ESP32 Retro PC Project Overview

2:10

Planning component removal and addition.

Creating a USB port addition plan.

Incorporating knowledge into the plan.

Implementing USB and HDMI subsystems.

Accessing knowledge base.

Querying design modifications.

You want USB HID for keyboard/mouse and HDMI video, removing VGA and PS/2. Here’s the plan:

Remove legacy I/O

Delete VGA, KeyBoard, and Mouse and associated level shifters.

Add USB HID host

Add USB host solution (external host controller + port/power/ESD/CC, or migrate MCU to native-OTG).
Wire to ESP, add 22–33 Ω series terminations on USB as needed; use Rd on CC and low-cap TVS on D+/D-.

Add HDMI video

Add HDMI Type‑A receptacle and HDMI transmitter IC, clock source, I2C config, ESD, TMDS pairs.

Integrate and verify

Hook up nets, decoupling, pulls.
Run ERC/DRC, update description.

Click Start on the plan bar to execute, or tell me what options you prefer (external USB host vs ESP32‑S3, Type‑A vs Type‑C host, target HDMI resolution).

Plan

#Goal

Modify the ESP32 x86 PC project to replace the PS/2 keyboard/mouse interface with a USB HID host interface and the VGA video output with an HDMI output. Remove the VGA connector, PS/2 connectors, and associated level-shifting hardware. Add a USB host solution for HID devices and an HDMI output subsystem while keeping the USB-C power and USB-UART components intact.

#Implementation plan

Remove legacy connectors and circuitry
1. Delete the VGA connector [VGA] and resistor-DAC circuit that drives it from ESP32 GPIOs.
2. Remove the PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors along with their level-shifter circuits (BSS138s [Q3, Q5, Q6, Q7] and associated pull-up resistors [R11–R18, R15–R17]).
3. Prune any unused nets associated with these legacy I/O blocks.
Add USB HID host interface
1. Integrate a dedicated USB host controller (e.g., SPI-based) into the design and connect it to the ESP32 via SPI or ULPI as appropriate.
2. Add a USB Type-A connector for hosting HID devices.
3. Incorporate additional supporting components such as ESD protection and USB power switch if required, and make the necessary net connections to the ESP32.
Add HDMI output subsystem
1. Place an HDMI transmitter IC with associated clock source, configuration via I²C, ESD protection, and supporting passive components.
2. Connect the HDMI TX IC to an HDMI Type-A receptacle, routing the TMDS video pairs along with HPD and CEC signals as specified.
3. Verify that the introduction of HDMI does not interfere with any existing digital interfaces from the ESP32.
Validate integration and update project documentation
1. Update the schematic to reflect the removals and additions, ensuring all new net connections to the ESP32 and other elements are correctly made.
2. Update the Bill of Materials (BOM) to include the new USB host controller, HDMI transmitter, and additional supporting components.
3. Revise the project description to document the changes from VGA/PS2 legacy interfaces to the new USB HID host and HDMI output subsystems.
4. Run ERC/DRC checks and ensure compliance with available parts and design constraints.

#Success criteria

The schematic no longer contains VGA or PS/2 components and associated level shifting circuits.
The project includes a fully integrated USB HID host controller and an HDMI output subsystem with proper net connections to the ESP32.
The BOM and project description are updated to reflect all modifications, with successful ERC/DRC verification.
All legacy standards and new systems interoperate without conflict, preserving USB-C power and USB-UART functionalities.

79 days

risaacs

approved

79 days

flux

1:02

Creating execution plan.

Exploring hardware options.

Clarifying the plan.

Updating the plan.

Initiating the planning process.

Approved. We’ll remove VGA/PS2 and add USB HID host plus HDMI while keeping USB-C power and USB‑UART.

Plan summary

Remove VGA, KeyBoard, Mouse, level-shifters, and related nets.
Add USB Type‑A host, ESD/power switch, and a USB host controller wired to ESP32.
Add HDMI TX IC, clock, I2C config, ESD, and Type‑A receptacle; route TMDS/HPD/CEC.
Integrate, update BOM/description, run ERC/DRC.

Click Start to run the plan.

Plan

#Goal

Modify the ESP32 x86 PC project to replace the PS/2 keyboard/mouse interface with a USB HID host interface and the VGA video output with an HDMI output. Remove the VGA connector, PS/2 connectors, and associated level-shifting hardware. Add a USB host solution for HID devices and an HDMI output subsystem while keeping the USB-C power and USB-UART components intact.

#Implementation plan

Remove legacy connectors and circuitry
1. Delete the VGA connector [VGA] and resistor-DAC circuit that drives it from ESP32 GPIOs.
2. Remove the PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors along with their level-shifter circuits (BSS138s [Q3, Q5, Q6, Q7] and associated pull-up resistors [R11–R18, R15–R17]).
3. Prune any unused nets associated with these legacy I/O blocks.
Add USB HID host interface
1. Integrate a dedicated USB host controller (e.g., SPI-based) into the design and connect it to the ESP32 via SPI or ULPI as appropriate.
2. Add a USB Type-A connector for hosting HID devices.
3. Incorporate additional supporting components such as ESD protection and USB power switch if required, and make the necessary net connections to the ESP32.
Add HDMI output subsystem
1. Place an HDMI transmitter IC with associated clock source, configuration via I²C, ESD protection, and supporting passive components.
2. Connect the HDMI TX IC to an HDMI Type-A receptacle, routing the TMDS video pairs along with HPD and CEC signals as specified.
3. Verify that the introduction of HDMI does not interfere with any existing digital interfaces from the ESP32.
Validate integration and update project documentation
1. Update the schematic to reflect the removals and additions, ensuring all new net connections to the ESP32 and other elements are correctly made.
2. Update the Bill of Materials (BOM) to include the new USB host controller, HDMI transmitter, and additional supporting components.
3. Revise the project description to document the changes from VGA/PS2 legacy interfaces to the new USB HID host and HDMI output subsystems.
4. Run ERC/DRC checks and ensure compliance with available parts and design constraints.

#Success criteria

The schematic no longer contains VGA or PS/2 components and associated level shifting circuits.
The project includes a fully integrated USB HID host controller and an HDMI output subsystem with proper net connections to the ESP32.
The BOM and project description are updated to reflect all modifications, with successful ERC/DRC verification.
All legacy standards and new systems interoperate without conflict, preserving USB-C power and USB-UART functionalities.

Pick USB host IC

Choose HDMI transmitter

Set video requirements

Add USB-A power switch

Remove legacy blocks guidance

79 days

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Documents

Doc 1

Assets

esp32-wrover-e_esp32-wrover-ie_datasheet_en.pdf

esp32-wrover-e_esp32-wrover-ie_datasheet_en

ESP32 x86 PC image.png

ESP32 x86 PC imageThumbnail

Project Name

ESP32 x86 PC

Description

A self-contained “retro PC” platform built around the ESP32, exposing classic PC-style IO: VGA video, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, audio-out to an onboard speaker, microSD storage, plus USB-C for power and USB-UART for programming/debug.

Properties

License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pricing & Availability

Distributor	Qty 1
Arrow	$0.84–$3.05
Digi-Key	$1.52–$30.15
LCSC	$5.52–$6.45
Mouser	$14.74
TME	$2.85
Verical	$0.82–$497.05

Controls

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vasy_skral / ESP32 x86 PC

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