Introducing PatchBox.TV : Propeller in a Matchbox

Tubular

Greetings all,

Here's a concept that extends the square core of the Proto Board with several useful features:
* a MicroSD socket and optional 3v3 regulator inside the square
* Input wing: 2 low profile PS2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, plus power
* Output wing: VGA, or 2 RCA phono (Video Out + Audio (Out or In))
* Inner I/O pin square: pin compatible with the 1.2" square of the Proto Board
* Outer I/O pin square: contains a second set of I/O 90 degrees rotated, for pullups, DIL/IDC connectors etc
* Fits inside a matchbox sleeve (2.0" x 1.4")

This is the prototype, i'm interested in feedback for possible improvements for production. More info at PatchBox.TV

Thanks
Tubular

Post Edited (Tubular) : 11/23/2008 11:15:07 PM GMT

Rayman

Very nice! Is that four layers? Seems a bit overkill... I do like your concept. I think you picked a nice uSD card socket. The one I picked out is some kind of flip thing, that I haven't figured out how to work yet... Yours looks much simpler.

The only thing really missing is a power jack. I'd recommend adding in a 2.1mm power jack, if you can find the room.

Tubular

Hi Rayman,

Yep I really like that Molex transflash header. The one shown is not the correct height (its 3.75mm). A lower version should allow the card to slide across the top surface of the prop chip then straight into the socket. Makes it easy to line up...

Its actually just a two layer board. The yellow in the picture is a ground trace, accidently highlighted when I took the screencap.

However I am thinking of getting a 4 layer ptoto done through sparkfun. This frees up the entire reverse side for a kind of solder pad playground (ready to accept perhaps some 1-wire chips, accelerometer, rgb leds, max3232 kinda thing, etc)

With the regulator onboard you can put +5v in via one of the PS2 inputs. But a 2.1 jack would be nicer, I agree... i'll see what I can fit in if I make the kb/mouse pullups surface mount...

Thanks for your comments

tubular.

Cluso99

@Tubular:

Nice PCB I like the way you have made the dual row interface pins to allow for 16bits. The micrSD socket is great.

If you are trying to save space, you could use a stereo socket for the audio channels (or 1 composite and 1 audio) and use an external converter plug (like used on the ipods) to convert from stereo plug to RCA sockets.

Just a note - the blue track between A19 and A20 going to B28 (rhs) is not horizontal

As I said, nice job

Tubular

Cluso99 thanks for pointing out that wonky trace, now I'm going to notice it every time I look at the board

The phono to 2 or 3 RCA cable is a great idea for saving space. The phono sockets need a fair bit of depth but a 2.5mm version would probably be OK. I checked with several retailers and electronic shops and the 2.5mm to 3 RCA cable seems a rare beast (though certainly available on Ebay).

I'm thinking of lashing out and extending the pcb by 0.1", since my matchbox appears 2.1" long anyway. this should permit a 2.5mm phono connector, or a USB mini B for power (though maybe not data without room for a vinculum chip). Hmmm...

Thanks for the suggestions

tubular

Coley

Something like this....?



£1.07 + VAT each

cpc.farnell.com/AV14098/audio-video-tv/product.us0?sku=pro-signal-psg00500

Was thinking of something similar for our PropGFX board (Thanks Ray!)

Regards,

Coley

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite

Cluso99

@Coley: I was thinking about an adapter like these:

However, I think your solution is better :-)

(The second photo failed - it is just a single version of the other)

Tubular

Coley,

That cable looks just the great, thanks for finding it. However I'm really struggling to fit a matching 2.5mm connector... at around 11mm/0.42" they're just too deep for the board as it is.

So... I'm designing up a separate daughter board that'll mount in the end of a Hammond 1455 'C' tube and allow deeper connectors... will post the design shortly

tubular.

Coley

Hi Tubular

search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=CP1-42514SJCT-ND

Try that, it's the one I am going to use.

Regards,

Coley

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite

Tubular

Coley you champ that connector looks perfect. I don't suppose you know which pin number the video signal is on???
I've ordered the cables but have to wait a couple of days for them to arrive

tubular

Coley

Tubular,

I don't know what it is sorry, but I have ordered a few of these leads but I won't get it now till next week.

Will post as soon as I have the info...unless you beat me to it.

Regards,

Coley

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite

Peter Jakacki

I have the same lead in 3.5mm so I checked it.
TIP - YELLOW
1ST RING - WHITE
2ND RING - RED

I'm sure I have the 2.5mm lead as well but I have to dig it up. Can't see why it would be different.

*Peter*

P.S. I was looking at doing a matchbox prop as a bit of a gimmick, just to show how small it could be, looks good. Wot, no room for a battery?

Tubular

Peter,

Many thanks for the pinouts. I'll check it against the 2.5mm cable when it arrives next week and post if there's any discrepancy.

It does really need a battery doesn't it. Here's a 4th gen iPod battery which is a good match (very slightly wider). This won't fit in the matchbox, due to height, but it will fit in the extruded tube.

To fit within the matchbox the battery would need to be 1.4"x1.4"x0.25" (35x35x6mm) or less... perhaps a different ipod battery... any ideas?

tubular

william chan

Is it a game console?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
www.fd.com.my
www.mercedes.com.my

Tubular

Hi William,

It can be a games console if you want it to be

The true intent behind the design is a general purpose core with really flexible interconnect possibilities. I have several projects in mind so really need a flexible core.

Having the MicroSD on board is critical so end users can upgrade the program by just slotting in a new card (which can ultimately be mailed out should all higher tech methods fail!)

tubular

CannibalRobotics

How does it interface to the outside world with the rest of the pins?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Signature space for rent, only $1.
Send cash and signature to CannibalRobotics.

Tubular

Hi CR,

There are so many ways to wire the I/O via the DIL holes.

The most useful one (IMHO) is to add 26 pin right angle boxed header(s), like in the photo below. The lower one gives you P0-P15 plus power rails. You can tthen connect to a mating 26 way socket (straight or right angle), or via IDC ribbon cable.

If you want it all to fit in a matchbox sleeve, the next revision will also bring P0-P3 out via the spare pins on the two PS2 connectors.

tubular.