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robert.rozee
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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2294

Posted: 06:27am 22 May 2017

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the next version of the explore-28 module is now available, using a SOIC packaged MX170 instead of the oh so difficult to solder QFN. switching to a SOIC package, along with some layout tweaks, has greatly simplified construction.

both WhiteWizzard and Grogster have units available for order on their websites. and hopefully one of our american friends will step up as a USA supplier.

Here is a slightly expanded blurb for the 1C units:
2017-05-22_161437_E-28_v1C_blurb.pdf

and here are a few photos:

cheers,
rob :-)

Edited by robert.rozee 2017-05-23

Andrew_G
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Joined: 18/10/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 842

Posted: 12:06pm 22 May 2017

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Hi Rob, Congratulations. I've ordered some and I can't wait to get my hands on them.
It is really great to see a multi-national approach to their development and such non-rip-off pricing. Great.
Regards, Andrew

Grogster

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Posted: 03:07pm 22 May 2017

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I will have to concede to MicroBlocks - he was right - the QFN was more of a pain in the arse to solder then we thought. It was do-able, and actual soldering of it was easy enough, but it was way more time-consuming to align and stick down then the SOIC etc. MB - If you are reading this: point taken.

Don't design with QFN, unless you have a reflow oven!

The 1A's that were produced all worked fine bar one unit, as far as I know, but the SOIC will also be that much easier to check over the QFN too.

People who have ordered in the last week or so, will have their orders sent today.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2870

Posted: 06:52pm 22 May 2017

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Grogs,

That is a nice ... No!! Beautiful looking board there.

Well Done!!

Regards,

MickEdited by bigmik 2017-05-24

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

GoodToGo!

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Joined: 23/04/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 188

Posted: 07:04pm 22 May 2017

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The -1A I've got is an absolute work of art. Just amazing to look at!

I look forward to the -1C's making their way across the pond....

Cheers,

GTG!

...... Don't worry mate, it'll be GoodToGo!

Grogster

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Posts: 9083

Posted: 04:09am 23 May 2017

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Kind words, thanks chums.

I like doing PCB's.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

Phil23
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Joined: 27/03/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1664

Posted: 01:55pm 23 May 2017

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Great little module Rob,
Plan on getting a few.

Can I suggest you an Grog discuss a development board to go with it?

I know that's against what the purist's use, but for the backyarder who wants to just solder his project up it's a great thing.

An afternoon work to have a finished project.

Scribbled this up, which shows an E64 as the example.
The user could add any 2 of the 3 popular wireless modules;
ESP-01, HC-05 & HC-12,
either as console or coms, they just bridge some pads & fit the modules.

Have a bit of space for their circuitry & things like an RTC.
Have some area down the edges for some connectors.

What I drew is nowhere near scale, but you guys could probably come up with a suitable size & layout that would almost be the standard add-on for many E28's

Phil.

Andrew_G
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Joined: 18/10/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 842

Posted: 08:15pm 31 May 2017

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Hi Rob and Grogs,
My E28s arrived this morning. Exquisite. Many thanks, Andrew

BobD

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Joined: 07/12/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 935

Posted: 03:52pm 05 Jun 2017

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Hi Grogs

I got my E28s this morning. Very well presented in sealed anti stat bags. I scanned one and blew up the pic by 10 times. They look very good.

Bob

Grogster

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Posted: 10:40pm 05 Jun 2017

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Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

redrok

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Joined: 15/09/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 209

Posted: 01:13pm 07 Jun 2017

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Hi Robert;

robert.rozee said the next version of the explore-28 module is now available, using a SOIC packaged MX170 instead of the oh so difficult to solder QFN. switching to a SOIC package, along with some layout tweaks, has greatly simplified construction.

both WhiteWizzard and Grogster have units available for order on their websites. and hopefully one of our american friends will step up as a USA supplier.

Here is a slightly expanded blurb for the 1C units:
2017-05-22_161437_E-28_v1C_blurb.pdf
cheers,
rob :-)

I just received the explore-28s I ordered.
Beautiful work!!!!

1. Just a correction, in the document, above, it states the "Status" LED is near the USB connector. Its actually near the "Reset" pin.

2. I can't "Directly" enter short programs using the terminal. Sure, I can do it using the editor.
I also can input "1 liners" with no labels.
But can't enter lines with labels. Example:

NEW
10 A=A+1
20 PRINT "HELP "; A
30 GOTO 10
RUN

I get this:

> NEW
> 10 A=A+1
> 20 Print "HELP "; A
HELP 1
> 30 GoTo 10
Error: Invalid line number
>

Whats going on?

I like using uMITEs as smart peripherals by sending short programs which
do some work, responds with a value, then quits.

redrok

Geoffg

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Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3167

Posted: 02:43pm 07 Jun 2017

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Since the first Micromite... you cannot use the old BASIC way of entering a program by prefixing each line with a line number. Line numbers are optional in the Micromite so you can still use them if you wish but if you enter a line with a line number at the prompt MMBasic will simply execute it immediately.

Geoff

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

redrok

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Joined: 15/09/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 209

Posted: 05:28pm 07 Jun 2017

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Hi Geoff

Geoffg said Since the first Micromite... you cannot use the old BASIC way of entering a program by prefixing each line with a line number. Line numbers are optional in the Micromite so you can still use them if you wish but if you enter a line with a line number at the prompt MMBasic will simply execute it immediately.
Geoff

You could blow me down. I never noticed that before. Don't I look silly.

I was having a bit of difficulty getting my new Explor28 running on my windows 10 and just entered the standard "Hello" program. And it didn't work. I thought it might be the PIC1455 usb processor.

Anyway, you learn something every day.

Thanks for the fine uMITE Basic.

redrok

robert.rozee
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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2294

Posted: 02:22am 08 Jun 2017

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redrok said

robert.rozee said
Here is a slightly expanded blurb for the 1C units:
2017-05-22_161437_E-28_v1C_blurb.pdf

1. Just a correction, in the document, above, it states the "Status" LED is near the USB connector. Its actually near the "Reset" pin.
redrok

sounds like you are looking at the blurb for the version 1A modules - it was only 2 pages long. the 1C blurb is 4 pages, can you click on the above pdf and check this is the one you see?

in the 1C documentation the LED has been renamed from "status" to "mode" (less letters fitted on the silkscreen easier!)

am really glad that you (and others) are enjoying using the E-28 modules.

cheers,
rob :-)Edited by robert.rozee 2017-06-09

plover

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Joined: 18/04/2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 302

Posted: 03:32pm 08 Jun 2017

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Struggling to keep up, I am not sure if I missed out seeing if this item will work with Linux terminal?

Something about special driver for Win versions on the NZ website. This is what made me wonder?

robert.rozee
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Joined: 31/12/2012
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Posts: 2294

Posted: 04:09pm 08 Jun 2017

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worked happily with Linux Mint 18 for me:

"No driver configuration files should be required for Windows 8 or later, Linux, or osX. When tested under Linux Mint the Explore-28 appeared as /dev/ttyACM0 and could be talked to with the Minicom VT-100 terminal emulator."

cheers,
rob :-)

Grogster

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Posted: 04:26pm 08 Jun 2017

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As a Linux user plover, you will probably be able to appreciate that Windoze is a different kettle of fish and needs specific drivers for devices a lot more then Linux tends to.

Linux has the lovely feature of making all hardware a folder on the file-system tree, so this makes reading and writing to ports on Linux USUALLY much easier then in Windows where VCP drivers are needed to talk to the hardware.

I'm no Linux expert though, but that is my understanding of how Linux thinks.

I will update my website to include a bit of information for Linux users.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

plover

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Posts: 302

Posted: 05:00am 09 Jun 2017

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All is well and good. Just getting a bit nervous I had misunderstood something.

The size of the this little board made me think of my Icom 22S transceiver where a divider chip went faulty, $75 replacement years ago. Still sitting on the shelf waiting for repair.

I wonder if this might not be able to step in somehow, physically seems perfect. Will be looking for my files on the solution I worked out based on discrete chips.

I guess highest input frequency might be a problem.

Bill7300
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Joined: 05/08/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 158

Posted: 12:44pm 09 Jun 2017

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Keep us posted on the IC-22S project. I have a couple sitting around here too, including one that developed the inevitable dry joint on the programming diode board problem.

Bill

Bill

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