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Pocketbone KiCAD

Smalls mint tin sized BeagleBone (KiCAD version)

michael-wellingMichael Welling
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Smalls mint tin sized BeagleBone (KiCAD version) using Octavo Systems OSD3358 system on package.

PocketBone is a mini Linux capable computer that is meant to fit into a small mint tin. It is powered by USB or alternatively a 3.7V LiPo*.

The original project was designed in Eagle and this project is the KiCAD incarnation. This version includes many enhancements over the original design including:

  • IO expansion header
  • Battery input header
  • Single sided population
  • Sweet silkscreen art
  • USB fixes

The project is completely open and community contributions are encouraged.

The source files are hosted on Github: Pocketbone KiCAD Repository

Many thanks to Jason Kridner, Drew Fustini, and Alex Hiam for their support.

* If only a battery is used to power the device USB OTG host functionality will be lost.

pocketbone-kicad.xls

Bill of Materials

ms-excel - 36.50 kB - 04/20/2017 at 23:41

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  • PocketBeagle

    Michael Welling • 09/21/2017 at 17:54 • 0 comments

    Today Beagleboard.org released the new PocketBeagle.

    https://beagleboard.org/pocket

    The design follows the form factor of the PocketBone and adds even more features.

    The Eagle and KiCAD design files are out on Github:
    https://github.com/beagleboard/pocketbeagle

  • Small group buy on GroupGets

    Michael Welling • 07/08/2017 at 22:51 • 2 comments

    A very limited buy was posted on Groupgets.

    https://groupgets.com/campaigns/327-pocketbone-dev-kit

    They aren't cheap but one day they might be collector's items. :)

  • BGA Achievement Unlocked

    Michael Welling • 04/20/2017 at 23:58 • 0 comments

    So if you haven't read it elsewhere already, I successfully as assembled one PocketBone unit last night.

    The guys at @oshpark did a write up so I don't have to ... but I will anyways. :)

    https://hackaday.io/page/3102-manual-assembly-of-kicad-pocketbone

    The custom vacuum SMT pickup tool arrived special order from David Anders (prpplague) @Dave's Dev Lab.

    It allowed me to pickup tools with the greatest of ease.

    Paste was applied using the nice steel stencil from OSH stencils. Notice the nice clean release.

    Next I slowly and carefully placed the components.

    Here is the final placement before throwing it in the oven.

    I used a basic toaster oven with a Reflowster controller attached.

    http://reflowster.com/

    Sorry for the poor quality of the video. I will be trying to make a better video this weekend.

    Here is the finished board in all of its glory. It boots! \o/

  • Survey says!

    Michael Welling • 04/12/2017 at 20:11 • 1 comment

    So it has been a while since I last posted but things are still under way.

    All of the components are in for the first trial assembly.

    The first run should be this week.

    In other news, there has been some interest expressed in doing a group order of the board. I made a quick survey to get an approximate idea of the demand for the boards.

    Click here to take the survey: PocketBone Interest Survey

  • Fresh Stencils

    Michael Welling • 03/23/2017 at 19:44 • 0 comments

    The stencil for the PocketBone came in today from OSH stencils.

    I ordered one of the fancy stainless steel ones to avoid print issues with the BGA. The quality is great and the price was very reasonable.

    Will be working on getting the rest of the components ordered soon.

  • All systems go!

    Michael Welling • 03/14/2017 at 03:57 • 2 comments

    This morning a Pocketbone assembly arrived at my doorstep.

    It was sent in a slightly larger tin along with a small USB OTG to host adapter cable.

    The first assemblies looked great up close.

    Here is the board inside the original smalls tin.

    Still need to figure out a clean way to make holes for the USB and uSD.

    And last but not least blinkenlights.

    So next step is at home assembly. It'll be a few weeks.

  • Some Assembly Required

    Michael Welling • 03/09/2017 at 03:43 • 0 comments

    The fellows are Beagleboard.org sponsored a small prototype run of the boards at Circuithub.

    Here are few snapshots of the first run.

    Cross your fingers everyone. If they work I am going to proceed with an attempt at home assembly.

    In other news, one of the OSH park PCBs I had on display at Scale 15x grew legs. Maybe the kid who took it is brave enough to try and follow my "#exactsteps" for home assembly.

    (:

  • Out of bananas

    Michael Welling • 02/26/2017 at 01:01 • 2 comments

    I was out of bananas so here is the next best thing.

  • Hot off the press

    Michael Welling • 02/25/2017 at 18:33 • 7 comments

    This week I happened to be in Portland for the Embedded Linux conference so I had a chance to pick up boards directly from OSH Park.

    Here is a picture of a few of the boards taken at the OSH Park home office:

    Here are a few more pictures now that I am back home.

    As you can see some of these boards are still partially connected. The "mouse bite" connections are required to combine them with several other PCBs in a large panel. I got to see a sample panel and the CNC routing is quite elaborate.

    The silkscreen is impressively accurate. This is done using a special process that essentially adds another layer of soldermask of a different color.

    As you can see the boards fit the tins as expected. Probably going to be a bit tricky to get the holes in the tins for the USB and MicroSD connectors.

    Overall a very nice board. Thanks OSH park!

    If you want a chance to see a few of these bare PCBs in person (and happen to be going), I will be at Scale15x in a Pasadena next week. Catch them at the Beagleboard.org exhibition booth.

  • OSH Park Edition

    Michael Welling • 02/10/2017 at 17:53 • 1 comment

    OSH Park sponsored the first prototype of the PCB. In order to give them proper recognition, I updated the PCB to have their logo for the run.

    The changes have been pushed to github and below is a link to the shared projects on OSH Park's website.

    https://oshpark.com/profiles/mwelling

    Next up is acquiring parts and a stencil for the assembly.

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Discussions

pablo_f_7 wrote 09/21/2017 at 00:30 • point

Hi:

Is the mcasp available in this board?

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 09/21/2017 at 00:32 • point

No, it just brings out a handful of lines to the header. You would have to design another board to bring out McASP. Though it should be easier to design with the schematic that I have provided.

  Are you sure? yes | no

BeagleBoard Foundation wrote 04/12/2017 at 17:53 • point

Survey from @Michael Welling to gauge the community interest in the PocketBone KiCAD design: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdhc9JVicGfcTYkc_ztgyPBzbBhYlmx1nxLYa_DwBcy7AmHQ/viewform

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 04/12/2017 at 17:57 • point

Thanks for posting here. Maybe I should add a post.

  Are you sure? yes | no

oshpark wrote 04/12/2017 at 18:56 • point

yeah, that would be good idea to raise the visilbitiy to people that are following project updates in their hackaday.io feed

  Are you sure? yes | no

AVR wrote 04/12/2017 at 18:55 • point

totally down for one or two lol, I'll let my EE friends know about it

  Are you sure? yes | no

Ayo Ajayi wrote 03/28/2017 at 21:38 • point

First, thank you for sharing this really cool project . . . more power to you.

What modifications would make it possible to have USB OTG functionality while being powered by a 3.7V battery alone?
I know this issue has been made very clear on the description page.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 03/29/2017 at 15:59 • point

We would need to add a boost regulator to the design.

Here is an example of one that could deliver 600mA at 5v from the 3.7V:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10255

It may be tricky getting this onto the top side of the board but we will see what the next revision brings.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Particolarmente Urgentiss wrote 02/20/2017 at 14:11 • point

Sigh! Still waiting for someone to use the Gumstix form-factor...

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 02/20/2017 at 15:54 • point

This BGA is a little large for the Gumstix formfactor. You could probably get the original Sitara AM335x processor and supporting circuitry to fit on that COM but it'll be a bunch more work. Gumstix does support using the AM3354 on Geppetto.

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 01/21/2017 at 00:57 • point

Well you should wait until the design is proven first. :)

  Are you sure? yes | no

AVR wrote 01/20/2017 at 23:48 • point

glad you are doing this so I can just copy your schematic for the Beaglebone Pink Wireless (sub 1GHZ). Too many things in my pipeline

  Are you sure? yes | no

Michael Welling wrote 01/20/2017 at 19:33 • point

Thanks Drew, I will let you know when R0 is ready.

  Are you sure? yes | no

oshpark wrote 01/20/2017 at 19:12 • point

Aweomse! Let us know when you need boards made and I'll get them done
-Drew

  Are you sure? yes | no

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