Crazy PS2 to PC USB hub I want to make.

Ok, made a design decision with this project that might make it more interesting and unique.  I thought, "hey, I have USB/COM ports on my motherboard I'm not using.  What if I changed the design to accomidate that concept?"  So? Anyone want to give me an idea on designing a controller hub conversion board that plugs into a COM port for a motherboard that not only makes use of the controller ports but the memory card ports as well? I've already plotted out the wires on the original PS2 hardware, now I just need some ideas on working the main board cluster and how these two drastically different formats are going to work together from a programming standpoint.  Once I do that I'll take the part of the case of the old PS2 that housed this hub and convert it to something that I'll be mounting into one of my two open drive bays.  Hoping by the time I'm done with this my computer will have a DVD drive, a BD drive, the controller hub, then perhaps a stat gauge of the computer.  Like I said once done with the initial production of this PS2 Hub Drive I will show video of the construction of it and perhaps I can make a video of how I constructed it.

I have a basic idea for the set up of the board combo I just need help with the fine measures.  I will post my concept if someone agrees to help me finish the mapping of the boards and what I should use to run the construct ideally as the programming core.

Doubt you can connect it to a RS-232RS-232 "COM" port. only USB and Parallel port will work. Mostly because a standard RS-232RS-232 is too slow.

As for the universial Hub that already lets you use a PSX/PS2 controller on a PC and you want to use the controller deck from the PS2 I would tear down the Hub and PS2 contoller deck and splice the PS2 controller deck into the hub, slap together a 5.25inch case and slide it into the PC. However there are some controller boards that some hardcore DIY arcade builders use that includes a AVR ATmega8 microcontroller. Also a few people have used a PIC18F4550.

I'm crafting the case from the original PS2 shell now, thought that would give it a nice touch. as for the hub conversion, I already tested that approach, with how the hub was made (three port base of PS2, Gamecube, and original XBOX) it seems the way it works is only one actual hub works at a time and there is no simple way to split from the PS2 port on it to make it two player, so if I use anything from the original hub it will probably be the original USB cable on it. So it comes down to using the AVR ATmega you mentioned as a base, I just need to figure out how to design the board combo I'll be using for this to now to both access the proprietary PS2 memory cards and the controllers on the hub.  Then work out the appropriate program code for this new hub construct.

I will post pictures later but it seems crafting a 5.25 drive bay construct from the original PS2 case isn't all that far fetched.  All that seems to be needed is cut the bottom/side off then cut right below where it says "Playstation 2" on the unit and then of course work out mounting an appropriate drive rail onto it.  I will be picking that up at a later date though but the casing I've made so far fits.

Another thing I've already done with the base hub as part of my testing is put lead wires from the ports using the appropriate colors from the actual controller.  I dismantled and used cable from a busted controller, I've noticed so many of the first gen PS2 controllers end up dying from the directional side of the controller before anything else.  Then I used some excess lead wires in a more unified manner to make leads from the memory card ports.  The way I want do design this new control board combo is similar to how the old hub I've used was designed. (which fun thing is after converting it back to its standard set up it still works like a dream.)  Using two seperate PCBs joined by a straight  connector set up. The "top" smaller board for my construct will deal in the memory card control and the bottom for the actual PS2 controller base.  From here I just need to figure out where I'm going to put different resistors  and orders to make this all work for a PC.  I may end up picking up a cheap Mem card converter to get some idea on making that work out as well.

Alright, I just started designing via bitmap the layouts for the boards I'll be making for this.  I designed this starting with the concept of this plugging straight into the motherboard via the USB connector on it.  As you can see I designed the core board to take one ATMEGA and a secondary board connecting vertically from this.  I'm planning on using photo resist/ferro-chloride printing onto copper boards (used this technique before in a jewelery class of all places). Next part I'm trying to figure out is if the memory card board is going to need its own ATMEGA or if I can run both functions off the same micro controller. Then I'll just need to map out how these will connect and which parts to use where for the best data transferrance and run the programming proper.  I can also resize parts as I go and have designed this with taking into account adding rails for sliding it in as a drive slot of 5.25 inches. I even personally designed the font I'm using on this board for added fun.  If you like the font I'll provide the link for usage for any board printers out there.  I also thought if the original PS2 has the right stuff in its assembly for the parts needed on my project I'll use those original parts if they haven't been affected by the burn out.  Please tell me what you think of my start here.

I apologize for my delay between updates on this project but I do have a "day job" and am a very busy guy.  Also if you think you can help me in the mapping of the boards with your ideas feel free to give me a sample using this BMP and I'll try and refine it as part of the design.  I'll even credit you for the work in a readme when I release the final version of this file to the E14 boards here along with the video on the finished product.

EDIT: I've been going over my design against an ATMEGA328 Pinout and I'm noticing that the attaching the boards at the sides may not be the best idea, would appreciate some assistance in figuring out where I'm going to place the ATMEGA in reference so I can ensure that both the memory card's set up works in conjunction with the controller pin out.  This still is my very first board design concept so I would appreciate some accurate construct ideals, Even if I have to somehow cross transfers for the controllers between the two boards to map it out I figure the "pin towers" in various areas will also give the ending construct some further stability that I didn't see carry out in the original hub I had.  So hopefully once this is fully mapped out with each resistor and transistor thought out I can print it out and everything.  I'm choosing out my solder mask and everything.  There should be no question of whether it will work or not once I'm done.  I hope that someone else will comment on this soon with some help on my concept designs. Like I said before I do fully intend on posting the final designs and video of this hub construct in action.  Even work on filming the final construction of the hub.  Please people, I would like your input, even if its map out links to similar hubs using an ATMEGA that have been posted on here in the past.  Those should help me with my measurements.

Attachments: