my miniProp project

shimniok

Propeller, EEPROM, 3.3V regulator, 5MHz crystal, reset button, green power indicator, and 6-pin Sparkfun 5V FTDI breakout header in a single DIP package. I wanted a cheap, easy way to breadboard a Propeller for various projects.

I got three boards, and I'm giving one away on the Bot Thoughts facebook page, leaving me two, plenty to keep me busy for awhile.

Hmmm... maybe I can get back to troubleshooting that Game Boy camera driver.

PS: oh sure, _now_ I find out someone else used the name MiniProp. Smile. Oh well, Rev 0.2 will be called the btProp I guess.

HShanko

@shimniok.

Any EEPROM? Another question, what CAD program did you use? Will a schematic be posted anytime? Looks like a fairly easy layout/routing job, Now for a bottom view too!?

Thanks for the 'show-n-tell'.

shimniok

EEPROM: yes; it's on the bottom along with the regulator. I'll post schematics per OSHW when I get Rev0.2 done. I'll post some better pics when I get a chance, top and bottom both. I used Eagle CAD. Layout was pretty easy in 2-layer.

shimniok

Pics updated

Tubular

Very nice work Shimniok. Those ftdi cables that supply the power are a good solution.

Now, what are you going to make it control ?

Ale

I see the decoupling caps a bit on the fewer and far side... Some extra caps below the Prop's package can be easily fit, don't you think ?. Nice module!! BTW, the color is just awesome !

Cluso99

Nice pcb. I recognise the purple pcbs.

However, as Ale said, you need more decoupling caps.

Mark_T

Ale wrote: »

I see the decoupling caps a bit on the fewer and far side... Some extra caps below the Prop's package can be easily fit, don't you think ?. Nice module!! BTW, the color is just awesome !

I agree, several 0.1u or 0.22u ceramic decouplers directly under the prop is a wise precaution and a ground plane is wise too (or is it 4 layer (!))

- incidentally I've made a few boards along similar lines for my projects:

shimniok

Thanks all, great feedback! I'll stick some more decoupling caps on the power pins, then.

Question--- do you think a ground plane that is interrupted by the regulator & EEPROM would be adequate? Or should I move those up top with ground plane underneath?

Attached is the schematic & board layout. Any further feedback is much appreciated!

So, what will I use it for? Well, I want to use it to drive a Game Boy camera for my firefighting robot, Pokey (code's almost done, just a minor issue to fix).

I may also try to drive a Toshiba TCM8230MD 640x480 color cam. I'd like to see if I can drive either camera out of one or two cogs and then do some very simple flood fill blob detection with a few more cogs. I'm in the middle of revising my autonomous ground vehicle so it's possible I may try to build an AHRS with one.