OSCAR: ATtiny 24/44/48 design template

[Asellith]

Ok I did a design template and wanted some people to check it as my PCB skills are not the greatest. The idea behind this is a generic module template. The purpose is to have people design code that will work with this module so you can buy in bulk and just attach things to it. I have pined out all the pins to 3 pin connectors with a ground and power at the pin. This will allow them to be used for servos or sensors or whatever. I am going to do several. I just started with this one. Plans for an ATMEGA8 as the next one. More complex modules will need more complex boards but for generic sensors and servos this PCB should work with jumpers to the sensors.

This cuts down on the amount of PCBs needed to get up and running in the system. You can buy like 5 of these and mix and match the code to get whatever you want. Kind of a semi-universal module. I included a place for a crystal but it doesn't need to have one if you use then internal clock. Also you can save money by adding only the headers you need or put them all in so you can reuse the design as needed. I also didn't spec the crystal or caps so people can use what they need.

Thoughts? Idea? Critiques? Let me know what you think.

[chelmi]

I'm not able to read eagle files, so I won't comment your design.

One idea I have is a prototype board with an ATiny/ATmega and the minimal components already attached:

• Clock generator
• ISP header
• I2C header
• Power circuit

optional:

• reset button
• a led to show the power state

The rest of the surface would be similar to an arduino protoshields, i.e. a grid for through-hole and PDIP components, power rails, pads for SMT chips,...
I think this would be very useful for people who design new modules but don't have the money and/or knowledge to create and order PCBs. We could create different version for different microcontrollers. We could even have a version for I2C I/O expanders instead of MCUs.

What do you think?

FYI, here is Lady Ada protoshield http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/1341944959_d39a197f27.jpg

[SmAsH]

i think that is a great idea and would attract heaps of people into designing modules.
how much do you reckon one would cost?

[Ro-Bot-X]

I have tried to use these chips for my DC motor controller module, but they have 2 functions that I need on one pin: I2C and 16 bit PWM. So, I had to get back to tiny26, but got a better one, tiny861. Funny thing on this one, it has 2 pairs of I2C pins but you can use only one pair at a time with a setting in the registry. And it has complete functions for I2C. Also has 2 external interrupts that I'll be using for encoders, and has pin change interrupts on almost all pins. I plan to use this for the bit bang serial interface.