SWC USB Adapter
SWC USB Adapter is a peripheral for the Super Wild Card backup unit that makes it USB compatible.
Features
- Connect a Super Wild Card via USB to a modern computer that does not have a parallel port.
- Compatible with most operating systems. The program is writen in Python and the adapter uses the USB CDC driver that is built into most modern operating systems.
- Transfer speed on par with parallel port transfer.
- No need for a thick parallel port cable.
- More convenient than floppies or a USB floppy emulator.
- The hardware parts are widely available and not too hard to assemble.
- Program auto detects the adapter, no need to specify the port.
- It is a open hardware and software project.
Usage example
To transfer a ROM file to the Super Wild Card:
swc_usb.py send-rom --hirom <file>
To fetch a SRAM dump:
swc_usb.py fetch-sram <file>
Questions and answers
Q: Why not just use any USB to parallel adapter?
A: It won't work, almost all of them are for printers only, and if you find one that truly emulates a parallel port the latency of USB will make the transfers really slow.
Q: Do I need to surface mount solder and have a PCB manufactured?
A: You should be able to use any Atmega32u4 breakout board and solder wires from it to a male D-Sub 25 connector. That project hardware is basically the same thing but in a nicer form factor.
Q: How do I compile the firmware?
A: swc_usb.hex is a compiled firmware ready to be loaded onto the controller. If you want to compile it yourself, set up a AVR tool chain and run make all in the firmware directory.
Q: Does it have all the swc transfer features that Ucon64 has?
A: No, It can send ROM files, send SRAM, fetch SRAM. If there is interest in some other feature I might add it.
Atmega32u4 pin mapping to the D-Sub
| Atmega32u4 | D-Sub |
|---|---|
| PB3 | 15 |
| PB4 | 13 |
| PB5 | 12 |
| PB6 | 10 |
| PB7 | 11 |
| PD0 | 2 |
| PD1 | 3 |
| PD2 | 4 |
| PD3 | 5 |
| PD4 | 6 |
| PD5 | 7 |
| PD6 | 8 |
| PD7 | 9 |
| PF4 | 1 |
| PF5 | 14 |
| PF6 | 16 |
| PF7 | 17 |
| GND | 25 |
Thanks
This project would probably not have been made without the awesome LUFA library. Ucon64 have been a great source of information on how to communicate with the SWC and a starting point for code.