Tutorial  Updated

Internal modchip - SAMD21 (Trinket M0, Gemma M0, ItsyBitsy M0 Express) Guide, Files & Support

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Its amazing that people are still checking all of this out. I thank you for all of the help and support I have received in this thread over this year.

Cheers. Matty.


A video showing a modchip in action. Thank you once again to @metaljay for providing this. This is what you can achieve by fitting a chip!



Section 1. Gather your software.

Get your chip software from THIS THREAD.
Follow the flashing instructions there...




Section 2. Removing USB port and unneeded LEDs. (Adafruit chips only)
  • Next, we need to remove the USB port from the modchip. I recommend a heatgun or a rework station. Heat up until the USB port just lifts off the modchip.
  • Do the same for the LED just to the right of the USB port.
See picture:
20181031_110415.jpg


You are now ready to fit your device. Proceed to Fitting section.





Section 3. Fitting modchip to your Switch.
New Universal Method. All SAMD-based internal chips. If your chip is not supported and you cannot work it out, PM me.

Trinket M0.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

trinketfinal.jpg

==================================================
Rebug SwitchME M0. Use Trinket files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

rebugfinal.jpg

==================================================
RCMX86 - Internal modchip version.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

RCMX86-Internal-Final.jpg


==================================================
Gemma M0. Use Gemma files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture


gemma final.jpg

==================================================
ItsyBitsy M0 Express. Use ItsyBitsy files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

itsybitsyfinal.jpg




==================================================
Feather M0 Express. Use Feather files.
Solder as laid out in the following picture

feather_final.jpg




BUILD YOUR OWN FROM A QFP ATSAMD21E18. Trinket equivalent pins.
Flash Trinket bootloader using OpenOCD via serial pins SWDIO / SWDCLK. Fit a reset switch somewhere... Or going to power / wake (aka method 2). If building for external use, it is good practice to fit a third capacitor between 3V & GND. This is deliberately vague and ambigious, as this needs research and you need to know what you are doing.

Link for setting the Pi up with OpenOCD: HERE
Raspberry Pi OpenOCD image in downloads section or HERE
SAMD pi connection.png



Alternative Solder Points

Credit to @consolex for original pic. I`ve added alternative points to solder to:
Alternatepoints.jpg


Credit to @pyorin for this much tidier version showing the same info as the above one!
Alternatepoints2.jpg

s-l1600.jpg

alternative3v.jpg




Replacement Parts List

Ok... So you have damaged your switch soldering your chip in. Not to worry.

First things first, DO NOT BRIDGE THE CONTACTS HOPING TO REVIVE YOUR SWITCH. With resistors, you may possibly get away with this, but with the capacitors listed below, if you jump these points, you will make a nice short-circuit to the PMIC and / or the M92T36, killing them instantly. Don`t do it.

OK... I`ll list these parts with METHOD 2 & 3 TRINKET PIN NUMBERS and the values of the components they solder to.

TRINKET 3V (POWER SUPPLY) - 2.2uF 0402 size MLCC capacitor. Voltage unimportant as long as it is over 6.3v
TRINKET PIN 2 (POWER ON RESET - goes to pin 5 on M92T36)- 4.7uF 0402 size MLCC capacitor. Voltage unimportant as long as it is over 6.3v
TRINKET PIN 0 (VOL+) - 150R (150 ohms) 0201 Thick Film resistor. 50mW
TRINKET RESET (SWITCH POWER BUTTON) - 150R (150 ohms) 0201 Thick Film resistor. 50mW


I recommend RS components.

FAQ

Q - How do I boot the switch into APX (RCM) mode?

A - You need to short out pin 10 on the right joycon rail to GND with a jig or modded joycon or paperclip (not recommended... Buy a jig you cheap-ass gyppo). Once shorted out, hold down vol+ and power. The switch screen should be off... Plug into your PC and it should recognise a APX device. Well done. You are in RCM.

Q - What glue should I use?
A - Only glue if necessary! Ideally if your soldering is of sufficient quality and your wire is thin enough, you don`t need glue. I use a bit because I am OCD. Anyway, use Epoxy. It`s what I use. Gives you some working time, is solid. Superglue makes a mess DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE. The only thing super about it is how it melts things. Epoxy won`t stick to the shield long-term, so bear that in mind. Pure Acetone will remove epoxy. Acetone tends to remove / melt anything to be warned. CHECK YOUR GLUE WON`T GO CONDUCTIVE OVER TIME - LOOKING AT YOU SCAMSUNG! The combination of heat cycles and absorbing of moisture can turn adhesive into a high-impedance connection!

Q - What size wire should I use?
A - I use AWG40 magnet wire or AWG30 Kynar. AWG40 goes onto components easier... And if you snap it, chances are the wire will snap and not the trace / component.
A2 - You can also use AWG30. I recommend Kynar wrapping wire but any will do. Looks nice, good resistance to elements, tidy. Nothing thicker than AWG30. You are just causing yourself more headaches. Trust me.

Q - Is AWG40 thick enough?
A - Yes. AWG40 is good for around 90mA.

Q - which methods do you recommend?
A - Connect all the straps...

Q - how do you recommend to set it up?
A - Fusee Suite. Search for Fusee Suite or go to link at top of this OP.

Q - My switch is flat and won't turn on.
A - Have you got the charger connected? Disconnect it or your switch won't boot! Boot to a payload (SX loader/Hekate), reconnect charger and leave on the payload menu and charge. Leave for 15 minutes and switch will start normally. It will continue charging one booted.

Disclaimer:
You have only yourself to blame. This voids warranty. This may or may not get you banned from online services. If it does, you got yourself banned. I`m not responsible if you kill your switch / your first-born with any of this in this post. I`m not infalliable. I`m partly senile. Do your own research. Kids, get bill payers permission before you attempt even using a screwdriver.
NUTSHELL: Don`t come having a go at me because you fooked your £300 console up. I`ll do my best to help you though if you do, Just don`t blame me.

Credits to Quantum-Cross, Atlas44, @Ninoh-FOX , @jcrorxp , @tecfreak, @mooglazer, @subcon959, @64Dp128k, @mikeleuskaldunak, @M-O-B, CTCaer, @evilsperm, @consolex and everyone else for valuable input.


IF YOU REQUIRE SUPPORT, IF YOUR CONSOLE ISN`T WORKING CORRECTLY... PLEASE POST A HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURE OF YOUR INSTALL. You might think it isn`t your soldering, but in all cases with the new methods, it is bad soldering. So, please post a picture.


A BRIEF WARNING - PLEASE READ
THIS MOD IS NOT FOR THE FEINT OF HEART. WE ARE SOLDERING TO TRACES AND COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE BOARD TO SAVE HAVING TO REMOVE THE BOARD AND SOLDER TO TESTPOINTS. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING, OR THINK YOU ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE, PLEASE PLEASE SOLDER TO THE TEST POINTS NOTED IN THIS AND OTHER THREADS (YOU WILL NEED TO REMOVE THE MOTHERBOARD). DOUBLE - TRIPLE CHECK EVERYTHING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Good soldering skills are needed!
A magnifying glass is needed!
Good soldering iron needed - ideally with a 0.3 conical tip. No more than 30w!
SECURE YOUR WIRES PRIOR TO SOLDERING. Stick them down with double-sided tape.
Only use glue if you need to and glue wires after soldering. Don`t glue the solder to the component!
Put the tiniest amount of glue on the PCB mask only. Never on components. Use a cocktail stick for more glue control!!!
Take a look at alternative solder points to get you out of the sh*t if you do rip something off the board
If you aren`t the best at soldering, then think very carefully about connecting to pin 6 capacitor (the one in these new methods). If you rip this pad, you WILL NEED TO REMOVE YOUR BOARD and run from a testpoint.
 

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noX1609

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Read all pages and found some useful info :)
But is there already a good method to disable the Trinket (disconnect from power) avaliable?
Only know the method of soldering to the Vol+ Button so if you press it the trinket will be powered on and you have to hold the button until injection is finished. For this do i need to solder GND or Bat to the button (i think gnd but not 100% sure)?
 

mattytrog

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Read all pages and found some useful info :)
But is there already a good method to disable the Trinket (disconnect from power) avaliable?
Only know the method of soldering to the Vol+ Button so if you press it the trinket will be powered on and you have to hold the button until injection is finished. For this do i need to solder GND or Bat to the button (i think gnd but not 100% sure)?

It draws 1mA in sleep. Most of that 1mA is ate by the LDO regulator.
 

noX1609

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It draws 1mA in sleep. Most of that 1mA is ate by the LDO regulator.
Sure? Because that‘s not much then. Other user reportet a loose 16% battery in a bit more then 2h which is much battery if you carry the console with you and you don‘t have a power source to charge it. Because of that i thought about a method to disconnect power from trinket after payload is send.
Hope there will be a good method to do so soon.
 

noX1609

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Ok got an idea:
What if i put a flat battery near the trinket internaly and connect the BAT Pin to positive side of the battery and the Negative side to the Switch Mainboard and one GND from GND on Trinket to the motherboard too?
But i don‘t know if that would blow up the Trinket.
Does anyone know something if thats possible?
 

mattytrog

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Ok got an idea:
What if i put a flat battery near the trinket internaly and connect the BAT Pin to positive side of the battery and the Negative side to the Switch Mainboard and one GND from GND on Trinket to the motherboard too?
But i don‘t know if that would blow up the Trinket.
Does anyone know something if thats possible?

It would still discharge.

Something like this would be better...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-USB-TP4056-li-ion-li-po-lipo-Battery-Charger-Module-Discharge-Protection/272986428636?hash=item3f8f4254dc:m:mZvOYFXrR8CXcgPDwxGjHyg&var=572203917031

Or this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2A-4A-1-...74:m:mO4jDmvj-mHQjvLlpuqHzjw&var=452699862623
 
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noX1609

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@mattytrog: Sorry don‘t understand that. If i put in an extra battery and connect BAT of the Trinket to the corresponding site of the battery and GND of Trinket to the other side how does the Trinket then discharge the Swift Battery?
Only thing im not sure of is if i need to connect the other side of Battery and GND of Trinket both to the motherboard of the swift or if it also work when i solder the GND from Trinket directly to the extra battery.

Looked at the links but that‘s to big for internal install or i have to search for amsecound place to mount the extra chip.
The first one how would that be soldered? The inputs to switch board and outputs to the Trinket (but which points of the Trinket?
 
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mattytrog

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@mattytrog: Sorry don‘t understand that. If i put in an extra battery and connect BAT of the Trinket to the corresponding site of the battery and GND of Trinket to the other side how does the Trinket then discharge the Swift Battery?
Only thing im not sure of is if i need to connect the other side of Battery and GND of Trinket both to the motherboard of the swift or if it also work when i solder the GND from Trinket directly to the extra battery.

Looked at the links but that‘s to big for internal install or i have to search for amsecound place to mount the extra chip.
The first one how would that be soldered? The inputs to switch board and outputs to the Trinket (but which points of the Trinket?

Forget the input pins (ie USB end). All we are interested in is the discharge protection. You see battery input pins and the output pins. The output pins would go to the trinket and the input pins are connected to the battery test points.

The trinket would still be running constantly, however in long term storage for example, it would only discharge to a certain level.

I understand what you are saying in your first paragraph. You want to use a button cell (2032 or something). It would still discharge the button cell rather quickly compared to how a bios CMOS or RTC backup battery (2032) would.
 
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dave11674

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On a side note
About this m0 draining battery

Didnt matty say there was a few extra components we could add to fix this ?
Id like to see a diagram with components needed if possible please mate ;)

Dave
 

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Forget the input pins (ie USB end). All we are interested in is the discharge protection. You see battery input pins and the output pins. The output pins would go to the trinket and the input pins are connected to the battery test points.

The trinket would still be running constantly, however in long term storage for example, it would only discharge to a certain level.

I understand what you are saying in your first paragraph. You want to use a button cell (2032 or something). It would still discharge the button cell rather quickly compared to how a bios CMOS or RTC backup battery (2032) would.
Thanks for the explanation.
Now i understand the use of the chip you posted the link to (first link).
I think for now i will let it as is but for later time i will probably use this method, only have to look for a place it fits in the Switch.
Maybe i also try the Mod i thought about with a button cell just for fun and to see how long such a battery lasts. If it‘s empty it‘s no problem then i put in a new one. But this would be also good to protect the Switch battery so it can‘t be discharged to low.

If i want to do that how do i need to connect it to trinket?
The plus pole to the bat point on the chip and the other side (- Pol) directly to the Trinket GND Point, right?
 

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I test the Pin4 connection cap. when power on, that supply 3.3v, can I use it to power the atsamd21? without LDO.

Try it. I get the feeling it is a signal. If you attempt to power on the trinket, I don`t think it will boot. I don`t thjink the console itself will boot
 

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Try it. I get the feeling it is a signal. If you attempt to power on the trinket, I don`t think it will boot. I don`t thjink the console itself will boot
Try it. I get the feeling it is a signal. If you attempt to power on the trinket, I don`t think it will boot. I don`t thjink the console itself will boot

I found that, the IC vcc.
 

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