Thermal images of a Mega

some DC/DC converters which were very close in size, and with the same pinout, as a the usual TO-220 regulator.

Traco also make them and a few others, IIRC about $12 for a 1A PSU with inputs up to about 30V.

you also need to buy a coil, and matching those to your requirements is (so I've read) a bit tricky?

Possibly, although many of the datasheets specify a recommended inductor.

Take a look at the new FT230 and FT231 from FTDI.

Thanks for that, just the thing and I see they now have SPI and I2C version as well. I have an application right now that would love one of those SOIC16 USB chips.

I think I'm going to like these even better!

Likewise. I know you can get USB in the processor these days but I don't know how to drive those on-board peripherals whereas I do know that these FTDI chips just work out of the box.


Rob