Konsool badge

• 1: Konsool quick start
• 2: Compatibility
• 2.1: Camera
• 3: Konsool FAQ
• 4: konsool hardware
• 4.1: Konsool specifications
• 4.1.1: Konsool battery
• 4.1.2: Konsool ESP-C6
• 4.1.3: Konsool ESP-P4
• 4.1.4: Konsool keyboard
• 4.1.5: Konsool screen
• 4.2: Camera
• 4.3: Konsool connectors
• 4.4: Konsool pinouts
• 4.4.1: Konsool connectors
• 4.4.1.1: CATT pinout
• 4.4.1.2: Internal expansion port
• 4.4.2: IC pinouts
• 4.4.2.1: CH32V203 pinout
• 4.4.2.2: ESP32C6 pinout
• 4.4.2.3: ESP32-P4 pinout
• 4.5: Frontpanel
• 4.5.1: Konsool artwork
• 5: Konsool software
• 5.1: Konsool apps
• 5.1.1: Konsool local apps
• 5.1.2: Software Hub for Konsool
• 5.1.2.1: Creating apps
• 5.1.2.2: Downloading Apps
• 5.1.2.3: Uploading apps
• 5.2: Konsool settings
• 5.2.1: Konsool LoRa
• 5.2.2: Konsool Software Hub settings
• 5.2.3: Konsool wifi
• 5.3: Konsool updating
• 5.3.1: Konsool apps
• 5.3.2: Konsool firmware
• 6: Konsool expansion boards
• 6.1: 18650 extension
• 6.2: Zero expansion boards

Introduction

The device will be the portable computer you wish you had in the 80s. Complete with on-device programming environment, a high resolution 60Hz screen and a full QWERTY keyboard this device is all the computing power you will need on a hand held hackable device!

The connectivity of this device is unparalleled, since the SHA badge WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity have been the norm, this badge adds long range low speed connectivity (LoRa) allowing for long range mesh networking! Who doesn’t want to talk to chat with friends over a kilometer away, no infrastructure needed!

Did we mention the dual core 400MHz Risc-V ESP32-P4 CPU?

Tanmatsu or Konsool?

The open-source badge design is released under the CERN-OHL-P license. This applies to both Konsool and Tanmatsu, which are essentially the same device.

• Konsool is an open design, freely available for anyone to modify, extend, and use as they see fit.
• Tanmatsu is the pre-assembled version sold by Nicolai Electronics, eliminating the hassle of sourcing components and manufacturing the PCB.

Selling electronic devices involves additional requirements, such as safety and environmental certifications. Badge.Team appreciates that Nicolai Electronics takes on these responsibilities, offering the badge practically at cost.

By providing both an open design and ready-to-use devices, we aim to foster a thriving ecosystem, ensuring ongoing support and updates for the community.

The Konsool hardware

​The Konsool is powered by the ESP32-P4 which is a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) from Espressif, featuring a dual-core RISC-V CPU running up to 400 MHz with AI instruction extensions. It integrates high-speed peripherals, including USB OTG 2.0 HS and Ethernet. The ESP32-P4 is tailored for applications requiring rich human-machine interfaces and power efficient computing. Making it (in our humble opinion) a good choice for a battery held device that humans interact with.

Additionally, an ESP32-C6 module provides WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and IEEE802.15.4 wireless connectivity. This allows for internet access as well as compatibility with local mesh networks like Thread and ZigBee, ideal for developers and enthusiasts.

A LoRa radio module enables communication over LoRa networks, including long-range mesh services and classic (G)FSK modulation at either 433, 868 or 915MHz, depending on the module installed.

The device includes 16MB of built-in flash storage for firmware and applications, expandable via a micro SD card slot. This slot supports SD cards at both standard and high-speed (SDIO 3.0).

User interaction is provided through a QWERTY keyboard and a MIPI DSI display.

The expansion port enhance Konsool’s versatility by supporting expansion an board on the back of the the device. Exposing SPI, I2C, USB (2.0) and GPIO to the expansion board provides ample connectivity options for expansion board designs.

The side-facing CATT port provides connectivity to a JTAG debugger, and various PMOD and SAO-compatible accessories.

A QWIIC compatible connector allows the device to interface with numerous sensors from manufacturers like Sparkfun and Adafruit.

The ESP32-P4 also includes hardware-accelerated encoding of h264 video through its MIPI DSI and CSI interfaces. This powerful CPU can record video from devices such as a Raspberry Pi camera, encode it, and stream it wirelessly over WiFi.

Custom front panels are feasible using the provided information, and 3D printable case designs are also available for those interested in additional customization. (A Case design in FreeCAD format coming soon)

The team

The Konsool would not have been possible without the help of our amazing volunteers.

Nick	Name	Role
r3nz3	Renze Nicolai	Hardware and Software development
Ranzbak	Paul Honig	Hardware, Testing and Documentation
Jhaand	Jelle Haandrikman	Testing and review
RobotMan2412	Julian Scheffers	Software and Testing
Ankhaneko	Nikolett	Artwork and more
Orange Murker	Luna	Software and Testing
NightOwlNL	Emiel Bart	Documentation
Noor		Testing
Jay	Jay Visschedijk	Ergonomic board outline
Wietsman	Wietse Boonstra	Component footprints
Kliment	Kliment Yanev	Review hardware
Anus	Anne Jan Brouwer	Software

1 - Konsool quick start

Quick start

Peripherals

Navigation

Powering on the badge

Keep the power button pressed for ~2 seconds, until the power button turns red.

Powering off is done in the same manner.

Moving around in the launcher

• Navigation is done using the arrow keys to navigate the menus.
• An item can be activated by pressing the ’enter’ key.

Returning back to the launcher

Exiting an application back to the launcher should be done using: the red ‘X’ function button, which is located next to the escape.

When a program is started, basically a new firmware image is loaded into the ESP32-P4 so this will not work for all applications. Applications that behave well should support this though, and should return to the launcher.

Charging the badge

The badge is charged via the USB-C connector at the top left of the device. Note that the badge only charges the battery when turned on.

Since no handshake is done the amount of power a device is allowed to pull from the USB port is 0.5A, this means the battery at this time won’t charge quickly.

2 - Compatibility

2.1 - Camera

Software

Konsool applications can use the esp_cam_sensor driver to read frames from a MIPI CSI camera module.

The camera connector on Konsool has the same pinout as the 22 pin MIPI CSI connector found on the Raspberry Pi Zero and Raspberry Pi 5.

Supported sensors

3 - Konsool FAQ

Questions and Answers

4 - konsool hardware

4.1 - Konsool specifications

4.1.1 - Konsool battery

Battery

Specifications

4.1.2 - Konsool ESP-C6

Specifications

Datasheet

For detailed specifications please look at the datasheet

4.1.3 - Konsool ESP-P4

#Specifications

For more details please look at the datasheet

4.1.4 - Konsool keyboard

#Specifications

QWERTY dome keyboard by Arturo

4.1.5 - Konsool screen

4.2 - Camera

Camera Compatibility List

4.3 - Konsool connectors

Diagram

4.4 - Konsool pinouts

In this section you can find the pinout of the chips and connectors of the device.

4.4.1 - Konsool connectors

4.4.1.1 - CATT pinout

Description

The CATT connector combines several different connectors in one.

• Special Addon (SAO)
• JTAG
• PMOD

Because of this multi functional nature, the name for the connector is CATT (Connect all the things), even though there are more kind of things to connect.

SAO

• *DET: Detect, when pulled down during power up, JTAG functionality is provided
• *3V3: Not connected by default, jumper on the PCB needs to be closed to supply 3V3

Schematic

4.4.1.2 - Internal expansion port

Back Expansion layout

Back expansion port

This port is not exposed by default, and a modified back cover needs to be used to make it accessible. For this reason the port is also named the “internal expansion port”.

Limitations & warnings

• Total for all 3.3v outputs must not exceed 1A of current. It is generally adviced to stay well below this figure.
• Do not exceed a current of 1.5A from the battery when the battery is connected to the internal battery connector
• Do not charge the battery via the internal add-on port

4.4.2 - IC pinouts

IC pinout mapping to functions on the board.

4.4.2.1 - CH32V203 pinout

CH32V203

4.4.2.2 - ESP32C6 pinout

Schematic

ESP32 Pin table

4.4.2.3 - ESP32-P4 pinout

ESP32-P4 (U8)

LDO

GPIO

4.5 - Frontpanel

This page describes how to design and order a Konsool badge frontpanel.

Designing a frontpanel using Inkscape, svg2shenzhen and KiCad

The first step of designing a frontpanel is creating artwork that can be converted into a KiCad footprint. For this Inkscape and the Inkscape plugin svg2shenzhen are used.

Of course it is also possible to use any other method which allows you to import a footprint into KiCad so if you’re using a different method then you can skip ahead to the KiCad section.

Instructions on how to install svg2shenzhen can be found in the readme of the repository.

After opening the design file in Inkscape you will notice that multiple layers are used. Each of the layers in the design corresponds with a KiCad layer, this allows you to define how a shape should appear on the circuit board.

The most important layers are:

• Edge.Cuts: this is the outline of the board, the PCB manufacturer will use a CNC mill to cut the board following the edges of the object on this layer.
• F.Cu and B.Cu: these layers define where to place copper on the front and back of the circuit board.
• F.Mask and B.Mask: all shapes drawn on this layer are cut out of the colored soldermask layer of the board.
• F.SilkS and B.SilkS: these layers are printed on the front and back silkscreen layer respectively. The silkscreen layer is a non-conductive layer of ink usually used to add reference designators and text to a circuit board.

Export the design to KiCad by navigating to Extensions > Svg2Shenzhen > 2. Export to Kicad...

KiCad

…

4.5.1 - Konsool artwork

5 - Konsool software

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.1 - Konsool apps

5.1.1 - Konsool local apps

5.1.2 - Software Hub for Konsool

#Uploading, Downloading, Creating, Contributing

5.1.2.1 - Creating apps

5.1.2.2 - Downloading Apps

5.1.2.3 - Uploading apps

5.2 - Konsool settings

5.2.1 - Konsool LoRa

#Meshtastic (work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.2.2 - Konsool Software Hub settings

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.2.3 - Konsool wifi

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.3 - Konsool updating

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.3.1 - Konsool apps

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

5.3.2 - Konsool firmware

(work in progress, please check this page again later)

6 - Konsool expansion boards

6.1 - 18650 extension

18650 Extension

Introduction

Simple extension that attaches to the extension port at the back, and contains 2 18650 cells. This extends the battery time for the Konsool / Tanmatsu badge with several hours.

The extension features protection IC’s for both cells individually, to minimize risks related to the lithium batteries.

Features

• Protection IC per 18650 CELL
• On/Off switch
• Charges off the USB-C power from the Konsool/Tanmatsu
• M2 mounting holes to fasten the battery holder securely

Project

The project can be found here on Github.

Maturity

A prototype run has been done, and the hardware has been tested on a Tanmatsu V4 prototype (See pictures below).

Real life pictures

6.2 - Zero expansion boards

Zero expansion board

Introduction

The Konsool has al lot of capabilities already in a pretty handy form factor. To take advantage of the keyboard, powerful CPU to for example play with technologies like NFC, RFID and sub GHz radio extra circuitry is required. Even though this idea is not my own (thanks Renze) I do feel motivated to make this board given my interest in lock picking sports.

Disclaimer

It is important that this device is used for educational purposes only, the only locks that should be opened are either your own or with express permission of the owner of said lock.

The goal of this device is to improve security and educate, not do enable illegal activities.

I the designer do not take any responsibility for the how this device is used, if you manage to get into trouble using this device the responsibility is your own.

Planned Features

• 100 - 150 kHz RFID tag reading and writing
• Sub GHz radio capabilities using CC1101
• RFID receiver (The Konsool board has the transmitter LED on the PCB)
• IButton

Project

Main project

• PCB project: konsool-zero
• Software is not yet started

Intermediate

• RFID test board project: 125kHz-zero-proto

Most circuitry on the expansion is based on the Flipper zero schematics, as they are published on their website.

For the RFID circuitry this was not enough for me to understand the OpAMP circuits, here the creating RFID reader from scratch helped understanding the design.

Maturity

As for 2025-03-22:

This project in it’s early stages of development where major milestones still need to be reached.

Milestones:

• Create RFID prototype board
  • Troubleshoot RFID analog circuit make stable
  • Create proof of concept to read RFID tag
  • Create proof of concept to write RFID tag
• Choose type of microcontroller (STM32 / CH32)
• Choose antenna type PCB coil vs wire coil
• Integrate RFID prototype into expansion
• Create sub 1GHz radio module prototype board
  • Troubleshoot design to get a stable circuit
  • Create a proof of concept sending data
  • Create a proof of concept receiving data
• Create Konsool prototype board for development (Some work done)
• Create firmware for the MCU on the extension board
• Create software on the Konsool

At the moment of writing work needs to be done stabilizing the RFID analog circuitry.

• The RC circuit introduces DC offset, that prevents the carrier circuit from working correctly
• The Oscillator circuit is unstable an has a low frequency wobble
• The output does show a consistent bit stream when a RFID card is presented to the coil.

Findings:

• The schematic circuitry uses envelope detector circuits to decode the RFID signal.
• The idea of prototyping on a breadboard is not going to work as the cross talk of signals on a breadboard is too big which drowns out the RFID signals.

Contributors

Work in progress pictures