I have found many examples for "how to make your own arduino compatible board" online, but I have not found a single example of one that is powered by USB and takes serial input from a computer (over the same USB port).
If there is an example of such a project please send it my way, otherwise can someone please explain to me how I could use USB connectivity with all of these arduino compatible boards?
This project shows a breadboarded Arduino without an FTDI chip. This means no USB connectivity (this could be however accomplished using a USB-Serial breakout board).
I would appreciate knowing what I need to do to add the FTDI chip connectivity, power the board from usb and make sure that it can talk to a computer.
I would use Fritzing to design this, and I will make it SMD but I do need to know how to add the UART / USB
Look closely at the board. Very closely. An Arduino Due is also a good example of USB design. The traces between the USB connector and the chip aren't straight. They weave around a little.
USB design is very sensitive to the exact length of the traces on the board. I would not attempt it myself and I've been designing boards for a few years now. Just buy a module like an Arduino Mini or a Teensy and focus your efforts on the parts of the board that must be custom. The USB end of it is standard.
You plug the FTDI board onto the FTDI pins in Nicks schematic.
The FTDI board has an USB input jack which brings the D+ D- +5v and 0v wires to the FTDI chip.
If you want to power the standalone circuit from the USB port +5v can be accessed from the FTDI BOARD.
If there is an example of such a project please send it my way, otherwise can someone please explain to me how I could use USB connectivity with all of these arduino compatible boards?
If you want to be able to connect to the arduino shields and have USB connectivity and all the UNO type bells and whistles, WHY NOT BUY A UNO.
They are cheap compared to the trouble you will have trying to roll your own.
MorganS:
Look closely at the board. Very closely. An Arduino Due is also a good example of USB design. The traces between the USB connector and the chip aren't straight. They weave around a little.
USB design is very sensitive to the exact length of the traces on the board. I would not attempt it myself and I've been designing boards for a few years now. Just buy a module like an Arduino Mini or a Teensy and focus your efforts on the parts of the board that must be custom. The USB end of it is standard.
I need this entire board to be self contained, just like the Teensy is. I am planning to have a manufacturer make this board (and do all the SMD soldering) so I can't really just ask them to attach a teensy to the board.
LarryD:
Use a ready made FTDI chip with the Atmaga
You plug the FTDI board onto the FTDI pins in Nicks schematic.
The FTDI board has an USB input jack which brings the D+ D- +5v and 0v wires to the FTDI chip.
If you want to power the standalone circuit from the USB port +5v can be accessed from the FTDI BOARD.
Thanks for these resources, however, as I just mentioned, I am looking for a way to integrate this onto the board, not just attach another board or some wires. I want it to be all integrated.
A. I do not need to connect to the arduino boards.
B. I need a smaller form factor.
C. I do not want to have things such as the external power jack that I do not need.
D. This is for a project and I want to have a custom label on it.
Thanks for your advice, however, I do not think that it actually addresses my question here. The question was how to add integrated serial connectivity / power from a usb port to a board I am designing, not "should I use some type of existing board".
Did you see "existing board" schematics? I think, it is perfect "kick off" for your project. You need nothing special for powering from the USB. It has 5V so it works without any additional parts but it is good to have the fuse at least to protect the USB. FTDI has an examples for use in the datasheet.
Right away the first post gives an answer (Arduino Duemilanove schematics). There is FT232RL used as USB/serial adapter. Use the schematics just omit the power circuit.
A. I do not need to connect to the arduino boards.
Do not connect them.
B. I need a smaller form factor.
Make it smaller.
C. I do not want to have things such as the external power jack that I do not need.
Do not include it and of course the whole power source circuit.
D. This is for a project and I want to have a custom label on it.
You should place there definitely.
A. I do not need to connect to the arduino boards.
B. I need a smaller form factor.
C. I do not want to have things such as the external power jack that I do not need.
D. This is for a project and I want to have a custom label on it.
Well why didn't you say so in so few a words on your first post?
A board assembler should have no problem soldering a Teensy onto your board. Low volume stuff like you're obviously doing uses daughterboard modules all the time. Mostly it's power supplies but WiFi modules and other things with complex analog or RF layouts are very common as soldered-on modules.
Open up your laptop. The wifi module is probably plugged into a header. The USB sockets on the side? That's probably a separate board too.
MorganS:
A board assembler should have no problem soldering a Teensy onto your board. Low volume stuff like you're obviously doing uses daughterboard modules all the time.
Teensy if you like, but a UNO in a much smaller form factor without the external power jack is a Nano. Removing the USB it becomes of course a Pro Mini. For low volume it makes no engineering sense to attempt to replicate what is already available extremely cheaply due to bulk manufacture.
And talking about compact, using a Nano as a daughter board, you can place more components within the pinout shadow beneath.
startec:
I am planning to have a manufacturer make this board (and do all the SMD soldering) so I can't really just ask them to attach a teensy to the board.
You are joking!
startec:
This is for a project and I want to have a custom label on it.
Egotism costs. Often dearly.
startec:
Thanks for your advice, however, I do not think that it actually addresses my question here. The question was how to add integrated serial connectivity / power from a usb port to a board I am designing, not "should I use some type of existing board".
It's called the "XY problem". We are quite accustomed to people asking the wrong question.
