ATMEL Mega1284P evaluation board avalible

[CrossRoads]

Need to ask Skyjumper for that, he has the source and the makefiles and what not.

[adilinden]

Check out the core files here for 1284's.

www.avr-developers.com

Is there a list of files needed strictly for the 1284p, rather then the complete package for all the processors?

[CrossRoads]

Not that I know of.

[adilinden]

Are there any plain basic 1284 boards with UNO foot print? The Bobuino is cool but way more features then I need. Essentially need UNO foot print, more RAM then 328 offers and shield compatibility. Be connecting Ethernet shield and a GSM shield. Much prefer on board USB over external FTDI.

I have an UNO32 which is PIC32 based. Great little board and compatible with shields. But libraries have quite a few gaps. What I am doing should be fairly simple to due with Arduino environment. Right now seems much less of a path of resistance then delving into MPLAB and Microchip Ethernet stack.

But with the RAM requirement exceeding what the 328 has to offer the 1284 is an appealing choice. I've looked at adding SPI RAM or FRAM, but I'd rather have less parts count.

[CrossRoads]

You want a bare Bobuino board & just populate the parts you need?
Leave off the SD parts, RTC, extra IO pins, etc.
I could order a batch of PCBs, you build up what you  need.

[stevemarple]

Are there any plain basic 1284 boards with UNO foot print? The Bobuino is cool but way more features then I need. Essentially need UNO foot print, more RAM then 328 offers and shield compatibility. Be connecting Ethernet shield and a GSM shield. Much prefer on board USB over external FTDI.

The only board I know of with the Uno footprint is this one, http://www.thaieasyelec.net/index.php/Arduino/ATmega32-Dev-Board-Arduino-Diecimila-Compatible-DIP-28-DIP-40-/p_133.html, but it's out of stock and the corresponding Thai page seems to indicate it has been "retired", http://www.thaieasyelec.com/Development-Board/Arduino/Dev-Board/Arduino-Diecimila-Compatible-DIP-28-DIP-40-ATmega32.html.

If you want something that's fully shield compatible (including the location of the ISP header - essential for using the Ethernet shield) then I think my Calunium board is the only other option. The footprint is similar to the Mega2560 footprint (same length, a bit wider). All the files and software are available on Github under a CC license. I had 10 PCBs made by Iteadsutdio for $25, and delivery was just $5. You only need to populate a few and the cost each is about the same as the Uno. You will need an FTDI cable.

[adilinden]

The only board I know of with the Uno footprint is this one, http://www.thaieasyelec.net/index.php/Arduino/ATmega32-Dev-Board-Arduino-Diecimila-Compatible-DIP-28-DIP-40-/p_133.html, but it's out of stock

This is certainly a very interesting board. Too bad it is no longer available.

You want a bare Bobuino board & just populate the parts you need? I could order a batch of PCBs, you build up what you  need.

Thank you for the offer. But the board is quite a bit larger then what I would like. I will spend some time on whipping up a board. See how rusty my Eagle skills are. If it becomes too much effort I might just take you up on that offer.

Reading various post here and on hackaday there appears some interest in a much more basic 1284p board. Perhaps doing it would be a worthwhile effort. I also though of creating a very basic vinciDuino or Leonardo clone. Not that I need one but just for practice as it would be low parts count and low cost.

As for USB connectivity with the 1284p, are there any reasons to prefer a mega8u2 (or is it mega8u4?) over a FTDI chip? I think the FTDI chip works out to be about double the cost, at least in very small quantities.

Also, I prefer TQFP over DIP. I tend to not socket DIP but solder them straight to the board in most cases, especially with in circuit programming.

[CrossRoads]

So what you want is a simplified version of this board I did for skyjumper then.

or this, haven't done the pins_arduino.h file changes yet, this design was made to be pin compatible with existing shields unlike the new Leonardo, which appears to have been designed for ease of routing, with the hardware ports all broken up.

[adilinden]

On the Leonardo clone I'd like to do away with external power, only USB. Perhaps as simple as it gets while still having shield compatibility. Yes, I noticed the unusual pin assignment on Leonardo. No surewhat to do there just yet.

On the 1284p I am thinking a whole lot simpler as well.The TQFP 1284p and either an AVR USB TQFP or FTDI for USB. Simple power switching via jumper. Maybe a switching buck converter instead of LDO linear. Have used small integrated switchers a lot in the past. They do work very well, IMHO. Depending on space could allow for either. No idea yet if or how to break out the additional IO pins. I don't need them but then for future might be nice to have them.

Hoping to have time to work on things this week. Having a Christmas break is nice and this design stuff is nothing but a hobby. Actually have a couple of amateur radio needs that got me started. But the GSM shield distracted from the original goal. Have this in my mind instead.

[CrossRoads]

ATMega32U4 with USB only power, like this then.

Haven't stripped down a 1284 yet, would take me a few minutes.

[CrossRoads]

Okay, I've been doing some tinkering.
Here's a schematic & layout for a DIP based Duemilanove style 366/644/1284 board.
Its intended to have the 1284  mounted on socket strips, so there are a couple of caps underneath the part.
http://www.dipmicro.com/store/HDR40X1FM


I'll do a version with a surface mount part also

If there is interest, I'll spring for a batch of 10 or 20 PCBs, and folks can obtain their owm material and build them as they wish.

The IO pins are as defined for my Bobuino, I'll post the files for that too, designed to be fully shield compatible.
The extra IO of the 1284 series are brought out to another connector. The Analog header has all 8 Analog inputs as well.
Jumper blocks: 
USB power or onboard regulator power. Regulator may  be surface mount, or thru hole part may be used.
Reset - jumper for reset from FTDI, or leave it open for no reset.
I2C: Jumper to have A4/A5 go to shield, or have SCL/SDA go to shield. SCL/SDA also available on the extra IO header.

There is an onboard 3.3V regulator as well, don't have to rely on the 50mA from the FTDI chip.

Board is a little longer then an UNO, due to the bigger chip.

[westfw]

Doesn't have the ISP connector in the right place, as required by ethernet shield (was that a requirement, or a suggestion by one of the responders?)

[CrossRoads]

Yeah, that could be a problem accomodating with the big chip.  I'll give it a shot tonight.

[adilinden]

Well, I cooked up a board. The things a break at Christmas is good for.

[CrossRoads]

Where are the other IO pins?

I don't know where I posted it in here (or maybe I forgot) but I've the DIP version done with the ICSP relocated, SCL/SDA option in the new spot, and a 10 pin header for the extra IO pins.