Author Topic: MoteinoPi  (Read 7352 times)

priority

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 14
MoteinoPi
« on: December 17, 2013, 06:38:01 PM »
Felix's work inspired me to start laying out my own PCBs.   My first board is an interposer between a Moteino and a Raspberry Pi to get rid of wires between the two.  Solder jumpers allow you to connect serial (RX/TX) and/or SPI to allow programming the atmeg328 via avrdude (SPI CS is connected to pin 24 on the RPi connector).  I haven't personally used the SPI bus to program a Moteino yet, but the process is documented here: http://blog.stevemarple.co.uk/2013/03/how-to-use-gpio-version-of-avrdude-on.html.  If you connect both serial and SPI between the Moteino and RPi, then you have something architecturally similar to an Arduino Yun but with more functionality and a lower cost! 

As you can see in the board image below, I opted to keep the R4 Moteino layout as part of the interposer (initially it was just to make sure I had the Moteino headers spaced properly, but I kinda liked it in the end).  So, for those not deterred by soldering smd components, you can have a very compact Moteino+Pi system.  For the rest of us, just solder in the appropriately sized female headers on the MoteinoPi,  male headers on your Moteino, plug it all together and you are good to go.

The RPi connector is on the right.  The two rows of headers on the bottom are just convenient places to attach to the RPi GPIO's.  The two rows of holes on the left are a prototyping area in case you need a couple of components for your project.

Will post the schematics and board file in a few days; need a little cleanup before uploading.

You can order the board from OSH Park; it takes about 2 weeks to have them produced.  There is a minimum order quantity of 3.  Cost of the pcb including shipping is $14.30. Here's a link for anyone brave enough to order: http://oshpark.com/shared_projects/1bfNQcsJ






Felix

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6866
  • Country: us
    • LowPowerLab
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2013, 07:42:22 PM »
Nice job, I have a few first glance suggestions:

- I see a lot of vias, if this was done with an autorouter, I would suggest hand routing, or at least some cleanup, the free autorouters are not really good
- run a DRC check to make sure objects are not too close or overlapping
- your traces are very thin, you might consider enlarging to at least 8 or 10mil
- some of the text is overlapping vias
- some of the text is very thin, might want to enlarge that, otherwise some houses will automatically enlarge or remove
- depending on how the Pi header mates with the Pi, you might want to not have this board protrude outside the overall PI's boundaries .. but that's just me

Keep up the good work!

priority

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2013, 08:21:39 PM »
Felix...Thanks for the comments.  Back in the day, I used to design motherboards with a few thousand parts, but had board layout specialist do all routing.  Still struggling with the tools to say the least. 

The board does pass DRC for OSH Park in the areas I did.  Routing is 6/6 (6 mil traces / 6 mil spaces).  With that said, not sure I would send this overseas without a re-route, but the 3  boards I have in hand are all good.

The MoteinoPi board outline fits inside the RPi board; see attachment.  I wanted it to be able to fit in an Adafruit laser cut acrylic box with the top removed if the Moteino was plugged in or in most other cases with the Moteino soldered down.
« Last Edit: December 17, 2013, 08:36:59 PM by priority »

Felix

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6866
  • Country: us
    • LowPowerLab
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2013, 08:48:41 PM »
Ah, a picture helps a lot to visualize. If you already have it working then great, most of my suggestions are obsolete. Thicker traces are still a good idea whenever possible.

bobe99

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2014, 11:14:13 PM »
I'm attempt to learn Eagle too. Can you (or have you) made the schematic available?

I just got my first Moteino from Felix and already have 4 Rpi's, so this is a really interesting project to me. It looks like a great way to gather sensor data via the wireless interface as give it to the Rpi via serial.

Felix

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6866
  • Country: us
    • LowPowerLab
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2014, 08:16:23 AM »
See moteino.com for links to schematic

bobe99

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2014, 01:00:26 PM »
Sorry, I should have been a little more explicit. I was asking priority if he had uploaded his modified schematic anywhere base on his first post saying: "Will post the schematics and board file in a few days; need a little cleanup before uploading".

I am interested in the baby-steps toward interfacing with the RPi.

hexibot43

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 78
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2014, 03:24:44 PM »
I hope I can ask a question here.  Is this allowing one to use the Arduino IDE as programmer?  I am not familar with AVRdude.  I was thinking avrdude was a simple program interface for something like the Arduino IDE, but I didn't see it as an option as programmer for the Arduino IDE.  I would love to remove my usb cable and programmer from the moteino connected to my PI. 

Thanks,  MAB

priority

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2014, 09:31:12 PM »
I'm attempt to learn Eagle too. Can you (or have you) made the schematic available?

I just got my first Moteino from Felix and already have 4 Rpi's, so this is a really interesting project to me. It looks like a great way to gather sensor data via the wireless interface as give it to the Rpi via serial.

Sorry guys...life had a way of seemingly trying to prevent me from getting this finished and posted.   Finally got a chance to come up for some air today!

Eaglecad files are posted on github: https://github.com/btodcox/MoteinoPi

Enjoy!


priority

  • NewMember
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: MoteinoPi
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2014, 09:47:31 PM »
I hope I can ask a question here.  Is this allowing one to use the Arduino IDE as programmer?  I am not familar with AVRdude.  I was thinking avrdude was a simple program interface for something like the Arduino IDE, but I didn't see it as an option as programmer for the Arduino IDE.  I would love to remove my usb cable and programmer from the moteino connected to my PI. 

Thanks,  MAB
MAB--the short answer is YES!

Here's a link to someone that has installed the Arduino IDE on an RPi and programmed an arduino over the SPI bus: https://projects.drogon.net/raspberry-pi/gertboard/arduino-ide-installation-isp/  Haven't had the time to do this myself yet.