PS3 [Tutorial] How to use an ESP32 as a SYSCON UART Bridge

Which Console are you inquiring about?
PS3
GrGeorge

GrGeorge

Member
So recently I lost my TTL yo USB board and wondered if its possible to use an ESP32 I had on hand to make a bridge between my PC and the PS3's SYSCON. Long story short after quick search I found out that the ESP32 is an actual good candidate because it uses 3.3V so that you don't have to stress if your adapter sends in 5V and kills your SYSCON. I wrote a very short code for my specific EPS-32D should also support: (Classic ESP32-WROOM-32 microprocessors, supporting standard 30-pin variants such as the HW-394, NodeMCU layouts and standard 38-pin DevKit V1 packages.).

You will need small gauge wire to connect GPIO 16 (RX) pin on the PS3 and GPIO 17 (TX) pin on the PS3. (if those don't work for you try swapping them around) GND pin on the ESP goes to any Ground point on the PS3 (whatever suites your setup). and also the DIAG pin connecting to ground (you can follow Rip Felix's guild on YT).
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE PINS DON'T OUTPUT MORE THAN 3.3V E.G 5V OR ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO KILL YOUR SYSCON.

Paste the code on Arduino IDE:
C++: 
//These are the GPIO pins on the ESP32 that act as the RX and TX pins on the PS3
#define RXP2 16
#define TXP2 17

void setup() {
  // Start the USB serial connection with your computer
  Serial.begin(115200);
  // Start the serial connection for the PS3 Syscon
  Serial2.begin(57600, SERIAL_8N1, RXP2, TXP2);
 
  Serial.println("ESP32 Passthrough Ready.");
}

void loop() {
  // Read from the PS3 Syscon and send to the computer
  if (Serial2.available()) {
    Serial.write(Serial2.read());
  }

  // Read from the computer and send to the PS3 Syscon
  if (Serial.available()) {
    Serial2.write(Serial.read());
  }
}


Find what COM port your ESP32 is connected to:

1781282282515.png


For me it's COM5.

Under "boards manager" type "esp32" and install the esp32 by Espressif Systems

1781282469301.png


Then

After flashing your ESP32 with the code follow a guild on how to wire your specific motherboard's revision TX, RX and on some motherboards DIAG points.

1781283260443.png

source: PS3 SYSCON Tutorial | How to Diagnose the YLOD on PlayStation 3 using its own System Controller

I haven't yet tried using the terminal window for my SYSCON I used the windows python script from the PS3 SYSCON tool (use a guild for your motherboard revision). if it does not auth after some attempts try switching the RX and TX wires. For me it took some attempts of spamming AUTH (probably I had a weak connection or needed to powercycle it).

This is a free time project its by no means perfect and I will not be held responsible for any damages use at your own risk (for compatibility issues) it should work on an ESP-32D still use at own risk
 
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