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PSP modchip details
29 May 2006 2:47 by Siggy
PSP modchip detailsPSP will receive the first Modchip which will hit
the scene as "Undiluted Platinum" or the U.P.. The chip will act as a
flash replacement and will allow the usage of earlier flash updates
and custom firmware on the PSP. This allows users to run homebrew
software without Sony pulling the plug with new updates. The modchip
is also designed to fit inside the PSP, so no changes to the
appearance.
Here are the specifications and details from the U.P. team for the
Undiluted Platinum modchip:
The U.P. (Undiluted Platinum) is a flash replacement system for the
PSP? which allows the use of previous flash updates or custom firmware
builds, opening up the possibility to run unsigned homebrew code on
even the latest PSP systems. The U.P. contains 32MB NAND flash which
is programmable from the PC via a high speed USB connection, using our
user friendly software. You may boot the PSP from either its onboard
flash or the flash contained on the U.P; the flash which is used is
determined by a button press as the PSP is powered on (U.P. flash is
used by default, hold L1 to use the PSP onboard flash). Since U.P.
provides a secondary flash which the PSP can boot from, it can even be
used to restore a PSP which has been "bricked". Every effort has been
made to make our flash updater software, which will be freely
available for download, both as easy to use and reliable as possible.
The software also contains diagnostics which can be used by installers
to determine if an installation has been successful or not.
The U.P. has been designed to minimize installation difficulty and
effort. A FPC (flexible printed circuit) cable is included which
routes the essential signals from the PSP motherboard to the U.P. main
board and U.P. USB connector. Copper enamel wire is included, which
will provide the connection between the FPC cable and the motherboard
signal traces. The FPC cable also helps by reducing the mechanical
stress placed on the solder points, making a U.P. modified PSP shock
resistant which is important for handheld systems. Installation aids
are included, and installation diagrams for all PSP hardware revisions
will be available for download, together with flasher software
application, from our reseller's websites. More about installation
together with install pictures closer to release.
The FPC cable end to which the USB connector board attaches is routed
into the battery compartment and sits above the battery. The battery
cover can be replaced after flash updating and the cable remains
safely in the compartment until the next update is required, whereupon
the USB connector can be clipped in place within a few seconds. This
means that the U.P. is completely contained within the PSP under
normal usage and avoids any unsightly external modifications to your
PSP. PSP is after all portable, let's keep it that way!
In order to maximise the benefits that U.P. can provide its users, we
have decided to take an open source approach with U.P and will be
releasing source code for any software we release as well as full
documentation for the U.P. hardware interface - including information
on how to control U.P. from within PSP programs. This will allow
anybody to create software which can take advantage of what U.P. has
to offer. We have also sent a few prototype units away to some of the
scene's best software hackers in order to give them a headstart at
working on custom flash replacements - cant wait to see what people
will come up with!
Features:
- Ultra reliable and feature rich Actel ProASIC Plus FPGA
- Full Speed USB 1.1 ASIC onboard
- Branded 32MB NAND flash onboard (same flash as used in PSP)
- Stable and reliable flashing software freely available for download
- Installation verification using flashing software
- Ultra compact four layer PCB
- High quality Japanese connectors
- USB cable included
- FPC cable included, reducing installation effort and improving shock
resistance
- Copper enamel wire included
- Open platform development system for software developers
- Installation has been optimized to fit entirely inside PSP
- All PSP hardware versions/regions supported
- User updatable flash
- Low power consumption
- Flash select via button press
- Ultra compact PCB has been designed to avoid signal bounce
Package contents:
- U.P. MAIN MODULE x1
- U.P. USB BOARD x1
- USB CABLE x1
- INSTALLATION AIDS 1 SET
- COPPER ENAMEL WIRE 1 SPOOL
- FPC CABLE x1
Suggested Retail price: 75 Euro's/ 90 US$
Source:
PS2NFO.com
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