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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : A new Maximite-compatible module

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kiiid

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

Posted: 07:04pm 10 May 2013

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Hello all,
This is my first post here and I wanted to share with you my new Maximite-compatible board: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81SSnWRsGL8
I have also posted a video of the same one running RetroBSD Unix.
The board is that little thingy in the PLCC socket, the rest is just a carrier

Edited by kiiid 2013-05-12

http://rittle.org

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kiiid

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

Posted: 10:39pm 14 May 2013

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Anyone with comments?

http://rittle.org

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BobD

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

Posted: 11:51pm 14 May 2013

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What is it?
What can you do with it?

kiiid

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

Posted: 11:58pm 14 May 2013

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What is it: check here or google "DTX2-4105C"
What can you do: what you can do with your Maximite, plus a number of things that you currently can't, such as creating complete embedded products with it. Right now this is the smallest fully operational Maximite-compatible system as well.
Edited by kiiid 2013-05-16

http://rittle.org

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bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 11:18am 15 May 2013

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kiiid said Anyone with comments?

Yes very impressive.

What price does it cost for the module?

What price is the carrier PCB?

I love the size as it can be hidden inside existing equipment easilly,

Regards,

Mick

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

kiiid

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

Posted: 12:48pm 15 May 2013

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Thanks Mick,

That's the main idea behind it - to embed it into real products.

I will have the cost announced on the website next week, when the online shop is set up. At this stage I can only say it will cost about what you'd expect for a Maximite or other similar modules.
The same stands for the development board, which is basically only needed when running it on the desk, but can handle a few upcoming expander modules as well.

Kon

http://rittle.org

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memberx
Newbie

Joined: 20/04/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 24

Posted: 01:33pm 15 May 2013

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Size OK form embedded aplications.

68 Pin PLCC Extremely unfriendly form factor. I guess you hope that you can lock people in to use your exclusive carrier boards. This is crazy.

Crippled Pic32 full potential same as Maximite. Why on earth don't you people bring out ALL of pic32 pins.

You are only using 46 pins of your lousy 68 pin PLCC connector.
HELLO!! you have 22 pins NOT CONNECTED. How many I/O pins does pic32 have? And you are also trying to offer this crippled thing with UNIX.

I apologise to other valued members of this forum for this rant, I just couldn't help myself.

kiiid

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

Posted: 02:59pm 15 May 2013

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The rant is ok. Not everyone can restrain themselves at the same level I guess

No one is locked to anything. That's why people have circuits, documentation and ultimately their own brains to decide how do they want to go.

PLCC68 is a very user-friendly package is you are designing something at more professional level and not playing with a breadboard only. Your post now and the very few previous ones tell me you haven't done much of that, so probably now would be a good time to start? But such explosive burst like yours does not place you in good light in the eyes of the other people. It is very unusual in the engineering world.
Not all the pins are used, THAT would be crazy as it won't leave any room for further expansions.
I also wonder why you are not complaining that not all the pic32's pins at the Maximite are connected? It is pretty much the same circuit, but that has eluded your sight?
This particular module you can have it in a socket, SMT soldered to the board, or if you are big fan of the headers, you can have it pinned as well.
It all comes to understanding and personal needs.
Edited by kiiid 2013-05-17

http://rittle.org

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MicroBlocks

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Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209

Posted: 05:20am 16 May 2013

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I like small form factor modules, i develop(ed) a few of my own too.
The plcc is a great way to connect a module to make an embedded system.
It allows for easy repairs and upgrades and it is reasonable vibration proof.

Many projects i made with a pic32 use only a few pins, i personally would like a pic32 chip with 128Kb memory and only have a few pins for i2c, spi, serial and maybe a few io. It all of course depends on the project.

The one i am currently developing is a pic32 100 pins and has all the pins broken out on a module. It can be made compatible with a Colour Maximite but it works well as a generic pic32.

The point memberx passionately :) makes is that it is very much depended on the project which pins will be used. When it is wired as it is it will lower possible sales for other uses then as a Maximite and that would be a pity.
Personally i would move the Maximite specific parts to the carrierboard, i went through a few design and test phases and discovered that while Maximite is a great product it prevents a lot of other uses of the pic32.

Anyway, the product looks very nice and very compact and i am sure there will be many uses for it.

Microblocks. Build with logic.

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3802

Posted: 12:25pm 16 May 2013

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I just see more choices as good. 100-pin, good too!

It's great to see so much happening.

John

kiiid

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

Posted: 11:14pm 22 May 2013

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Finally got the shop online...

http://dimitech.com/?page_id=44 Edited by kiiid 2013-05-24

http://rittle.org

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marcwolf

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Joined: 08/06/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 119

Posted: 01:28am 25 May 2013

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Very nice idea and module(s)
Plus $11 for the base is very reasonable. I wonder how soon we will have multiprocesor Maximites running (SuperMaximite - 128 core system running parellal BASIC)

I have a couple of projects in mind where space is a premium and your idea looks very good.

Sadly (no fault of your own) only 2 serial ports tend to limit things. I am looking at making a PicAxe serial chatter using I2C for the final talk to the Maximite

Marc

Coding Coding Coding..
Keep those keyboards coding..
RAW CODE!!!!!

kiiid

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

Posted: 01:43pm 25 May 2013

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The multi-chip computer is a great idea!

Since each of the modules takes care of its own power, there is no need of a complex high-current power supply and cooling. The comms as you say might and will be a problem. I suggest you have a look at the proposed mSPI communication, which will be used in all the upcoming expansion modules in the family anyway, always with the same set of P0-P3 pins.
The parallel Basic is another topic. There is plenty to be done in that matter...

http://rittle.org

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