StickOS

[mackrackit]

Bruce,
Just curious.
I have a rough count of a dozen units for folks here on forum:
Walter 3
Darrel 2
Sneaky 2
Malc 1?
Me. 4

How many can you do in a run with your oven?

[ScaleRobotics]

I have a rough count of a dozen units for folks here on forum:
Walter 3
Darrel 2
Sneaky 2
Malc 1?
Me. 4

Sorry, I never said. I have 3 chips coming that I will send. But I would like two boards, if that is ok? Someone else can use the third chip for theirs.

[Bruce]

Oh - I think we could build about 500 per day with so few components on a simple board like this, so keep em coming. We have a dual batch oven. Shove one set in one side, and others go in when you shove the hot batch out..;o)

Dave,

Can you keep the tally for me? I've got three commercial jobs to push out-the-door between now & next Friday, so it would be a BIG help!

Walter,

No problemo. We'll work out qtys once we have the boards & other stuff. I'll get initial quotes on the boards, hardware, etc, then we'll all get together to sort stuff out.

Never expected it to grow like this, but that's cool. We'll have more folks to bounce new ideas off of.

Been chatting a lot today with the StickOS creator. He's one very cool person. And a heck of a lot smarter than I am..;o)

Kinda nice talking to someone like that if you know what I mean.

[mackrackit]

Bruce,
I can keep the tally. No problem.

Walter,
note made

[tenaja]

I'll take two. More if they come out supercheap.

[ScaleRobotics]

Wow! You shouldn't have (but I love it!). Thanks again. I can't wait.

I will try to look over the board with Diptrace tonight, but doubt I will be able to find anything.

[Bruce]

No problemo. I dorked-up the 1st one with the wrong 64-pin TQFP package type anyhow, so I had to change it. The PIC32 we're using is 10x10x1 with 0.5 lead pitch. That just made it even harder to route, but did give up a teeny bit more realestate.

It needs to fit on a breadboard anyhow since it's not dev-board size, so I spent a few hours changing it around. A 2x8 female header for the analog pins should make it nicer than the 1x16.

And I went by the datasheet VS the Sparkfun schematic for the VUSB connection (pin #35) to the cap. It's not crystal-clear what they're doing with this pin. It shows ---> with 3.3V just below it. Not sure if they didn't connect this pin or if they ran it to the other 3.3V connections with --->3.3V?

It could be a LOT smaller with < 0805 components, but it wouldn't be anything I would even consider assembling by hand unless it was just 1 or 2 units. And the price per board would definitely go up, so I'm leaving it at this size.

I'm going to get in touch with Rich on a clone connector. If I have room, I'll try to squeeze that in too. Then you could connect 2 boards & clone them, but that's a big maybe. If it turns out to be a hot item, I'll make it really small, and probably even ad the wireless, but I'll have someone else assemble them. I just want 1 to mess with to see how it works with the BASIC OS for starters.

[Nicmus]

I believe that having the board wireless ready (even if the involved parts are not populated) will be a big plus.

I am also interested on USB host feature (if possible) which might solve the well known problem of depending on FTDI chips and modules as the only source of USB host capability for hobbyists. Grouping these pins and making them available to the user in a USB connector fashion arrangement or any other way will add value to the board at no expense.

In any case, I just can’t wait to try this new device.

Regards,

Nick

[Bruce]

Walter,

Use this latest version. It's been optimized for a better ground plane, and clearance.

Nick,

I may include wireless & USB host in a later version, but not this 1st prototype. But you're welcome to use the existing board file if you like to ad new options. I'm just short on time at present.

[ScaleRobotics]

And I went by the datasheet VS the Sparkfun schematic for the VUSB connection (pin #35) to the cap. It's not crystal-clear what they're doing with this pin. It shows ---> with 3.3V just below it. Not sure if they didn't connect this pin or if they ran it to the other 3.3V connections with --->3.3V?

It wasn't clear at all to me. I located the source files of the CUI32. Here is a view of how they really have it connected... Following the datasheet sounds like a good idea.

I looked over the obvious on your pcb, and I can't find any mistakes. Pin6 of the programming header doesn't go anywhere, but you probably knew that.

Thanks,

Walter

[Bruce]

Thanks Walter. I'm guessing they have the internal Vreg disable, so I changed it.

This is the final version unless someone notices something wrong. It has a lot of spacing changes, copper pour islands removed, and has passed DRC.

I'm attaching the BOM, Gerber files, and the final CAD file so anyone can get quotes on boards & component prices if they like, or modify the original design as needed.

I have a bunch of parts on-hand like resistors, caps, /MCLR diode, etc, and some female headers if people want to use them for the analog pins - so it will save everyone a few bucks. See the notes in the BOM for whatever I have a ton of in stock already.

For a few parts I've included part #s for Mouser & DigiKey, but everyone's welcome to lookup cheaper parts if they can find them.

Ioannis,

Thanks, but my pick & place machine is a pair of SMD tweezers.. That's why I didn't want to go with any parts smaller than 0805 since I'll be placing them all by hand.

As for the through-hole parts, I don't mind installing the 2 switches, but the headers I'm going to leave to everyone else to install themselves.

Note: A few manufacturers from China have contacted me asking to quote on PCBs and full assembly of these, so I have attached pretty much all files they'll need to do so. You can contact me directly if you're interested.

[Archangel]

And it only costs $0.99 VS 50 bucks.

Stamp's price caused me to avoid all micro controllers for YEARS !

Been chatting a lot today with the StickOS creator. He's one very cool person. And a heck of a lot smarter than I am..;o)

Kinda nice talking to someone like that if you know what I mean.

Oh Yeah !
It is exactly that which attracts many of us HERE.

I am not fully up to speed here, cause his video is a bit long . . . and I was getting sleepy . . . anyway if the price is moderate, sign me up for a couple of the first run too . . . I tend to agree with Walter about the header strips, but You're making it, as long as we can interface it without too much brain damage, it's good.

EDIT: OK, now up to speed, wow he talks fast, THAT LOOKS REALLY COOL ! OH YEAH, Deal me in. Please.

[Ioannis]

Please count me in too. Sorry I got on the train a little late!

Now about the chips. I think it is a little silly to order the chips here in Greece nd then send them back to you Bruce. Is there any chance to have it complete from you?

Pin headers for breadbording is my preference too, but you are the boss.

2-3 is OK for starters.

Ioannis

[Dave]

Bruce , What type of I/O hardware is going to be available? Will there be RS-232, USB, Voltage regulator, Reset button.... ect. onboard? If the schematic you are going to post looks applicable to prototyping then put me down for two.

Dave Purola,
N8NTA

[Bruce]

Ioannis,

We'll get the PICs. It would cost you more to ship them here than the cost of the PICs.

What type of I/O hardware is going to be available? Will there be RS-232, USB, Voltage regulator, Reset button.... ect. onboard? If the schematic you are going to post looks applicable to prototyping then put me down for two.

I was planning to keep the boards as simple as possible. Like these;

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9645

http://www.schmalzhaus.com/UBW32/

Which type would everyone prefer? The layout with pins on both side, or the Sparkfun type board?

[mark_s]

Hi Bruce,

I'll vote with Walter on a BS2 style board (breadboard plugable). Put me down for two.

I am curious. For instance you want to use a LCD charactor display. We have no "LCDOUT" command. I am assuming we go retro and write subroutines like the original stamp programs or Pic Basic? I need to study the user manual and example some more.

Thanks
Mark

[mackrackit]

I was planning to keep the boards as simple as possible. Like these;

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9645

http://www.schmalzhaus.com/UBW32/

Which type would everyone prefer? The layout with pins on both side, or the Sparkfun type board?

If we still have a choice and the above are the two options I think the second one would be better in the long run.

[Ioannis]

Ioannis,

We'll get the PICs. It would cost you more to ship them here than the cost of the PICs.

Many thanks Bruce. I vote for the Stamp-like too.

Ioannis