Title: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 02:43:42 am
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 02:43:42 am
I'm starting a little project. I'm calling it Donatello (because project need stupid names :)
My intention is to make a combination part ninja and super probe. The idea is a USB device and a couple resistors to to measure transistor, caps, etc., generate signals, count frequency, etc, etc, etc. whatever I can jam into the code. My intention is that it will be a HID device and a PC program to display the results and post process raw data, so no display on the device and only raw data collection on the device. I have designed it based on the basic part tester design that has been discussed here, with one small change. I have used a 2x3 header for the probe to bring out the 3 pins for part testing plus power and ground to allow me to create "active probes", like thermocouple amplifier for example.
One thing I am not so sure about is the plethora of resistor values that the superprobe uses, My choices will be much more limited I'm not sure if that is going to cause trouble. I haven't really done all my homework on how the superprobe works.
I have designed it to be really, really, cheap. I made a 1x1.6in golden rectangle board in the SOB form, which I should be able to get for $8 for 3 from OSH park, a pic18f14k50 ($2.10 from avnet) so it should come in at around $6-$8 each and maybe I'll spring for an SOB custom made.
I've attached the files here and I would like some feedback, from anyone willing to provide it. I expect that people will suggest adding a display, but I don't want to put one on. I would rather save the code space for more features and I intend to use it with a laptop as the power anyway so why not have a full feature UI on the PC without and display or buttons on the device.
Thanks in advance for your feedback
[attachment=1]
PS about the name -- think geek ninja and the color purple.
My intention is to make a combination part ninja and super probe. The idea is a USB device and a couple resistors to to measure transistor, caps, etc., generate signals, count frequency, etc, etc, etc. whatever I can jam into the code. My intention is that it will be a HID device and a PC program to display the results and post process raw data, so no display on the device and only raw data collection on the device. I have designed it based on the basic part tester design that has been discussed here, with one small change. I have used a 2x3 header for the probe to bring out the 3 pins for part testing plus power and ground to allow me to create "active probes", like thermocouple amplifier for example.
One thing I am not so sure about is the plethora of resistor values that the superprobe uses, My choices will be much more limited I'm not sure if that is going to cause trouble. I haven't really done all my homework on how the superprobe works.
I have designed it to be really, really, cheap. I made a 1x1.6in golden rectangle board in the SOB form, which I should be able to get for $8 for 3 from OSH park, a pic18f14k50 ($2.10 from avnet) so it should come in at around $6-$8 each and maybe I'll spring for an SOB custom made.
I've attached the files here and I would like some feedback, from anyone willing to provide it. I expect that people will suggest adding a display, but I don't want to put one on. I would rather save the code space for more features and I intend to use it with a laptop as the power anyway so why not have a full feature UI on the PC without and display or buttons on the device.
Thanks in advance for your feedback
[attachment=1]
PS about the name -- think geek ninja and the color purple.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: Sjaak on September 09, 2012, 09:22:52 am
Post by: Sjaak on September 09, 2012, 09:22:52 am
All the other resistors on superprobe are used to couple digital functions to the probe (ie pwm, rxd, txd. If you use a pic that has pps you can save on pins and resistors.
Another idea is a more pencillike design, but you gonna use 'external' probes, so no big deal. Also use resistorpacks to save space.
Another idea is a more pencillike design, but you gonna use 'external' probes, so no big deal. Also use resistorpacks to save space.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 03:21:13 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 03:21:13 pm
I wasn't thinking about a pencil deign as I was going to sort of a transistor tester --- I was thinking more of it like a bump in a cable :)
Thanks for the info about superprobe. Since I am bringing 9 pins out to the header, I have a lot of stuff covered. But I am going to look at it again make sure I can use all the peripherals that I bring out. I may look at putting some function on the empty pin on the header. Although, I wasn't really going for "bus pirate junior" with protocol debugging and such, so I may not worry too much about the MSSP pins. So I think I will focus on the analog pins more.
Thanks for the info about superprobe. Since I am bringing 9 pins out to the header, I have a lot of stuff covered. But I am going to look at it again make sure I can use all the peripherals that I bring out. I may look at putting some function on the empty pin on the header. Although, I wasn't really going for "bus pirate junior" with protocol debugging and such, so I may not worry too much about the MSSP pins. So I think I will focus on the analog pins more.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 08:22:10 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 09, 2012, 08:22:10 pm
I re-arrange the pins a little to make better use of the peripherals.
I think all the analog pins are represented on the pins in a way that should let them be used. The MSSP is not, the sck is on the mode led. So it won't be all that useful for i2c etc.. But that's OK, that's what the bus pirate is for.
I think I am going to pull the trigger and send the board off to OSH park.
I think all the analog pins are represented on the pins in a way that should let them be used. The MSSP is not, the sck is on the mode led. So it won't be all that useful for i2c etc.. But that's OK, that's what the bus pirate is for.
I think I am going to pull the trigger and send the board off to OSH park.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 10, 2012, 11:11:21 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 10, 2012, 11:11:21 pm
The trigger has been pulled. OSHPark boards and mouser parts on their way.
The board sent is the one above with minor mods.
The board sent is the one above with minor mods.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 11, 2012, 12:58:59 am
Post by: dolabra on September 11, 2012, 12:58:59 am
Ebay order placed also:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12X-SMD-IC-6-Co ... 942wt_1327 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/12X-SMD-IC-6-Colors-Test-Hook-Clip-Grabbers-Test-Probe-/300727853011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4604c6dfd3#ht_3942wt_1327)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12X-SMD-IC-6-Co ... 942wt_1327 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/12X-SMD-IC-6-Colors-Test-Hook-Clip-Grabbers-Test-Probe-/300727853011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4604c6dfd3#ht_3942wt_1327)
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: ian on September 11, 2012, 01:39:52 pm
Post by: ian on September 11, 2012, 01:39:52 pm
Always nice to get an order done :) A relief, but I try not hunt for errors after boards are sent :)
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: alexhenrique on September 11, 2012, 02:10:17 pm
Post by: alexhenrique on September 11, 2012, 02:10:17 pm
This project could be merged with the Bus Pirate.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: alexhenrique on September 11, 2012, 02:13:15 pm
Post by: alexhenrique on September 11, 2012, 02:13:15 pm
It could also test zener diodes, crystal quartz, buzzer, miliohmímetro.
A more complex hardware to perform the tests, but it would be better.
A more complex hardware to perform the tests, but it would be better.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 11, 2012, 03:20:10 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 11, 2012, 03:20:10 pm
[quote author="ian"]Always nice to get an order done :) A relief, but I try not hunt for errors after boards are sent :)[/quote]
It's nerve racking. It is a very simple design, but Murphy is always ready to strike.
@alexhenrigue: I plan to jam as much as I can in the firmware and build probes for special tasks if necessary. The pic I choose doesn't have huge code space, but I am hoping to do most of the heavy lifting in the PC app, so it may be plenty.
It's nerve racking. It is a very simple design, but Murphy is always ready to strike.
@alexhenrigue: I plan to jam as much as I can in the firmware and build probes for special tasks if necessary. The pic I choose doesn't have huge code space, but I am hoping to do most of the heavy lifting in the PC app, so it may be plenty.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 15, 2012, 10:56:13 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 15, 2012, 10:56:13 pm
mouser order arrived. Waiting on boards.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 20, 2012, 06:06:15 am
Post by: dolabra on September 20, 2012, 06:06:15 am
While I wait for boards, I thought I would play around with some PC software. For a long time I have had in mind to do a GUI with pygame. So I thought this was a good excuse. I have only done the main menu so far, nothing beyond that works. You might be able to tell what I have been looking at lately :)
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 27, 2012, 01:17:13 am
Post by: dolabra on September 27, 2012, 01:17:13 am
The boards are in. OSHpark boards are so nice!
I hope I can get some time soon to build one up!
I hope I can get some time soon to build one up!
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: gelbanana on September 27, 2012, 05:01:10 pm
Post by: gelbanana on September 27, 2012, 05:01:10 pm
Nice. The GUI looks good
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 27, 2012, 08:14:12 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 27, 2012, 08:14:12 pm
Thanks, I hope to do some soldering tonight. I shouldn't take too long, there aren't many parts. I'm headed to NYC for the maker faire, so not much will happen over the weekend. If things go really well, maybe I'll get it soldered and USB stack working tonight! I'm an optimist.
Of course, I'm already thinking about things I wish I had done differently :(
Of course, I'm already thinking about things I wish I had done differently :(
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on September 28, 2012, 05:20:35 pm
Post by: dolabra on September 28, 2012, 05:20:35 pm
I was a little too optimistic. I didn't get it to enumerate yet. It is behaving strangely. I did see it enumerate once, then it acted like it reset and then failed to enumerate. Then it keeps resetting (I guess) and gets into this loop of starting and stopping (windows makes the connect, disconnect sound repeatedly). More debugging to do.
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Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: dolabra on October 01, 2012, 04:15:44 pm
Post by: dolabra on October 01, 2012, 04:15:44 pm
Ok, it enumerates consistently now. There were two issues. On the firmware side, I had not enabled the USB pullups. On the HW side there was an accumulation of flux (I am using some very thick stuff, that doesn't seem to ever really dry. I don't even know what it is made of) under the chip, it seemed to be somewhat conductive. Cleaning that out solved my problems.
Time to get some better flux. I've never had a problem with SOIC, but this is the second time that I have had issues with SSOP packages.
Time to get some better flux. I've never had a problem with SOIC, but this is the second time that I have had issues with SSOP packages.
Title: Re: Donatello
Post by: mountaindude on March 02, 2013, 11:55:29 pm
Post by: mountaindude on March 02, 2013, 11:55:29 pm
Been watching this thread for a while - and am curious about current status.
I whipped together a Superprobe on perfboard last week, but could really use a part ninja for those unknown, scavenged SMD-components... and as DP seems to be out of PartNinja boards (are there any new ones coming?) the Donatello could be an interesting option.
I whipped together a Superprobe on perfboard last week, but could really use a part ninja for those unknown, scavenged SMD-components... and as DP seems to be out of PartNinja boards (are there any new ones coming?) the Donatello could be an interesting option.