Show threadVE7FIMDec 31, 2023

3/8

To improve my PCB skills, I designed a new PCB each day. I managed to keep this up for around 160 days, until life events happened (more on that later). Learning through practice *really* did help, and I saw significant improvements in my skills over a short time.

More than half of these PCBs were for #Protonema, an electronics prototyping and leaning system. It has small “stamps” that you plug into a baseboard, and connect together breadboard-style.

Repo here: https://github.com/dslik/protonema

GitHub - dslik/protonema: Protonema Electronics Prototyping and Learning System

Protonema Electronics Prototyping and Learning System - dslik/protonema

GitHub
VE7FIMDec 25, 2023
Finished up another simple #PCB design: A four-stamp baseboard for #Protonema stamps that need +/- 12V. It is backwards compatible with the current stamps, too.
Show threadVE7FIMDec 10, 2023
Here's a little RS-485 test board to check the footprint and the interface circuitry. I'll wire this up to a Pi Pico, then if everything tests out, I'll make a #Protonema stamp for it.
VE7FIMJul 26, 2023
As part of the #Protonema Electronics Prototyping and Learning System (https://github.com/dslik/protonema), I made an intersection simulator, where people can learn how to write state machines by simulating a traffic light system.
GitHub - dslik/protonema: Protonema Electronics Prototyping and Learning System

Protonema Electronics Prototyping and Learning System - dslik/protonema

GitHub
VE7FIMJun 11, 2023

Day 161 of #PCBs - Assembly and testing edition!

I updated these two boards (8-bit switch / 8-bit LED stamps) to the latest template for #Protonema stamps, and got the BOM all fixed up. That way I can get a bunch assembled.

These aren't hard to hand assemble, but after a few hundred 0603s plus a blunt soldering iron tip, it gets a little tedious.

Putting the component values on the board really helps with hand assembly. Highly recommended for simple boards.

VE7FIMJun 1, 2023

Day 151 of #PCBs - An adapter board to allow a Raspberry Pi SBC to be mounted in a #Protonema system.

Includes a GPIO pinout references, since I'm always looking at that when working with this board.

VE7FIMMay 31, 2023
Day 150 of #PCBs - A triple breadboard stamp for the #Protonema electronics prototyping system.
VE7FIMMar 23, 2023

Day 81 of #PCBs - Working on an updated template for #Protonema stamps.

Improvements include:
* Indicates that it is a Protonema stamp
* Version now beside part number
* More space for the stamp name
* Includes a QR code
* Includes a layer legend
* Power indicators take less space

Not 100% happy with this yet, but it's getting closer to what I'm looking for.

VE7FIMFeb 24, 2023
Day 54 of #PCBs - An eight-channel bi-directional level converter #Protonema board.
VE7FIMFeb 14, 2023

Day 44 of #PCBs - A little adapter for the #Protonema Pi Pico stamp that adds a host USB port, so you can attach a keyboard or other USB device.

This board snaps on to the top of the module.