I recently downloaded the software PCB artist for a project that I am working on. For my project, I am designing a prototype board that integrates an arduino mini on the board itself. I'm not quite sure how to do that and I'm wondering if there is a library with the schematics for the arduinos that I can download? I have the arduino mini already, but I need to somehow make sure when the board is printed, that it has the holes in the board so I can just solder the arduino in. If anyone knows of anything to help me, please let me know. I am stuck right now for my project.
Why are you soldering an Arduino in?
Just use the actual ATMEGA328 IC. You can add the ISP header on to your PCB design for any future software changes/programming.
The arduino mini (or is it pro mini?) has a number of pins. What you need to do is to install EAGLE and download arduino mini's design file. Then open the file and measure the locations of these pins. On your own design, just add headers at the same locations.
If you have not bought into PCB artist, use EAGLE instead. All arduino boards have been designed using EAGLE, saving only a few. Load arduino mini's design and delete all the components, save the headers. Then lay out your circuit.
Johnny010:
Why are you soldering an Arduino in?Just use the actual ATMEGA328 IC. You can add the ISP header on to your PCB design for any future software changes/programming.
To be fair, it could be a matter of cost and reduced design effort. You can get pro mini clones for less than it would cost to get the parts to make your own. Certainly, it's cheaper on small scale...
On the other hand, It's certainly more fun IMO to design the whole thing, and not have the questionable design decisions of the pro mini (and the questionable cost saving measures from the clone manufacturers) polluting my brilliant design (aka NIH syndrome), and in any case, if you're going into production, you'd probably want a board that had everything on it.
It's 99% certain that the holes and hole rows on the mini are at 100mil centers, even if not just get a ruler (or better yet calipers) and measure them. No need for more software.
cammaratalm:
I recently downloaded the software PCB artist for a project that I am working on. For my project, I am designing a prototype board that integrates an arduino mini on the board itself. I'm not quite sure how to do that and I'm wondering if there is a library with the schematics for the arduinos that I can download? I have the arduino mini already, but I need to somehow make sure when the board is printed, that it has the holes in the board so I can just solder the arduino in. If anyone knows of anything to help me, please let me know. I am stuck right now for my project.
can you post the name of the software ?
as was mentioned, all the pins are in rows that are 0.1 inches spaceing. every PCB software that I know of willl offer a DIP package of 40 pins (20 on each side, and 0.6 inch spacing.
I believe that getting the pins for this part will be the easiest thing you will do.
There should be an option to make your own component primitives, at least there are in all the programs I have used.
.
Here's a dimensioned drawing, developed with Eagle, in pdf, actual size. Usual caveats apply - I think it's right, but you ought to check.
ProMini-Dim-Pads.pdf (9.71 KB)
Graynomad:
It's 99% certain that the holes and hole rows on the mini are at 100mil centres, even if not just get a ruler (or better yet callipers) and measure them. No need for more software.
It's better than 99%. It fits into a breadboard, it's designed specifically to do that (unlike the UNO).
It is certainly absurd to even attempt to source the parts to replicate the Arduino functionality for a production run of less than a hundred when a Pro Mini costs less than US$2 (delivered) in small quantity.
