CPS3 NOS (NOR Open SIMM)

CPS3 NOS is an alternative to the original SIMMs for CPS3; currently, the available options include clone SIMMs with old-stock FLASH memory and Ultra SIMMs by DS.

The project shares similarities with UltraSIMM but is not based on it. Instead, it is a new implementation built using publicly available pinouts and CPS3 schematics from FPGA projects.

The initial design aimed to use SPANSION NOR FLASH as the main memory, but this proved unfeasible due to speed limitations causing significant instability. As a result, MICRON NOR FLASH was used instead. While this is the same type of memory used in UltraSIMM and shares its pinout, but it's not directly compatible with UltraSIMM/UltraBIOS setup, because it is an entirely separate implementation.

The primary purpose of this project is to provide an alternative to SIMMs for catridges with original keys and battery, addressing the risks involved when updating the BIOS using the CPS3 SIMM/CARTRIDGE PORT ADAPTER for OSCR. This project is not intended to create a new multi-SIMM solution. Given this primary purpose, it is very likely that UltraSIMM would also works on catridges with original keys and battery, though I do not have access to one to confirm.

Issue Detected on 128MB NOS Module

Issue is identified with the 128MB NOS module causing intermittent problems after extended use. This may impact performance in games.

If you’ve already sent files for a production release, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. At this time, I’m not entirely confident in the stability of this release.

The primary purpose of this project is extend the functionality of CPS3 SIMM/CARTRIDGE PORT ADAPTER for OSCR. With this adapter, you gain exciting new possibilities for dumping cartridges or testing configurations.

Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Assembly/Production

Gerber, BOM, and POS files are provided in the hw directory. You can send them directly to a PCB fabrication company or assemble the boards yourself.

When assembling, consider that the minimum pitch is 0.5mm, and the footprint for capacitors and resistors is 0603.

Important!!!, PCB tickness it's 1.2mm

64MB SIMM

For 64MB SIMMs, you can use the following parallel NOR FLASH memory chips:

• Micron MT28EW256/512/01G
• Spansion S29256/512/GL01G (use the 100ns speed version)

128MB SIMM

For 128MB SIMMs, only Micron MT28EW01G parallel NOR FLASH is supported. During development and testing, Spansion memory did not work as expected with bank switching on the 128MB SIMM.

Notes

• Use only one type of SIMM when assembling a single 64MB SIMM.
• You can mix Micron and Spansion SIMMs if needed.

How to use

CPS3 can only handle four types of FLASH memory due to the instructions used for flashing new games through the system, these instructions are supported and coded in the BIOS.

To make a new NOR FLASH memory compatible with CPS3, a BIOS patch is required.

BIOS Patch

The bios_patch.py script allows you to apply patches to your current BIOS, adding compatibility for SPANSION and MICRON NOR FLASH.

For example, if you have a dump of Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, you can execute the following command to patch BIOS:

python bios_patch.py sfiii3_usa.29f400.u2 sfiii3

Compatibility Table

Before patch	After patch
MXCI	MXCI
SHARP/INTEL	SHARP/INTEL
HITACHI	SPANSION
MXIC	MICRON NOS/UltraSIMM

Flashing Your New BIOS

Once the patch is applied, it's time to flash your updated BIOS onto the cartridge. There are two main methods you can use:

1. Using the CPS3 SIMM/CARTRIDGE PORT ADAPTER for OSCR

   • This method works for both alive and death cartridges.
   • NOTE: Use it at your own risk on alive cartridges!

2. Traditional Method

   • Remove the 29F400 chip from the cartridge and flash it using a programmer.
   • This method is only recommended for death cartridges.

Now your cartdrige it's compatible with NOS!

R/W CPS3 NOS

Currently, CPS3 NOS can only be programmed using the CPS3 SIMM/CARTRIDGE PORT ADAPTER for OSCR.

Prepare your files

• Dump or copy your CD-ROM files and organize them into a directory. For example, for Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, the directory structure should look like this:

   CDROM
   └── SFIII2
       ├── 10
       ├── 20
       ├── 30
       ├── 31
       ├── 40
       ├── 41
       ├── 50
       ├── 51
       ├── 90
       ├── 91
       ├── 92
       └── 93
  

• Concatenate files for each SIMM

  • For 128M SIMMs, use files 3# to 6#.
  • For 64M SIMMs, use files 10 and 20.

  Example (using a Unix terminal):

   	cat WAZARD/10WZ SFIII/10NG SFIII2/10 JOJO/10JO SFIII3B/103S2 JOJOBA/10JB > NOS10
  
  	cat WAZARD/10WZFix SFIII/10NG SFIII2/10 JOJO/10JO SFIII3B/103S2 JOJOBA/10JB > NOS10
  	
  	cat WAZARD/20WZ SFIII/20NG SFIII2/20 JOJO/20JO SFIII3B/203S2 JOJOBA/20JB > NOS20
  	
  	cat WAZARD/30WZ WAZARD/31WZ SFIII/30NG SFIII/31NG SFIII2/30 SFIII2/31 JOJO/30JO JOJO/31JO SFIII3B/303S2 SFIII3B/313S2 JOJOBA/30JB JOJOBA/31JB > NOS30
  	
  	cat WAZARD/40WZ WAZARD/41WZ SFIII/40NG SFIII/41NG SFIII2/40 SFIII2/41 JOJO/40JO JOJO/41JO SFIII3B/403S2 SFIII3B/413S2 JOJOBA/40JB JOJOBA/41JB > NOS40
  	
  	cat WAZARD/50WZ WAZARD/51WZ SFIII/50NG SFIII/51NG SFIII2/50 SFIII2/51 JOJO/50JO JOJO/51JO SFIII3B/503S2 SFIII3B/513S2 JOJOBA/50JB JOJOBA/51JB > NOS50
  	
  	cat WAZARD/60WZ WAZARD/61WZ SFIII/60NG SFIII/61NG SFIII2/60 SFIII2/61 JOJO/60JO JOJO/61JO SFIII3B/603S2 SFIII3B/613S2 JOJOBA/60JB JOJOBA/61JB > NOS60

Important Notes

• NOS supports up to 8 titles. When using this feature, you must fill all SIMM slots and space.
• For example, when working with Street Fighter III: New Generation, you can duplicate certain files to fill all space:
• Use 10 as 20 for SIMM 2.
• Use 50 four times for SIMM 5.
• Use 40 as 60 for SIMM 6.

	1	2	3	4	5	6
Street Fighter III: New Generation	64MBit	-	128MBit	128MBit	32MBit	-
Street Fighter III: New Generation (filled)	64MBit	64MBit	128MBit	128MBit	128MBit	128MBit

Alternatively, you can use the ds2nos.py script to convert UltraSIMM files to NOS format.

Write NOS

The CPS3 SIMM/CARTRIDGE PORT ADAPTER for OSCR has designated slots for 64M and 128M SIMMs. Insert your NOS into the corresponding slot and connect the headers for additional addressing.

• Prepare your SD, copy NOS10* to NOS60* in root

• Use Capcom System III menu options to write files

• 128 MB

  

• 64 MB

  

Install NOS on CPS3

• After writing all the NOS, install the SIMMs into the CPS3. It is recommended to label each SIMM to prevent any mix-ups in the future.

• Install the SW header to link all NOS if you plan to use more than one title.

NOS SW Reference Table

SW Config
	GAME 1
	GAME 2
	GAME 3
	GAME 4
	GAME 5
	GAME 6
	GAME 7
	GAME 8

Disclaimer!!!

I am not responsible for any damage to your CPS3 cartridges or system. At this time, it remains untested in live cartridges, so use it at your own risk!

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International. You are able to reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.