I'm working on a new project using an Atmel 328 in an Arduino type configuration. Are there any files in DipTrace format to help me get started, like a basic board? I could not find any. Most Arduino users seem to use Eagle, but DipTrace looks easier to use and the price is great.
Hopefully I can figure DipTrace out. Thanks!
Joel in Dallas
Atmel / Arduino
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Re: Atmel / Arduino
Hey Joel,
One of the other great things about DipTrace is that it's fairly easy to make whatever isn't already included.
The thing with an Arduino board is that it has more than just the chip on it, it's already a PCB, so you'd have to make your own component that either encompassed all of that, or at least had the core pinouts of it. I haven't used Eagle much except for viewing other files created in it, but I doubt they have prototyping boards already made up in there either.
Going from strictly the component level up is more where you'll find that PCB design tools are geared. So doing the prototyping on the Arduino board, and then going in DipTrace from the Atmega328 chip up is the way to go there for making up your schematic and then a final PCB version. Nothing beats a pencil and some graph paper for a rough draft also, then going from that to a much better schematic in DipTrace is an even easier step.
Making just the Atmega328 component is fairly easy, and version 2.2 already has quite a few Atmel chips, though not the 328, but it only takes a few minutes after you get the hang of it all to make a new one up. Even less time when you just duplicate some component with the same number of pins and then just edit them accordingly in the Pin Manager, and going from the DataSheet of the component in question will ensure that you have a component you can then use over and over again from that point.
Good luck with the project.
One of the other great things about DipTrace is that it's fairly easy to make whatever isn't already included.
The thing with an Arduino board is that it has more than just the chip on it, it's already a PCB, so you'd have to make your own component that either encompassed all of that, or at least had the core pinouts of it. I haven't used Eagle much except for viewing other files created in it, but I doubt they have prototyping boards already made up in there either.
Going from strictly the component level up is more where you'll find that PCB design tools are geared. So doing the prototyping on the Arduino board, and then going in DipTrace from the Atmega328 chip up is the way to go there for making up your schematic and then a final PCB version. Nothing beats a pencil and some graph paper for a rough draft also, then going from that to a much better schematic in DipTrace is an even easier step.
Making just the Atmega328 component is fairly easy, and version 2.2 already has quite a few Atmel chips, though not the 328, but it only takes a few minutes after you get the hang of it all to make a new one up. Even less time when you just duplicate some component with the same number of pins and then just edit them accordingly in the Pin Manager, and going from the DataSheet of the component in question will ensure that you have a component you can then use over and over again from that point.
Good luck with the project.
Re: Atmel / Arduino
I was just starting an ATMega328 project last night. (My first, getting to know DIPTrace test). You can use any chips listed in on the 328 Data Sheet for pin compatibles. I believe I used the ATMega48.
Chips listed on the Data Sheet (with only memory size differences I think):
ATmega48
ATmega88
ATmega168
ATmega328
Also keep in mind that many of the Arduino boards fly fast and lose with the Atmel recommendations for various filter caps, etc. Do a search for the AVR042 app note.
Chips listed on the Data Sheet (with only memory size differences I think):
ATmega48
ATmega88
ATmega168
ATmega328
Also keep in mind that many of the Arduino boards fly fast and lose with the Atmel recommendations for various filter caps, etc. Do a search for the AVR042 app note.
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- Posts: 70
- Joined: 16 Jul 2011, 12:54
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- Posts: 1
- Joined: 30 Aug 2014, 04:08
Re: Atmel / Arduino
Wow, this thread went dead a couple years ago! Time to add something to it.
I needed a sort of semi-Arduino type board that gave me options to build/connect what I wanted yet have access to every pin on the ATMega328 chip. I wasn't looking for a shield -- I wanted an inexpensive board that could stand alone as a controller that I could embed into other lighting and servo control projects permanently. Consequently, I didn't really need the full capabilities of a true Arduino -- I only wanted the basics.
So I threw this together in a few minutes, generated the Gerbers, sent them to Elecrow and a couple weeks later had ten of these for my various projects. The board is 50mm square and so qualifies for their low production fees -- ten boards delivered for about $15. I can populate the board economically only with the parts I need and make only the minimal connections needed and thus, keep the cost of other projects down.
I needed a sort of semi-Arduino type board that gave me options to build/connect what I wanted yet have access to every pin on the ATMega328 chip. I wasn't looking for a shield -- I wanted an inexpensive board that could stand alone as a controller that I could embed into other lighting and servo control projects permanently. Consequently, I didn't really need the full capabilities of a true Arduino -- I only wanted the basics.
So I threw this together in a few minutes, generated the Gerbers, sent them to Elecrow and a couple weeks later had ten of these for my various projects. The board is 50mm square and so qualifies for their low production fees -- ten boards delivered for about $15. I can populate the board economically only with the parts I need and make only the minimal connections needed and thus, keep the cost of other projects down.
- Attachments
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- grelllbbbdweeno.dch
- An after-the-fact schematic. I prefer to use the layout editor first since it's a PITA to find the exact parts in the schematic list.
- (185.27 KiB) Downloaded 176 times
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- grelllbbbdweeno.dip
- The layout file for this board. It's 50mm square and as such, fits the requirements for Elecrow or SeeedStudio for a minimal, 2-sided board that costs less than $15 for ten PCBs.
- (44.49 KiB) Downloaded 169 times
Re: Atmel / Arduino
Here you have a bare Arduino Uno compatible shield (only the board outline with the headers)
You can use it to rout out your projects on it, you dont need to draw from scratch
You can use it to rout out your projects on it, you dont need to draw from scratch
- Attachments
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- Ardunio Base Shield.dip
- Arduino Uno base shield no components, only the jacks
- (27.72 KiB) Downloaded 311 times
PCB designs and Product development are my everyday life.
Re: Atmel / Arduino
Wow! Thanks for the baseboard for an Arduino shield. I had cobbled something together that worked but was
a little messy and missing the 3 "holes that work well for the Arduino box that you can buy.
a little messy and missing the 3 "holes that work well for the Arduino box that you can buy.