In order to assemble your own SD2SNES (any revision, but Rev. K. will be covered here in detail), you’ll need the following hardware and software.
A PC with an OS that runs AT LEAST the following software. I use Ubuntu for this:
- GIT (Version Control Software)
- SOffice / LibreOffice
- KiCAD 5.X (Available from here: http://kicad-pcb.org)
- Xilinx ISE webPACK 14.7 (Available from here: https://www.xilinx.com/support/download/index.html/content/xilinx/en/downloadNav/design-tools.html, registration is required)
- OpenBoard View (Available from here: http://openboardview.org/)
- Misc. Compilers and toolchains, mostly explained in the README files of the SD2SNES repository.
Hardware / Tool requirements:
- Hot Air Rework Station/Soldering Iron. We will be doing quite a bit of SMD soldering, but one chip is Ball Grid Array, so Hot Air is mandatory. This can be a cheap station if you only intend to use it rarely, for example the 862D+ . If used for longer periods of time, a more expensive system could be used to improve quality of life.
- Electronics Microscope for soldering. You might get away without one, but this will make your life SO MUCH EASIER. I REALLY REALLY RECOMMEND GETTING ONE, EVEN IF IT’S A CHEAP ONE.
- Multimeter with Voltage, Current, Continuity and Diode Mode. If possible, have two of these. Cheap ones ~30 EUR each are usually fine.
- Assorted pliers, tweezers and basic electronics tools. Buy good tweezers, and buy a couple of them.
- A Xilinx Programming Cable for installing the Bootloader.
- A TL866 or similar programmer to program the CIC chip.
- For advanced repairs and debugging: An Oscilloscope. Usually you can get along without one, but if you want to follow the device down the rabbit hole, this is where things get really serious.
