Those who do live close-by (a few of you) -- Email me and we can work something out if you want stuff in a hurry.
I've discussed this with Nick. You'll still need to purchase through the website, but I think he's rigging a special code for local pickups.
How much more would it cost to have some cuts in the PCB to make it easy to separate the boards?
OBC
The boards will be "tab routed", which means they are "mostly separated by a 2mm routed gap", but connected by little bridges. It is easy to snap the bridges because they are only ~ 1/8" long and have weakening holes in them.
This works really well, the boards stay connected during shipping. You don't need tools to snap them, just break them apart with your hands. You just need to rub a sanding block or file over afterwards to clean up the tab (optional)
Here's a close up pic of a small set of tab routed boards. See the broken tabs around the outside? It only takes a couple of sweeps of the sanding block to remove these. These are tiny boards so the tabs look big. Normally there is a ~4mm bridge every 40mm or so (about a 10% duty cycle!) . The router bit width and tiny tab hole diameters vary from one fab house to another slightly.
When I rearranged the panel I made it so it should be easy to break it into half, or into quarters, to "fold over", so hopefully this does fit standard envelopes.
The panel is 1mm wider than Letter size, and slightly shorter (lengthwise). So if it doesn't fit, I'd blame my Ninja board and Cluso's Memblade
The job is with the fab now, it will take a while to straighten out and panelize and cross check, but its all happening
I'm just curious on the progress of the "SmorgasBoard". Thanks!
Well, it is progressing. I sent files + payment to the fab last weekend, but they had some issues with the files that have (just) been sorted out. I don't think they are used to 22 designs from so many different packages, to be honest.
So I expect to receive a proto run of panels just before Christmas (will certainly post pics etc, and build and test some of them), and main production early in the new year.
The good news is that in the meantime, with a bit of rearranging, 2 more small boards have been added onto the panel.
The name is just fantastic !, and the board well... its name says it all, doesn't it ? , are any of those boards fitted, besides jazzed's SPI SRAM-geladen one, with external SRAM or SDRAM ?
There are a few - Cluso's MemBlade has something, my Underbelly and PP LCI have C3-style memory blocks under them that can have 64~96kB sram, and Jazzed's SpinSocket does as you point out (there is one with flash and one with Sram)
I suspect there may be others. Right now I'm focussed on getting the panel manufacture underway but I will soon round up the features and philosophies behind the various designs.
The CpuBlade and MemBlade are both on the panel. They stack to form a RamBlade3 w 512KB sram and microSD. The Ft232 can be used to add USB and 5v power ( need 1jumper cable for power). More info on my website and that points to the forum threads for more info.
There are a few - Cluso's MemBlade has something, my Underbelly and PP LCI have C3-style memory blocks under them that can have 64~96kB sram, and Jazzed's SpinSocket does as you point out (there is one with flash and one with Sram)
I suspect there may be others. Right now I'm focussed on getting the panel manufacture underway but I will soon round up the features and philosophies behind the various designs.
Ale, it's a render in photoshop generated from four of the gerber images (top/bottom/top silk / CAM routing). There are a few more gerbers I've omitted for clarity
Thanks pedward! And thanks for the inspiration for the ninja star board which is onboard
David, certainly not too late. The initial "proto" batch of boards will come to Oz, and I'll forward a sample from this batch to OBC/Nick, Parallax, and any board contributors who would like their idividual board to check. There may be a couple of bugs on this first proto batch (fully expect that).
The second order will be "production" and delivered directly to OBC (c/- GG shipping dept) for distribution.
When we get the first proto samples in, we'll post some photos, and if GG is agreeable also create a product page to accept orders and get things moving.
I think a 3 or 4 color version of this would make a neat poster for the office! A PDF with a transparent solder mask, white silkscreen, and "x-ray" top and bottom layers would be really cool! I've got a 11x17 printer at home and made a couple prints of mCu block diagrams (Atmel SAM7 and Propeller) to put up as "art" in my office.
Attached is a document package for the SpinSocket-Flash boards.
It contains schematic, parts-list, and top/bottom assembly drawings.
Parts kits are available for anyone who wants to assemble and use the boards.
Parts kits for 4MB SpinSocket-Flash are $29 each (does not include PCB).
Functional Rev A1 PCBs are available from me to USA customers for $5 each.
Prices do not reflect taxes or shipping costs. Send me PM for more information.
What is SpinSocket-Flash ?
The SpinSocket Flash boards allow 4MB of instant on Flash code space
with cheap and commonly available Winbond W25Q16 devices. Other
devices such as W25Q64 can be used for 32MB if you can find them.
When using optional Quad-SPI Flash for executing code, 18 user
IO pins are free for any purpose and serial port pins are also available.
This means huge programs (no more straight jackets), Spin speed,
and lots of user pins in a 1.22 square inch single board package.
SpinSocket-Flash relies on the Parallax PropPlug for programming.
Parts List Assembly Options:
1. Standard parts list shows using a 3.3VDC regulator for 4.2V to 15V DC Vin.
It is possible to use the board with 2 AA batteries or a single 3.0V coin cell
by using L1 and VBST instead of 3.3VR. The battery configuration offers
only limited current however at 100mA or less, and the VBST device will not
limit voltage down, as it is only a boost device.
2. U1 and U2 are designed for Quad-SPI flash devices and are supported by
GCC XMMC mode. This is a very fast code execute configuration.
The Quad-SPI Flash chip footprints U1 and U2 are pin compatible with SPI SRAM.
It is also possible to use a SPI-SRAM in U1 and Quad-SPI Flash in U2 - I tested
this last year, but do not have a Propeller GCC driver for it yet.
It is also possible to use 2 each MCP3202 ADCs in U1 and U2 for 4 SPI-ADC
channels. Some rework will be required, but it is minimal.
I'll post documentation for the SpinSocket-SRAM module later.
I received my pcb this morning. Looks good Lachlan
Anyone interested in building my CpuBlade or MemBlade (the two make a RamBlade3) please see my website www.clusos.com - this will link you to the threads here. I will put up full build details and BOM asap (busy just now). PM me if you need help or ask on the threads.
Hey Jazzed nice work on the documentation pack. Cluso, glad it arrived safely.
I'm *really* happy with how it worked out, especially the overlay (silk) and alignment. Only minor issue so far is with the tabs encroaching more than absolutely necessary on the smaller pcbs...
As you might expect, I spent a lot of time soldering and checking things over the weekend. All good so far.
If any contributor would like a free sample of their board, just PM me the address to send to. Sapieha I'll send your board tonight
Comments
Those who do live close-by (a few of you) -- Email me and we can work something out if you want stuff in a hurry.
I've discussed this with Nick. You'll still need to purchase through the website, but I think he's rigging a special code for local pickups.
OBC
The boards will be "tab routed", which means they are "mostly separated by a 2mm routed gap", but connected by little bridges. It is easy to snap the bridges because they are only ~ 1/8" long and have weakening holes in them.
This works really well, the boards stay connected during shipping. You don't need tools to snap them, just break them apart with your hands. You just need to rub a sanding block or file over afterwards to clean up the tab (optional)
Here's a close up pic of a small set of tab routed boards. See the broken tabs around the outside? It only takes a couple of sweeps of the sanding block to remove these. These are tiny boards so the tabs look big. Normally there is a ~4mm bridge every 40mm or so (about a 10% duty cycle!) . The router bit width and tiny tab hole diameters vary from one fab house to another slightly.
(If not, I'll get on getting ready here.)
OBC
When I rearranged the panel I made it so it should be easy to break it into half, or into quarters, to "fold over", so hopefully this does fit standard envelopes.
The panel is 1mm wider than Letter size, and slightly shorter (lengthwise). So if it doesn't fit, I'd blame my Ninja board and Cluso's Memblade
The job is with the fab now, it will take a while to straighten out and panelize and cross check, but its all happening
cheers
tubular
Well, it is progressing. I sent files + payment to the fab last weekend, but they had some issues with the files that have (just) been sorted out. I don't think they are used to 22 designs from so many different packages, to be honest.
So I expect to receive a proto run of panels just before Christmas (will certainly post pics etc, and build and test some of them), and main production early in the new year.
The good news is that in the meantime, with a bit of rearranging, 2 more small boards have been added onto the panel.
OBC
Edit: that was bad English !
There are a few - Cluso's MemBlade has something, my Underbelly and PP LCI have C3-style memory blocks under them that can have 64~96kB sram, and Jazzed's SpinSocket does as you point out (there is one with flash and one with Sram)
I suspect there may be others. Right now I'm focussed on getting the panel manufacture underway but I will soon round up the features and philosophies behind the various designs.
My one are even substitute for Boot EEProm and RTC in one that have FRAM instead of standard EEProm
Well done..
Massimo
Ale, it's a render in photoshop generated from four of the gerber images (top/bottom/top silk / CAM routing). There are a few more gerbers I've omitted for clarity
Thanks,
David
OBC
Thanks pedward! And thanks for the inspiration for the ninja star board which is onboard
David, certainly not too late. The initial "proto" batch of boards will come to Oz, and I'll forward a sample from this batch to OBC/Nick, Parallax, and any board contributors who would like their idividual board to check. There may be a couple of bugs on this first proto batch (fully expect that).
The second order will be "production" and delivered directly to OBC (c/- GG shipping dept) for distribution.
When we get the first proto samples in, we'll post some photos, and if GG is agreeable also create a product page to accept orders and get things moving.
Any news?
Is it possible You can send one to me?.
Cluso99 have my address.
I sensed a disturbance in the force... ;-)
Attached is a document package for the SpinSocket-Flash boards.
It contains schematic, parts-list, and top/bottom assembly drawings.
Parts kits are available for anyone who wants to assemble and use the boards.
Parts kits for 4MB SpinSocket-Flash are $29 each (does not include PCB).
Functional Rev A1 PCBs are available from me to USA customers for $5 each.
Prices do not reflect taxes or shipping costs. Send me PM for more information.
What is SpinSocket-Flash ?
The SpinSocket Flash boards allow 4MB of instant on Flash code space
with cheap and commonly available Winbond W25Q16 devices. Other
devices such as W25Q64 can be used for 32MB if you can find them.
When using optional Quad-SPI Flash for executing code, 18 user
IO pins are free for any purpose and serial port pins are also available.
This means huge programs (no more straight jackets), Spin speed,
and lots of user pins in a 1.22 square inch single board package.
SpinSocket-Flash relies on the Parallax PropPlug for programming.
Parts List Assembly Options:
1. Standard parts list shows using a 3.3VDC regulator for 4.2V to 15V DC Vin.
It is possible to use the board with 2 AA batteries or a single 3.0V coin cell
by using L1 and VBST instead of 3.3VR. The battery configuration offers
only limited current however at 100mA or less, and the VBST device will not
limit voltage down, as it is only a boost device.
2. U1 and U2 are designed for Quad-SPI flash devices and are supported by
GCC XMMC mode. This is a very fast code execute configuration.
The Quad-SPI Flash chip footprints U1 and U2 are pin compatible with SPI SRAM.
It is also possible to use a SPI-SRAM in U1 and Quad-SPI Flash in U2 - I tested
this last year, but do not have a Propeller GCC driver for it yet.
It is also possible to use 2 each MCP3202 ADCs in U1 and U2 for 4 SPI-ADC
channels. Some rework will be required, but it is minimal.
I'll post documentation for the SpinSocket-SRAM module later.
Cheers,
--Steve
Anyone interested in building my CpuBlade or MemBlade (the two make a RamBlade3) please see my website www.clusos.com - this will link you to the threads here. I will put up full build details and BOM asap (busy just now). PM me if you need help or ask on the threads.
I'm *really* happy with how it worked out, especially the overlay (silk) and alignment. Only minor issue so far is with the tabs encroaching more than absolutely necessary on the smaller pcbs...
As you might expect, I spent a lot of time soldering and checking things over the weekend. All good so far.
If any contributor would like a free sample of their board, just PM me the address to send to. Sapieha I'll send your board tonight
So, here are a couple of photos !