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• Assembly of 1st two boards

  Joshua Grupp • 01/20/2019 at 21:59 • 0 comments

  128 LEDs sure is a lot. I didn't realize until I solder them all. Also, I learned properly aligning a USB connector is harder without using mounting holes. In this case, the USB only supplies the circuit with power. Programming is done from the row of pins below the chip.

  The next thing to do will be to upload the Arduino bootloader. For this, I'll be using one of the Teensy boards I have. This project has many firsts for me. One first is using an Arduino compatible chip or a chip with a bootloader. I'll determine if I really need one. I know I can use the entire memory space by not using one. I guess I'll see what works best.

• Board Revision 1

  Joshua Grupp • 12/03/2018 at 02:15 • 0 comments

  In the process of writing the program, I realized 2 of the pins I had assigned to control the LEDs (AD6 & AD7) were not able to be used as digital outputs.  I could wait for the boards to arrive and do some cleaver soldering to make the changes, but I'm able to re-order PCBs on jlcpcb.com for only $2 plus shipping.  I'm not moving the footprints, so I can still use solder screen they are shipping me.  I guess this is a lesson to verify your board layout before committing.
  

• Ordered PCB and parts

  Joshua Grupp • 11/23/2018 at 03:37 • 0 comments

  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Since I had time off from work, I finalized the design and ordered the boards from JLCPCB.com and the parts from it's sister company LCSC.  When I get some time later, I'll update the component list for the PCB.  I ordered 10 PCBs and parts to make 5 of them.  I know that's a little overkill.  I only need one functioning board for testing, but 5 boards cost me the same as 10.  Also, by the time I order parts for 1 complete board, it barely cost anymore to get parts for 5 total, so why not.  I'll have 5 boards left over just in case someone wants one.
  

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