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Bare boards for SMD Props? — Parallax Forums

Bare boards for SMD Props?

User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
edited 2014-04-25 04:51 in Propeller 1
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. :)

Comments

  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2014-04-23 01:13
    User Name wrote: »
    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. :)

    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.
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 07:13
    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).
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-04-23 07:46
    For around 20 bucks, you could get 23 boards on the Smorasboard (Not all QFP). You may have to PM Jeff (Oldbitcollector) as they are not listed on his site.
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 09:34
    Publison wrote: »
    For around 20 bucks, you could get 23 boards on the Smorasboard (Not all QFP). You may have to PM Jeff (Oldbitcollector) as they are not listed on his site.

    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.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2014-04-23 13:10
    I posted a couple of designs. One is on the SmorgasBoard, while the other is here:
    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
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 14:04
    Hmm... It would be great if itead had open designs on file (like the SmorgasBoard) such that a person could simply order a quantity of boards by part number, PRN. I'd go for that right now.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2014-04-23 14:09
    In fact Itead asks if you want to open source the design when uploading.. offering a couple of free boards in exchange. Being the first prototypes I was quite shy :-) so, I posted on the forum, but not on Itead.
    Massimo
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 14:47
    That's pretty cool! I'll check out what open source propeller designs they have, and what the boards would cost. If nothing works out, I'll grab the design you posted and submit it. Thanks, Massimo!
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-04-23 15:42
    User Name wrote: »
    That's pretty cool! I'll check out what open source propeller designs they have, and what the boards would cost. If nothing works out, I'll grab the design you posted and submit it. Thanks, 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
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 16:06
    Publison wrote: »

    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?
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2014-04-23 17:23
    I have stacks of different kinds of pcbs laying around here so I pick a few and took a photo so you can see. Here's a quick description of them.

    #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.

    PCBS.jpg
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    PCBS.jpg 332.1K
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-04-23 20:10
    You've been busy! Those are great-looking board. For homes for three lonely Props, 3 x #3 seems a perfect fit. I'd be happy to PM you my address and compensate you for your trouble, or if you'd rather make just one shipment to D.P, that's great too. Many thanks!
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2014-04-25 00:25
    User Name wrote: »
    You've been busy! Those are great-looking board. For homes for three lonely Props, 3 x #3 seems a perfect fit. I'd be happy to PM you my address and compensate you for your trouble, or if you'd rather make just one shipment to D.P, that's great too. Many thanks!

    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.

    MULTILCD-2.jpg
    1024 x 1318 - 266K
  • MJBMJB Posts: 1,235
    edited 2014-04-25 04:51
    Besides bare boards I've also got boxes of new unused Prop product as well. <snip>

    MULTILCD-2.jpg
    Hi Peter, I asked long time ago, but you were busy, if you sell your products (seems PLCs and around).
    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 ... :-(
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