A DIY dsPIC30F2010 and dsPIC30F1010 Prototype Board with Programmer

Overview

dsPIC30F2010 is a 16-bit Digital Signal Controller from Microchip Technology. This 28-pin PICMicro has a 10-bit ADC module with up to 1MSPS conversion rate. It able to operates up to 30MIPs.

 

dsPIC30F1010 is 16-bit Digital Signal Controller enhanced for SMPS application. It has a 10-bit ADC module with the conversion speed up to 2000kSPS. It also able to operate up to 20MIPs.

A dsPIC30F2010 DIP

 

A dsPIC30F1010 DIP

 

These DIP micro-controllers can easily prototype on a breadboard. However we can create a simple prototype board for these chip from scratch. I designed a prototype board for these chips with a PICKit2 programmer to make it self and easier to prototype.

Circuit Design

I use Protues VSM to design the schematics for this board. Most of parts are already have in Protues while other parts are downloaded from snapeda website.

I putted some major modules on this board:

1. PICKit2 programmer
2. dsPIC30F2010 and dsPIC30F1010 IC socket
3. RS-232 to TTL converter
4. ADC inputs
5. Switches inputs,
6. LEDs outputs
7. Male header for external connection

 

Schematic Sheet #1

Schematic Sheet #2

Schematic Sheet #3

 I use three A4 size sheet of this design.

PCB Design

Protues PCB design is very easy to use and light weight. It also have a 3D preview tool and Gerber file exporting and viewing tool. 

PCB Design in Protues

 

This PCB is approximately 10cmx10cm in size. I use two layers of copper because it is convenience. Furthermore this size of PCB is very low cost to fabricate using any popular PCB manufacturer such as PCBWay . 

Top Copper

Bottom Copper

Top Silk

 

It's difficult to fabricate this double-side PCB at home using a CNC machine or toner transfer method. This PCB can be fabricate at very low cost by many PCB manufacturers.

PCB Fabrication

I have been using PCBWay for many years now. PCBWay fabricate PCBs at low cost, fast processing time for only 24 hours, and fast delivery time using any carrier options. This double side 10cmx10cm can be fabricate at only 5USD for 5 to 10pcs by PCBWay. It's a standard PCB with silk screen and solder mask.

10 PCBs for only 5USD

 

For different size of PCB we can instantly quote on PCBWay website using a zip PCB Gerber file without account.

PCBWay Instant Quote

 

We can accurately see the preview of fabricated PCB generated by the company's online Gerber file viewer.

Top Side

 

Bottom Side

 

 PCBWay also offer PCBA assembly service at reasonable price.

PCBWay PCB Assembly Service

 Click here to download this PCB design

 

 

 

 

PIC18F2550 Simple DIY Prototype Board

Overview

PIC18F2550 is a high-end 8-bit PIC micro-controller from Microchip Technology. I has a USB transceiver inside. Its Flash memory is 32kBytes and able to operates up to 48MHz (12MIPS) using its hardware PLL.

This chip is a little old but I have a dozen of of it. So I decided to make a prototype board with a PICKIT2 device programmer together since I have all required components at my workshop.

3D View of PIC18F2550 Simple DIY Prototype Board

 

3D View of PIC18F2550 Simple DIY Prototype Board

 

 

 

Using a prototype board could be safer and quicker than placing and wiring all components on breadboard.

 

There are some functions on this board:

1. PICKit2 device programmer
2. +5VDC voltage regulator
3. RS-232 to TTL converter
4. ICSP and AVR ISP header for PIC and AVR programming
5. DIP switch for device programming enable
6. Four LEDs
7. Two push buttons
8. Reset button
9. 28-pin male header
10. 20MHz crystal oscillator with DIP switch

 

Schematic

Protues VSM has schematic capture, PCB design tool, 3D visualization, Gerber generator and view, etc. The version I use is Protues 8.9 SP3 (Build 36097). Most of components used in this PCB projects exist in this EDA software. Some footprints with 3D models needs to download from snapeda website. It's free of use but I need to register and log in to download those models. 

Schematic Sheet #1

Schematic Sheet #2

Schematic Sheet #2

It contains three A4 sheets of schematics. Some identical components are used for IC sockets while other are used for IC(s).

PCB Design

PCB design tool in Protues is easy to use than other EDA tools. I make this PCB as a double-side PCB. I don't have to fabricate them by hands using a CNC machine or tone transfer method. Some PCB manufacturer could fabricate it at very low cost.

PCB View in Protues

PCB drill holes are not accurate since it's not a Gerber view of this board. 

This PCB size is approximately 10cmx10cm which is very low cost to order from any PCB manufacturer for instance PCBWay. For single or double sided PCB of 10cmx10cm it cost only 5USD exclude shipping cost. It's a standard and high quality PCB with fast manufacturing and delivery time.

We can order another PCB design at this size to save shipping cost.

PCBWay also offers sponsor project budget for student, electronics hobbyists for their products (PCB, PCBA, etc).

This standard PCB cost only 5USD for 5 to 10pcs (exclude shipping cost) for single or double-sided PCB. It has silk screen component legend and solder mask for both sides.

Top Layer

Bottom Layer

We can instantly upload the Gerber file of the PCB design and instantly quote for price. Additionally there are many shipping method for customer to choose.

If we prefer an in-house DIY PCB processing we can use the image below. Some electronics hobbyists prefer a toner transfer method which is common for most of a single sided PCB. For the double sided PCB with via we need a CNC machine to precisely drill the holes of PCB before it can be putted into an electroplating bath that connect both copper sides.
 

Copper sides pattern making could be make using a CNC machine or a dry film process that require a chemical acid element to etch the copper clad.

Click here to download this design file. 

 

PCB Fabrication

I have been using PCBWay for many years now. PCBWay fabricate PCBs at low cost, fast processing time for only 24 hours, and fast delivery time using any carrier options. This double side 10cmx10cm can be fabricate at only 5USD for 5 to 10pcs by PCBWay. It's a standard PCB with silk screen and solder mask.

10 PCBs for only 5USD

 

For different size of PCB we can instantly quote on PCBWay website using a zip PCB Gerber file without account.

PCBWay Instant Quote

 

We can accurately see the preview of fabricated PCB generated by the company's online Gerber file viewer.

PCBWay also offer PCBA assembly service at reasonable price.

PCBWay PCB Assembly Service

   

 

A DIY ATMega32 Prototype Board

Overview

AVR micro-controller is a popular embedded controller for electronic students, engineers and hobbyists. Making a PCB for for micro-controller is exiting stuff for novice electronic practicing. It's is hard at first time but we can easily use it for firmware and circuit testing for later on.

 

I have some components I left a long time ago. So I designed my own test board for 40-pin AVR microcontrollers. I have ATMega644, ATMega32 and ATMega16 in my project box. I also have some USB PIC microcontroller, PIC18F2550. It can be use to make a DIY PICKit2 programmer that able to program any AVR microcontroller using AVRdude IDE. This software is very user-friendly. 

Some AVR micro-controller users prefer a USBasp or an FTDI chip with AVRdude to program this these chips. But currently I don't have them at my workshop. 

Schematic 

I use Protues VSM since it's easy to use for circuit and PCB design. I put some blocks on this board,

1. A PICKit2 programmer and AVR ISP header
2. A On-board 12VDC to 5VDC regulator
3. A RS-232 to TTL converter
4. A Reset button and external crystal oscillator
5. Three buttons for ATMega32 external interrupts
6. LED(s) with DIP switch connects to PORTC
7. SPI header
8. Two potentiometers for ADC input
9. DIP switch for ADC configuration
10. A DS1207 I2C RTC 
11. A  40-pin ZIF socket for ATMega32, ATMega16, etc.

 The pictures below are its circuit diagram.

Schematic Sheet #1

Schematic Sheet #2

Schematic Sheet #3

 It contains three A4-size sheets.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

This PCB is quite large (173.7 x 111.2mm(6.84 x 4.38 inches). We can fabricate it by hand using a simple tone transfer paper method because it contain a dozen of wire jumpers on top copper layer.

Top Copper Layer

Bottom Copper Layer

 I you prefer a simple tone transfer method, use the patterns below.

Top Copper Layer

Bottom Copper Layer

Top Silk Layer

Bottom Resist Layer

 Some PCB fabrication could fabricate it for around 40USD.

However I made the earlier version of this board by hand using a simple toner transfer method and and FR-4 copper clad board. I use ferric chloride acid to etch the copper clad. It's very low cost and fast. 

 

 Click here to download this PCB project.