Nintendo GBA - Hardware Overview

GBA Service Manual
Page 4
3.0 Hardware Overview
3.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Custom 32-bit RISC CPU (GBA)
8-bit CISC CPU (GBC)
Generation of stereo sound plus 2 PCM channels for wave data
16K System ROM (+ 2K for GBC system ROM)
32K internal working RAM
96K video ram
64x128 Object Attribute Memory (OAM)
16x512 RAM Pallete (256 colors per object; 256 colors per background)
3.2 Memory
256K external working memory
3.3 Display
2.9 inch color reflective LCD
240x160 RGB dots
32768 colors shown simultaneously
Segment and grid drivers
Buffer amplifier for LCD
3.4 Audio
4 Audio signals (corresponding to the GBC sound) plus 2 audio signals generated directly
by the CPU (PCM format).
Audio amplifier IC (U6) to reinforce the outputs.
3.5 Controls
Parallel inputs connected directly to the CPU
L and R buttons (first used on the Nintendo handheld system)
3.6 External Communications
6-pin I / O port that can communicate in 5 different modes:
A. Normal mode, for normal GBC and GBA system functions.
B. Normal 8/32 bit communication mode
C. 16-bit Multi-Player Mode
D. General mode
E. Joy bus mode for communication with the Game Cube