Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 13:30 24 Nov 2024 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Silicon Chip MM. Explore 40

Author Message
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1873
Posted: 06:07am 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

A new MM in the same form factor as a picomite.  Silicon Chip
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
Volhout
Guru

Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4222
Posted: 06:27am 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Hi Pascal,

They ask 35 AU dollar for the kit. Quite expensive compared to a RP2040 pico.
But for the people that love the PIC32 series (which has it's merrits), it is THE solution....

Volhout
PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS
 
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1873
Posted: 06:34am 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I will just order a couple of PCBs, I have all the other parts.
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1873
Posted: 06:55am 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

After a better look it seems to be nothing more than the old E-28 a Robert Rozee/Grogster design, with a USB-C connector. So not worth the effort, I've got E-28 boards I can build up.
Edited 2024-09-25 17:39 by palcal
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2350
Posted: 11:37am 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

it is rather odd that they didn't use the 44-pin MX170. i also see they forgot the 10k pullup required on pin 11 of the MX170 to prevent the 16F1455's UART from receiving garbage when in firmware upload mode. if building this board i would strongly recommend including this pullup.


cheers,
rob   :-)

E-28 (1D) diagram.pdf
 
PhenixRising
Guru

Joined: 07/11/2023
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 857
Posted: 12:22pm 25 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Are there any 44-pin MX170 boards produced anywhere?
 
Grogster

Admin Group

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9305
Posted: 01:58am 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I have used the 44-pin 170 in some PCB designs, but I don't THINK a "MicroMite" type module with the 44 was ever done.  Not by me, anyway.  Peter or Mick might have done one, but I can't remember.

  palcal said  After a better look it seems to be nothing more than the old E-28 a Robert Rozee/Grogster design, with a USB-C connector.


Perhaps I need to do a new version of the E-28 with a USB-C socket!  

EDIT: I seem to recall that Phil(WhiteWizard) did a 44-pin MicroMite module back in the day....
Edited 2024-09-26 16:01 by Grogster
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2350
Posted: 08:48am 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

these days, the trick to creating an E-44 would be to get the schematic and PCB into a format that JLCPCB can manufacture for you. use QFN versions of both the MX170/44 and 16F1455, and place them along with all the other components on the top side of the PCB - so you can then have JLCPCB also do the assembly.

my suggestion would be to create it in the shape of a 44-pin DIP (mapping pins 1-1 with the MX170/44), along with a couple of extra pads across the short end of the board for 5v supply in/out.

how much would this cost if manufactured and assembled by JLCPCB?


cheers,
rob   :-)
 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 6778
Posted: 09:54am 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

About three-five times more than it costs for a Pico unless you are going to order by the hundred?

Multi-layer PCBs (even only 4 layers and smaller than 100x100mm) cost over twice as much as two sides for the same area. You aren't going to manage to lay it out on a 2-side board, I don't think. It'll be pretty cramped.

Then, how much for the components? The RP2040 costs less than US$1 and the RP2350 (if you can get them yet) probably not much different to US$1.5. The 48-pin RP2350 I dunno... maybe a couple of $ in quantity?
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2350
Posted: 11:25am 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  Mixtel90 said  About three-five times more than it costs for a Pico unless you are going to order by the hundred?


is anyone in a position to feed PCB dimensions and parts list into JLCPCB's website and get an actual $ number?

yes, 4 layers would most likely be needed. but the extra cost of that is not prohibitive. we were able to get TEN E-28 boards within 100mm x 100mm; an "E-44" would likely only manage SEVEN (5 in a row then 2 more at 90 degrees)


cheers,
rob   :-)
 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 6778
Posted: 11:46am 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

If you want them V grooved you can't put any at right angles. It also costs extra!

The 4-layer board I last priced (the breadboard-friendly PGA) was $7 for 5 empty
boards. There were 3 to a 100x100 area arranged to cut it myself.
https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?FID=16&TID=17194#225664

Have you seen the tour video of JLCPCB? It's an incredible place!

.
Edited 2024-09-26 21:48 by Mixtel90
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2350
Posted: 12:53pm 26 Sep 2024
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

5 per PCB, $7 for 5 sets --> 30 cents per E-44.

a 64-pin 32MX170F512H TQFP costs about $9 each via JLCPCB, while a 16F1455 QFN is about $2 each (but not in stock). and that particular MX170 variant has 64 pins and 512k of flash! but on top of this you need to add all the smaller parts + assembly cost.

so you are right Mick. cheaper and easier to get a pico/pico2, or an MX170 28-pin DIP.


cheers,
rob   :-)
Edited 2024-09-26 22:54 by robert.rozee
 
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

© JAQ Software 2024