What is the interest in an SX module?

Vaati

After these few months of time away from these wonderful forums due to mounds of schoolwork, I was struck by an idea to create a now much needed module for the SX chip now that there are only surface mount SX chips left.

What would be the interest in a low cost (say, $20) module that comes pre-built with SX and peripherals so you only have to plug in your key/blitz and around 6 volts to start programming?· I have been refining the board layout and will place an order, probably over christmas break.



Thanks for your feedback.

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RobotWorkshop

I thought that someone on the Forum had already created a small board for the SX28 chips but at the moment I can't recall who that was. Perhaps there are some people on the forum that could use a carrier for the SX28.

For the SX48 I have a board that works out well as a carrier for the chip or can be built up as a whole module. It is shown in this thread which was just updated with the docs:

http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=7&m=194701

It might give you some ideas if you decide to make something similar for the SX28.

Robert

wass

there are only surface mount SX chips left said...


Is this true? Although I don't see any 28-pin DIP SX's in stock now I was under the impression that the wafers that are in stock (or soon will be) have yet to be diced up and assume that some percentage of them would end up in DIP's.

-Katie

Vaati

Well, I guess there are going to be DIP chips; I was just posting upon the fact that I did not see any in stock at the moment.

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Vaati

I think I have finally come to a second draft of my design. It would have the SX, pin headers for it to be used in a breadboard, a socketed 50mhz resonator, programming header, and power circuit. This would mean that the only thing you would need other than the module would be a 6-9 volt power supply and the programming tool. Also, the module would be priced at $15 instead. I am looking to get a copper clad pcb and some ferric chloride so I can make a prototype and post pictures.

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mikediv

Vaati I would be very interested can I ask are you making this board yourself or sourcing it out, if self how do guys drill the holes?
I understand sort of how you can buy circuit boards and photo etch them but the holes are so close and small how do you do that?
thanks

Vaati

Well, what I am planning on making one prototype myself so as to see what bugs or problems there are. This one I would etch myself, as well as a second prototype to get an idea of exactly what my boards will be like. After that, I am just going to order the boards from ExpressPCB.

I don't think I'm ready to post my board layouts, but after I get a prototype and order some boards, I most likely will.


I hope that helps.

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BrooksL

Hi Vaati,

We're moving along to the SX dip pkg device because I don't think we can get the features needed in the BS2xx series. If you're building SX28/48 modules, I'm interested to know more!

Feature request - what would really be nice is a:
24pin (or 28pin) 600mil dip pkg,
with BS2 compatible pinout (could even add a BS2p40 compatible model),
that runs at 3.0~5.5V Vdd
(Vin = Vdd+0.4V to 9V or 12V),
4~50MHz,
adjustable (or solder replaceable) threshold reset generator,
with on-board 64Kb~256Kb 1MHz SPI RAM (Microchip 23K630 or 23K256)
and native SX/Basic instructions to access the RAM.
128Kb 1MHz serial EERPROM,
SX-Key connectivity
Serial in-circuit reprogramability.

If it could be loaded with the Parallax BASIC interpreter, it would be like a BS2px-Enhanced product!

Curious, if you're etching protos yourself, are you actually doing 5mil traces and 0402 parts?? My limited garage etching experience could not turn out reliable 5mil traces...
-- BrooksL

Vaati

Hello,

Wow--sounds like a good module idea to me! Some of those things are a no-brainer, but I don't know about cramming that sram onto a tiny board...

When I posted this, I was intending to order the boards from expresspcb. Now, however, I think I could etch them. I struck gold (or rather copper) on ebay and got 10 3 by 11 single sided boards for $1! Since they're single sided, I would have to use some of my tetris skills to get the chip and everything on one board... I will try it out and see how it works.

Also, I would probably be using 0603 parts. They give a little more leeway with the sharpie.


Happy holidays.

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Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

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