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kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 10:52pm 24 May 2015

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With the current trend of mass development, here is something from me as well.
I decided to take on the challenge and make a working PIC32MZ system with a BASIC (obviously will need to rewrite the interpreter). So the SBC which I was working on gradually evolved into a new smaller PIC32MZ-based system.

This is a true single chip 50x50mm solution where except for the 64-pinner 32MZ there is a bunch of caps and r's and a few connectors.

I have gone (again) for 16-colour graphics since this looks to me the reasonable amount of required memory vs what's available in the micro. However the design allows 1- or 8-colour configurations as well. Also switching from full size SD to micro SD in this board. Underneath the VGA connector there are two PS/2 ones - one is for a keyboard, plus two extra configurable A/I/O, the other one is CMOS UART and I2C (also configurable I/O). The board is powered from the miniUSB port, but can be configured to take external power as well.

The PCBs are currently in the factory. It is a 4-layer PCB. I have ordered 10 bare pieces but will not be using all of them, and if anyone else wants a piece for own play, please be welcome and let me know. This is a very early stage project and I still haven't got the software for it, but eventually I will make the whole thing open source for education.

http://rittle.org

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Zonker

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Joined: 18/08/2012
Location: United States
Posts: 761

Posted: 03:38am 25 May 2015

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Wow Kon..!

Nice layout you got there..! I like the VGA-KBD conbo connector you have designed in... Where did you find it..? Is there any more info on the design..?

Looks sweet..!

kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 08:21am 25 May 2015

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The combo is Norcomp 999-H15-PS2L571.
I will release more details about the design as soon as I verify the entire hardware after assembling the first board.

http://rittle.org

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viscomjim
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Joined: 08/01/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 925

Posted: 11:33am 25 May 2015

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Hi Kiid, I am always intrigued when you post these new items. I have actually purchased a board from you in the past. I am curious as to what you do or what your business is, and that you have such a talent to produce so many different products. Could you maybe post some info about what it is that you focus on and how you develop so many different products and what they are used for and what tools you use to bring your ideas to life.

I have a regular joe day job and would love to be able to develop different micro controller products like you have. Could you please give some insight as to how you started and how and what you do...

THANKS!!!!

kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 11:53pm 31 May 2015

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Update:
The PCBs are finally ready. Time comes to assemble one which with 0805 being the smallest components on board shouldn't be much of a challenge. More updates soon...

http://rittle.org

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kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 11:46pm 30 Sep 2015

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Just in time with the release of the new PIC32MZ-EF series, a little freebie from me

You can download the full Altium project for this little ELLO-1 board from my server.

It was originally designed for the EC series, but will accept the new EF as well since they are fully pin-compatible.

Unfortunately recently I have been quite busy with other things, and wasn't able to progress with the development of its firmware as planned (I have emptied the firmware folder for now), hopefully that will change soon but anyway, I wanted to share the hardware with other possibly interested people with stronger than mine software interests and skills.

Comments are welcome as always.

http://rittle.org

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kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 01:22am 02 Oct 2015

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A little update. Since the new EF chips are (still) unable to use their internal crystal oscillators, I have added optional external ones in an R3 revision of the board. Of course when OSC1 and OSC2 are installed their corresponding crystal Y1 or Y2 must not be installed.
The newly updated files are in the same link. I am about to order a few of these new boards made for further development.
More progress to follow...

Edited by kiiid 2015-10-03

http://rittle.org

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kiiid

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Joined: 11/05/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 671

Posted: 01:07am 10 Oct 2015

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One more hardware project from me for free download - the older PIC24-based 16p board with 4Mb RAM. For anyone interested, here is the link

http://rittle.org

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