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‎README.md‎

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# BASIC Engine PCB
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# ![BASIC Engine logo](./images/basic_engine_small.png) BASIC Engine PCB
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KiCAD schematics and PCB layout for the BASIC Engine home computer.
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The BASIC Engine is a very low-cost single-board home computer with advanced
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2D color graphics and sound capabilities, roughly comparable to late-1980s
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or early-1990s computers and video game consoles. It can be built at home
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without special skills or tools and using readily available components for
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under 10 Euros in parts, or mass-produced for even less.
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- ESP8266 SoC
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- VS23S010 video controller with PAL and NTSC output
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- 5-bit PCM sound
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This repository contains KiCAD schematics and the PCB layout. Gerber files
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for ordering PCBs can be found in the [release section](https://github.com/uli/basicengine-pcb/releases).
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Software can be found in the [BASIC Engine firmware](https://github.com/uli/basicengine-firmware)
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repository.
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## Hardware features
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- ESP12-E/F module with ESP8266 SoC and 4 MBit flash memory
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- VS23S010 video controller with 128k RAM and composite video output in PAL or NTSC
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- 5-bit PCM sound from I2S controller
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- MicroSD card slot
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- PS/2 and PS/2-compatible USB keyboard interface
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- PlayStation controller port
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- PCF8575 I/O extender with 16 GPIO pins
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- I2C bus
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- I2C and SPI busses on I/O expansion connector
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- power supplied via Micro-USB socket or pin header
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Gerber files for ordering PCBs can be found in the
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[release section](https://github.com/uli/basicengine-pcb/releases)
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- RCA connectors for video and audio
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![Revision 1 board](./images/rev1.jpg)
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## Components
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The BASIC Engine does not use any obsolete components that may be difficult
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to obtain. Nevertheless, you will have to put in at least three orders to
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get all required parts.
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I would recommend to get the circuit board from JLCPCB or Smart Prototyping,
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the VS23S010D-L chip from TME, and all other parts from AliExpress. AE
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usually has the lowest price, and this project is all about the cheap.
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You will usually have to order more components than you actually intend to
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use, because
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- they are only offered in larger quantities,
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- you may want to save on shipping in case you decide to build more BASIC Engines,
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- you are likely to break or lose a few parts while building the device, or
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- all of the above.
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**Note:** Unless noted otherwise, all links lead to suppliers and components
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I have bought myself in the past and that have received the "Good Enough for
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BASIC Engine" seal of approval. Nevertheless you **order at your own
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risk**, and I cannot be held responsible for the quality of the services or
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products provided to you. I am not affiliated with any of the linked
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suppliers.
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### Required components
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|Qty |Name |Package|Where to get it |Links|
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|-------|-------------------------------|-------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----|
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|1 |Circuit Board | |Any board house |[JLCPCB](https://jlcpcb.com/quote), [Smart Prototyping](https://www.smart-prototyping.com/PCB-Prototyping.html).
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|1 |VS23S010D-L video controller | |TME (small quantities), VLSI (for large orders) |[TME](https://www.tme.eu/en/details/vs23s010d-l/parallel-sram-memories-integ-circ/vlsi/), [VLSI](https://webstore.vlsi.fi/epages/vlsi.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/2015020901/Categories/%22Circuits%20and%20KITs%22/VS23S010)
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|1 |ESP-12F or ESP-12E microcontroller module| |AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, various smaller retailers |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-version-ESP-12E-replace-ESP-12-ESP8266-remote-serial-Port-WIFI-wireless-module/32339917567.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PCS-ESP-12F-ESP-12E-upgrade-ESP8266-Remote-Serial-Port-WIFI-Wireless-Module-ESP8266-4M-Flash/32521015580.html), [3](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PCS-ESP-12F-ESP-12E-upgrade-ESP8266-Remote-Serial-Port-WIFI-Wireless-Module-ESP8266-4M-Flash/32521015580.html)
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|8 |Resistor 10K |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/500pcs-1206-SMD-Resistor-1-10K-ohm-chip-resistor-0-25W-1-4W-103/32806664929.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1206-10K-ohm-5-1-4W-Resistor-3216-103-Chip-resistor-500Pcs-Lot/32601535320.html)
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|1 |Resistor 1M |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/500pcs-1206-SMD-Resistor-1-1M-ohm-chip-resistor-0-25W-1-4W-106/32806720513.html)
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|1 |Resistor 75 Ohms |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100pcs-lot-1206-5-75-ohm-75R-750-1-4W-0-25W-SMD-Resistor-3-2/32681304598.html), [2 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/200pcs-lot-SMD-Chip-Resistor-1206-68R-75R-82R-91R-100R-5-Resistance-68-75-82/32830700367.html)
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|2 |Resistor 1K |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/500pcs-1206-SMD-Resistor-1-1K-ohm-chip-resistor-0-25W-1-4W-102/32806736163.html)
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|8 |Capacitor 100nF |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100pcs-100NF-X7R-Error-10-50V-0-1UF-104-1206-smd-capacitor/32810080501.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100PCS-SMD-chip-Ceramic-capacitors-1206-104-100NF-0-1UF-1206-Y5V/1478483210.html), [3](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100PCS-1206-104-100NF-0-1UF-1206-SMD-capacitance/32836586837.html), [4](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-100PCS-1206-104-100NF-0-1UF-1206-SMD-capacitance/1096160798.html)
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|2 |Capacitor 56pF |1206 |Generic part |AliExpress: [1 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100pcs-1206-smd-capacitor-25pF-27pF-30pF-33pF-36pF-39pF-47pF-51pF-56pF-68pF/32832398866.html), [2 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-100PCS-1206-56PF-56P-5-NPO-50V-chip-SMD-Ceramic-capacitor/32449977184.html)
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|1 |Electrolytic capacitor 10uF |THT |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shiiping-50pcs-Aluminum-electrolytic-capacitor-10uF-50V-5-7-Electrolytic-capacitor/32326606304.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50-pcs-Electrolytic-Capacitors-50V-10UF-4X7MM-Aluminum-Electrolytic-Capacitor/1808204181.html)
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|2 |Electrolytic Capacitor 220uF |THT |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1LOT-50PCS-Aluminum-Capacitors-220uF-227-20-6-11mm-25V-220000nF-220000000pF-Diameter6mm/32707926097.html)
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|2 |RCA connectors |THT |Generic, but often overpriced part |AliExpress: [red](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-Pcs-Pcb-Mount-3-Pin-Av-Concentric-Outlet-1-Rca-Female-Socket-Board-Connector/32778665156.html), [yellow](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20-Pcs-3P-Pcb-Mounting-Yellow-1-Rca-Female-Outlet-Jack-Audio-Video-Av-Connector/32773151735.html)
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|1 |Micro-USB connector |SMT |Generic, but often overpriced part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10Pcs-Micro-USB-5P-5-pin-Micro-USB-Jack-5Pins-No-Curling-Micro-USB-Connector-Tail/32697562974.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-LOT-Micro-USB-5P-5-pin-Micro-USB-Jack-5Pins-Micro-USB-Connector-Tail-Charging/32482316889.html), [3](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-G21-Micro-USB-5pin-DIP-Female-Connector-For-Mobile-Phone-Mini-USB-Charging-Socket-Curly/32739335401.html), [4](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50pcs-Lot-Micro-USB-5pin-B-type-Female-Connector-For-Mobile-Phone-Micro-USB-Jack-Connector/32740232877.html)
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|1 |Regulator AMS1117 3.3V |SOT-223|Generic, sometimes overpriced part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-AMS1117-3-3V-AMS1117-1117-3-3V-1A-Voltage-Regulator-LDO-SOT-223/32767557089.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-AMS1117-3-3-AMS1117-LM1117-1117-3-3V-1A-Voltage-Regulator/32348815272.html); eBay DE: [1](https://www.ebay.de/itm/50-Stueck-AMS1117-3-3-Niedrig-Aussetzer-Spannungsregler-3-3V-1A-SOT-223-GY-/262752156305?hash=item3d2d3fba91)
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|1 |74HC04 hex inverter |SOIC-14|Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-74HC04D-SOP14-74HC04-SOP-SN74HC04DR-SMD-new-and-original-IC-free-shipping/32545540311.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-74HC04-SOP/32833871593.html)
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|1 |Crystal 3.579545 MHz (NTSC) or 4.433619 MHz (PAL)|HC49-S |Generic part |AliExpress: [NTSC](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-lot-Crystal-Oscillator-3-579545MHz-3-579545-MHz3-579545M-Hz-3-579545M-Mini-Passive-Resonator/32674141136.html), [PAL (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4-433MHZ-4-433M-HC-49S-Quartz-crystal-4-433Mhz-4-433m-DIP-Quartz-crystal-resonators/897579150.html)
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|1 |PS/2 keyboard connector (female)|THT |AliExpress, some distributors |AliExpress: [green](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-Lot-PS2-Green-Plug-Jack-Socket-Connector-6Pin-for-keyboard-mouse/32502046263.html), [purple](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-Lot-PS2-Purple-Plug-Jack-Socket-Connector-6P-6Pin-for-keyboard-mouse/32503500361.html)
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### Not strictly required, but strongly recommended components
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|Qty |Name |Package|Who can supply it |Links|
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|-------|-------------------------------|-------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----|
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|1 |Pin header 1x7 (programming header)| |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-pcs-color-2-54mm-Black-White-Red-Yellow-Blue-Green-1X40-Single-Row-Pin-Male/32776690848.html) (1x40 headers, cut them to size)
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|1 |MicroSD socket |SMT |AliExpress, eBay |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-MicroSD-Card-socket-connector-pop-up/1878206296.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-10PCS-MicroSD-Card-socket-connector-pop-up/1688131297.html); eBay DE: [1](https://www.ebay.de/itm/10Pcs-TransFlash-SD-TF-Micro-Memory-Card-Self-eject-Socket-Adapter-Plug-NEW-/272247684402?hash=item3f6339fd32)
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|1 |Push button 6x6x4.3 mm |THT |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-TC-1212T-6x6x4-3-mm-Tact-Tactile-Push-Button-Momentary-SMD-PCB-Switch/32633194631.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20PCS-6X6X4-3-DIP-vertical-Tactile-Tact-Push-Button-Switch-Micro-Switch-Momentary-6-6-4/32628754816.html)
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|1 |PCF8575TS I2C I/O extender |SSOP-24|Generic part; AliExpress recommended for price |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5PCS-PCF8575TS-SSOP24-PCF8575-SOP24/32836090166.html)
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|1 |Raspberry Pi 3 case | |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/case-H1-Black-Raspberry-PI-3-model-B-Case-Cover-Shell-Enclosure-ABS-Plastic-Box-for/32813179636.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/box-F3-for-Raspberry-PI-3-model-B-Transparent-Green-Case-Cover-Shell-Enclosure-Box/32824924648.html), [3](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-lot-Raspberry-Pi-3-case-Official-ABS-enclosure/32816503175.html), [4](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Raspberry-Pi-3-Model-B-Case-Black-Red-ABS-Plastic-Box-Closed-Cover-Shell/32716194619.html), [5](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Raspberry-Pi-3-Model-B-ABS-Case-Black-White-Tranparent-ABS-Enclosure-Box-Shell-for-Raspberry/32651704900.html)
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### Optional components
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|Qty |Name |Package|Who can supply it |Links|
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|-------|-------------------------------|-------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----|
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|1 |Pin header 1x3 pins (alternative power supply)| |AliExpress recommended for price |see "Pin header 1x7"
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|1 |USB A connector (alternative keyboard connector)|THT |Generic part |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-PCS-USB-Type-A-Female-PCB-Mount-Socket-Plug-Connector-Right-Angle-4-Pin-New/32821630374.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-USB-type-A-USB-mother-Curved-needle/32265708803.html)
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|1 |Pin header 2x20 pins (expansion connector)| |AliExpress recommended for price |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30-pcs-set-2-54mm-Black-White-Red-Yellow-Blue-Green-2X40-Double-Row-Pin-Male/32776804458.html) (2x40 headers, cut them in half)
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|1 |PlayStation controller connector (female)| |AliExpress |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-wholesale-Replacement-9-Pin-Female-Connector-Game-Controller-Socket-Slot-for-PS2-Console-for-playstation/32769355434.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-Replacement-9-Pin-90-degrees-Female-Connector-Game-Controller-Socket-Slot-for-PS2-Console/32818887920.html)
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### Programming tools
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Used to flash the firmware into the microcontroller module. You only need one set of these.
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|Qty |Name |Package|Who can supply it |Links|
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|-------|-------------------------------|-------|-----------------------------------------------|-----|
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|1 |USB-to-serial converter | |AliExpress, eBay |AliExpress: [1](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-FT232RL-FTDI-USB-3-3V-5-5V-to-TTL-Serial-Adapter-Module-forArduino-Mini-Port/32650148276.html), [2](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CP2102-USB-2-0-to-TTL-UART-Module-6Pin-Serial-Converter-STC-Replace-FT232-Module/32279672853.html)
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|7 |Dupont wires female/female (for wiring the converter to the programming header)| |AliExpress, eBay |AliExpress: [1 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/40pcs-dupont-cable-jumper-wire-dupont-line-female-to-female-dupont-line-20cm-1P-40P-free/32848338475.html), [2 (untested supplier)](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/40pcs-dupont-cable-jumper-wire-dupont-line-female-to-female-dupont-line-20cm-1P-1P-for/32586620163.html)
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## Ordering the PCB
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If you have never had a custom circuit board made, you may find the
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multitude of options you are presented with on the board house's ordering
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page confusing. The good news is that you do not have to worry about most
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of them, because they have been set to reasonable defaults already. If you
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order with JLCPCB or Smart Prototyping using the links above, all you have
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to do is upload the ZIP file containing the Gerber files that you can find
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in the [release section](https://github.com/uli/basicengine-pcb/releases)
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and specify the dimensions of the board (85x56 mm). All other options can
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be left as is.
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(Just to be on safe side: At the time of writing these options were: 2
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layers, 1.6 mm thickness, HASL with lead, 1oz copper weight, material FR4.)
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## Assembling the BASIC Engine
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Even though it uses some small-pitch components, the BASIC Engine has been
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designed to be easy to assemble.
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Click on the thumbnail below to watch a one-hour silent video showing how to
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build it using a soldering iron, a heat gun, tweezers,
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solder wire and side cutters, without fancy tools, mad soldering skills and
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with only a minimal amount of patience:
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[![Assembling the BASIC Engine](http://img.youtube.com/vi/DTTEZJDEUIA/0.jpg)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTTEZJDEUIA "BASIC Engine Soldering")

‎images/basic_engine_small.png‎

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