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Offline Ro-Bot-XTopic starter

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SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« on: May 03, 2009, 07:41:55 PM »
Hi guys, I will work on making a serial interface for a 2x16 LCD using a tiny2313 microcontroller. This microcontroller has both UART and USI (that can be configured as TWI), so both interfaces will be available, but the first firmware version will have only UART. After the I2C protocol is finalized, I'll add support for it in the firmware. As usual, both the schematics and code will be available so anyone could build one.

I want this serial LCD to work with regular printf() or serial.print() functions, just as you would print out to the debug screen. 9600 baud will be default, but I hope faster speeds will also be available. There will be a list of commands to display custom characters, change baud, position cursor, clear LCD and so on. I'll post questions about the code here whn the time comes to do that.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2009, 08:48:07 PM by Ro-Bot-X »
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Offline Asellith

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2009, 07:54:24 PM »
BWAHAHAHAH the project is alive!!! More MODULES must have more MODULES!!!

Can't wait to see the first few get done.
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2009, 12:36:28 AM »
yep, im so glad to see this thing taking off a bit! as soon as i get some money in i will get some boards etched, parts bought and proto's made...
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2009, 04:37:09 AM »
I did a serial one years ago with tiny2313... (2 years before)
I have an idea on software...

Since AVRs offer both UART interrupt and TWI interrupt...
You can configure the LCD to wait for selection....

Ok.... I'll work on the project too...
Hope next week it will be more than ready... ;D
For whom the interrupts toll...

Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2009, 04:41:38 AM »
Ok.... I'll work on the project too...
you mean the lcd or the community project?
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2009, 04:47:21 AM »
for the time being... the LCD.....
I don't agree fully with the project ( how it will be materialized )
So I'll help at whatever I can and know...
But don't know if I'm gonna take on a module.... It's another responsibility after all....

Plus I'm learning C, cause I can't keep on programming in Basic.....
So I'm focused elsewhere, plus I have uni study this week....
Plus, I need a gf... 0x0a0xa00a0x0axa Am I supposed to say that????
I can't compensate for any bad mood and replies.... :P
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2009, 04:56:32 AM »
nah bro, its all good,
Plus, I need a gf...
ive heard that one before ;)
and good luck with learning c! im trying to do it myself...
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2009, 05:03:57 AM »
nah bro, its all good,
Plus, I need a gf...
ive heard that one before ;)
and good luck with learning c! im trying to do it myself...


Darn it they don't know that they want.... Take them seriously and you are....... done..... (It's been 2 years I last took one seriously... dammit)

Whatever....
I haven't worked with I2C before...
But I would like to use Atmega32 instead....
I know it's not needed to use such a big controller but....
I have much much more experience with it... ( I have worked with ATmega8535 for some months and then leveled to mega32 :P  )
Plus it gives me enough memory to play with and make the module more commercial....
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2009, 05:13:40 AM »
it doesnt really matter if there is too big an mcu, it will just drive the cost up a bit :-\
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2009, 05:26:28 AM »
the difference is only some cents....
I got 4 for 10E meaning ~12$ US...
That's good price...
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009, 05:28:32 AM »
wow! that is a good price, those types of things are very much more expensive over here :(
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Offline Ro-Bot-XTopic starter

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2009, 09:46:59 PM »
I want to design a board the size of Axon, that will have female connectors upside down that will allow it to plug directly on the Axon and use the UART0 for communication. The LCD will be soldered to the board using male pins or male-female if you want to be able to change it easy, also will have holes for nuts and bolts or whatever. The thing is there are several models of 2x16 LCDs out there, I'll try to find the most available model and use that, but anyone that will have a different model will have to mod the board layout.

Question: how do you guys think it will be better:
- to leave space for servo/sensor wires to be inserted into the Axon below the LCD board?
- or bring up all the pins like an Arduino shield?

In the first case, the connection can be done using an extender (a female heather soldered to a male heather), in the second case, it will need a bit rare female go through long pins heathers for ALL of the pins.

Thinking about the wires, I would like to use right angled heathers for my modules so the wires come out sideways instead of upward. For the DC motor controller it's easy, cause it uses screw terminals for motor wires, but for a servo controller module, or a sensor module, or the scanning sensor module, if you need to add another module on top, connections are not that simple. So, I want your opinion on this matter as well.

Thanks!
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2009, 12:35:11 AM »
i would say, adding all the headers the axon has would make the price go boom... maybe only a few bucks but still...
you would try it if you really wanted to...
or you could use those female header things that go thru-board and have like an extended tail, no idea what they're call though...
i do like the look of right angle headers on boards, i don't know what it is....
but it does depend on where you think the wires are going to be going....
it seems pointless to have some headers that point up if the go right to the servos...
i don't think it would matter much as anywhere where we can have right angle headers we can have normal ones to,
am i right?
those are just some of my thoughts...
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2009, 04:36:15 AM »
Here are my schematics... One side only board...
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2009, 04:58:31 AM »
wow was that quick...
just a question...
how do you fill in the parts with copper?
like is there a fill tool or something similar?
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #15 on: May 05, 2009, 05:28:02 AM »
Ha,
well you actually draw a polygon then name it with the line you want to match (99999,99999% you name it either GND or 0V)
then press ratsnest and done...

And you can also match the isolation and other things to fit your needs, when drawing the polygon
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #16 on: May 05, 2009, 05:51:00 AM »
thanks again lefteris! what would i do without you ;D
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Offline hazzer123

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #17 on: May 05, 2009, 06:05:44 AM »
Eeeek... surface mount components!

Can you design an alternative, non-SMT board aswell please? :)
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Offline Asellith

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #18 on: May 05, 2009, 06:43:25 AM »
Several things. First your mounting holes don't comply to the standard. For your application of primarily being mounted above the axon it would also be better to make the holes match the axons so that standoffs can be used to hold both.

Also you'll need space for the I2C connectors. The in and outs need to be on the board. I don't know if we need to standardize the location as the board designs can get really complicated fast. So maybe something simple like one on the left side and one on the right for easy connecting to the next module but even that is not necessary.
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #19 on: May 05, 2009, 06:46:35 AM »
one on the left side and one on the right for easy connecting to the next module but even that is not necessary.
but then jumpering may be needed, i just plonked mine next to each other on my board...
if you really see it necessary i can move some stuff around...
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Offline Asellith

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2009, 07:16:02 AM »
A distinct separation should be between the ports but I don't think it matters all that much. Only thing is a long string of modules could require a lot of connecting cables because the male/female right angle connectors will only work for one pair if they are on the same side. If they are on opposite sides of the board the next board in line can be connected without a cable.
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2009, 12:24:57 PM »
Ι didn't make it to fit Axon anyway....
It's just a module....
Mounting above axon... unfortunately is a bad idea... for many reasons...
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2009, 02:25:31 PM »
A distinct separation should be between the ports but I don't think it matters all that much. Only thing is a long string of modules could require a lot of connecting cables because the male/female right angle connectors will only work for one pair if they are on the same side. If they are on opposite sides of the board the next board in line can be connected without a cable.
would right angle connectors on each side do?
Ι didn't make it to fit Axon anyway....
It's just a module....
Mounting above axon... unfortunately is a bad idea... for many reasons...
why would it be a bad idea?
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #23 on: May 05, 2009, 02:47:25 PM »
Also you'll need space for the I2C connectors. The in and outs need to be on the board. I don't know if we need to standardize the location as the board designs can get really complicated fast. So maybe something simple like one on the left side and one on the right for easy connecting to the next module but even that is not necessary.

EEEhhhh????
If I see right I have a 2X3 pin header for I2C and one for the UART...
Hey... I can upload the project so you can correct yourself...
I just designed a module for everyone...
Sorry for the SMD parts.... I really ignore what you guys can get of from the market sometimes.... I'll make a non SMD one....




And why mounding above Axon is a bad idea... James.... I think you already told that for me....


Why you guys admire that arduino thing so much.... I mean come on there are many many very very nice ways of connecting stuff....
like.... flat cable..... (something like that 40pin or 80 pin cable you used to have with your old HDD.....but of course a lot of smaller...)
For whom the interrupts toll...

Offline Asellith

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #24 on: May 05, 2009, 02:49:34 PM »
Ι didn't make it to fit Axon anyway....
It's just a module....
Mounting above axon... unfortunately is a bad idea... for many reasons...

I guess what I'm getting at is that modules must comply to the physical standards and communication standards for the community project to be included in that project. The physical standard is like 90% finalized. I understand the communication standard is not completely ironed out yet. What your making qualifies as more of a Axon add on board then a OSCAR qualified module

would right angle connectors on each side do?

The idea would be to make right angle connectors on the left and right side as an in and out that could be used to connect the next module down with just a female right angle connector on the other board. But also allow the user to install straight headers and use a ribbon connector or something else to connect boards as needed.



Edit: I see what happened Robot-X started the thread and you posted pics of your project that you did separately. I am getting the hint now. I got confused when the discussion took off as to who started this thread. Mores more sense now. sorry for the confusion
« Last Edit: May 05, 2009, 02:51:03 PM by Asellith »
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Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #25 on: May 05, 2009, 03:01:08 PM »
well basically wherever a right angle header can go a standard one can too.
with tricky's design, it would not be hard at all to move the mounting holes around a bit...
and as for the smd part, that wont be hard either.
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Offline Razor Concepts

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #26 on: May 05, 2009, 03:30:42 PM »
Just a note... we should incorporate some kind of SMD parts in, much cheaper and takes up less space. Not ICs or anything but simple things like resistors and capacitors, the 1206 size is really easy to solder.

Offline SmAsH

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #27 on: May 05, 2009, 03:40:57 PM »
i will make one with smd parts but it is hard to get them in australia :(
i struggle enough to get regular parts as it is ;) but i will try...
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Offline TrickyNekro

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #28 on: May 05, 2009, 03:43:03 PM »
Just a note... we should incorporate some kind of SMD parts in, much cheaper and takes up less space. Not ICs or anything but simple things like resistors and capacitors, the 1206 size is really easy to solder.

Even soldering microcontrollers is hell easy....
Only thing you need is solder wick... you put excessive solder which is very very easy, then remove with the wick.... easy as hell!!!
For whom the interrupts toll...

Offline Razor Concepts

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Re: SoR comunity project: serial LCD
« Reply #29 on: May 05, 2009, 04:09:40 PM »
I've tried wick method... on ft232... it generally works well but sometimes the "dry solder" gets in between the pins and it's hard to take out  :-\

 


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