16
New Product Ideas / Re: Double Sided Connector for TinyShield Proto Board
« on: March 02, 2014, 09:01:27 PM »
That would be a fantastic addition. This would allow multiple prototype boards to be used. Put in my vote too!
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17
New Product Ideas / Re: Stackable CPU boards
« on: March 02, 2014, 08:33:21 PM »
Alternately, a "stackable CPU shield", just in the sense of it having a connector on the bottom so that it can be anywhere in the stack.
Considering the current design, if a "coin cell shield" is created with a connector on top and the holder on the bottom, coupling the new "stackable CPU shield" with the new "coin cell shield", the current configuration is simulated.
Considering the current design, if a "coin cell shield" is created with a connector on top and the holder on the bottom, coupling the new "stackable CPU shield" with the new "coin cell shield", the current configuration is simulated.
18
New Product Ideas / Re: Infrared Communication Shield
« on: March 02, 2014, 01:45:14 AM »
mikroElektronika produces the IrDA2 click which could be made into a TinyDuino shield.
IrDA2 click Schematic: http://www.libstock.com/img/projects/21707/372/1341389558_irda2_sc.jpg
It uses
MicroChip MCP2120 Infrared Encoder/Decoder at 6.0 x 8.65 x1.25 mm is $1.16 individual cost, $0.80 for 100 (Mouser)
Datasheet: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/21618b.pdf
Vishay TFDU4101 infrared transceiver module at 9.9 x 4.2 x 4.7(with Domes) mm is $5.19 individual cost, $3.89 for 100 (Element14/Newark)
Datasheet: http://www.vishay.com/docs/81288/tfdu4101.pdf
7.3728MHz Crystal at 5.2 x 7.2 x 1.3 mm is $0.87 individual cost, $0.64 for 100 (Digi-Key)
Datasheet: http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/3/ABMM-40073.pdf
Also an interesting project "IrDA Enabling a PC or Microcontroller" shows a PSP talking IrDA protocol to an Arduino through the IR link using a Vishay TFDU4300 (The Vishay TFDU4300 is obsolete but I think a TFDU4301 should work fine in its place). Interrupts are implemented so that the Arduino can do other stuff while waiting for IrDA communication. This could also be used as a template for creating a TinyDuino shield. I think the supplied Arduino code in the article should work but may need some tweaking of baud rate and timeout length.
Alternate IR Modules
Vishay TFDU4301 infrared transceiver module is $5.35 individual cost, $4.37 for 100 (Element14/Newark)
TFDU4301 datasheet: http://www.vishay.com/docs/81965/tfdu4301.pdf
Here is a great resource on IrDA: http://www.societyofrobots.com/electronics_irda_tutorial.shtml
IrDA2 click Schematic: http://www.libstock.com/img/projects/21707/372/1341389558_irda2_sc.jpg
It uses
MicroChip MCP2120 Infrared Encoder/Decoder at 6.0 x 8.65 x1.25 mm is $1.16 individual cost, $0.80 for 100 (Mouser)
Datasheet: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/21618b.pdf
Vishay TFDU4101 infrared transceiver module at 9.9 x 4.2 x 4.7(with Domes) mm is $5.19 individual cost, $3.89 for 100 (Element14/Newark)
Datasheet: http://www.vishay.com/docs/81288/tfdu4101.pdf
7.3728MHz Crystal at 5.2 x 7.2 x 1.3 mm is $0.87 individual cost, $0.64 for 100 (Digi-Key)
Datasheet: http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/3/ABMM-40073.pdf
Also an interesting project "IrDA Enabling a PC or Microcontroller" shows a PSP talking IrDA protocol to an Arduino through the IR link using a Vishay TFDU4300 (The Vishay TFDU4300 is obsolete but I think a TFDU4301 should work fine in its place). Interrupts are implemented so that the Arduino can do other stuff while waiting for IrDA communication. This could also be used as a template for creating a TinyDuino shield. I think the supplied Arduino code in the article should work but may need some tweaking of baud rate and timeout length.
Alternate IR Modules
Vishay TFDU4301 infrared transceiver module is $5.35 individual cost, $4.37 for 100 (Element14/Newark)
TFDU4301 datasheet: http://www.vishay.com/docs/81965/tfdu4301.pdf
Here is a great resource on IrDA: http://www.societyofrobots.com/electronics_irda_tutorial.shtml
19
New Product Ideas / How about a 170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter?
« on: March 01, 2014, 11:47:02 PM »
How about a 170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter? You could plug a TinyDuino stack into the adapter and have a breakout for all of the pins. It could be great for testing, prototyping, expanding...
The 170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter is ~35mm x 47mm with a center channel of 3.2mm. Some have 2 mounting holes, some do not. I think mounting holes on the breadboard are great! The ones I have also have sticky tape on the bottom as well.
170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter
----------------------------------------------
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|_______________________________|
|_______________________________|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
----------------------------------------------
TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter
Adapter board would be ~20mm x 20mm + 7mm x 35mm with mounting holes.
A configuration
TinyDuino Connector (~5mm x 13mm) perpendicular to breadboard channel
++
++
++
++
Top view of TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter with TinyDuino connector OFF the breadboard
Pin connections would run on top and bottom to run 16 lines on each side to connect to the pins.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -------v perhaps can be Power and GND?
----------------------
| o o |
| |
| ++ |------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | The PCB should be as narrow
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | as possible.
| ++ |------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| |
| o o |
----------------------
^^--- The connector and mounting PCB is OFF the breadboard
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
Support block
::::::
::::::
or there could be nylon standoff legs to support the TinyDuino stack hanging off the breadboard
:
:
******* TinyDuino Board
++
******* TinyDuino Board
++
******* TinyDuino Board
++ (Connector)
---------------------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
:::::: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
:::::: [ ========================= Breadboard with inter-lock notch
---- Adapter ---- --------------- Breadboard ----------------
v v v v
|---------------------------------------------|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
---------------------| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| o o | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| ++ |------------------------------------------- |<- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | The PCB should be as narrow
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | as possible.
| ++ |------------------------------------------- |<- close to 2nd row tie point.
| | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| o o | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
---------------------| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|---------------------------------------------|
An alternate configuration 1
Adapter board would be ~7mm x 35mm
TinyDuino Connector (~5mm x 13mm) perpendicular to breadboard channel
++
++
++
++
Top view of TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter
Pin connections could run on top and bottom to run 16 lines on each side to connect to the pins.
The connector and edge of board would run very close to the 2 row tie point from the channel.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -----v perhaps can be Power and GND?
--------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| ++================== |
| ++================== |
| ++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
--------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
++ (Connector)
----------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
Unfortunately, this configuration sits the TinyDuino Stack over 6 columns (1 left/5 right or visa versa) and 7 rows of tie points.
An alternate configuration 2
Top view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
TinyDuino Connector ~5mm x 13mm connector down the breadboard channel
+++++++
+++++++
Pin connections could run on top and bottom to run 16 lines for each side to connect to the left and right side pins.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -------v perhaps can be Power and GND?
-----------------------------------------------
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| +++++++============= |
| +++++++============= |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
-----------------------------------------------
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
+++++++ (Connector)
----------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
Unfortunately, this configuration sits the TinyDuino Stack over 6 columns (3 left/3 right) and 7 rows of tie points.
The 170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter is ~35mm x 47mm with a center channel of 3.2mm. Some have 2 mounting holes, some do not. I think mounting holes on the breadboard are great! The ones I have also have sticky tape on the bottom as well.
170 Points Mini Breadboard adapter
----------------------------------------------
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|_______________________________|
|_______________________________|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
----------------------------------------------
TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter
Adapter board would be ~20mm x 20mm + 7mm x 35mm with mounting holes.
A configuration
TinyDuino Connector (~5mm x 13mm) perpendicular to breadboard channel
++
++
++
++
Top view of TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter with TinyDuino connector OFF the breadboard
Pin connections would run on top and bottom to run 16 lines on each side to connect to the pins.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -------v perhaps can be Power and GND?
----------------------
| o o |
| |
| ++ |------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | The PCB should be as narrow
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | as possible.
| ++ |------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| |
| o o |
----------------------
^^--- The connector and mounting PCB is OFF the breadboard
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
Support block
::::::
::::::
or there could be nylon standoff legs to support the TinyDuino stack hanging off the breadboard
:
:
******* TinyDuino Board
++
******* TinyDuino Board
++
******* TinyDuino Board
++ (Connector)
---------------------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
:::::: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
:::::: [ ========================= Breadboard with inter-lock notch
---- Adapter ---- --------------- Breadboard ----------------
v v v v
|---------------------------------------------|
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
---------------------| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| o o | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| ++ |------------------------------------------- |<- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | The PCB should be as narrow
| ++ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | as possible.
| ++ |------------------------------------------- |<- close to 2nd row tie point.
| | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| o o | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
---------------------| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|---------------------------------------------|
An alternate configuration 1
Adapter board would be ~7mm x 35mm
TinyDuino Connector (~5mm x 13mm) perpendicular to breadboard channel
++
++
++
++
Top view of TinyDuino mini breadboard adapter
Pin connections could run on top and bottom to run 16 lines on each side to connect to the pins.
The connector and edge of board would run very close to the 2 row tie point from the channel.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -----v perhaps can be Power and GND?
--------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
| ++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| ++================== |
| ++================== |
| ++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
--------------------------------------------- <- close to 2nd row tie point.
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
++ (Connector)
----------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
Unfortunately, this configuration sits the TinyDuino Stack over 6 columns (1 left/5 right or visa versa) and 7 rows of tie points.
An alternate configuration 2
Top view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
TinyDuino Connector ~5mm x 13mm connector down the breadboard channel
+++++++
+++++++
Pin connections could run on top and bottom to run 16 lines for each side to connect to the left and right side pins.
Tie Points at the end (row 17) -------v perhaps can be Power and GND?
-----------------------------------------------
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| +++++++============= |
| +++++++============= |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
-----------------------------------------------
Side view of TinyDuino breadboard adapter
+++++++ (Connector)
----------------------------------------------- (PCB Board)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (Pins)
Unfortunately, this configuration sits the TinyDuino Stack over 6 columns (3 left/3 right) and 7 rows of tie points.
20
New Product Ideas / Re: 3G Shield
« on: March 01, 2014, 09:14:35 PM »
That would be a nice addition. Even a cellular modem without voice capability would be quite useful.
I know of 3 GSM modules that may be small enough to work with on a shield the size of the "TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks" (I don't know the exact size of that board but it looks about 26x30 mm) - the uBlox SARA-U2 series (16x26x3 mm), the Telit UL865 (24.4x24.4x2.6 mm), and the SIMcom sim900 (24x24x3 mm)
Using the "TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks" as a starting point, the connector and mounting holes for the shield would have to be shifted back towards the connector edge so the GSM module could be squeezed onto the board. A SIM card holder would need to be mounted under the board. A U.FL connector for the antenna, a TRRS 2.5 mm jack for ear/voice, and all other support circuitry should probably be put onto the bottom side of the shield. Many of these GSM module's features require lots of pins... this would impact what other shields could be used in the stack. These pins would have to be sussed out to see which ones could be ignored.
A good start on a wiring diagram and components for a Telit UL865 can be found at http://www.mikroe.com/downloads/get/1921/gsm_click_manual_v101b.pdf for the MikroElektronika GSM click. I could only find code for a project using the Telit gm862 http://tinkerlog.com/2009/05/15/interfacing-arduino-with-a-telit-gm862/ which could be somewhat helpful.
A great project using the SIM900 is the Arduino Phone found on Instructables
Instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/ArduinoPhone/?ALLSTEPS
Code on GitHub: http://yexiaobo-seeedstudio.github.io/ArduinoPhone/
I know of 3 GSM modules that may be small enough to work with on a shield the size of the "TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks" (I don't know the exact size of that board but it looks about 26x30 mm) - the uBlox SARA-U2 series (16x26x3 mm), the Telit UL865 (24.4x24.4x2.6 mm), and the SIMcom sim900 (24x24x3 mm)
Using the "TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks" as a starting point, the connector and mounting holes for the shield would have to be shifted back towards the connector edge so the GSM module could be squeezed onto the board. A SIM card holder would need to be mounted under the board. A U.FL connector for the antenna, a TRRS 2.5 mm jack for ear/voice, and all other support circuitry should probably be put onto the bottom side of the shield. Many of these GSM module's features require lots of pins... this would impact what other shields could be used in the stack. These pins would have to be sussed out to see which ones could be ignored.
A good start on a wiring diagram and components for a Telit UL865 can be found at http://www.mikroe.com/downloads/get/1921/gsm_click_manual_v101b.pdf for the MikroElektronika GSM click. I could only find code for a project using the Telit gm862 http://tinkerlog.com/2009/05/15/interfacing-arduino-with-a-telit-gm862/ which could be somewhat helpful.
A great project using the SIM900 is the Arduino Phone found on Instructables
Instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/ArduinoPhone/?ALLSTEPS
Code on GitHub: http://yexiaobo-seeedstudio.github.io/ArduinoPhone/
21
New Product Ideas / Re: 9 DoF sensor fusion shield
« on: March 01, 2014, 06:45:13 PM »
Using the ST LSM9DS0 IMU or the InvenSense MPU-9150 both seem like a great choices for this type of shield. SparkFun has breakout boards for both and repackaging the oblong sticks into a Tinyduino shields would be trivial. Both chips support I2C, and the LSM9DS0 also supports SPI. The LSM9DS0 is pretty cheap as well- $11.61 in single chip and $5.85 in 3000 volume (Digikey).
In the case of the LSM9DS0, setting the other lines for interrupts, I2C/SPI select, Accel/Mag Address Select, and Gyroscope address select, would take up a HUGE amount of pins. Perhaps using a TI TLC59116 16-Channel Fm+ I2C-Bus Constant-Current LED Sink Driver ($3.23 and $1.25 in 1000 quantity [TI]) could be repurposed to be a pin selector using only the I2C bus. That way, only a few pins (2??) would be needed to use the LSM9DS0, which is always a good thing! Check thread http://forum.tiny-circuits.com/index.php?topic=31.msg643#msg643 for further discussion on the TLC59116.
In the case of the LSM9DS0, setting the other lines for interrupts, I2C/SPI select, Accel/Mag Address Select, and Gyroscope address select, would take up a HUGE amount of pins. Perhaps using a TI TLC59116 16-Channel Fm+ I2C-Bus Constant-Current LED Sink Driver ($3.23 and $1.25 in 1000 quantity [TI]) could be repurposed to be a pin selector using only the I2C bus. That way, only a few pins (2??) would be needed to use the LSM9DS0, which is always a good thing! Check thread http://forum.tiny-circuits.com/index.php?topic=31.msg643#msg643 for further discussion on the TLC59116.
22
New Product Ideas / Re: LED shield with 24 LED's
« on: March 01, 2014, 06:39:33 PM »
On the topic of the LED board...
The Charlieplexing solution is great but perhaps even fewer pins can be used. By using a TI TLC59116 16-Channel Fm+ I2C-Bus Constant-Current LED Sink Driver ($3.23 and $1.25 in 1000 quantity [TI]), WiFi shield compatibility, Ethernet shield compatibility, Full Motor Shield capability, and other LED shields can be used with displaying different patterns, can be achieved!!
Peter Easton wrote code for using an Arduino to control LEDs using the TI TLC59116. The code can be found at https://github.com/engineertype/TLC59116/blob/master/TLC59116.ino. A posting I found interesting about controlling LEDs with the TI TLC59116 is on the Arduino forum http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=97134.0
Making a version of this LED shield should be straightforward and there seems to be code for it available in the wild already.
TI TLC59116 Datasheet: http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/slds157d/slds157d.pdf
NOTE: See forum post http://forum.tiny-circuits.com/index.php?topic=170.msg651#msg651 for more ideas.
The Charlieplexing solution is great but perhaps even fewer pins can be used. By using a TI TLC59116 16-Channel Fm+ I2C-Bus Constant-Current LED Sink Driver ($3.23 and $1.25 in 1000 quantity [TI]), WiFi shield compatibility, Ethernet shield compatibility, Full Motor Shield capability, and other LED shields can be used with displaying different patterns, can be achieved!!
Peter Easton wrote code for using an Arduino to control LEDs using the TI TLC59116. The code can be found at https://github.com/engineertype/TLC59116/blob/master/TLC59116.ino. A posting I found interesting about controlling LEDs with the TI TLC59116 is on the Arduino forum http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=97134.0
Making a version of this LED shield should be straightforward and there seems to be code for it available in the wild already.
TI TLC59116 Datasheet: http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/slds157d/slds157d.pdf
NOTE: See forum post http://forum.tiny-circuits.com/index.php?topic=170.msg651#msg651 for more ideas.
23
New Product Ideas / Re: Plain Double Sided Connector (Extender)
« on: March 01, 2014, 05:43:51 PM »
Interesting idea! An itty-bitty PCB with connectors on both sides. It could also come with matching mounting hole spacers.
24
New Product Ideas / Re: Tiny ribbon connectors to allow different layouts
« on: March 01, 2014, 05:33:12 PM »
I posted some information about sideways layout (like the Seeedstudio's Xadow does it) in the http://forum.tiny-circuits.com/index.php?topic=180.0 thread which may be of interest...
As for vertically stacking... (sorry for some duplication from the other thread)
The connector used on the Tinyduino is 2x16 pin connector for 32 signal lines. To accommodate the tiny profile of the Tinyduino and its mounting holes, a configuration with two 0.3 mm pitch 33 pin FFP/FFC flat cable connectors (such as the YLL-U or YLL-D SERIES), stacked one behind the other, with the second mounted taller (higher) then the first, should do the trick. Obviously, 2 different height FFP/FFC connectors would be needed.
A variant configuration for stacking.
Pros:
Cons:
Please pardon the ascii figure diagrams.
Top View of staggered/stacked FFP/FFC configuation
o - mounting holes
[ - First low connector (closer to the edge) FFP/FFC Connector for downward connection
[ - Second high connector (further in and taller) FFP/FFC Connector for upward connection
-------------
| o o |
| [[ |
| o o |
-------------
Side View of staggered/stacked FFP/FFC configuation daisy-chained with flat cables
^ - connector (high connector) for upward connection
^ - connector (low connector) for downward connection
|- - Cable
NC - No Connection since it is the top or bottom of the stack
3 Tinyduino Shields with FFP/FFC connectors
NC ^ (high connector)
|----^ (low connector)
| ---------------------- (Top Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
| <Fat Payloads in between boards>
|-------^ (high connector)
|----^ (low connector)
| ---------------------- (Middle Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
| <Fat Payloads in between boards>
-------^ (high connector)
NC ^ (low connector)
---------------------- (Bottom Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
As for vertically stacking... (sorry for some duplication from the other thread)
The connector used on the Tinyduino is 2x16 pin connector for 32 signal lines. To accommodate the tiny profile of the Tinyduino and its mounting holes, a configuration with two 0.3 mm pitch 33 pin FFP/FFC flat cable connectors (such as the YLL-U or YLL-D SERIES), stacked one behind the other, with the second mounted taller (higher) then the first, should do the trick. Obviously, 2 different height FFP/FFC connectors would be needed.
A variant configuration for stacking.
Pros:
- Eliminates height restriction.
- Allows fat payloads between boards.
- Additional PCB board layers would not be needed.
Cons:
- Extra connector does take up precious PCB real estate.
- Cable bulge makes stack wider.
- Cables can be a bit touchy to shifts and movements.
Please pardon the ascii figure diagrams.
Top View of staggered/stacked FFP/FFC configuation
o - mounting holes
[ - First low connector (closer to the edge) FFP/FFC Connector for downward connection
[ - Second high connector (further in and taller) FFP/FFC Connector for upward connection
-------------
| o o |
| [[ |
| o o |
-------------
Side View of staggered/stacked FFP/FFC configuation daisy-chained with flat cables
^ - connector (high connector) for upward connection
^ - connector (low connector) for downward connection
|- - Cable
NC - No Connection since it is the top or bottom of the stack
3 Tinyduino Shields with FFP/FFC connectors
NC ^ (high connector)
|----^ (low connector)
| ---------------------- (Top Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
| <Fat Payloads in between boards>
|-------^ (high connector)
|----^ (low connector)
| ---------------------- (Middle Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
| <Fat Payloads in between boards>
-------^ (high connector)
NC ^ (low connector)
---------------------- (Bottom Shield of Tinyduino Stack)
25
New Product Ideas / Re: SRF Shield (Wireless module, RFM12B Compatible)
« on: March 01, 2014, 05:07:30 PM »
I think this is a great idea! How is it coming along? It has been quite awhile since you last posted about it.
26
New Product Ideas / Re: TinyDuino Ribbon Cable Shield - so that shields can be stacked sideways
« on: March 01, 2014, 04:34:08 PM »
I'm just thinking out loud here...
A development system that uses cable interconnects that comes to mind is Seeedstudio's Xadow which has a 12 line interconnect cable. Seeedstudio's Film (discontinued) used 20 lines with each component/shield called a Frame. The connector used on the Tinyduino is 2x16 pin connector for 32 signal lines.
A configuration with two 0.3 mm pitch 33 pin FFP/FFC flat cable connectors (such as the YLL-U or YLL-D SERIES), one on each side of the board would require running 32 lines (don't need the 33rd) across the board. This probably would require at least one more board layer. What about electrical noise because who knows what kind of havoc that configuration could cause on the lines with components above/below them? Perhaps 1 layer of shielding if there are components only on top, or 2 layer of shielding if there are components only on top and bottom. That's pretty expensive. Could the shielding be eliminated? Perhaps, but stacking order may be effected since some shields may be noisier than others.
Please pardon the stick figure diagrams :-P
Top View
------------- ------------- -------------
| o o | | o o | | o o |
| [.........[ |====| [.........[ |====| [.........[ |
| o o | | o o | | o o |
------------- ------------- -------------
Side View of Layers for new Tinyduino boards
:-/ I don't know... seems risky
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Lines
--------------- Circuits
2 layers of shielding to protect against other tiny shield noise?
Components only on top
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
Components only on bottom
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Circuits
Components on top and bottom with 2 layers of shielding. Probably safest... expensive.
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Circuits
These suggestions make the PCBs thicker... I am not sure that is totally desirable but it may be necessary for this configuration.
A development system that uses cable interconnects that comes to mind is Seeedstudio's Xadow which has a 12 line interconnect cable. Seeedstudio's Film (discontinued) used 20 lines with each component/shield called a Frame. The connector used on the Tinyduino is 2x16 pin connector for 32 signal lines.
A configuration with two 0.3 mm pitch 33 pin FFP/FFC flat cable connectors (such as the YLL-U or YLL-D SERIES), one on each side of the board would require running 32 lines (don't need the 33rd) across the board. This probably would require at least one more board layer. What about electrical noise because who knows what kind of havoc that configuration could cause on the lines with components above/below them? Perhaps 1 layer of shielding if there are components only on top, or 2 layer of shielding if there are components only on top and bottom. That's pretty expensive. Could the shielding be eliminated? Perhaps, but stacking order may be effected since some shields may be noisier than others.
Please pardon the stick figure diagrams :-P
- o - mounting holes
- [ - FFP/FFC Connector
- ==== - Flat cable
- ......... - Lines
Top View
------------- ------------- -------------
| o o | | o o | | o o |
| [.........[ |====| [.........[ |====| [.........[ |
| o o | | o o | | o o |
------------- ------------- -------------
Side View of Layers for new Tinyduino boards
:-/ I don't know... seems risky
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Lines
--------------- Circuits
2 layers of shielding to protect against other tiny shield noise?
Components only on top
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
Components only on bottom
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Circuits
Components on top and bottom with 2 layers of shielding. Probably safest... expensive.
--------------- Circuits
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Lines
--------------- Shielding
--------------- Circuits
These suggestions make the PCBs thicker... I am not sure that is totally desirable but it may be necessary for this configuration.
27
New Product Ideas / Re: Battery TinyShield
« on: March 01, 2014, 02:42:03 PM »
I think a Power Connector shield would be great! It would be wonderfully useful!
Oh the issues with connectors... all sorts of stress of plugging and unplugging connectors really make surface mount connectors less than desirable. If there is some sort of extra strain relief tabs for the SMT connector, that helps tremendously. The preferable configuration may be a through-hole connector.
a) JST connector seems desirable, but which one? Perhaps 2-pin or 3-pin JST-PH connector. A concern with the JST-PH connectors is the height. The SparkFun Through-Hole 3-Pin JST Right Angle Connector https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/Connectors/JST%282%29-01548.pdf - has a 5.00 mm +/- 0.3 mm tolerance (same for the 2-Pin version). The space between tinyduinos is 5.11 mm... the tolerance could be a problem if the board is to be sandwiched between other tinyduinos. This configuration would be similar to the TinyLily Mini to a JST Power Connector. Of note though, is the stated the Max Height is 6.23 mm. That particular JST connector would not work for a sandwiched board.
b) Right-Angle 1xN-Pin 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header flush mounted to the edge of the board so it is facing out and not up. The width of these connectors is 2.50 mm +/- 0.15 mm (according to the specs provided by Pololu's site http://www.pololu.com/product/2703). This connector choice should have no issues.
c) A DC Barrel Power Jack/Connector such as the Adam Tech ADC-029-1 which is 5.00 mm (with a +/- 0.197 mm tolerance? (If I am reading the spec sheet http://dlnmh9ip6v2uc.cloudfront.net/datasheets/Prototyping/ADC-H-028-1.pdf correctly)). This makes this option a very tight fit as well, for a board sandwiched between 2 other tinyduinos.
d) The TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks without the terminal blocks and a Right-Angle 1x2-Pin (or perhaps up to a 1x6-Pin) 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header flush mounted to the edge of the board on the open end would be a great configuration. A 5-Pin connector could have GND, VIN, 5V, 3V3, VCCBatt. A 1x6-Pin Connector I have fits perfectly in between the mounting holes. Perhaps sitting the connector back from the edge could be useful as well allowing for a connector to be inserted and hang as little off the board as possible.
e) A shield with just a Right-Angle 5-Pin 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header connector (as in (d)) flush mounted to the edge of the board across from the board connector would be great. Perhaps sitting the connector back from the edge could be useful as well allowing for a connector to be inserted and hang as little off the board as possible.
Oh the issues with connectors... all sorts of stress of plugging and unplugging connectors really make surface mount connectors less than desirable. If there is some sort of extra strain relief tabs for the SMT connector, that helps tremendously. The preferable configuration may be a through-hole connector.
a) JST connector seems desirable, but which one? Perhaps 2-pin or 3-pin JST-PH connector. A concern with the JST-PH connectors is the height. The SparkFun Through-Hole 3-Pin JST Right Angle Connector https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/Connectors/JST%282%29-01548.pdf - has a 5.00 mm +/- 0.3 mm tolerance (same for the 2-Pin version). The space between tinyduinos is 5.11 mm... the tolerance could be a problem if the board is to be sandwiched between other tinyduinos. This configuration would be similar to the TinyLily Mini to a JST Power Connector. Of note though, is the stated the Max Height is 6.23 mm. That particular JST connector would not work for a sandwiched board.
b) Right-Angle 1xN-Pin 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header flush mounted to the edge of the board so it is facing out and not up. The width of these connectors is 2.50 mm +/- 0.15 mm (according to the specs provided by Pololu's site http://www.pololu.com/product/2703). This connector choice should have no issues.
c) A DC Barrel Power Jack/Connector such as the Adam Tech ADC-029-1 which is 5.00 mm (with a +/- 0.197 mm tolerance? (If I am reading the spec sheet http://dlnmh9ip6v2uc.cloudfront.net/datasheets/Prototyping/ADC-H-028-1.pdf correctly)). This makes this option a very tight fit as well, for a board sandwiched between 2 other tinyduinos.
d) The TinyShield Proto Terminal Blocks without the terminal blocks and a Right-Angle 1x2-Pin (or perhaps up to a 1x6-Pin) 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header flush mounted to the edge of the board on the open end would be a great configuration. A 5-Pin connector could have GND, VIN, 5V, 3V3, VCCBatt. A 1x6-Pin Connector I have fits perfectly in between the mounting holes. Perhaps sitting the connector back from the edge could be useful as well allowing for a connector to be inserted and hang as little off the board as possible.
e) A shield with just a Right-Angle 5-Pin 0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header connector (as in (d)) flush mounted to the edge of the board across from the board connector would be great. Perhaps sitting the connector back from the edge could be useful as well allowing for a connector to be inserted and hang as little off the board as possible.
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