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Prop proto-board design — Parallax Forums

Prop proto-board design

lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
in Propeller 1
This is my first try at making a Propeller pcb on proto-board. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I needed an easier way to test my prototypes without having to plug it into a computer. I also wanted to be able to plug a pcb into headers like an Arduino shield does. I will shave about 3/4 of an inch off the length of the next one now that I have that initial experience.
Hopefully there are at least a few other hobbyists that will find this interesting.
One off Prop proto pcb.JPG
1536 x 1152 - 558K

Comments

  • DigitalBobDigitalBob Posts: 1,513
    Reminds me of the wire wrap days. It looks like you have a lot of time invested into the project. As long as it works that all that counts. I would like to see your next one
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2017-02-25 13:30
    I've mentioned this to you at least once before, DO NOT use large electrolytics on the output of your regulator as a "better" substitute for a small one. You might see this being done a lot on the internet but that doesn't mean it's right at all. Generally use a small value (10uF) tantalum close to the regulator and preferably a small 0.1uF ceramic closer to the regulator. The line input voltage can go to a large electrolytic cap, that's fine, and desirable at times.

    You should really have a bypass cap on your EEPROM since you've located it far away from the CPU. The best board to use for soldering is double-sided matrix board that does not have any tracks at all. Then just solder wirewrap under the board to the pins rather than consuming all that room on top. The double-sided plated through holes are a lot more robust than a single sided and solder a lot better too.

    btw, you can cheat and place caps and even the crystal inside the socket area under the chip itself.
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    DigitalBob wrote: »
    Reminds me of the wire wrap days. It looks like you have a lot of time invested into the project. As long as it works that all that counts. I would like to see your next one
    It took me three days because I didn't have everything figured out yet. The next one should only take several hours since I have a successful build. I enjoy the process. The circuit looks like 'artwork' to me.
    Nothing will replace my Quickstart boards when I'm breadboarding at my computer. I just wanted an easier way to field test my projects. I also want to build pcb's with down-facing headers that I can plug directly into the Propeller board. I hope fellow hobbyists find that interesting so I'll post another photo when I get that done.

    @Peter Jakacki, I will order a supply of 10uF tantalum caps and double sided matrix boards for my next version. Thanks for the tips.
  • DigitalBobDigitalBob Posts: 1,513
    You might want to consider ExpressPCB the software is easy to use and you can order 2ea boards at a minimum. Check out a picture of my prop board under my post Prop dip40 main board. Two boards run me about $100.00 but if you order more quantity the price comes down. Because your paying setup fee's for only two boards. Anyway it will save you time and you can get that professional look.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    I guess it was just for the fun of it by going 70' retro.

    Today you order from a online pcb proto service.
    Looks like you can get it down to 2.6"x2.6" = 6.76 sqr inches.
    $5*6.76 = $33 for three ($11 each) free shipping at oshpark.com
  • DigitalBobDigitalBob Posts: 1,513
    Oshpark looks like a good deal. But with ExpressPCB I'm getting quick proto turn times
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    DigitalBob, I have six pcb's from ExpressPCB. The first one is inside the controller pictured below.
    The one thing I'd change is the distance between the headers so I could plug another pcb into it. I want to eliminate that tangle of wires between prototyped pcb's.
    Lenticular conntroller.JPG
    1536 x 1152 - 408K
  • DigitalBobDigitalBob Posts: 1,513
    Nice looking little gadget and here I thought you where only a beginner. Mind asking what the application is
  • DigitalBobDigitalBob Posts: 1,513
    Looks like your way advanced in your Prop endevors
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    It is the controller for a lenticular camera slider. An RJ45 patch cable is plugged into the side of it to control a stepper motor. I made it in 2009, I think. It was a tremendous time saver and highly portable. I thought there would be a greater demand for custom 3D portrait photographs.
    BTW, Peter Jakacki is a great teacher. At that time he, as a professional engineer, guided me through the project until I had a working machine. I gained a ton of knowledge and I learned quickly because I had no guarantee that a professional engineer would decide that he no longer had time for a 'rookie' like me.
    I still would like to help beginners because I benefited from other people helping me when I began.
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2017-02-28 13:53
    I kinda remember that I helped you a bit, but just a little bit. The rest you did yourself along with your pals "determination" and "enthusiasm" :) You picked up "experience" along the way and stumbled across "satisfaction" in the process with many a stop at the inn of big smiles.

    As for wanting to help others that's better than all the thanks in the world. But you should do a write up of some kind on the forum about your project, we are always interested to see and hear about what others are doing with the Prop and how they got there.
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    Peter Jakacki, your guidance was major. It was like I was back in college. The difference was it was a subject I really wanted to learn.
    You inspected my code and made several recommendations that I still apply today. The controller in the picture has AA batteries because you told me they would "last longer" than a 9 volt cell.
    When I began I wondered if I was 'in over my head' but by the time my machine was finished I was pretty confident in my abilities. I even considered adding more features such as 'wear leveling' because I thought it might have commercial potential.
    There is one project I'd like to share but I'm not happy with it and I don't expect to be done with it until summer. If there's any interest I'll share code and schematics.
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    If we all waited for something to be perfect before we shared it, then we would never share it. Although you might tidy up a few things it is usually far more interesting to see an incomplete warts n all project than something shiny and a bit too perfect. But there's also something about the story telling that can make even the simplest of projects interesting.
  • lardomlardom Posts: 1,659
    Peter Jakacki wrote: »
    If we all waited for something to be perfect before we shared it, then we would never share it. Although you might tidy up a few things it is usually far more interesting to see an incomplete warts n all project than something shiny and a bit too perfect. But there's also something about the story telling that can make even the simplest of projects interesting.
    That makes sense. Code, schematic and procedures will take some time but I'll work on it.

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