How to build a console cable for the Universal PCB.

The Universal PCB (UPCB for short) project was started to allow a single game controller, especially fighting sticks, on as many different consoles as possible. Information about the project can be found on the following thread in the Shoryuken.com forums: Shoryuken.com

The game controller with a UPCB installed will have a single DB-15 female connector. Any supported systems being used will need to have a cable made for that console with a DB-15 male connector on the UPCB end, and the console plug on the other end. Because the PIC inside the UPCB will take care of all of the hard work, the cable will, for the most part, have no components in it; just wire.

This tutorial is designed to show you how to make any of the supported system cables for a UPCB controller, using the cable for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as our example.

Step 1 Check .H file for cable information.

The main, and most current, archive for the UPCB project can be found in the first post of the UPCB thread on Shoryuken.com: Shoryuken.com

Download the latest version, and extract the .zip somewhere easy to reach. Inside the main directory is the source code for the UPCB project.

Each supported console system will have a separate .H and .C file for that module. The .C file contains the actual routines for that system. These will not be of help unless you just want to see how it works. The .H file contains a large amount of comments which detail how that system communicates, what type of connector it uses, and pinouts. The current section in the SNES.H file we will be listed below.

The main information we need right now is that there are no components needed. If any were, they'd be listed in the 'How to create a UPCB cable' section.

We'll be referencing this set of information frequently during the building of the cable, so don't be afraid if it seems a bit much. The comments describe the communication in great detail and can seem a bit confusing. Just ignore then as we focus on building the cable.

/* UPCB module for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System	Pinout and explanation from GameSX.com	For US SNES	 ________	|1234|567)	---------		Pin		Description	1		VCC	2		Clock	3		Latch	4		Data	5		N/C	6		N/C	7		GND	---Lengthy explanation of the protocol snipped from here---To make a UPCB cable for SNES, follow the mapping belowD-Sub 15 Pin		SNES Pin1					7 (GND)2					Low3					Low4					Low5					Low6					Low7					Low8					1 (VCC)9					NC - Not connected to anything10					High11					High12					2 (Clock)	13					3 (Latch)14					4 (Data)15					High

Comments

[deepthoughts]

For the gamecube cable, mine doesn't have a +5v wire. I don't suppose I could use the +3.43v one, could I?

[Toodles]

Um, you sure?? You can try the 3.3v, but the Gamecube code is pretty timing sensitive. If it doesn't work, youll have to get a cable that is actually fully pinned out.

[thealleyratz]

I have a questin about this, would this work to hook up an snes controller to a 15pin dsub? i saw there is a way to hook a snes contoller to 25 pin parellel port, but i use a laptop without a 25/paralell port. if anyone can help me figure that out it would be great. i'm new at this kind of stuff and want to understand more! thanks!

[thealleyratz]

ok cool thanks saves me time and headaches was going to try that tomorrow. ok so i am also wondering if i wired a snes to a 25 pin dsub if and used an adapter to usb, would that work? i had wired it and hooked it up, laptop recognized it as a controller, but it didn't work , guessng i messed up on wiring(some of them broke when i opened the hood).i saw they sold an adapter i just wanted to try and figure this one out.thanks!

[Toodles]

Nope, the UPCB does the opposite. Being able to connect a SNES controller to it is possible, but you'd have to build a SNES -> Neogeo type converter. Sorry. It sounds like your best bet is a SNES -> USB adapter. retrousb.com sells them for $22.

[Edward472]

Very Nice. Good details and sources