Messages

1

TinyDuino Processors & TinyShields / Re: Can TinyDuino power a USB device?

« on: January 14, 2015, 07:55:29 PM »

From looking at the schematics, I'm going to have to say no. While I'm not 100% sure, The schematics show the USB 5v line actually only powering the FTDI serial conversion chip, and not going off to the connectors. If you really wanted to and had some expert soldering skills with SMT, you could solder a hookup wire between the necessary connectors, but this *could* (but not likely) create issues with powering the Tinyduino because you'd need a current limiter or else you'll probably find the USB device, depending on what it is, drawing too much power.

Also, assuming you just want to power the device, (refer to USB & ICP Shield schematic PDF, available on the site) adding in a hookup wire between the USB connector's pin 1  and the 8th pin on the connector (which one is number 8 I don't know) should do the trick, provided you use a voltage booster to bring the LiPo's output up to 5v.

2

New Product Ideas / EEPROM/RAM/Coprocessor "Utility" board

« on: January 14, 2015, 07:39:31 PM »

While yes, the '328 has quite a bit of storage and power, it would be really cool to see an external "utility" styled board, with a coprocessor, EEPROM, and some RAM, or perhaps one or two of those.

The coprocessor (in this case, likely a complex Arithmetic Logic Unit) could allow for more scientific applications and functionality, and the added memory would allow for storing of things that would otherwise greatly tax the flash, EEPROM, or scratchpad memory of the ATMega328: bitmaps, large variables, data logs, etc.

While yes, uSD is an option, EEPROM has the guarantee of not being accidentally swapped out, and in some cases, one may want an EEPROM as well as a uSD card.

While this board would obviously be a bigger R&D investment of time than say, a microSD board or the proto boards, I believe the added functionality as a companion to the Tinyduino Processor board make it worthwhile.