Gadget Gangster Propeller Platform Now Available!
Nick McClick
Posts: 1,003
There are three modules initially available - the Propeller Platform Module (pictured above), the LCD UI Module (I also did a little video demo of it), and the Prototyper Module. I wrote up a little explanation of the platform:
What is the Gadget Gangster Platform?
The Gadget Gangster Platform is a lot like the Arduino with a few improvements on the basic idea;
- Modules (a.k.a. shields) can be connected to each other on top and bottom. For example, you might have a Propeller module in the middle, an LCD UI on the top, and a prototyper on the bottom. We've got a few initial modules to start, and we'll continue to expand on the selection with more modules and microcontrollers.
- Pin spacing is .1". This makes the Platform compatible with breadboards, and it lets you use Platform modules in combination with other project boards.
- The board footprint is 3.8" x 2.5", which is the same footprint as ExpressPCB's MiniBoard service. This makes it easier to add your own custom module.
- Because they're featured in Jon Williams' Spin Zone column in Nuts and Volts, they're well documented. The Propeller Platform Module will be the basis for many of projects described in his upcoming columns and the LCD UI module will featured in his September '09 column.
- Projects designed on the Gadget Gangster Platform can be shared and sold on Gadget Gangster. You can also use Platform Modules in combination with our other project boards (like an LCD UI on top of a Boss Board).
- Platform Modules are licensed under the MIT license (essentially public domain), giving you the flexibility to use the design in commercial products or anything else without restriction.
Comments
Are all the parts included in the Propeller Platform Module and LCD UI Module?
Your site also said that it uses a "2mm tip 9-12V power supply." Is·it not a standard Parallax 2.1mm, center positive?
Any chance of a discount, if you buy all three?
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
Post Edited (Whit) : 8/21/2009 1:01:24 AM GMT
1.. Will these be on sale at UPENE?
2.. Is the joystick (LCD) compatible with the new joystick that Parallax sells? (I like the big control hat it has)
3.. Please, Please, please tell us you didn't do any goofy spacing with the female pin headers.
(Can I use a standard piece of perf on top?)
Looks awesome!
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
1 - I'll have modules at UPENE
2 - I'm not sure, but the LCD UI comes with two switch caps (one for each switch).
3 - YES! You can also have sockets on top, and headers that point down, so you can plug it straight into the breadboard - see photo #3 as an example.
@Whit - yes, each module includes all the parts (DIP's, sockets, etc). For the prop module, though, you'll need a prop plug to program the EEPROM. No combined discounts, but you'll save on shipping!
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
I used to use a cheap ($5) 2x16 parallel LCD for debug, but it used up too many pins which also made it a pain to move around. The Parallax 2x16 serial LCD at $24.99 is a good deal, uses only one pin, and has a nice zero cog debug object in Obex. But it doesn't have a backlight. But not having a backlight may be a good thing when it comes to Parallax LCD's. I also have a 4x20 Parallax serial LCD ($39.99) and it does have a backlight. But the backlight consumes gobs of current. I don't know why Parallax didn't POV mux the backlight, after all you can turn it on and off in software. I think it uses the SX as the backpack LCD controller, maybe there's no timer-counter with pin-direct output in the SX, I'm not familiar with the part.
Sooo glad you didn't decide to mimic the stoooopid 0.16" Arduino pin-spacing. What where they thinking?
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
@Drone: None of my projects are claimed to be end-all-be-all -- the purpose of my column is to help guide and encourage those who aren't as comfortable with electronics development and programming as you and I might be, and Gadget Gangster (Nick) is providing a service to fans of my column who have been asking for kits for a long time. I'm not in the kit business so I never did it myself.
The reason we went with the 2x8 LCD is that it's the only thing that would fit on the board. For practical reasons we use the ExpressPCB miniboard sizing and that's not a lot of real estate. As the LCD UI board has to mate with the Propeller Platform we're constrained even further. I have always been a fan of minimal interfaces -- since my days of developing low-cost sprinkler timers for Toro. I agree that the LCD is not very big, but it's enough to convey adequate information for many apps, and with six discrete buttons there are plenty of inputs. The LCD is attached by a box header, so you can in fact use any size LCD, so long as you have some mechanical means of supporting it.
The board also has a bi-color LED which can be programmed to convey a lot of information via color (off, green, red, yellow) or blinking between colors at user-specified rates.
[noparse][[/noparse]Edit] I've attached a picture of the board with the 2x8 LCD removed to reveal the box header -- connect any LCD you want (that supports the same 4-bit interface, of course).
Post Edited (JonnyMac) : 8/21/2009 4:58:39 PM GMT
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
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--Steve
Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
O.k. mine is ordered. Can I have it assembled by the next Spin Zone article - that is the question.
Step one clean of my work table.
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
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Computers are microcontrolled.
Robots are microcontrolled.
I am microcontrolled.
But you·can·call me micro.
If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.
I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use generic avatars (and I'm more of a Prop head then a BS2 nut, anyway)
Please keep us apprised to when the next batch of LCD modules are ready.
(I'd love to place an other before the next issue of N&V arrives.)
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
Also, the current issue of N&V is online - you can read it here.
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
Go SPINZONE!
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
Jon: Great article as usual, and thank you for the plug of my crystals!
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Please use mikronauts _at_ gmail _dot_ com to contact me off-forum, my PM is almost totally full
Morpheus & Mem+dual Prop SBC w/ 512KB kit $119.95, 2MB memory IO board kit $89.95, both kits $189.95
www.mikronauts.com - my site 6.250MHz custom Crystals for running Propellers at 100MHz
Las - Large model assembler for the Propeller Largos - a feature full nano operating system for the Propeller
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
Can you give some details on the LCD module itself?
I might want to purchase a prototyping board from you with the LCD and
build one that uses the Parallax joystick with a pushbutton on the other side.
Doable?
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
Like me, it's simple, and -- hopefully -- effective. I use a box header to connect the LCD so that one can use the included 8x2 or another LCD via a cable with a standard 16-pin connector (the header is setup for backlight control). The other output is a bi-color LED and an improved bi-color LED driver that allows one to balance the R/G elements to get a nice yellow color, regardless of the bi-color LED you use (they're all a bit different).
Inputs on the board are a 4+1 N.O. mini joystick (digital) and an extra N.O. button (I uses for "Escape" in my applications).
There is an expansion header that brings out P0-P7, 3.3v, 5v, and ground.
The idea is that this is a prototyping tool. I envision people using it to develop a product that is then integrated into a single PCB or more suitable commercial package. Like other prototyping tools it's not meant to be permanent or disposable.
Now, a suggestion to GadgetGangster. You are going to need some sturdier packaging. The prop was badly bent up when I opened the package and the 40 pin socket was trashed since it's pins were mashed beyond fixing. The bubble pack just is not going to be enough. I had some extra 40 pin sockets anyway so no major problem there. You need some foam to plant the chip into and maybe the sockets too. Just a heads up. It's a real nice kit and the instructible was great. Took me about 1hr to build it and that was because I had to back the regulator out when I planted it opposite it's correct side. You might also look at some 4 pin right angle headers that are a little fatter. Mine is very loose with the prop plug and I have to apply upward pressure to get it to keep solid contact. Another easy fix though.
I really think it's going to be a nice prototype board.
I'll see what I can do for the right angle header - it connects just fine for me, but you're right - it could 'lock in' tighter.
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
No worries man. I just wanted to let you know since I was probably among the first to get it via mail. No big deal about the socket. I'm glad it took most of the beating and not the chip itself. I helped the header out by staggering the pins up and down on it with needle nose and that seems to help a lot. I'm very pleased with it. It's very straight-forward to build, well marked, and the instructions were great. Nice product.
@OBC - adding a joystick to the prototyper should be trivial. I don't have that joystick myself, but as long as it fits in a breadboard, it should work fine. The D-Pad on the LCD UI module is pretty good, though, if you don't need analog control.
I'll do a howto on the LCD UI this weekend (I get the boards on Thursday), but it's a really straightforward build - even easier than the Propeller Module.
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
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Whit+
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
My favorite quote - Hack a Day said, "...ready for your next design that needs a little more sauce than the Arduino can offer."
One of the commenters replied, "A ‘little’ more sauce? It’s a whole shipping container full of barrels of more sauce!"
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects
arduino: The micro for those with low expectations.
Great comments all.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
OBC
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New to the Propeller?
Visit the: The Propeller Pages @ Warranty Void.
There's one part missing; the LCD's backlight cathode is pre-jumpered to ground, so the user will need to remove the jumper if they want to control the backlight. Pretty minor, but I'll add that step to the howto tonight.
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Gadget Gangster - Share your Electronic Projects