Add on boards - or interfaces - for the Propeller Quick Start board?
jharris1993
Posts: 7
Greetings Earthlings!
I picked up a Propeller Quick Start board at my local Radio Shack. Actually I was looking for some interesting Arduino shields when I discovered it - and the idea of an eight-core board to play with intrigued me.
Here's the question:
Are there any pre-built / kit products or supplies that interface with the Quick Start's 40 pin 0.1'' interface connector? The Quick Start board may well have been intended for more of a system developer who wants to prototype a Propeller based design prior to actually cutting a PCB, etc. However, there seems to be a lot of room for those who want to just have fun with it, and see what we can make it do. (Port the Linux 3.n kernel anyone?
)
Seriously now, if I have to build my own interface board every time I want the Propeller to do something - connect to the Internet, drive a motor, perform some kind of Command and Control application, etc. - the utility of the Propeller's Quick Start board is open to question. Even if I am a hard core embedded systems designer - and yes, I have done that - it would be nice to see how it has been done in the past so that I don't spend weeks/months re-inventing the wheel.
Heck, if I have to, I can buy some through-hole prototyping board and install a 40-pin ribbon cable from one end to another, but that is, (IMHO), so 1980's that it's not funny.
So, I guess the bottom line is that I am hoping that there are pre-built daughter boards for the Quick Start board somewhere.
What say ye?
Jim (JR)
I picked up a Propeller Quick Start board at my local Radio Shack. Actually I was looking for some interesting Arduino shields when I discovered it - and the idea of an eight-core board to play with intrigued me.
Here's the question:
Are there any pre-built / kit products or supplies that interface with the Quick Start's 40 pin 0.1'' interface connector? The Quick Start board may well have been intended for more of a system developer who wants to prototype a Propeller based design prior to actually cutting a PCB, etc. However, there seems to be a lot of room for those who want to just have fun with it, and see what we can make it do. (Port the Linux 3.n kernel anyone?
)Seriously now, if I have to build my own interface board every time I want the Propeller to do something - connect to the Internet, drive a motor, perform some kind of Command and Control application, etc. - the utility of the Propeller's Quick Start board is open to question. Even if I am a hard core embedded systems designer - and yes, I have done that - it would be nice to see how it has been done in the past so that I don't spend weeks/months re-inventing the wheel.
Heck, if I have to, I can buy some through-hole prototyping board and install a 40-pin ribbon cable from one end to another, but that is, (IMHO), so 1980's that it's not funny.
So, I guess the bottom line is that I am hoping that there are pre-built daughter boards for the Quick Start board somewhere.
What say ye?
Jim (JR)
Comments
I've got a few of these in stock: VGAplus Kit (Highly recommened)
http://propellerpowered.com/shop/?page_id=46
And then there's these: GG Quickplayer Extreme
(compatible microSD modules will be in stock 10/1/12)
http://propellerpowered.com/shop/?page_id=251
For experimenting..
The Servo & More board
http://propellerpowered.com/shop/?page_id=643
Quickstart Protoboard
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/Quickstart/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/809/Default.aspx
Gadget Gangster QuickProto
http://www.gadgetgangster.com/find-a-project/56.html?projectnum=295
I think that's the current offerings for Quickstart.
Jeff
Done with Quickstart & QuickVGA board
http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Mini-Computer-Users-Guide/
Combined above with X10 gear.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Take-over-your-world-using-BASIC/
A portable SID player done with Quickstart and Servo & More board
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-Pocket-SID-Audio-Player/
Jeff
Parallax has a nice small prototyping board for $4.95, or $14.95 with mounting hardware:
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/813/Default.aspx
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/809/Default.aspx
I have SchoolBoard ][ which you can see in the quick snapshot below - it will be available for sale by the end of the month (I need to check BOM costs) as a kit:
(click on the thumbnail to see SchoolBoard ][ being used to prototype a simple circuit)
I would not be too surprised if there were more boards coming...
That is a very nice looking board you have there. I hope sales soar through the roof for you.
Bruce
Hi Bill,
Your new board looks nice! How does it mount to the QuickStart? It looks like both are bolted to a common board underneath. Is that true? Is there any additional circuitry on that board?
It seems like a protoboard with an sd card slot or a protoboard with audio/video (or one with both) would sell really well.
The community keeps making them, so it seems pretty obvious there would be an interest.
I'm still kind of bummed about the transition from the GG USB module to all quickstart... but I am really excited to see what the community comes up with after focusing to the quickstart platform for a while.
The QuickStart bolts on top of SchoolBoard ][ as the mounting holes line up perfectly. In the photo I posted, I used six standoffs, two slightly longer than the other four.
SchoolBoard ][ has the following features:
- 8 LED's with 470R current limiting resistors
- 8 push button switches, pulled up to Vcc, and current limited to ground when pressed (to keep prop pins mostly safe if programmed for output)
- 8 dip switches, pulled up to Vcc, and current limited to ground when pressed (to keep prop pins mostly safe if programmed for output)
- breadboard-like bussed prototyping area under the breadboard to make school projects permanent
- side-mounts on QuickStart to turn it into an inexpensive solderless prototyping platform
You can't see the 0805 SMT resistors as they are on the bottom of the board
Professional Development Board - the "Caddy" of development boards
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/515/Default.aspx
Propeller Proto Board - needs a PropPlug or SerPlug, has space for VGA + PS2 kb/mouse
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/423/Default.aspx
Propeller Proto Board USB - has on-board USB for programming, has space for VGA + PS2 kb/mouse
http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/PropellerDevelopmentBoards/tabid/514/CategoryID/73/List/0/SortField/0/catpageindex/2/Level/a/ProductID/509/Default.aspx
Both Proto Boards are compatible with my 10pin modules
I have a feeling you will love my new "Propteus rev2.0" prototyping board; the prototypes work, but I will need to get a new board run due to having to move two connectors.
It can be populated with: vga, tv, audio, and uSD, with an advanced prototyping area. I expect to start selling it towards end of October.
The old rev1 board is described at http://www.mikronauts.com/propteus/ where some of my other boards are also described.
Jim,
You don't really need the ribbon cable when using the QuickStart with some perf board. You can just stack the pref board on top (as long as the board isn't too big).
Here's my version using a piece of Parallax's blank proto board.
I made this before Jeff and others came out with their nice add on boards.
I tried keeping a list of some of the QuickStart projects I've seen here on the forum. I haven't updated it for a while.
It may be "so '80s", but it works exceptionally well.
The trick is in finding the right connector.
The female pin header "stackable" is the one I prefer.
That gives a replica of the female connector on the QuickStart board for another level if you want.
Socket the passive components if you can.
But most of these have been so simple that they were hard wired.
Back to your question, (sorta) what I'd like to see is more of a back-plane type expansion board.
A string of 40 pin headers with the QS signals so that "cards" could be plugged in easily.
Then a selection of plug-in cards to plug in there... :^)
The connector installed could be a straight pin header or a 90 degree according to your needs.
90s let the cards "stand up" from the QS board (or the "back plane" board?)
For Pete Sake, keep the touch pads and LEDs uncovered!
They are unique. Use 'em.
Where can we get one?
What? No SPI flash or SRAM? :-)
I think of the QuickStart board much the same way as I did about my old Sym-1.
Digital Tinker-Toys. Here! Make it do tricks.
I have two of them.
One is loaded with my own show (four selections of blinkin lighten).
Then other has my latest POV hack in it.
But the Platforms are perhaps a better choice if the Touchpads/LEDs are not needed.
And usually other things like SD cards, RTC, memory, etc will prove necessary anyway.
The "Propeller Platform" form factor is alive and well, Vernon.
Martin's "DNA" board provides everything GG had and adds just the right toys.
Optional Real Time Click chip
USB powered or DC powered.
64 Kilobyte EEPROM.
500mA PTC fuse to protect USB host.
100% footprint compatible with original Propeller Platform.
Solder jumpers to select Propeller Pins that drive uSD card and U9 socket.
External reset added to top row of headers.
Wide spaced pin headers make a much sturdier physical stack.
+3v3 and =50v voltage regulators
http://mghdesigns.com/wiki/dna:start
It seems like there was a Parallax post on the competing roles/overlap of the QuickStart and the GG USB platform. I just wish that Parallax, and the community could make a strong commitment to one board for hobbyists, and develop a bunch of add on shields for it. The GG/DNA board is alive and well, but really only among us I think. (I guess Martin Hodge would know the answer to that for sure.) The Arduino has such a huge user base and a ton of third party shields, but that wouldn't have happened if there were constant shifts between one basic board and another. I really don't mind a little competition from the Arduino, but anytime I search for any project or device, all I can find is "WORKS WITH ARDUINO!" and sometimes it makes me sad to not see "Works with the Propeller." Both the QuickStart board and the GG/DNA USB platform would be great for that kind of thing.
You already got your wish.
New! Improved!
All Ardino stuff - works with Propeller!
(and what an improvement!
I'll start a thread for it with all the details and some nice photo's then (there is a photo in post#4 of this thread)
I designed this board so that it will be easy for people to make their projects permanent by just getting a second pcb, and transferring their circuit to the prototyping area... and you can never have too many switches & LED's...