https://github.com/devinacker/satecard
CompactFlash adapter for Satellaview EXT port with example SNES code
https://github.com/devinacker/satecard
Last synced: 5 months ago
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CompactFlash adapter for Satellaview EXT port with example SNES code
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/devinacker/satecard
- Owner: devinacker
- Created: 2018-12-17T03:14:45.000Z (over 7 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2019-02-13T02:25:07.000Z (over 7 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-01-20T05:39:04.664Z (over 1 year ago)
- Homepage:
- Size: 38.1 KB
- Stars: 16
- Watchers: 6
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 1
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Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# SateCard
This is a proof-of-concept prototype of a small (~3in²) adapter for the [Satellaview](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellaview) which solders onto a [CompactFlash breakout board](https://www.proto-advantage.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2800022) to add memory-mapped CF card storage to the Satellaview base unit.
In addition, a small example SNES ROM and source code is included which will display some info about a CF card (vendor info, total size, MBR partition table) if one is detected.
## How?
Aside from the Super Famicom's underside expansion port used to connect the Satellaview unit, the Satellaview itself has an internal 38-pin expansion connector which resembles the 2.5-inch IDE/ATA hard drive connector. This similarity isn't a coincidence; [available patent documents](https://imgur.com/a/Nq35L) show that the connector was intended for some sort of never-released hard drive add-on, and recent reverse-engineering efforts revealed that the connector is essentially an IDE connector with fewer pins, no DMA signals, and an 8-bit (rather than 16-bit) data bus.
In addition, the CompactFlash standard has a "True IDE" compatibility mode which is (theoretically) guaranteed to support 8-bit data buses. CF cards are also capable of operating at 5V, making it easy to interface with "retro" hardware that doesn't use 3.3V components. As a result, this project shows that it is possible to successfully interface CF cards with the Satellaview using a simple physical adapter.
## Why?
Since the Satellaview's internal expansion port was never officially used, no contemporary support for any such expansion hardware is known to exist. This proof of concept is essentially a "what could have been" experiment, rather than an actual enhancement for any existing games. Maybe it'll find a purpose in some sort of homebrew project later on?
The board was designed around a pre-made CF breakout/adapter board mainly for ease of assembly and testing, since I still consider it a "prototype". If this actually manages to turn into a serious product somehow, it may eventually be redesigned to feature a CF slot directly on the board instead.
You can order the board itself [from OSHPark](https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/bJ8kBS1b); a minimum order of 3 boards costs exactly $15.00 USD.