluetooth)
  • Requires nRF Connect SDK to build (see nRF52840 platform docs)
  • UF2 bootloader for drag-and-drop flashing

Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express

  • Features: USB-C, BLE, 21 GPIO pins, LiPo charging, RGB LED
  • Form Factor: Feather (2.0" x 0.9")
  • Apps: bt2usb, usb2usb (with MAX3421E FeatherWing)
  • Purchase: Adafruit

Notes:

  • Compatible with Feather-format accessories (FeatherWings)
  • UF2 bootloader for drag-and-drop flashing
  • BLE only

Board Comparison

RP2040

Board USB GPIO LED Size Cost Best For
KB2040 USB-C 21 RGB Medium $10 General use (recommended)
Pico Micro 26 No Large $4 Budget builds
Pico W Micro 26 No Large $6 Bluetooth/WiFi (built-in)
Feather USB Host USB-C+A 21 RGB Medium $12 USB passthrough
MacroPad USB-C 12 keys RGB Large $30 Custom controllers
RP2040-Zero USB-C 20 RGB Smallest $6 Compact/embedded

Cross-Platform

Platform Board BT WiFi USB Host Best For
RP2040 KB2040 Via dongle No PIO-USB Console adapters
RP2040 Pico W Classic+BLE Yes PIO-USB BT/WiFi adapters
ESP32-S3 XIAO ESP32-S3 BLE only Yes No Compact BLE adapter
nRF52840 XIAO nRF52840 BLE only No Via MAX3421E Compact BLE adapter
nRF52840 Feather nRF52840 BLE only No Via MAX3421E BLE + USB host

Power Requirements

USB Power Budget

  • USB 2.0 Port: 500mA max
  • RP2040 Board: ~50-100mA
  • Per Controller: 50-500mA (varies)
  • Rumble: +100-300mA per controller

Recommendations

1-2 Controllers:

  • Bus-powered USB hub OK
  • No external power needed

3+ Controllers:

  • Use powered USB hub
  • Especially if using rumble
  • Prevents brownouts

High-Power Devices:

  • Xbox controllers with rumble
  • PlayStation controllers with rumble
  • RGB gaming peripherals
  • Use powered hub