next topic »

[on:]

Hi,

I'm working on a yet another ATMEGA168V based small size Arduino clone with XBee. As described in the images, it's based on Lilypad.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2543906059/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2543906021/

Current plan for the next step is as follows:

• an optional on-board DC/DC converter (AS1322B)
• a push button for D12

I'm sorry for trouble you, but it would be much appreciated if you give me comments and/or suggestions about this issue.


Best,
Shigeru

[Reply #1 on:]

Hi,

I just updated as follows:

• added a 8MHz CELALOCK
• added pins for D12 and D13
• added a DC/DC converter

http://flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2548585728/
http://flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2547756871/

It would be much appreciated if you give me suggestions and/or comments.

Thanks,
Shigeru

[Reply #2 on:]

That's great!
It is seem no need more things on the board.

[Reply #3 on:]

Hi,

I uploaded photos of the FIO (Funnel I/O) module v1.0b yesterday. The prototype I have demonstrated to you at Oreilly Japan's office was PSoC based, but now it's an Arduino clone.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2575627150/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2574801125/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2575626476/


Key features are:
* An Arduino clone with a XBee module (802.15.4 or ZNet 2.5)
* Almost same sise as a FRISK box (but much thicker...)
* ATMEGA168V @ 8MHz (a ceramic resonator is optional)
* On-board DC/DC converter (austriamicrosystems' AS1322)
* The schematic was derived from LilyPad Arduino v1.6

I'm sorry for trouble you, but it would be much appreciated if you give me any comments and/or suggestions to improve the design.


Best,
Shigeru Kobayashi

http://gainer.cc
http://funnel.cc

[Reply #4 on:]

I see that you used an XBee module. Can't you downsize the whole thing by using another chip with a zigbee stack like a CC430 ?
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/cc2430.html

Might need a new library / sketch to communicate with, though ^^ (and the QFN48 package is just impossible to solder by hand)

[Reply #5 on:]

Hi,

Thank you very much for your suggestion.

I see that you used an XBee module. Can't you downsize the whole thing by using another chip with a zigbee stack like a CC430 ?
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/cc2430.html

Looks very interesting (actually I got EZ430-RF2500). But might not fit to the short term development, and I have to apply many permissions to use officially. I'll consider for the next major version.

Thanks,
Shigeru

[Reply #6 on:]

Hi,

I assembled FIO v1.0. It would be much appreciated if you give me comments and/or suggestions.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/25323104@N00/2652423728/

[Reply #7 on:]

Damn this is nice!

[Reply #8 on:]

I agree.  Very nice!

One small comment.  I know you probably don't want to make the board any longer, but I'm guessing there will be people who will want to be able to make shields out of standard prototyping (perf) board.  Having to cut out a notch to be able to access the power and ground pins will make this much more difficult.  You might consider moving the XBee back so you can get to all the pins with a rectangular shield.

(We made a similar mistake with the Arduino pin layout and standard perf-board shields, and I'd hate to see it get repeated.)

[Reply #9 on:]

I have a question about working with the XBee, can you use the arduino with the Xbee shield to give a PC a Xbee device?  I am working on a device powered by the Arduino, and I need Xbee as part of the application, and I want to know if I can use the USB with the Arduino to control a set of relays and as a Xbee device at the same time

[Reply #10 on:]

Hi,

It works great if you jumper the Xbee to use an unused i/o pin and access it via Software Serial, and leave the hardware port available for the USB connection.

See this thread for an example:  http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1215072377

I have a question about working with the XBee, can you use the arduino with the Xbee shield to give a PC a Xbee device?  I am working on a device powered by the Arduino, and I need Xbee as part of the application, and I want to know if I can use the USB with the Arduino to control a set of relays and as a Xbee device at the same time

[Reply #11 on:]

Hi,

Thank you very much for your kindly suggestions about FIO. Finally, FIO v1.3 (in collaborate with Nathan Seidle) is available at SparkFun.



http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8957

Now the board is compatible with normal prototyping boards (no special shapes needed). Please note, the USB port is just for charging (no USB-to-UART bridge is mounted), but you can upload your sketches with the auto-reset function suggested by Ladyada (thanks!).

http://funnel.cc/Hardware/FIO?userlang=en

It would be much appreciated if you give me suggestions about the design of FIO v1.3.

Best,
Shigeru

[Reply #12 on:]

Funnel IO is a very impressive design and implementation. I think the built-in Lithium Ion charger chip is brilliant as this design begs to be embedded into weight sensitive applications such as R/C aircraft.

Lefty

[Reply #13 on:]

Looks very nice!

Did you consider including (or did you) a six-pin header (possibly unmounted) to allow the board to be programmed using an FTDI cable?  That would lower the cost needed to start loading sketches onto the board.

[Reply #14 on:]

Hi,

Did you consider including (or did you) a six-pin header (possibly unmounted) to allow the board to be programmed using an FTDI cable?  That would lower the cost needed to start loading sketches onto the board.

Yes. Please look at the right side (actually top side in the picture). The first six pins are compatible with SparkFun's FTDI Basic Breakout modules, so also compatible with FTDI's.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images/products/08957-01-L.jpg

Thanks,
Shigeru