Bare boards for SMD Props?
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Before buying a few unpopulated Schmartboards (for about $20 each) I though I'd ask here if anyone has some bare boards, of almost any size or description, that would accommodate a QFP Propeller, and that they would like to sell? I have several SMD Propeller chips that lack only connectivity to become masterpieces.
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Oh, I've got spare boards coming out of my ears, any particular sort/size/function? If I drop them into an airmail envelope it could take a week or so to get there, but the good news is that they are free.
Outstanding! Thanks, Peter. Not picky at all about sort, size, or function. A place for the Prop and the necessary decoupling capacitors would be about the only requirements. After that, I'd say whatever you have the most of, or are the least attached to, or are the smallest and lightest (to minimize postage).
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Publison. Great idea! I completely missed that thread.
Just as an aside... I was pawing through the forum archives last night looking for an old piece of code Tracy Allen wrote seven years ago. This led to a generalized trip down Memory Lane. I was stunned and amazed at all the history and all the great contributions by so many! This entire community is outstanding. Sometimes I forget just how outstanding.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/145389-Another-smaller-propeller-platform-clone
Both are made with diptrace, and the latter fits the itead board size. Shipping from Italy would be more expensive than buying from itead, shipping included.. :-)
They are more or less propeller platform clones, with the suggested decoupling capacitors.
Massimo
Massimo
Tubular made the Gerbers available in post #190
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/135920-2012-Propeller-Community-OSHW-quot-SmorgasBoard-quot-***-Now-at-OBC-s-PropellerPowered-!/page10
It's not clear to me if everything is copacetic between the SmorgasBoard Gerbers and ITead. If they had known successful boards already on file, with all the tools already made and proven, it would certainly lower the risk factor. (A file called "Smorgasboard_Diptrace_has_issues.zip" isn't elevating my confidence level. )
Another possibility I came across was this DipMicro breakout board. The price is right but I don't know if you can get the decoupling capacitors close enough to the chip. I wonder if anyone has already tried this?
#1. PLC style, dual RS485, up-converter for hi-side drive, needs switcher module but linear reg could be wired in. Proto modules are useful.
#2. Current loop interface, RS485, cylindrical xtal, limited I/O, Proplink header
#3. SD card module with 16 I/O plus RX,TX,RST. Card connector under the board. Proplink+ header.
#4. Puppy solo, requires MSOP EEPROM, 14 I/O + 4 MOSFET outputs. MicroSD underneath. Proplink header
#5. Pixie - VGA male (direct to monitor), dual RS485, XBee, switcher module or linear, vertical USB for USB or PS/2, Proplink+ header
#6. P1121 motor controller (not shown) - takes a Puppy solo + two other Puppy modules (normally L6470 stepper). screw terminals.
Plus there are plenty of other boards too. Most crystals are cylindrical or 5x3mm SMD.
I may arrange to ship these boards to a fellow forumista in the U.S. as I will be sending him some Puppy modules so I will check to see if he would like to handle handing them out perhaps as they are free but P&H charges may appy. Hobbyist quantities only though, a couple of these boards are still more or less current. I will throw in SD sockets and resnets as well to make it a little easier to assemble these. Any additional information I may just post as requested.
Besides bare boards I've also got boxes of new unused Prop product as well. How about these high quality 20x4 amber backlit LCD boards with SD card, piezo, space for USB (PS/2 keypad) and audio connectors as well as RS485 and switcher module. You can string these on the end of a very long 4-core cable and power it from 24V or so. Room for a matrix keypad as well etc. Not free, but maybe someone would like them at a very good price. Come to think of it I have boxes of USB numeric keypads that I have converted to serial (swapped pcb) so that they plug straight into these units and don't need anything complicated just to read them. There are also the same LCDs with a surface-mount serial backpack so that they accept RS232 or logic levels, or I2C, include a buzzer, software controlled contrast and backlight.
There could be a market - and maybe they would fit in one or the other of our projects to.
But what I found on google and following your links here was not much ... :-(