@Rayman said:
Hmm... Now wondering what copper thickness @knivd used ... That's not part of the Gerbers... Maybe should have paid attention to that...
Any tips on ordering a couple of boards? Like what company to use for low volume orders. I have not ordered boards in a while and can't remember where I did.
Also I assume the P2 socket needs to be mounted with reflow but the rest can be hand soldered.
Paul
EDIT: I just realized that the P2 Modules may not be readily available. I'm doubtful I can assemble it myself. I was just talking about the breakout board above. Maybe if somebody builds a few, of the Modules, I can purchase one.
Prototypes from ScreamingCircuits have shipped.
The did complain a little about this pad not looking right...
Coming sooner that thought though and don't have a board to test them yet. That turns out to be a bit of work...
Going to just have made the breakout that @knivd designed for now...
Thinking this module might pair well with this PLC stuff being looked into...
@Rayman said:
Coming sooner that thought though and don't have a board to test them yet. That turns out to be a bit of work...
For something available fast for testing, you might be able to use something like this with a handful of wires soldered on for powering it and getting serial IO access. I'm sure there are other old prototyping options with PLCC sockets also...
Wow $400 BOM+assembly, now that's pricey. How much was assembly vs real BOM parts only? I guess that was for like a 1-10 qty being done?
It's a great module. Glad it's alive too at that price, that's a costly respin. I still intend to use mine here for a P2 car project once I get around to it.
Was a bit concerned because when searching Digikey for PLCC-84, only got two results and both show status as "Obsolete".
Mouser gave nothing.
But, after finding a bunch on Newark, now see that need to search for "PLCC 84POS".
Now, see a bunch and "Active" status.
Liking the look of this SMT one, also on Mouser.
Liking how the pads are under the socket.
Also, this one has CAD models, whereas was previously working on making a new one by hand (a pain).
It's a bit smaller, which is important for some things
Also, in theory, can be soldered to the carrier, eliminating the socket altogether.
Which leads on to also having even track lengths for high speed signalling. This is an advantage of the Eval board also. But the Eval board has been discontinued now.
Edge Card is uneven lengths and the slot is bulky.
@jmg really wanted to do smt, but with 2 layer board the through hole pllc 84 was better for routing. Got some gold ones in cart. Do like gold on gold contacts…
@Rayman said:
@knivd just confirmed that the holes behind the P2 Stamp pins can be used for 1.27mm pin headers.
That's an interesting idea...
I looked up buying 1.27 mm pin strips. Sadly, they're way more expensive compared to the surprisingly cheap PLCC sockets. They were only available as gold plated machine pins where I looked so I guess tinned flimsy versions would be cheaper if they can be found.
If needing a super rugged build though, the extra cost is still worth it.
Oh, I was looking at tin plated PLCC. I hadn't compared gold for those. Of course gold would be the sensible choice. And Digikey is cheaper on the pin strip too, nice.
You can halve the price of the pin strip by forgoing the female strip and just soldering both ends of the male pins. That is the more rugged way anyway.
True, could just use male pins. But, like the idea of being able to save the board and just pop in a new P2 if P2 fries. Or, moving P2 to new board if board fries.
Usually when something goes wrong here, everything fries, but you never know...
BTW: The P2 in the PLLC socket is in very securely. Much more that I expected... Might need to get the extraction tool to get it out...
Also contemplating assembling them myself. Think could do it, but don't really want to... (Maybe because assembly area is in shed and it's cold outside? Maybe feel different in spring?) Need to get assembly quote. @knivd gave me a suggestion as to who to get quote from.
Unfortunately, the company @knivd used to make the boards is out of business. Very unfortunate...
LOL, I avoid using the garage for the same reason. That and I'd have to move the car too. So the bench out there only gets used when working on the car.
@Rayman said:
Maybe because assembly area is in shed and it's cold outside? Maybe feel different in spring?)
@evanh said:
LOL, I avoid using the garage for the same reason. That and I'd have to move the car too. So the bench out there only gets used when working on the car.
LOL, I've got the opposite problem right now. Working in the garage gets stinking hot, as it has a north facing uninsulated metal panel door which bakes in our southern hemisphere's summer sun. Plus it's dusty as all hell in there too with leaves blowing in all the time. Really needs some decent thermal and air gap insulation everywhere to make it comfortable. Can try to insulate the door with panels cut from foam insulation but the roofline is oddly shaped precluding a simple internal gyprock ceiling, may have to just attempt the door first.
I tested HyperRAM on my OG knivd P2STAMP and it worked great, overclock and all.
I think I mentioned it elsewhere already, but ISSI apparently makes a 512MBit 3.3V HyperRAM (IS66WVH64M8DBLL). I think all HyperRAMs are footprint-compatible. (Checking their website just now, they also have an upcoming 16bit 3.3V part listed as "S=2H/25"... That'd be sweet.)
Comments
Me, too. I wonder if @"Ken Gracey" has seen this. Parallax has the production capabilities to build and provide this to customers.
Any tips on ordering a couple of boards? Like what company to use for low volume orders. I have not ordered boards in a while and can't remember where I did.
Also I assume the P2 socket needs to be mounted with reflow but the rest can be hand soldered.
Paul
EDIT: I just realized that the P2 Modules may not be readily available. I'm doubtful I can assemble it myself. I was just talking about the breakout board above. Maybe if somebody builds a few, of the Modules, I can purchase one.
Prototypes from ScreamingCircuits have shipped.
The did complain a little about this pad not looking right...
Coming sooner that thought though and don't have a board to test them yet. That turns out to be a bit of work...
Going to just have made the breakout that @knivd designed for now...
Thinking this module might pair well with this PLC stuff being looked into...
For something available fast for testing, you might be able to use something like this with a handful of wires soldered on for powering it and getting serial IO access. I'm sure there are other old prototyping options with PLCC sockets also...
http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3600005
It's alive! At least identifies in Prop Tool...
Not exactly affordable at $400 each though...
But now, I can have a test plan for having them made oversees...
Wow $400 BOM+assembly, now that's pricey. How much was assembly vs real BOM parts only? I guess that was for like a 1-10 qty being done?
It's a great module. Glad it's alive too at that price, that's a costly respin. I still intend to use mine here for a P2 car project once I get around to it.
Was a bit concerned because when searching Digikey for PLCC-84, only got two results and both show status as "Obsolete".
Mouser gave nothing.
But, after finding a bunch on Newark, now see that need to search for "PLCC 84POS".
Now, see a bunch and "Active" status.
Liking the look of this SMT one, also on Mouser.
Liking how the pads are under the socket.
Also, this one has CAD models, whereas was previously working on making a new one by hand (a pain).
@JonnyMac Parallax says that this is basically the same thing as the P2 Edge. And, there's a lot of truth to that.
But, there are some differences...
Maybe that's the main differences?
Also, in theory, can be soldered to the carrier, eliminating the socket altogether.
Which leads on to also having even track lengths for high speed signalling. This is an advantage of the Eval board also. But the Eval board has been discontinued now.
Edge Card is uneven lengths and the slot is bulky.
Electrically, yes. Mechanically, no. I think this module has an RTC, too, right?
There are ones with and without locating posts.
If you design for one with locating posts, eg 8484-21A1-RK-TP you get more supply choices, as either can be used.
I do not see gold as std in SMD PLCC84 sockets, just in thru hole.
eg The part code PLCC-84-AG-SMT seems obsolete.
@jmg really wanted to do smt, but with 2 layer board the through hole pllc 84 was better for routing. Got some gold ones in cart. Do like gold on gold contacts…
@JonnyMac yes has rtc and interestingly shares pins with uSD and flash
Both rtc and flash can be disabled though…
@knivd just confirmed that the holes behind the P2 Stamp pins can be used for 1.27mm pin headers.
That's an interesting idea...
I looked up buying 1.27 mm pin strips. Sadly, they're way more expensive compared to the surprisingly cheap PLCC sockets. They were only available as gold plated machine pins where I looked so I guess tinned flimsy versions would be cheaper if they can be found.
If needing a super rugged build though, the extra cost is still worth it.
I'm seeing 50 position male for $3:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sullins-connector-solutions/GRPB501VWVN-RC/1786450
Female is more expensive though, $4 for each 25 pos. So, $16 total.
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/harwin-inc/M52-5002545/3727874
So, $26 in all...
Guess that does add up to a lot more than PLLC. Think that is $10 in gold...
Oh, I was looking at tin plated PLCC. I hadn't compared gold for those. Of course gold would be the sensible choice. And Digikey is cheaper on the pin strip too, nice.
You can halve the price of the pin strip by forgoing the female strip and just soldering both ends of the male pins. That is the more rugged way anyway.
True, could just use male pins. But, like the idea of being able to save the board and just pop in a new P2 if P2 fries. Or, moving P2 to new board if board fries.
Usually when something goes wrong here, everything fries, but you never know...
BTW: The P2 in the PLLC socket is in very securely. Much more that I expected... Might need to get the extraction tool to get it out...
Right, and gold plated is very good for longevity.
On the other hand, the P2-Stamp itself could be cheaply tinned if not using the PLCC socket. What did the gold flashing of that cost you?
Don't know... Paid a fortune for the ones I have, but trying to get them made more affordably now...
Also contemplating assembling them myself. Think could do it, but don't really want to... (Maybe because assembly area is in shed and it's cold outside? Maybe feel different in spring?) Need to get assembly quote. @knivd gave me a suggestion as to who to get quote from.
Unfortunately, the company @knivd used to make the boards is out of business. Very unfortunate...
LOL, I avoid using the garage for the same reason. That and I'd have to move the car too. So the bench out there only gets used when working on the car.
@evanh said:
LOL, I've got the opposite problem right now. Working in the garage gets stinking hot, as it has a north facing uninsulated metal panel door which bakes in our southern hemisphere's summer sun. Plus it's dusty as all hell in there too with leaves blowing in all the time. Really needs some decent thermal and air gap insulation everywhere to make it comfortable. Can try to insulate the door with panels cut from foam insulation but the roofline is oddly shaped precluding a simple internal gyprock ceiling, may have to just attempt the door first.
Just ordered 50 pcb and stencil for $300 (if did it right)
Going to take a stab at assembling myself…
Need to design a better board for testing though…
Just noticed a possible error in the Stamp BOM...
Seems my 10 were made with a 1.8 V version of the HyperRam.
The BOM has the correct MPN for 3.0 V version: W957A8MFYA5I
But, the Digikey link is for the 1.8 V version:
https://www.digikey.co.uk/products/en?keywords=256-W957D8MFYA5I-ND
What's worse is that the Digikey product page shows this as a 3.3 V part, which appears to be wrong (see pic).
What is even worse is the the 3.3V part is out of stock everywhere for 128 MBit. Had to get 64 MBit....
Will be interesting if the HyperRam actually works. Thought that was tested, but have to double check now.
I see the @knivd version used the correct, 3.3 V part...
I tested HyperRAM on my OG knivd P2STAMP and it worked great, overclock and all.
I think I mentioned it elsewhere already, but ISSI apparently makes a 512MBit 3.3V HyperRAM (IS66WVH64M8DBLL). I think all HyperRAMs are footprint-compatible. (Checking their website just now, they also have an upcoming 16bit 3.3V part listed as "S=2H/25"... That'd be sweet.)