What is BreadConnect?
BreadConnect for Arduino is a simple shield that connects regular Arduino boards to the breadboard while allowing support for other stackable shields on top of it. That's it, nothing less nothing more.
Website link:
any better photos perhaps? I can't see what exactly the "BreadConnect" looks like
... we prototyped it by afternoon to get feedback ...
Now why didn't I think of that? 
But it doesn't really need to cover that many breadboard points, does it? Maybe for strength with the perfboard, but please make the real version less wide, so it covers the minimum number of breadboard points.
Yes thanks for the feedback. The width will reduce by nearly 7/8 to 1" in the final version
Pretty slick idea. Beats running a bunch of jumper wires.
I would be sure to put a nice silkscreen on the breadboard side to show what pins are what. Probably on the Arduino side as well, since the board would cover up the regular ones.
What is the white jumper wire on the top of the board doing?
Ya silkscreening is needed. Our geeky techie wanted to use the prototype right away. so he wanted to connect all the pins with jumpers:)
Anyways do you guys know where we could get such odd size PCBs made at a good cost?
You should be able to get pretty decent density with some creative placement, i.e.
Hmmm - can I throw in my 2 cents?
You should think of making a sheild with a ribbon cable.
Arduino ->stackabe shield->ribbon cable->small pcb with pins->breadboard
liked the concept. with ribbon cable, the small pcb gets maneuverable across the breadboard.
By the way, any user feedback for our SCAXb KoRe:
Also we are open to quotes for procuring cheap long female stackable headers for our breadconnects
I think this is a great idea! I have done some stupid stuff to get my Duemilinove connected to a breadboard.
On the final version do keep in mind that look does matter, so make sure to give it a pretty color, put thought into the PCB shape and layout, etc.
yes that was just a prototype. Did you guys like the idea of the see-through shield where the shield does not block access to the ATmega, reset button and ICSP? Also a similar feedback on our SCAXb KoRe's would be appreciated. http://myra-robotics.myshopify.com/products/scaxb-kore.
It is not clear from the 3D image, but is the USB connector going to be type miniB?
If yes, since you take "quotes for procuring", would you also sell some of these?
Otherwise, a few more suggestions:
- a on/off switch would be useful;
- the LEDs should be connectible through jumpers, if you want the board to be useful in slee mode as well;
- you can save some space by mounting the resistors vertically; or use SMD, or even 1/8 watts;
PS I cannot see the resonator on the board. Where is it?
Hi fluorinc,
Thanks for the reply. Firstly, and most importantly, before answering your questions, our most basic question for the SCAXb KoRe is:
It makes sense to us to provide a very affordable ATmega Xbee solution. Would you as an end user like to have the SCAXb KoRe that would retail at a price of $45 as compared to existing ATmega Xbee solutions that end up in the $65-$75 price range?
Now, here are answers and questions to your suggestions:
1] I cannot see the resonator on the board. Where is it?
The resonator is between the reset switch and the bottom 2 20pf capacitors
2] It is not clear from the 3D image, but is the USB connector going to be type miniB?
We did not think about the miniB but does a miniB connector make the board more appealing to existing Arduino users?
3] If yes, since you take "quotes for procuring", would you also sell some of these?
You mean sell stackable female headers right?
4] Few more suggestions:
-
An on/off switch would be useful - Agree
-
The LEDs should be connectible through jumpers, if you want the board to be useful in slee mode as well
Could you please elaborate on this? -
You can save some space by mounting the resistors vertically; or use SMD, or even 1/8 watts - Agree 1/8watts preferred solution
Thanks
info@myra-robotics.com
Price is good, no doubt.
I think MiniB USB connector is more appealing, yes. Like the one used by seeedstudio. It is also more expensive and more difficult (at least for me) to find. Is this USB miniB connector I was inquiring about (not the headers).
I meant "sleep mode". You don't want LEDs to be on and take power away from the batteries in "sleep mode". I would also "disconnect" the FTDI during sleep mode as well. XBee has it's own sleep mode, so you don't need extra circuitry for that. Jumpers would allow the LEDs to be disconnected. For example, I don't need to have a LED on to show me that my device is powered.
Keep up the good work!
PS It's "florinc", not "fluorinc".
Hi florinc,
We wish to clarify a few more things:
So here's what we have:
1] We are planning for a switch instead of the jumper for power selection (USB/Ext). i.e. on/off switch that u referred to. This would basically mean that when you are using External power supply and you want to turn off the power to the board then you switch to USB. Correct? And in case of USB powered board, if you want to switch off the board then you switch to Ext. Right? Any idea where do we get good hard switches like those used by SeedStudio?
2] With regards to MiniB USB, we still don't understand why is it that they are more appealing. We assume that users with existing USB-B connectors would still have to buy A to MiniB USB connectors. Right?
3] Now we have two jumpers doing the job of switching between USB/Xbee. What you are saying is that in addition to these jumpers we have one more jumper that disconnects the LEDs and also disconnects the FTDI. Is that correct?
Thanks
info@myra-robotics.com
- Yo can buy the slide switches from seeedstudio directly. The switch would turn on/off the external power, not the USB. Think of people who want to use the board independently, for example powered by battery. I see USB being used for development, external for "production".
- MiniB, compared to type B, is much smaller (does not stick out that much, and it is not that high). People usually have both cables, that is not an issue. If you want to cram the board, why not start with the obvious?
- Sleep mode, usually necessary for the "production" boards powered by batteries, would require the extra component (everything except uC) to be powered off, since those would take current but do nothing (standby basically). That is what I was referring to. What would be the purpose of a LED (being on) when the device is asleep?
Would the Hardware Development forum be a more appropriate location for this thread?