Free PCB build: Android Open Accessory kit

[mikelelere]

I've assembled over the weekend a free PCB I received last week: the Android Open Accessory Kit. When I ordered this PCB from the free PCB drawer I noticed a paragraph that indicated that the PIC footprint was the wrong size (the pitch was too large and it was bigger than the actual chip). It was indeed for the original PIC the board was designed for (a PIC24, I think). However, the footprint was perfect to solder a PIC32MX795F512L in there (most pic24 and pic32 chips share a common pinout), and that's what I did. Now I have a nice PIC32 development board with a powerful PIC onboard. I cannot yet use it for its original purpose since I did not have the required TO-252 5V voltage regulator in my junkbox (and seems to be difficult to be found online in small quantities). I did not have the surface mount USB female socket either, so I salvaged one from an old USB cable and soldered it to the board using some pin headers (which I've also used to connect the board to a regular USB socket to be used as a PIC32 devel board).

On the software side, I've modified the UBW32 bootloader to fit this board and it's now up and running. I've also written a small demo that blinks the LEDs in the board and can be downloaded to the PIC via the HID bootloader. All in all, this is a great board. Thanks DP!

[bench2012]

Outstanding! Will order the Android Open Accessory kit now. Just a quick question, the PIC32MX795F512L comes in couple of flavor: PT which is 100-Lead TQFP (12x12x1 mm) and PF which is 100-Lead TQFP (14x14x1 mm), which one did u used. I assume it is the PF, which is larger. Can u confirm?

May thx.

Ben

[matseng]

I cannot yet use it for its original purpose since I did not have the required TO-252 5V voltage regulator in my junkbox (and seems to be difficult to be found online in small quantities).

Can't you just patch in any 5 volt vreg, like a standard 7805, there? The LD1117 is nothing special, it doesn't even have a enable pin....

[mikelelere]

@bench2012: I used the PT one. The PF is too large for this board!

@matseng: Yes, I will probably end up doing so if I fail to find the right part in an old router or similar. I did not want to use that part since the pinout is different, and I was trying to keep the board as pretty as possible. Thanks for the advice anyway! :-)

[bench2012]

Many thx. Now just need to get a PIC32MX795F512L/PT and waiting for Android Open Accessory kit board from DP.

[mikelelere]

Glad to be of any help. Should you need the USB bootloader or/and the test programs (to test the LEDs and the switches) just drop me a line...