I'm wanting to have my design fabricated and in preparation I want to take my project from the current solderless breadboard and lay everything on a PCB as close to how it will be when printed before drawing up my final schematic and sending them to OSH Park. I have almost everything I need to begin work for this particular project: my led lights, resistors, a couple TLC5940's, and a 4.3" TFT LCD.
For the most part the Due has largely been a black box so I have no idea how to get just the parts of it I need onto a breadboard. There are plenty of tutorials/articles/videos for Uno's or similar with the little ATmega328's but I can't find anything for the Due's mammoth 32-bit ARM-based microcontroller. Any guidance on how to approach this?
Yes, a board with a SAM chip, not a shield. And yes I have the Due schematic but still feel like I don't know what my starting point is. One thing I didn't mention is that I will be using the usb to power the unit.
The more that I think about it the more I'm realizing I'm just trying to build a stand-alone Arduino Due. But how?
I came across these QFP > DIP adapters for breadboarding - is this how it's done with the more intricate QFP components? With the simpler ATmega chips it's not a problem because of their DIP design.
I did come across a few ARM Cortex M3 DIP microcontrollers on eBay but they are 40-pin. Are these legit and can they be used in lieu of the actual AT91SAM3X8E? What's the difference?
Really wishing my design could accommodate a dip microcontroller but I need to power to really push the UTFT library and I need the pins for my 4.3" TFT LCD.
kona023:
I did come across a few ARM Cortex M3 DIP microcontrollers on eBay but they are 40-pin. Are these legit and can they be used in lieu of the actual AT91SAM3X8E? What's the difference?
Uh, you upload to them differently, their peripherals act differently, and you would need to write a new core to support them - basically the same level of effort needed to support an entirely new board. I would describe this as a major undertaking.
For using big parts like that, you should really be making a custom PCB. But you're putting the cart before the horse - get everything working with a Due, and then design the board, once you know all the details of the hardware you'll need and how you want it connected.
is this how it's done with the more intricate QFP components?
No, what happens is that you go straight to PCB layout and then correct any errors with a scalpel and some solid core 32 gauge wire, known as mod wire.
It is assumed that if you are using such a complex chip then your design skills will be up to it.
I would simply build your other circuit as a shield or attach your Due through soldered up pin headers.
DrAzzy:
For using big parts like that, you should really be making a custom PCB. But you're putting the cart before the horse - get everything working with a Due, and then design the board, once you know all the details of the hardware you'll need and how you want it connected.
Apologies if I'm misunderstanding you or didn't properly describe my situation but everything is up and working with the Due. I'm literally done with the overall development of the project. Now I want to design the circuit and I'm down to raw components and the Due itself and I want to transfer all of those components as well as what I need from the Due (microcontroller, usb, etc.) from my breadboard to a pcb and solder it up to ensure I have done everything properly before designing my schematic that I'll send off to have fabricated.... Or maybe I'm missing something here and getting the proverbial cart before the horse?
Grumpy_Mike:
I would simply build your other circuit as a shield or attach your Due through soldered up pin headers.
Thank you Mike, but isn't a shield more for the prototyping phase? I want to take my design to production and since this is my first time I don't know how to get it there. I really think I'm missing something obvious here and the suggestions everyone is giving me are on probably point but my ignorance is keeping me from comprehending it
I want to take my design to production and since this is my first time I don't know how to get it there
So the next stage is to just do a first PCB layout. In the industry this is known as the first CAD or spin. You probably will not get things right on the first CAD unless it is very simple.
Professionals normally budget for three, that includes any changes you need for compliance with CE or FCC regulations on testing.
Grumpy_Mike:
So the next stage is to just do a first PCB layout. In the industry this is known as the first CAD or spin. You probably will not get things right on the first CAD unless it is very simple.
Professionals normally budget for three, that includes any changes you need for compliance with CE or FCC regulations on testing.
I guess this does make sense. Perhaps not too cost effective to do it trial and error but in all fairness my project isn't that complicated. I might just go this route. Is Fritzing ok for this? I've been playing around the environment and like it so far.
