I have a project based on a Pro Mini that I have successfully prototyped on a solderless breadboard. Now I would like to add a Pro Mini and auxillary components on to a single board that I can evaluate in the field. Ultimately this will be a custom board but I would like to move to something smaller than my solderless breadboard in the short term so I can do some additional functional testing. How can I combine an existing Arduino Mini on a board with other support components?
I think I can visualize how to accomplish this but would love to get some tips or see some examples. I have read some articles are using strip board and vero wiring but what is the best way to attach the Pro Mini?
There are prototype boards with the same pattern as breadboards. LargeSmall
Not smaller bu you can keep your design. If you want to shrink it moreyou will have to use a custom pcb
ijourneaux:
I have read some articles are using strip board and Vero wiring but what is the best way to attach the Pro Mini?
Good way if you ask me.
If you want it permanent, solder. If not, socket pin strips.
It goes without saying that you can design a PCB to which the Pro Mini mounts as a "daughter-board". Unless you propose to go into full production - and have the SMD pick, place and solder facility to do so - I would consider this the best (cheapest) way to integrate the Arduino functionality.
So if i go the Arduino Mini as a daughter route, what is the best way to connect the Pro mini to the main board? I have pin headers soldered to the pro mini. Is there a low profile way to connect the two boards? I am not sure I have enough clearance for the conventional pin sockets
Tha is probably what I am going to end up doing. I was hoping to avoid soldering though. I can tolerate the height of the header spacer. Was hoping to locate a low profile socket.
ijourneaux:
Tha is probably what I am going to end up doing. I was hoping to avoid soldering though. I can tolerate the height of the header spacer. Was hoping to locate a low profile socket.
The problem with IC sockets is that the holes are too small for the through hole pins. You can't get the pins into an IC socket. I've tried!
This card has a '328P, crytal, caps, in place of the promini, but a promini could be used just as easily (I have 3 where I did first, I just can't find a picture).
I think I would put female headers on my mother board and just plug the Pro-Mini into it. That way, if any-thing happened to the Pro-Mini you could just unplug and plug in another. It also allows you to program
several pro-minis and have them ready to plug and play so you can try different programs without in the
field without needing a computer. Pro-Minis can be found very cheap so buying 3 of them is not a big
expense.