Guenther Daubach and Robert SX Module Projects
Bill Chennault
Posts: 1,198
Guenther and Robert and All--
How did your respective SX Module projects turn out? I am fascinated by both and would like to get at least one of each, if possible.
Thanks.
Happy New Year!
--Bill
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You are what you write.
How did your respective SX Module projects turn out? I am fascinated by both and would like to get at least one of each, if possible.
Thanks.
Happy New Year!
--Bill
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You are what you write.
Comments
actually, I have designed three different SX modules:
- The SX28 MultiBoard, a multi-purpose board for the SX28 DP for plated-through parts
- The SX48 DIP module which is is a 48-pin DIP adapter for the SX48 with only the SX48 and two filter caps on the board
- The SX28 MultiBoard USB. This is a board for multi-purpose applications, like the SX28 MultiBoard but it is designed for an SX28AC/SS, and an FTDI232R USB chip with most of the other parts being SMT as well.
In which ones are you interested?
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Greetings from Germany,
G
I am very interested in the SX48 DIP module. The processing speed of·the SX plus the extra I/O of the SX48 intrigue me and I would like to experiment with it.
How may I obtain one?
Happy New Year!
--Bill
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You are what you write.
The little SX48 module I made up as a kit has worked out really well. The kit has assembly instructions and a schematic of the module. I've received from feedback that it has helped introduce people to working with surface mount parts. It is in a 40-pin DIP form factor and the pinout is compatible with the 40-pin BS2p40 BASIC Stamp. It has an onboard socketed EEPROM, socket for a 3-pin resonator, 4-pin header for programming, and an onboard MAX232 for a real serial port. It is programmed just like any other SX based system. I use SX/B most of the time but you use straight assembly or even one of the C compilers if you are so inclined. Although the SX28 is perfect for a lot of applications I find myself using the SX48 more and more since it has twice the memory, more I/O, and two 16-bit timers. I've got one little SX48 module acting as a serial based dual H-Bridge motor controller and the two 16-bit timers can run the two motors. These are very flexible chips and the more you use them you'll find even more uses for them.
Even if you opt to build many of your circuits using the SX48 protoboards that Parallax sells (I use them myself) you still may want to have one of these 40-pin SX48 modules around. It is one of the best ways to use the SX48 on a breadboard that you'll find anywhere.
I still have some kits onhand as well as the blank PCB's. Just let me know if you want one.
Happy New Year,
Robert
I want two. I appreciated your e-mail and have replied. If you don't get it I will tell you what I want here.
I am very glad your idea worked out for you. I was fascinated by the entire thread and all the dialogue that took place concerning the development of the PCB board and module.
--Bill
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You are what you write.
Does this mean your PCB can be plugged into the 40 pin slot for the BS2 on the ProDevBoard with the SX28 removed? If that is the case, where do I get one? [noparse]:)[/noparse] Not that I'm all that thrilled with trying my hand at mounting the SX48 to the board but hey, you can't learn without trying...
Gunther's DIP48 package sounds intriguing as well. It sure would be nice if either of these options were available at the store so us po' neophytes could experiment with the SX48 out of the box. It was a large factor for getting a PDB to experiment on.
Thanks,
Mark
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mirk handwrote
admire nth work
Is there a reason you don't want to experiment with this?
www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/SXDevelopmentBoards/tabid/141/CategoryID/54/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/362/Default.aspx
$10 for a PCB with SX48, power supply circuit, and proto area seems awfully cheap and easy to me.
Thanks,
PeterM
I don't currently have one of the Parallax Professional Development Boards but this module should work just fine in the socket that normally accepts a BS2p40 module. The pinout of the 40-pin SX48 module is the same. The only slight difference is that instead of transistors for the programming serial port on the BS2p40, this SX48 module has a MAX232 for more of a true RS232 type signal. This can be used for a bi-directional serial port for anything you want. I've found it very useful! I often have it sending out status messages using that port to a Terminal. From what I see of the schematic of the Professional Development board this module should just work. To program the SX48 chip there is a 4-pin header already on the 40-pin module itself.
The SX48 kit does include instructions and schematic. Surface mount work does take some patience but if you take your time it is a pretty rewarding kit to build. The kit runs $34.95 (plus shipping) and the bare PCB's are $7.95. If you want one just send me a PM.
I guess i'll have to add one of those Parallax Professional Development Boards to my wish list, they do look sweet!
Robert
Don't forget small footprint. I actually thought that is where I would END up. It's just that in a short time I've gotten very fond of the PDB for just bashing things together, programming and seeing what happens. I agree with you, that is an excellent product. It's on my next purchase list if I can come up with an actual use for an SX48 as opposed to the SX28.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Mark
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mirk handwrote
admire nth work
Well that is interesting. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. It would be neat to be able to play with the SX48 and not have to burn a large portion of the breadboard in the process. I'll contact you about that.
Yes, the Pro Board is quite nice. Someone(s) at Parallax did a nice job with that. I haven't (yet) burned up a chip playing with various circuits so someone did their homework. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Mark
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mirk handwrote
admire nth work
I have used both the SX28 and SX48 protoboards that Parallax sells and they are definitely great items! I would highly recommend keeping at least a couple of each around if you do a lot of projects with the SX series chips. They are great for one off circuits and small hard wired prototypes. I used one of the SX28 boards in an article which appeared in the December 2007 SERVO magazine. In an upcoming article i'll be using one of the SX48 boards. As you mentioned, you can't beat the price...
That being said there are still some very good reasons why someone might like at least one SX48 DIP-40 modules around:
- Very compact size and perfect for use on a breadboard! Also has onboard serial port, socketed 20Mhz resonator, socketed EEPROM, and programming header in a tidy little package. Since it is a kit any feature that isn't needed can be left off if desired. (If comparing it to the SX48 protoboard remember that doesn't include an onboard external EEPROM, resonator, or Serial line driver. Those are extra's you would have to pay a little extra to add.)
- If you currently have a circuit (or small robot) with a socketed BS2p40 module and you need a bit more horsepower, then this module can drop right in place and you can take advantage of SX/B or assembly. No wiring changes are required.
- Get to learn a couple new techniques for working with surface mount parts and get the satisfaction that you've actually assembled a tiny little module like this yourself.
- If someone just wants a small carrier PCB for small portable project in order to use the SX48 then the bare board can be used to mount the SX48 CPU. That puts it closer to the price range of the proto board so it isn't too bad. With one of these you could put a little device in an Altoids tin. Of course G
sorry, I forgot to mention that the SX48 DIP costs US$ 19.00 for single units. This includes shipping from Germany in an air mail envelope. The SX48 and the two filter caps are already installed by a professional PCB manufacturer. Not included are the socket pins. You have the option to either install small round pins that fit into a standard DIL48 socket, or the wider, square-shaped 1/10" pins like shown in the picture. Such pins fit into breadboards, and into standard pin sockets.
As an option, you may install header pins with longer legs on the solder side (used for wire-wrapping), as shown. They are handy for attaching test probes, and as the OSC1, OSC2, Vdd, and Vss pins are in the right order, you can also directly plug on an SX-Key or SX-Blitz. Later, when you are done with testing, you can always cut off the extensive pins, maybe only leaving the four pins for the SX-Key/Blitz in place.
Should there be a greater demand for these boards, I can send a bulk of them to my daughter in South Carolina, and she will then handle domestic shipping from there in order to reduce shipping costs.
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Greetings from Germany,
G
-Kris