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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Yet another minimal Pico system for MMBasic  :)

Posted: 10:12am
18 Jun 2025
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Mixtel90
Guru




Just a design idea.
You can get 3 of these out of a 100x100mm board.
Not recommended for the W versions as the antenna is a bit close to other stuff. However, it should work with any other pin-compatible Pico clone, including the YD-RP2040 as pins 39 and 40 can be linked. This should also allow it to work with a USB hub. I don't think I'd like to use HDMI with it but it might work.

The RTC is the tiny self-contained module that plugs onto the end if you want it. My usual idea, that you can fit an external battery when the little yellow one dies.

JST 2 connector for a backup battery.
QWIIC (if you ever use them - I never have). Depends on the RTC for pullups.
WS2812 on the not much use GP22, however you can break a solder blob link to disconnect it and run a wire link from a pad to TP5 to run it from GP25 so that it doesn't use any pins. Obviously, it's not supported by Heartbeat so that has to be disabled.

GP0-GP3 used for SD card
GP20 & GP21 used for I2C
GP22 used for WS2812 (but see above)
You get all the rest. :)
 
Posted: 01:07pm
18 Jun 2025
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PhenixRising
Guru

You just can't stop playing with SL6  

I'm the same. Really want to start using EasyEDA but this thing is sooo therapeutic.
 
Posted: 01:43pm
18 Jun 2025
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Amnesie
Guru

What is SL6 and is it free?

Most of the time I am using easyEDA - I really like it.

Greetings
Daniel
Edited 2025-06-18 23:43 by Amnesie
 
Posted: 01:56pm
18 Jun 2025
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PhenixRising
Guru

Sprint Layout 6

For direct laying-out PCBs. Once you get the hang of it, you're hooked.  
 
Posted: 02:02pm
18 Jun 2025
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PhenixRising
Guru

I have the plug-in for curved traces and teardrop pads:


 
Posted: 02:48pm
18 Jun 2025
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Mixtel90
Guru


No, SL6 isn't free, unfortunately. If you want something free get EasyEDA. It's a much  more capable package for PCB design. However, SL6 can be used to design a lot more than PCBs. It's more of a 2D CAD package in some ways. It's dead easy to create your own "macros", like blocks.
 


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