Had an Idea, need your input (propeller project idea)

TC

Hello all,

I have been tossing around this idea for a few months now. But I cant decide if it is worth the time, money, effort or not. So I need your input and opinions to help me decide if I should do it or not.

I was goofing around on DigiKey, and I found this. A clear, USB dongle. At that moment it hit me, "Why not put a propeller in it so I can program, and somewhat test my code"

See, I am not the best programer. I have to check my code almost every step of the way. And there are times at work where we have nothing going on for days or weeks. So I was thinking I could have a propeller on my car key ring, and if I ever got an idea, I could try it out. Or if I go on a trip, I could try things out when I am bored. Now I know I would not be able to fully try out my code, since chances are I would not have anything hooked up to it. But I could use PST to help me test ideas. I was also thinking I could add say 16 LED's to it, and put a 6 pin dual row female pin header on the side (3.3V, GND, and 4 I/O pins) so I could hook something basic up to it.

What is your opinion on this?

Think its a good idea?

Do you think it would be worth the stress, money, and time?

Or do you have a better idea?

Thanks
TC

mindrobots

TC,

pedward came up his PropKey. I have one of those, I don't know if he has any left. I don't know if it fits in the USB case. I have it and some parts in one of the aluminum wallet cases. It's a handy package to put in your pocket or toss in you computer bag.

jazzed was working on his Propeller USB key. I don't have one of those in my collection. He had prototypes but I'm not sure if he went any farther. His intent was to put it in a USB case. I don't have one of these but I should buy one for The Medina Propeller Museum!!

TC

OK, now those are cool. gave me a lot of great ideas. I would just buy them, but I do enjoy creating PCB's. And never know, I might come up with an idea others did not think of. I think I will make it, it will be fun.

mindrobots

TC wrote: »

OK, now those are cool. gave me a lot of great ideas. I would just buy them, but I do enjoy creating PCB's. And never know, I might come up with an idea others did not think of. I think I will make it, it will be fun.

I certainly don't want to stop you from designing something! Who knows, the Medina Museum may buy one.

TC

mindrobots wrote: »

I certainly don't want to stop you from designing something! Who knows, the Medina Museum may buy one.

Never know, I might just donate one to the Medina Museum.

Tubular

Definitely worth having a go at, TC. Those are neat enclosures, I just wish there was an easy way to open a side slot so the pcb could extend outwards. Easily done with a file

TC

Tubular wrote: »

Definitely worth having a go at, TC. Those are neat enclosures, I just wish there was an easy way to open a side slot so the pcb could extend outwards. Easily done with a file

Thank you very much for the words of encouragement. Modifying plastic is one thing I am good at. But you are right, easily done with a file and some sand paper.

jazzed

I have some prototypes that I've given to San Jose visitors. A respin of my PCB is necessary to fix the FTDI chip footprint and add some D+/D- components for production. Prototype respin for me is about $100 for 10 pieces these days (not including time opportunity cost), so I don't have a good reason to respin it unless there are ready buyers. I could post the new untested Eagle files open source if you want them - sorry, no diptrace. The hardest part of the whole deal is getting a 5MHz crystal neatly on board - I just add one to the end on the 10MHz crystal pads at this point. The SDCard goes on the end and there is a cutout for access. The EEPROM pad can be 128KB for PropellerGCC XMMC. The USB connector for the new PCB is more contained in the enclosure. If the 2 SOIC-8 chips for ADC, SRAM, Flash, etc... were not on board, the USB end-cap would usable (not usable with the current design).

TC

jazzed wrote: »

I have some prototypes that I've given to San Jose visitors. A respin of my PCB is necessary to fix the FTDI chip footprint and add some D+/D- components for production. Prototype respin for me is about $100 for 10 pieces these days (not including time opportunity cost), so I don't have a good reason to respin it unless there are ready buyers. I could post the new untested Eagle files open source if you want them - sorry, no diptrace. The hardest part of the whole deal is getting a 5MHz crystal neatly on board - I just add one to the end on the 10MHz crystal pads at this point. The SDCard goes on the end and there is a cutout for access. The EEPROM pad can be 128KB for PropellerGCC XMMC. The USB connector for the new PCB is more contained in the enclosure. If the 2 SOIC-8 chips for ADC, SRAM, Flash, etc... were not on board, the USB end-cap would usable (not usable with the current design).

Thank you for the offer for the Eagle files. I like Eagle better than diptrace (I know more about Eagle). If you want, Feel free to post them. I might get a better idea from them. I have a couple ideas. the SD card is accessed from the side. I am going to have 8 LED's hooked to P0 to P7. I think I have an idea on how to hook it to a breadboard if I ever want to test something. But I have to wait until I get the case in. I ordered it today, now to wait. :frown: