New board suggestion

max72

I'm playing with Diptrace, and I would like to make a small board taking inspiration from propeller platform, and modifiying a couple of things, to run it from USB, have a smaller board, but sitll with the same headers (4+10), even if closer.
Say a kind of hybrid between a propeller platform and an altoid board. Linear regulators are smaller, there still is a micro Sd, and in theory it should be hand solderable. The most critical part appears the FTDI chip.
In the design is missing a polyfuse, and I would like to ask a suggestion about a possible choice.
Attached are the schematic, and two layout options, one tighter, 55X36mm, and another 70X36, with mounting holes compatible with Gadget Gangster's ones, "roomy" routing, with copper pours.
In truth I started easier, but playing with it I kept on adding features...
In my idea it should work both as an Altoid version and as a small Propeller Board combatible, for some tests.
Besides the polyfuse, I would like to ask for suggestions about the approach, the layout, the schematic or anything else.
Thanks in advance,
Massimo

JonnyMac

I had a similar idea, though I was going to live P0-15 wide open, and put pre-installed accessories (uSD socket) on P16 and higher. I was thinking of adding RS-485 to my version as well.

max72

The idea to use a the upper 16 pins for "accessories" would simplify the design, while some modules available are made with this set of pins in mind, so I am unsure about this option, in my case.

I have a device on a boat I would like to interface to with RS485, but the supply is 12V so I was considering a switching regulator.
Up to now the LM2594 series has been a good option.

Massimo