PCB Tech - PS4 controller PCB circuit board manufacturers

PS4 controller PCB circuit board texture

If you want to make your own PS4 controller, you must understand how the standard controller and its board texture work. This way, you will know what the console expects to ensure that your custom build will work properly.

The Sony model CUH-ZCT1 PlayStation 4 wireless controller originally released in 2013, also known as DualShock 4, is a wireless control board for PlayStation devices.

The controller is compatible with PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and can also be connected to the main console via a Micro USB-B cable. The controller also includes a headphone jack, a built-in mono stereo and a two-point touchpad.

Video game consoles are one of the most purpose-designed devices in the world. Although you can use them as personal computers, their main function is entertainment. You can see this in their entire design and components.

Because of this, game consoles and their controllers often have obscure and proprietary circuit board textures and components, and PlayStation 4 is no exception.

Of course, the main console uses a standard computer printed circuit board (PCB), but the controller requires a dedicated circuit.

In most cases, the flexible, ribbon-like PS4 controller board texture is no different from any other PCB.

It is composed of a lightweight, highly durable, non-conductive, glass fiber-like material.

Another non-conductive layer covers the substrate with a fixing device for connecting the circuit board to the plastic housing of the controller. Finally, a layer of conductive copper is located on top of both and serves as the circuit path of the PCB.

Then, a non-conductive protective solder mask surrounds the entire assembly, and there are enough open metal solder joints on the entire circuit board. All controller buttons, triggers and levers are directly connected to this top circuit board texture.

In the PS4 controller, the board is divided into two panels stacked together, and there are also panels for the USB port, wireless antenna, heat sink, and battery.

These two PCBs are usually distributed throughout the controller housing and placed in positions that make proper and effective contact with the button keys.

This contact is achieved through a conductive rubber plate attached to the bottom of the button. When you press the button, these boards complete the circuit board's circuit.

PS4 controller PCB layout

The PS4 controller must be held comfortably in the player's hand. The player must be able to hold it, move the joystick, reach and press the button. This business restriction specifies the size and layout of the texture of the PCB circuit board.

The dual PCB format is such a result. The DualShock 4 sub PCB handles all user interactions. It has all buttons and trigger switches. The controller PCB also has an LED shining green full of vitality and red low life video game health indicators.

The main PCB of the controller has all the basic computer logic and connectors, as well as a potentiometer for fixing and reading the analog joystick.

It has all the functions and components of a typical smart phone, a processor with a controller, USB, and a network connection to the console. The motherboard also has a three-hour backup battery, metal mounting brackets and a cooling fan assembly.

Over the years, Sony has released seven different variants of the DualShock 4 controller

Each layout improves the previous model by providing more efficient buttons and input methods. Each variant also has regular and professional board textures, but these versions use the same PCB. There are only additional connectors on the Pro texture.

As the console startup version of the controller, model JDM-001 is the simplest circuit board texture among the five. 001 has two colors, green or blue, and all button switches are in the "active" state.

This means you just need to connect them to any ground to make them work. The D-pad, Cross, Circle, Square and Triangle buttons do not require any other functions. However, you must take precautions against triggers.

The "Left 1" and "Right 1" trigger buttons are also active, but you must connect them to the 3.2 volt line to work. On the other hand, the "Left 2" and "Right 2" flip-flops require pulse width modulation (PWM) signals.

The second board has a smaller texture than 001, and some of the items move around, but otherwise the same. The only real difference is the USB/LED daughter board, which is redone with fewer connections. The housing is also smaller, preventing 1:1 exchange or replacement. JDM-020 is the current version of the circuit board texture of the basic PlayStation 4 console. It uses Freescale ARM chips instead of Fujitsu chips. It is the first product to achieve blind vertical interconnection access (via) points or links between multilayer PCB layers for daughter boards, buttons and connectors.

The vias for the X and triangle buttons are located at the bottom of the circuit board, while the round and square buttons are located at the top. 020 also updated the sub-circuit board material and shell.

As the latest ultra-thin console controller, JDM-030 circuit board texture with shell and daughter board redesigned. The 030 daughter board is a single PCB connected to the upper left corner of the main board.

PS4 controller PCB parts

Regardless of the build version, the PS4 controller board takes user input from the buttons and converts them into things that the game console software can use.

In most cases, all PS4 controller PCBs use standard circuit board texture components. There are resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc. These common electronic components constitute the main body of the PCB.

Their job is to ensure that the buttons, USB, and wireless signals arrive at their destinations on time as complete as possible.

In addition to these basic components, all PS4 controllers share common user interface components. The number of these components may vary, but they all have the same basic functions.

4.1 Buttons, triggers and direction pad switches

Just like on a computer keyboard, the PS4 button switch is not on the PCB, but on the button itself. These switches just hit the conductive pad of the PCB when pressed to complete the monitoring circuit.

The circuit is located on the daughter board, and there are only conductive leads for pressing the button on the daughter board.

4.2 Analog stick module

Each Dual Shock 4 controller has two analog direction sticks. One is connected to the daughter board, and the other is directly connected to the main board.

In most cases, these sticks are complete modules, but you can also find them in a separate section.

4.3 Battery holder

Open the shell, the first thing that pops out is the battery compartment. But there is nothing special. It is just a standard plastic battery holder, designed to be installed in the housing. It is connected to the main circuit board texture through a plug.

4.4 Light bar

The PS4 controller has a built-in light bar that can provide additional interaction points in some games. The rod is wrapped in a glass cover, connected to the controller by a clip, and the clip is connected to the PCB by a cable.

4.5 Mounting plate

The PS4 controller PCB is not directly connected to the housing. Instead, it is connected to the mounting plate to ensure stability. It is this board that connects directly to the housing to hold everything in place.

4.6 Rumble Motor and Wheel

Rumble motor provides user feedback function in some games. There are two typical controllers, which consist of the motor itself and wheels that provide feedback to the user.

4.7 Speakers and sound system

The PlayStation controller also has a basic audio system. These systems include a loudspeaker and its driving circuit.

4.8 Touchpad

In addition to the joystick, arrow keys, triggers and buttons, you can also use the touchpad to control PlayStation 4 games. The touchpad component is on the top, in the middle of the texture of the sub-circuit board.

4.9 USB port and PCB

The USB component allows the controller to be connected to the USB port on the console and computer system. It is also used as a battery charger port. The USB PCB is customized to fit the controller, but uses USB standard components.

USB port and PCB

4.10 Cooling fan

Like most electronic devices, the PS4 controller has a built-in cooling fan.

4.11 Bluetooth wireless antenna

As it is a wireless device, the PS4 controller also has a wireless antenna and related circuits.

4.12 ARM processor

Finally, as wireless devices, these controllers also have ARM processor integrated circuits. These chips are the core of the controller and can run all the functions of the controller without input from the console.