With the current protoboard you can cut down a row of holes as shown and cleanly separate the power supply from the rest of the protoboard without breaking any important connections on either. In order to do this you must desolder the barrel jack; I had suggested that making this possible without removing the barrel jack would be an improvement. But with the prop moved closer to the power supply doing this separation would leave very little maneuvering room on that side of the chip. A good trade, though, to be able to put a DIP40 on the prototyping area.
It would definitely be nice to fit more than one DIP40 on the Prop Proto Board, I am now using one for my VGA experiments and only having space for one extra Prop means using pin headers to connect to other boards to complete the circuit (thanks to needing a third Prop to get away with much of my trickery).
If I needed a multi-prop protoboard I'd start by nanoizing a second protoboard and installing the second prop directly above the first one, using the common pins (power and the unused pins at the corners) wth stiff bare wire to support and elevate the second prop. That would give close access to all pins of both props, and really simplify the prop to prop interconnections.
As an example here is the start of a board I am putting together as we speak.
I still need to break off the surface mount resistors on the VGA adapter, and add SRAM, a few 74HCT244s, and some form of latch (still figuring this out on bread board). I am having to use some space on a blank Proto Board to add the third Prop (as well as some unrelated stuff).
Hi localroger. If You look on green line In that position IT is still not BIG problem IF You start SAW from power connector to point first Green line end and them SAW on other side to next green line ends.
With the current protoboard you can cut down a row of holes as shown and cleanly separate the power supply from the rest of the protoboard without breaking any important connections on either. In order to do this you must desolder the barrel jack; I had suggested that making this possible without removing the barrel jack would be an improvement. But with the prop moved closer to the power supply doing this separation would leave very little maneuvering room on that side of the chip. A good trade, though, to be able to put a DIP40 on the prototyping area.
Hi Cluso. That need as You can see some extra space -- BUT not impossible. Need only move Cable type VGA connector to move little to right and remove some Experiment holes after it. Look attached Picture.
Hi Cluso. That need as You can see some extra space -- BUT not impossible. Need only move Cable type VGA connector to move little to right and remove some Experiment holes after it. Look attached Picture.
Remember that most USB-A connectors have a shield flange that should go past the board edge. Given that, all you have to do is move the connector.
Nice layout
Hi jazzed. Thanks. I know that BUT to that to be correct I need all connectors that will be used to fine adjust. As most of data-sheet's are not so precise in dimensions. BUT as IT is only my Base work to descriptions what people want that is ok. IT is no Layout I work on for Parallax - BUT if them will I can done it even for them.
Remember that most USB-A connectors have a shield flange that should go past the board edge. Given that, all you have to do is move the connector.
Nice layout
This thread really demonstrates what's good about the forum. It shows that a bunch of disparate (and seemingly contradictory) ideas can be melded into something most of us like. (Does this mean that "designed by committee" actually works? )
Hi Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi). We can say it that WAY -- May ideas what I want of that PCB and "(Does this mean that "designed by committee" are correct. Still I not presented all my ideas that can help build what I want on it. BUT don't know if all will like that (Parallax to). But from my experiences on building things -- That extra mods are very usable.
This thread really demonstrates what's good about the forum. It shows that a bunch of disparate (and seemingly contradictory) ideas can be melded into something most of us like. (Does this mean that "designed by committee" actually works? )
Hi jazzed. Thanks. I know that BUT to that to be correct ....
I guess what I was trying to say is that the connectors will be over the board edge anyway so it doesn't really matter. I'm just curious about where you found connectors with footprints like that and if they cost more than the standard shielded through-hole stuff. The standard through-hole connectors are not very friendly side by side.
Hi jazzed. PS2,VGA-Mini, Audio and RCA connector's footprints are already approved ON boards I build for Bill Henning. BUT I don't know anything on USB connector - I used only footprint to it from my standard library that Layout program have and merged with PS2. BUT as I said previously --- FOR perfect placement -- I need ALL that connectors to measure and fine adjust to be USABLE.
I guess what I was trying to say is that the connectors will be over the board edge anyway so it doesn't really matter. I'm just curious about where you found connectors with footprints like that and if they cost more than the standard shielded through-hole stuff. The standard through-hole connectors are not very friendly side by side.
Hi jazzed. Normally I don't placePS2 over the board edge. Audio only round part of it. VGA only part that connect to External cable.Power connector are in same place as on ProtoBoard. USB - Have not used this type -- don't know what it needs --- Before I see it!
Hi Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi). We can say it that WAY -- May ideas what I want of that PCB and "(Does this mean that "designed by committee" are correct. Still I not presented all my ideas that can help build what I want on it. BUT don't know if all will like that (Parallax to). But from my experiences on building things -- That extra mods are very usable.
It is haw I will see Proto area constructed. look on picture attached. Give possibility to place even 2 L298 IC's. If carefully mounted can have on one side 2xPLCC44 and other one 40 pin DIL IC.
I have played with all possibility's people want on Proto Board. And ended up that it needs dual side mounted components (resistors and some capacitors to PS2, VGA and Audio connector).
That give PCB that have all connectors have possibility to disconnect if needed. Only pins that are always connected are TX, RX and EEProm pins. Give possibility to restrap 3.3V Regulator to be driven from 5V Regulator else from USB-5V. VGA and TV-RCA use same pni's (16-23) TV can even be swapped betwen base 16 else 20. BUT as I said previously in this thread -- IT is How I see that Proto-PCB be constructed.
Sapieha:
Do you have the links to separate the USB section?
On the dual footprint PS2/USB you can wire the second PS2 port to the other PS2 pins which then allows a splitter mouse/keyboard cable to be used as another option.
Regarding the resistors for the PS2, Stereo,TV,VGA, they can be vertical mount t/hole 1/4W which can be placed alternate 180 degrees at 0.075" spacing. I do not see the need for these to be premounted smt parts because it makes the protoboard less pre-defined.
I'm not sure if this has been said already in this thread, but one thing that would be nice is if it was easy to chop the protoboard down to a smaller size for small projects. For example, looking at the latest Sapieha board layout, it looks like I could cut off everything south of the prop, losing the VGA connector and one of the PS2 connectors. You could also cut off part of the east side of the board losing the servo connectors, the only thing lingering around on that side is that electrolytic capacitor (could it be moved in closer, maybe swapping the cap with the 3-pin header to its left?)
Hi Cluso.
On KB PS2 there are second pair of pins connected to Mouse PS2 for splitter possibility. USB are not connected Yet -- Need measure USB to PS2 gender for correct pins connection.
As all premounted resistors,capacitors to external connectors are after Strapping pins - If you not mount straps Propeller are totally disconnected form them. BUT that parts mounted give direct usable Testing Board even for people that CAN'T solder.
Sapieha:
Do you have the links to separate the USB section?
On the dual footprint PS2/USB you can wire the second PS2 port to the other PS2 pins which then allows a splitter mouse/keyboard cable to be used as another option.
Regarding the resistors for the PS2, Stereo,TV,VGA, they can be vertical mount t/hole 1/4W which can be placed alternate 180 degrees at 0.075" spacing. I do not see the need for these to be premounted smt parts because it makes the protoboard less pre-defined.
I'm not sure if this has been said already in this thread, but one thing that would be nice is if it was easy to chop the protoboard down to a smaller size for small projects. For example, looking at the latest Sapieha board layout, it looks like I could cut off everything south of the prop, losing the VGA connector and one of the PS2 connectors. You could also cut off part of the east side of the board losing the servo connectors, the only thing lingering around on that side is that electrolytic capacitor (could it be moved in closer, maybe swapping the cap with the 3-pin header to its left?)
Comments
Here is the dual footprint of the USB/PS2 connectors
I still need to break off the surface mount resistors on the VGA adapter, and add SRAM, a few 74HCT244s, and some form of latch (still figuring this out on bread board). I am having to use some space on a blank Proto Board to add the third Prop (as well as some unrelated stuff).
Nice layout
-Phil
It is haw I will see Proto area constructed. look on picture attached. Give possibility to place even 2 L298 IC's. If carefully mounted can have on one side 2xPLCC44 and other one 40 pin DIL IC.
I have played with all possibility's people want on Proto Board. And ended up that it needs dual side mounted components (resistors and some capacitors to PS2, VGA and Audio connector).
That give PCB that have all connectors have possibility to disconnect if needed. Only pins that are always connected are TX, RX and EEProm pins. Give possibility to restrap 3.3V Regulator to be driven from 5V Regulator else from USB-5V. VGA and TV-RCA use same pni's (16-23) TV can even be swapped betwen base 16 else 20. BUT as I said previously in this thread -- IT is How I see that Proto-PCB be constructed.
Do you have the links to separate the USB section?
On the dual footprint PS2/USB you can wire the second PS2 port to the other PS2 pins which then allows a splitter mouse/keyboard cable to be used as another option.
Regarding the resistors for the PS2, Stereo,TV,VGA, they can be vertical mount t/hole 1/4W which can be placed alternate 180 degrees at 0.075" spacing. I do not see the need for these to be premounted smt parts because it makes the protoboard less pre-defined.
Scott
On KB PS2 there are second pair of pins connected to Mouse PS2 for splitter possibility. USB are not connected Yet -- Need measure USB to PS2 gender for correct pins connection.
As all premounted resistors,capacitors to external connectors are after Strapping pins - If you not mount straps Propeller are totally disconnected form them. BUT that parts mounted give direct usable Testing Board even for people that CAN'T solder.
Ps in that cutting -- All parts will be usable.