Hi, I want to build a go board where each vertex is a switch. The size of the entire board is about 50cm by 50cm. There are 361 vertices in total and they all have the same circuit layout. For the two ends of the switch, one connects to a diode before connecting to a row or column wire. The other connects directly to the other wire.
Is there such a thing as having service provider like pcbway to build 361 small pcb with a way to combine them like a puzzle? Each piece will be about 2.5cm. is it something I can do with a service provider??
You can make notches in the PCB to panelize multiple boards from the same Gerber file. I do this when I have a design that consists of two PCBs but I don't want to make two separate projects.
I think that you should combine multiple switches on one board, including the matrix (multiplexer) circuit that can handle that amount of switches (3x3? 8x8?). Then consider how these modules should communicate and design the module connections accordingly.
BTW how do you want to distinguish black from white tiles?
If I break the matrix circuit down to , lets say two 10 by 10 and two 9 by 9 matrices, I'll need more pins than a 19 by 19 matrix. That's why I want to try to make everything into one matrix, but maybe it's a good idea to put nine or sixteen switches on one pcb and then connect them together.
I don't need to detect the colour. In a game the first one is always black and the second is white. I can track the colour in the computer program after receiving the move from Arduino.
If you don't mind me asking, why would you say that making separate, complete matrix circuit is the better idea? Is it due to its cost or other factors??
In a modular system it's quite easy to replace modules. If you have one mux/demux circuit for the entire matrix then that circuit has to be repaired or replaced with every fault.
You're right. I didn't take repairability into consideration. it would be ideal if there is a way to connect two pcb conductively without having to solder. Perhaps on the individual switch's pcb I can add some soldered jumper wire slot so I can use jumper wire later on to connect them all together.
Just make four 10x10, laid out as a grid, with the horizontal and vertical lines each extending to the edge of the board on both ends. Solder jumpers from board to board, and you have one large grid. Cut off one column/ row if you really need 19x19.