Razer OSVR HDK 2 Teardown

The VR world is packed with serious contenders. The newest hardware and software solution comes from a dynamic duo: Razer, gaming peripherals giant, and Sensics, virtual reality maven. Their offering: the OSVR HDK 2. Can it hang with the platform heavyweights? We'll find out soon enough!

A teardown can provide valuable insights into the manufacturing process, component quality, and potential for modifications or repairs. It would be great if someone who has experience with or knowledge about this specific headset could provide a detailed breakdown of its internal components, connectors, and any other interesting aspects.

• Let's take a quick look at the OSVR HDK 2's specs and peripherals:
• Head-mounted display (HMD) with dual OLED displays, 2160 x 1200 combined resolution (441 ppi), 90 Hz refresh rate
• IR camera for 360º tracking, operating at 100 Hz
• Belt box with surround sound audio codec and "signal boosters"
• Decoding that name real quick, OSVR HDK 2 = Open Source Virtual Reality Hacker Development Kit version 2.

• Normally we can't wait to open our new toys and expose their inner workings... but we also love any excuse to pull out our handy dandy infrared camera.
• Dots everywhere! The HDK 2's stand-mounted sensor tracks this constellation of infrared (IR) LEDs from one instant to the next, in order to compute the wearer's motion and position.
• This is similar to the tracking system employed by the Oculus Rift, and the virtual opposite of that used in HTC's Vive.
• The lone USB 3.0 port, nestled onto the side of this headset, can be used to attach accessories as they are developed.
• When wearing the HDK, two cables pass over your head—the large one feeds data to the HMD, while the skinny one is responsible for a few IR LEDs hidden in the box behind your head (allowing for 360º tracking).

• Time to hunt for those hidden IR LEDs. Since the HDK 2 is built to be accessible to developers, we aren't surprised to learn the headset's gatekeepers are friendly Phillips screws.
• But with the screws removed, the faceplate seems to be held in place by some mystical energy field. We suspect either wizardry or more likely, the Force.
• The HDK 1.x models had some issues with cables ripping apart. The HDK 2 seems to have remedied this with a beefier cable and a ZIF connector.
• With repair on our minds, we give this modular design two thumbs way up.

• On the inside of the faceplate we find the source of (some of) those invisible lights: the IR LED array!
• The hefty cable peels out quite easily, way less scary than some of the LED arrays we've seen.
• Successfully removed, we take a closer look at this ring of light:
• Three STMicroelectronics STP16CPC26 low voltage 16-bit constant current LED sink driver
• 18 LEDs, each attached to the (IR-transparent) faceplate with some sticky, black foam tape

• We start to think this motherboard's easy access is a teardown engineer's dream...until we realize it's held hostage by two sneaky flex cables snaking down to the displays.
• Many components are accessible without having to remove the motherboard, so hopefully most users won't need to go this far.
• With the cables disconnected, we're able to free the motherboard for a closer look.
• Do you think motherboards nag their daughterboards the same way human mothers nag their human daughters? Just wondering.

• Open-source hardware means labels are a must. We're so busy admiring the organization we nearly forget about the silicon:
• Atmel XMEGA256A3BU MCU
• Toshiba TC358870XBG 4K HDMI to MIPI dual-DSI converter (also seen in the Rift CV1 and the Vive)
• SMSC USB5534 4-port USB 3.0 hub controller
• Bosch Sensortec/Hillcrest Labs BNO070 9-axis orientation sensor and sensor hub
• Texas Instruments TPS54478 buck converters
• Texas Instruments TPS54427 buck converter
• Texas Instruments TXS0104E bi-directional level shifter

• Speaking of labels, we found a few goodies for enterprising devs:
• These empty pads look like they're ready to accept some ZIFs, possibly for extra USB devices.
• Unused USB 3.0 connector
• Cute li'l empty 5-pin socket (possibly a header for another USB 2.0 port)
• Similarly empty 10-pin header (possibly a JTAG port for the XMEGA MCU)
• More empty solder pads!
• Hardware doesn't have the same open source licensing guidelines that software has. In order to follow a framework that promotes development beyond the code, Razer modeled their Module Development Kit platform after Google's Project Ara.

• IC identification, continued:
• Texas Instruments TPS65632 3 output AMOLED display power supply
• Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) LTC4365 overvoltage/undervoltage/reverse supply protection controller
• Diodes Incorporated AP2127K-1.8TRG1 300 mA / 1.8 V LDO regulator
• Diodes Incorporated AP2127K-3.0TRG1 300 mA / 3.0 V LDO regulator
• Torex Semiconductor regulator (likely)
• Silergy DC-DC converter (likely)
• Semtech RClamp0524P and RClamp0502A TVS diode array

• After removing four friendly Phillips screws, the display assembly lifts out of the headset with ease.
• A smear of light adhesive attaches each of the screens to the plastic casing—we've certainly had an easier time here than getting to the CV1's displays.
• Improved visuals on the HDK 2 make it a contender with the big names in VR: The two 1080p OLED displays, made by AU Optronics, look similar to the Samsung displays on the HTC Vive, and boast the same 2160 x 1200 combined resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate.
• The display is one of the HDK 2's biggest improvements from its predecessor. Conveniently, anyone with an older HDK can simply upgrade their screen to match the HDK 2.

• We love watching lenses move. Like we did here. Oh and here too.
• Not all lenses are created equal. While the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift both offer adjustments for IPD (inter-pupillary distance), the OSVR does not.
• While the OSVR lacks IPD adjustment, it does boast one claim over the competition—those knobs allow independent eye relief adjustment. Anisometropia sufferers rejoice!
• Focus adjustments range from +4.5 to -2 diopters, which should allow most (but not all) regular optical-enhancers to ditch their spectacles while using the OSVR.

• The flexible foam face mask can be removed at any time, thanks to squishy pegs that pop out of the HMD with a simple tug.
• This is especially nice if you suffer from SFS (Sweaty Face Syndrome).
• The HDK 2 spec sheet boasts a "bamboo charcoal microfibre foam layer" on the face mask, which sounds like a mashup of beauty buzz words to us, but supposedly provides "additional comfort" to your VR experience.
• We also take the opportunity to snag the HDK's circular peepers. While they may look reminiscent of those in ye olde Oculus, rather than the Fresnel lenses we've been seeing in devices lately, these are actually dual-element lenses, with lower chromatic aberration and no Fresnel "God rays." They are related to this earlier (HDK pre-1.3) design.

• Tucked ever-so-gently along the side of the headset, we find the IR Board. We knew something had to keep all those IR LEDs under control.
• Populating the board are a few more silicon-flavored morsels:
• STMicroelectronics STM8S003K3 8-bit MCU
• Texas Instruments TPS54478 buck converter
• STMicroelectronics STP16CPC26 low voltage 16-bit constant current LED sink driver
• Vishay VSOP58438 IR remote control preampifier circuit
• Texas Instruments TPS7A3701 1 A LDO Regulator

• The second LED array is looooong—see the invisible measuring tape in the photo for reference—wrapping around the top and both sides of the faceplate.
• The ribbon itself is well adhered and a bit tricky to extricate, but we managed to free the 10-LED cable sans-incident.
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• Now on to the watchful spider (or maybe the watchful complex virus?)—it's the IR-sensing camera!
• This li'l guy tracks your movement via the infrared emitters on the headset while you're stuck in the matrix experiencing virtual reality.
• Though the OSVR HDK 2 uses similar technology to the Oculus Rift, its camera is tiny when compared to the Rift's Constellation.
• The camera module also features a 3.5 mm stereo jack, used for synchronizing the camera with the LEDs on the HMD.

• Inside the camera module we find a wee little mobo, complete with two ICs:
• Realtek RTS5838 camera controller (likely similar to the RTS5822)
• GigaDevice GD25D05B 512 Kb Serial NOR flash
• Fitipower Integrated Tech FP6146-15S5G 300 mA / 1.5 V LDO Regulator
• And it's even more complete with two ports:
• Micro USB port
• Sync port

• Our newest fashion accessory, the clip-on belt box, offers improved "cable management" that looks a lot like cable hoarding. Six ports populate this sucker:
• Out the bottom we have a barrel jack for the power/camera sync split cable, as well as HDMI-in and USB 3.0, for the computer connection.
• The top sports a headphone jack, the proprietary HMD cable port, and a spare USB 3.0 port (for accessories, or maybe sweet hacks).
• After our quick port survey, we say adios to four Phillips screws and then lay hands on the board itself. Let's see if we can find those "signal boosters" we heard about.

• What makes our new hip accessory tick? We took a peek at the board to find out:
• Genesys Logic, Inc. GL3522 USB 3.0 hub controller
• Parade PS8407A jitter cleaning repeater ("Signal boosters"? Is that you?)
• Winbond W25X05CL serial flash memory
• Conexant CX20705 audio codec and DSP
• BCD Semiconductors AZ1117CD low dropout linear regulator
• Texas Instruments TPS54327 buck converter
• Diodes Incorporated AP2186 USB power switch

• OSVR HDK 2 Repairability Score: 9 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair)
• Standard Phillips screws hold the headset and its components together.
• The motherboard is easily accessible after removing the cover.
• The cables and foam facepad are sturdy and detach easily.
• Reconnecting the motherboard to the two display data cables underneath is tricky.
• The two OLED screens are attached to the case with adhesive that required some prying to detach.