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NFG Forums => Controllers and Joysticks => Controller Technic => Topic started by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 05:24:31 PM

Title: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 05:24:31 PM


I want to make a usb saturn pad

I' ve read this

http://www.gamesx.com/controldata/usbsatpad/index.shtml (http://www.gamesx.com/controldata/usbsatpad/index.shtml)

it says to take the chip from a pc gamepad, but could i just use this?

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=SC09248&CMP=e-2072-00001000 (http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=SC09248&CMP=e-2072-00001000)


Is this the right chip?


thank you, i am very much a noob at this stuff btw.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: kendrick on December 23, 2009, 06:17:44 PM
The chip you've linked to is a PIC, or programmable IC. It's theoretically possible for you to use that chip, but you'd have to program it yourself. Out of the package, that chip has no instructions that would make it function as a USB encoder.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 06:40:49 PM
i was worried about that.

Do you have any idea where i could buy a pre-programmed chip?

i'm not quite sure what the best phrase would be to google.

It seems expensive buying a pc gamepad just to take out the chip.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 06:52:41 PM
what about this one?

It says it has resistors and crystal integrated

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/230030350/IC_FT232RL.html (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/230030350/IC_FT232RL.html)
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: NFG on December 23, 2009, 08:01:24 PM
Since a PC gamepad is anywhere from $5 to $20, I cannot imagine all the time, effort and equipment needed to program your own chip would ever be an economical choice.

And that chip you linked?  It's a USB -> Serial Port chip.  Useless.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 10:02:38 PM
$5 for a gamepad? i'll have a look on google shopping.

do you recommend any good sites to buy one from?

does it matter how many buttons the pc gamepad has?

i live in the UK btw
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 23, 2009, 10:07:36 PM
could i use the components in this one?


http://www.blahdvd.com/Hw/Sweex-Gamepad-USB-Game-pad-12-button-s-PC/SWE-GA100/product.htm (http://www.blahdvd.com/Hw/Sweex-Gamepad-USB-Game-pad-12-button-s-PC/SWE-GA100/product.htm)
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: NFG on December 23, 2009, 11:45:47 PM
I'm currently in Australia.  I saw a used MS Sidewinder USB for $5 in a shop today.  In Japan I could buy new Elecom pads for a mere Y1,200 on every streetcorner.  Surely ebay can provide you with cheap alternatives, if you can't find something locally.

And yes, that pad should work, though without opening it up you won't know how easy it'll be.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 24, 2009, 08:01:15 AM
cheers mate,

I'll post a picture of the inside of the pad i buy when i get it
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 25, 2009, 04:22:28 PM
i read that the xbox controller uses a usb encoded chip

can i use it to complete my saturn to usb mod if i then put a usb socket on the end

this would be way handy coz i've got a couple with dodgy analog sticks.

or could the stick problem be chip related rendering them uselees anyway?

i also have a fully working mad catz xbox controller that i could sacrifice if i needed to.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: NFG on December 25, 2009, 07:18:11 PM
I don't remember if the Xbox pad is HID compliant.  It wouldn't be as awesomely compatible if you had to get special drivers every time you plugged it in to a new machine.
Title: Re: USB Saturn pad microchip help
Post by: coolbean on December 25, 2009, 07:34:47 PM
http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Make_your_own_XBox_to_USB_adapter (http://www.stepmania.com/wiki/Make_your_own_XBox_to_USB_adapter)

do this to an xbox pad cable then put the chip in the saturn pad?