Introducing the SpinSocket(tm) Concept

jazzed

SpinSocket(tm) is a family of devices that have a DIP 32 footprint.

"Big things in small packages made easy."

SpinSocket Flash features:

​

• DIP32 package usable with bread-boards
• P9 to P25 Propeller pins free + Serial In/Output P31/P30
• P0 to P8 pins can be used with Flash disabled
• PropPlug compatible
• Stackable and PCB mountable
• 4.5VDC to 10VDC input power
• 4MB onboard Flash +64KB EEPROM
• 80MHz operation
• Decoupling Caps on the bottom
• 4 each 16 pin stackable headers
• $35 each ASP - discount available to forum members

SpinSocket types:

SpinSocket-Flash (30+ PCBs available)
SpinSocket-SRAM (8 PCBs available)

Planned SpinSocket module types (cancelled):

SpinSocket-SD
SpinSocket-ADC/RTC
SpinSocket-TBD

SpinSocket Flash will have up to 4MB of Flash which is byte-at-a-time accessible.
The design allows up to 16MB of byte-at-a-time flash with current SOIC-8 chips.

What's the point of SpinSocket Flash?

1) Allows running Propeller GCC programs, or any other language directly from Flash (Board Type SSF).
2) Boot time is instantaneous (after EEPROM load); no need to wait for SD card access.
3) Code running from Flash/Cache is one of the fastest XMM solutions available.
4) Advantage of the fast byte-wide flash design concept clearly superior and copied by others.

I welcome any Questions, Answers, Feedback, or Suggestions.

Thanks.
--Steve

Bean

Very Nice.
Well done.

Bean

Rayman

I like the stackable headers idea...
Haven't thought it through, but my first thought would be to use DIP-40 so that people with the regular Prop could just drop this in for more power...

jazzed

Thanks Bean!

@Rayman, I thought about 40 pins and 32 pins (which i may do). I opted against 40 pins mainly because Andrew (WBAconsulting) is doing that. The other reason is that P28-31 are really not necessary and in many ways are just not available to users. A 28 pin part is easier to route with a Propeller and other components.

In the 28 pin version I sacrifice one propeller pin for bringing out VDD for other things. Also, on the SpinSocket-Flash the SPI clock and chip select are not extended to the carrier board. These things are why I'm still considering a 32 pin footprint.

Rayman

Steve, I'd still recommend a 40-pin package. People do use 30&31 a lot for serial comms. Also, it's nice to have 28&29 for the I2C bus.

I think the stackable header concept makes it a little different that other things.

This would be like a miniature Propeller Platform...

Rayman

If you do go 40-pin, one change you could make is convert one of the regular VDD pins to +5V input to the regulator. This would give people the option of powering directly from 4..9 VDC, or just leaving it at 3.3 V...

WBA Consulting

Jazzed: Nice work on the layout. It's nice to see QFNs squeezed into their place like that. Someday, I'll learn how to utilize flash.......

As for the 40 pin, my M44D40+ module is just the basic Propeller circuit (Prop, Crystal, EEPROM, Programming header) in a DIP 40 format, so if you were providing additional options like flash and onboard regulation, it won't interfere with my target market in most cases. My goal is a simple, breadboardable, ready to run Propeller solution that's about $20. I do have concept drawings for backpacks and a flash/regulator backpack would be easy to make if a crossover between the products was desired.

Cluso99

Nice Steve :-)
More products to choose from => more people into the prop
Just have to get the word out!

The one thing I notice is the unusual placement of Vdd. I suppose you cannot place this at pin 1 or pin 13?

With your PropPlug pins, I have a pcb coming which uses 6 pins at the end... 5V,Gnd,-Reset,SI,SO,Px

So I am allowing 5V input (or output) beside the Gnd Pin. I am doing pcb(s) to plug into this. Px is a spare prop pin.

Rayman

Maybe the WBA version could also work with the 40-pin concept by using it as the top layer...
Different boards could be used underneath...

jazzed

Andrew, I'll make some boards that will go with your 40 pin assembly.

Cluso, the VDD placement is odd I guess. Pin 1 is better because
of short trace length, but the routing for the rest of the board won't work.
I may spend more time with that. We'll see.

Here's the SpinSocket-FTDI board. Features include:

1) User can choose USB power for a connected board
2) Allows the user to disable the FTDI controlled reset
3) Has a reset button

This board would be mounted on top of the SpinSocket-Flash or SD module.

See first post for updated drawings.

jazzed

SpinSocket concept updated - See first post for updated drawings.
I decided to include a 5 pin PropPlug+ header which will make 3.3V available.

Mike Huselton

How about a ZigBee SpinSocket module? I recently switched over to Synapse modules - much easier to use. A reorientation of the footprint from horizontal to vertical orientation might help.

http://www.synapse-wireless.com/index.php?mainID=3&subID=3&type=product&prodID=3

An infrared transceiver link would be a nice addition to the list of modules.

jazzed

Mike Huselton wrote: »

How about a ZigBee SpinSocket module? I recently switched over to Synapse modules - much easier to use. A reorientation of the footprint from horizontal to vertical orientation might help.

http://www.synapse-wireless.com/index.php?mainID=3&subID=3&type=product&prodID=3

An infrared transceiver link would be a nice addition to the list of modules.

I'll look into this.

At first glance an infrared transceiver will be fastest/easiest to implement.
Most of the 802.15.4 modules I see are bigger than the SpinSocket footprint.

Dr_Acula

These sockets look neat. I have an idea for a series of SPI boards - analog and digital I/O, plus sd card, plus others. SPI needs short connections so this sort of modular stackable design would be perfect. How do the sockets work - are they stackable? Is there a stackable solution using wirewrap sockets or similar?

groggory

Do you think I could skillet reflow a propeller QFN? It works for all my legg'd parts just fine, but never tried a high pin count QFN. The most pins I've ever reflowed that were under the chip was 6 on a micro precision regulator.

jazzed

Dr_Acula wrote: »

How do the sockets work - are they stackable? Is there a stackable solution using wirewrap sockets or similar?

Stackable headers are available. Stackable headers can be plugged into solder-tail sockets for bread-boarding. One should never plug stackable headers directly into a breadboard..

groggory wrote: »

Do you think I could skillet reflow a propeller QFN? It works for all my legg'd parts just fine, but never tried a high pin count QFN. The most pins I've ever reflowed that were under the chip was 6 on a micro precision regulator.

You could probably do it, and I'll sell you some boards if you want to try.
I'll build a few prototypes, but actual production assembly will be farmed out.

WBA Consulting

Jazzed, nice work. Utilizing a QFP is much nicer than a QFN. Unfortunately, when I started designing mine, I used an incorrect QFP package in DipTrace which lead me to believe that I could not use a QFP. It's still a very tight squeeze using a shortened land pattern, but I think a QFP version of mine is possible at 2 layers because the lack of a thermal pad adds routing room. Anyhow, if you want a few of my fabs to play with or to help in designing any add on boards, shoot me a PM, as I have 550 of them. My initial testing/validation is done so the design has been proven. I just need to buy parts and build them now.....

David Betz

Does the SpinSocket-SD also have the flash chip? I can't tell from the pictures. I'm assuming that the 8 pin chip to the left of the Propeller is the EEPROM. Where is the flash chip?

jazzed

WBA Consulting wrote: »

Anyhow, if you want a few of my fabs to play with or to help in designing any add on boards, shoot me a PM

Andrew, I just need pin-out, hole/board dimensions, and minimum height between boards.
I'll hook up with you at UPEW and buy samples. I already have too much to do.
A board with 2 Winbond Flash chips (WSON package up to 16MB) may be worth the effort.
That depends really on how the SpinSocket-Flash works.

David Betz wrote: »

Does the SpinSocket-SD also have the flash chip?

David there is no separate Flash on SpinSocket-SD. I don't have room for both.

Ravenkallen

What about a SRAM add on module? That would be really helpful combined with the SD version... You could use 23k256's like the C3. Another cool add-on might be a video/ PS/2 jack, although it might not fit very well?

Dr. Mario

jazzed - Nifty module!

It's really neat since you got them all on DIP-28 package, which is a REAL space saver, especially with the DIY model airplane (they have to be compact and light).

Another great idea, another great product!

jazzed

Hi folks. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to use a DIP28 as shown in the first post or a DIP32.

Please help me decide which is better. I wouldn't normally sweat it, but prototypes are a bit expensive and i have several to do this time around.

Here images for the DIP32. Notice that there is no special header for prop-plug all pins are on the DIP socket. The prop-plug can be attached to pins 28-31 on the DIP32. The only odd thing about the DIP32 socket is placement of the ground pin is not on 16, but there is some precedent for doing that.


DIP32 Layout example.

Original DIP28 layout example for comparison.

jazzed

Someone mentioned that having the SpinSocket modules provide 3.3V is very useful.

Attached is an updated pinout.

SpinSocket-Flash has data connections on P0..7.
SPI Clock/Chip select are on P26/27 which are not on the socket.

I've added an optional boost regulator to the Flash board to allow running with a AAA battery.

PJAllen

Any further developments (SpinSocket32), anticipated release date?

jazzed

PJ Allen wrote: »

Any further developments (SpinSocket32), anticipated release date?

Hi PJ Allen.

Product should be generally available for sale before UPEW. I'm thinking May 5th is reasonable.

There are 10 PCBs in my office and I have a driver for the flash version now (w25qx2).

Boards can be sold with or without Flash. I do not have SD card boards yet, and I'm not sure the USB module makes sense anymore since the programming pins are on the DIP32 pins.

General availability is dependent on my getting a batch of the stackable headers. I could sell some boards that use small 0.25" square male headers any time. I would prefer to wait for the stackers since they can be plugged into an Augat style socket for bread-boarding.

There are two power management options on the boards:

1. LDO regulator with 4.5 VDC input
2. Boost regulator for 1.0 to 3.0 VDC input

The first option has been tested. I'll be testing the second option today.

Thanks for asking.

simonl

@jazzed: This looks neat.

One question: if I stack SpinSocket32s - which don't have prop-plug headers - how would I program them?

jazzed

simonl wrote: »

@jazzed: This looks neat.

One question: if I stack SpinSocket32s - which don't have prop-plug headers - how would I program them?

Hi simonl ! Where you been?

The 32 pin module has all the prop-plug pins on the socket pins (btw: these modules are not designed for stacking 2 propeller based boards). The 28 pin modules would be fine for stacking propellers since the programmer/3.3v header is not on the socket.

I now have a Propeller running off single a 1.5V battery (recommend 2 batteries for the flash version).

groggory

I may be interested in a few but have a few questions:

1) Does this have a power regulator on board? If so, what is the minimum VIN?
2) What are the outer dimensions on this?
3) What would be the cost of a spinsocket FLASH if it didn't include: FLASH or stackable headers? How soon could I have 3 configured as described in hand?

jazzed

groggory wrote: »

I may be interested in a few but have a few questions:

>> 1) Does this have a power regulator on board? If so, what is the minimum VIN?

There are 2 regulator options: A) Low drop-out 4.5Vin to about 9Vin input provides 3.3V up to about 500ma (@5.0Vin), and battery about 1.25Vin to 5.5Vin input provides 3.3V up to about 100ma (@3.0Vin). All voltages are positive VDC. Battery life is unknown at this point.

>> 2) What are the outer dimensions on this?

1.65" x 0.74" (0.2" thick with components on both sides not counting crystal or headers).

>> 3) What would be the cost of a spinsocket FLASH if it didn't include: FLASH or stackable headers?

$40 each with 5 or 6MHz crystals and $42 with 6.25 or 6.5MHz crystals. I don't have any more 6MHz crystals, but I could get some in a day or so.

>> How soon could I have 3 configured as described in hand?

Depends on delivery method. I have appointments tomorrow, so earliest I could ship them would be Wednesday. I have 6 un-committed PCBs right now.

Duane C. Johnson

May I suggest a different sort of regulator based on a MOSFET?

This is kind of between a real regulator and a Zener regulator.
The voltage isn't as regulated as a conventional regulator,
however the differential voltage from Vin to VDD can approach
0V. Or really close to 0V.

This circuit is a close relative to an emitter follower.

I use this on my PropStick look alike.


http://www.redrok.com/MOSFET_CPC3703_250V_360mA_4O_Vth-1.6_SOT-89.pdf
http://www.redrok.com/electron.htm#CPC3703

And it comes in a small small SOT-89 package.
Keep the resister values low in resistance so they consume a few mA .
Keep the lead lengths short and the capacitors are required.
Better yet the CPC3703 costs only $0.95us.

Duane

simonl

jazzed wrote: »

Hi simonl ! Where you been?

The 32 pin module has all the prop-plug pins on the socket pins (btw: these modules are not designed for stacking 2 propeller based boards). The 28 pin modules would be fine for stacking propellers since the programmer/3.3v header is not on the socket.

I now have a Propeller running off single a 1.5V battery (recommend 2 batteries for the flash version).

Hi jazzed,

Yeah, it's been a while - family stuff sorta took over!

Ah, I see - I was remembering the stuff you did with Propalyser (?). I guess those pins could be bent out so they could all be accessed if stacked. I like it :-)