Fossdeck

Warning: This project is still relatively young. Software will be buggy and hardware may be flawed.

An open-source modular system for science and fun based on the RP2040 platform and micropython. Long dead but I'd like to resurrect it some day.

The hardware

The hardware consists of a handful of simple components:

1. Raspberry Pi Pico (or compatible microcontroller)
2. SSD1306 oled display (128x32)
3. Some perfboard and momentary switches to create a control board
4. A diy power junction to connect various things to
5. 1100+ mah lipo battery
6. lipo charge controller
7. Wire (duh)
8. A toggle switch to control power from the charge controller to the device

(Pictures and schematic coming soon)

Flashing the software

To install the operating system to your fossdeck:

1. Install Thonny
2. Open the main.py file in thonny
3. Plug in your fossdeck
4. In the bottom right of thonny, click "default"
5. Select micropython
6. Select install
7. Once completed, press the play icon in thonny
8. Select pi pico on the popup
9. Thonny will flash the OS to your fossdeck
10. Check your fossdeck's screen. If nothing shows up, check all of your hardware connections and ensure you connected everything to the correct pins.

Creating modules

The fossdeck is designed with 2 easily accessible expansion ports for various sorts of modules.

Slot	Pins	Capabilities
1	GP3 GP4 GP5 GP6 GP7 GP8	SPIO (SCK,TX,RC,CSN), I2C1 SDA/SCL, I2C0 SDA/SCL, UART1 TX/RX, PWM
2	GP10 GP11 GP12 GP13 GP14 GP15	SPIO (SCK,TX,RC,CSN), I2C1 SDA/SCL, I2C0 SDA/SCL, UART1 TX/RX, PWM
Both	3v3 GND

(Pinout of expansion slots will be found here in the future)

PC software

A long term goal is to write a software for PC, Mac, and Linux systems to allow less tech-savvy users to automatically write the OS and apps to their fossdecks without any hassle.