/T-COMPUTER

Teensy 4.1 based micro computer

What is the T-COMPUTER?

The T-COMPUTER is a micro computer platform supported and powered by the MCUME project.

  • It is based on the powerful Teensy4.1 MCU (800+ MHz ARM based, 1MB internal + 8MB QSPI RAM)
  • It features:
    • a 42 keys basic keyboard (including D-PAD controls + 3 buttons)
    • a built-in 320x240 TFT display
    • VGA output
    • 16 bits stereo DAC output
    • USB host input (for keyboard, mouse, midi devices...)
    • a DB9 digital joystick input (Atari 2600 style joystick)
    • 2 general purpose buttons
    • 8+6 shared I/O pins for GP usage
    • a SD card slot (from the Teensy 4.1)
  • it can be powered over micro USB or can be used as a takeaway system powered by a 1000mA/H lipo.
  • the T-COMPUTER is a DIY project, you can build it yourself and contribute to it!

T_COMPUTER running Super NES emulation and more... https://youtu.be/K1JdkA93pqs

News

Mai 2023: Binaries updated

  • All binaries (except Doom) now support multiple displays (VGA,ST7789,ILI9341)
  • Different binaries is no longer required.
  • Display is configured by means of a config file on the SD card.
  • Read howto.txt for more details.
  • SNES and MSX emulators have been also added.

June 2022: Initial release

  • After testing the Rev3 PCB from Aisler, I can finally release everything...
  • Repository created with schematics, Gerber files, stl files and binaries
  • How to build the T-COMPUTER (video in 3 parts)

https://youtu.be/jb_A_36Tv24
https://youtu.be/ADHyYO1vjXU
https://youtu.be/OZnFfMv9jf4

BOM

All the components needed are listed below.
SMD resistors and ceramic capacitors are of type 805.


Category Item Amount Link
1 resistors 1KOhms 2 ---
2 2.2KOhms 2 ---
3 470Ohms 2 ---
4 390Ohms 1 ---
5 820Ohms 1 ---
6 82Ohms 2 ---
7 330Ohms 1 ---
8 10Ohms 1 ---
9 electolytic capa 4.7uF 3 ---
10 ceramic capa 100nF 1 ---
11 IC Teensy4.1 1 ---
12 IC PT8211 1 ---
13 switches classic 42 ---
14 switches high 2 ---
15 TFT ST7789 1 ---
16 VGA DB15 female 1 ---
17 JOYSTICK DB9 male 1 ---
18 USB ? 1 ---
19 AUDIO Jack female 1 ---
20 Battery lipo 1000mAh 1 ---
21 USB micro lipo charger pcb 1 ---
22 power switch 3 pins, mini 1 ---
23 LED green or yellow 1 ---
24 ST7789 HEADER 1x8 1 ---
25 ILI9341 HEADER 1x9 1 ---
26 JOYEXT HEADER 1x8 1 ---
27 USB HEADER 1x5 3 ---

Assembly

Location and values for the components are printed on the PCB.
Respect the polarity for of electrolytic capacitors (dot indicates the +) and the IC (dot is pin 1).
Follow the step procedure below and test between the steps:

  • before starting anything,
    • solder the PSRAM chip on the teensy 4.1 board and test it
      • use the sketch provided by the PJRC project
    • solder the header pins of the teensy (classic male header pins), including the 1x5 usb header pins (I use female low profile personally)
    • after that, program the teensy with one of the VGA emulator in /bin
  • step 1: VGA out + keys
    • solder all smd resistors
    • solder the 4 switches of the direction D-PAD at the right of the keyboard
    • solder the VGA connector
    • solder the Teensy 4.1 (use female header as socket, don't solder directly!!!)
    • power the teensy over micro usb and test
  • step 2: sound out + keyboard
    • solder the PT8211 IC
    • solder all smd capacitors (respect polariry for the electrolytics)
    • solder all keys of the keyboard + the 2 user keys
    • solder the audio jack female connector
    • power the teensy over micro usb and test
  • step 3: USB + joystick
    • solder the joystick DB9 connector
    • solder the ST and ILI header pins (female pins)
    • solder the joyext header pins (female pins)
    • solder the USB connector + USB header pins on the PCB (2 times 5xfemales pins on top of each other)
    • connect the Teensy USB header pins to the PCB USB top header pins using wires
    • power the teensy over micro usb and test
  • step 4: TFT display
    • connect the TFT display (e.g. st7789 2 inches)
    • program the teensy with one of the TFT emulator in /bin
    • power the teensy over micro usb and test
  • step 5 (optional):
    • solder the power switch
    • solder the battery to the USB charger PCB kit
    • glue the USB charger PCB kit at the back of the T-COMPUTER board and solder the power pins
    • glue the battery at the back of the T-COMPUTER board
    • Always DISCONNECT the teensy micro usbcable when powering up the system via the battery.
    • power switch down = battery powered