CONTEST NOW CLOSED
Talk about supporting your PICList! Tsvetan Usunov <usunov@olimex.com> of http://www.olimex.com/pcb has offered to make a PCB free and ship it to the designer free every month for the PICList as a prize for a design contest. Contest entrys must be posted to the list and PICList.com web site and will then always be available for all the members as reference designs. Tsvetan's idea is that this will encourage people to publish designs and get more good ideas out into the real world for everyone to see.
Board layout must not exceed: double side, 160x100 mm, soldermask, component
print, and must be possible for Olimex to produce, see:
http://www.olimex.com/pcb/pcb-techinfo.html
for details.
The designs to be made with PIC microcontrollers (or code compatible). No one will be angry if dozens of CMOS or TTL IC will be used to help the poor PIC to solve the problem, but the design must use a PIC or code compatible processor. In the past we have been very loose with this and allowed some AVR and other boards that do not have any PIC related device, but new entires MUST have a PIC or SX chip.
To be non-commercial projects. By that we mean that you will not remove the design from the public domain and that you will not attempt to prevent other people from makeing it. You can still sell it if you want.
To be posted on the PICLIST web site as open source software and open design hardware so all PICLIST users may benefit from the knowledge.
Designs will be collected during a one month period. Each of the designs will have a link to vote for the design and votes will be tallied until the end of the following month. File downloads of the board layout will count as 2 votes. Actual (paid) orders for boards will count as 5 votes. The design with the most votes will be declared the winner and the designer will receive a free board soon after.
Entering the contest means you will probably not be making a lot of money off your design. No copyright. copyleft only. You are doing this to share your design and get a board made for free so you can build one. The only exception would be that having a winning design in the contest might show someone what you are capable of and attract other work in the future. Some time, YOU the piclister or jallister must prove just to yourself you can do it. NOW, YOU CAN DO IT HERE !
The design must include a board layout. Lots of help is available with that and free programs for board layout are available. The program you use must produce good Gerber files and NC drill files that http://www.olimex.com/pcb can accept. See http://www.olimex.com/pcb/pcb-techinfo.html for exact requirements. The board layout will be on the site along with the rest of the design so anyone can download the layout and send it to anyone to make if they like.
After recieving boards, we expect the winner to let us know how the project worked out. If the design had a small error, we need to let others know so please let us know.
We will provide a link to make it easy to order the boards from olimex. This is a way of rewarding them for sponsoring the contest and it is MY idea not theirs. Remember: All the files will be available so if you want to order it from your favorite board house, you can. I just want to make it easy, and suggest that people reward olimex by ordering from them. If you are a competitor of olimex, sponsor your own contest.
Questions:
hi, I have a pic16f877 development board i've designed with a large protype area. I find it very helpful when developing new projects. Would you folks be interested in it? I can send you a jpg of my board if you are interested. should be of interest to some of the readers at your site. no charge for my service.
James
Newton replies: We look forward to recieving the
files.
SX
o'scope Alberto Geraci of BTX Sistemas (Pje La Cordillera 1125
Dto 1, Buenos Aires, Argentina, postal code: 1407) has entered his
"SX o'scope"
design for a digital o'scope using the Ubicom SX (PIC 16C57 clone) processor,
ADC 08831 serial A/D converter and PC EPP parallel port.
The board layout is here:
http://www.piclist.com/images/boards/sxoscope/index.htm
Winner!
Dale Botkin Says:
http://www.botkin.org/dale/yardlites This PIC16F628 based yard light timer offers several features not found in the basic mechanical ON/OFF timers commonly sold with the transformers:
- Daylight sensor (CdS photocell)
- Anti-false delay timers to ignore shadows, headlights, etc.
- MOSFET controlled switching with soft-start
- Auto-blanking mode/time LED displays
- One-button control of modes and timer
- Multiple modes:
- On at dusk, off at dawn ('dd' mode)
- Always-on mode ('24')
- Always-off mode ('00')
- On at dusk, off after X hours or at dawn ('01' thru '23')
- Enough pins left over to add PIR motion sensor, PC interface or whatever!
Code is provided in CCS C source and .LST files, schematics and board layout done with Eagle. All parts available from Digi-Key and most other sources.
The board layout is here: http://www.piclist.com/images/boards/yardlites/index.htm
Johan Viktor
Strombom of JVS Produkterf Says:
PIC based Speed
controller
This is a PIC16F870 based speed controller for electric radio controlled
vehicles:
- PIC based, PIC16F870
- Uses PWM to control the motor current
- 128 steps resolution
- Features low resistance MOSFET for large currents
- Includes a MOSFET to short circuit and break the motor
- Very easy to use:
- Connect it to your R/C Reciever with standard R/C connector
- Connect the battery to the two dedicated pads on the PCB
- Connect the motor to the PCB
The code is written in MPASM compitable assembly. All files are found on this page: http://www.piclist.com/io/dev/motor/esc-js
Updates may be available on the authors web site at: http://www7.brinkster.com/strombom/ESC/index.htm
Colin D Barnard Says:
http://www.piclist.com/images/boards/sprinkler/index.htm Sprinkler & Water Usage Controller.This unit combines a 7 day, 7 event twenty four hour timer with a water consumption / cost meter written using the Wiz-C compiler from Forest Electronics www.fored.co.uk or www.dontronics.com.au and a two line LCD is used as the display.
Kevin Timmerman says:
http://www.piclist.com/images/boards/guage/index.htm This is an electronic digital caliper to computer (RS-232) interface. This will work with the inexpensive calipers, micrometers and height gauges that are typically made in China. The connector on the measuring instrument will have 4 pins, and the owner's manual will typically describe the output as 24 bit 90 kHz synchronous. This does not work the name brand instruments - Fowler, Mitutoyo, Brown & Sharpe, etc..The code contains examples of: * 9600 bps asynchronous receiver/transmitter * 90 kHz synchronous receiver * host command processing * tables for data and text * sending text to host * 24 x N bit fractional multiplication * 24 bit addition * binary to BCD conversion * BCD to ASCII conversion * ASCII transmission with leading zero suppression and fixed decimal place * operational mode set by jumpers or override by host * Use of watchdog timer The circuit contains examples of: * +5V/-1.5V power from serial port * 1.5V to 5V logic level conversion * minimal PIC to RS-232 interface -- Kevin TimmermanP.S. An updated version is available at:
http://www.pcmx.net/gauge
Dimitar says:
I'm sending my project - a small robot. Hope it won't be rejected because it uses AVR. By the way AVR is listed on the page that describes PIC alternatives.http://www.piclist.com/images/boards/avrbot/index.htm
{ed: beggars are not choosers, hope you enjoy your boards!}:
rwt33@student.canterbury.ac.nz
My project is a 3-phase induction motor powered go-kart using 2 avrs with PWM connected to igbt drivers to drive the motor and a another avr in a ps2 controller with a uhf transmitter for remote control.
It is a three part project,
-One board for control of the pwm outputs connected to high current igbt switches with voltage, current and speed sense.
-Second board for general control with LCD screen, dual pwm power supplies and a pwm charging circuit, twi or uart transmission to igbt controller, connections for pedals and rs232 interface, and an onboard uhf receiver
-Third board is drop-in replacement for playstation dual-shock controller for remote control using all controller buttons and potentiometer joysticks.
The project can use simple software algorithms to implement a sine wave on the pwms for simple control, or an intensive software program (that I am currently writing) can be used to greatly enhance the available speed, torque and control.(ed: Robert later contacted us saying: "I do not require to be entered into the contest anymore as I have already placed an order with Olimex to get the boards made, and a few more too. But by all means list my boards and schematics for others to use."}
Flames [odditytv at gmail.com] says:
"An experiment in absentee gardening "
Or
"a PIC16F84 based network control module"This design is based around Denis Petrov's "WWW server in a PIC16F84". This is designed to control upto eight outputs from a computer network. Such uses are buzzers heaters or small motors.
To be perfectly honest I was planning on using it in my green house with a web cam so I don't have to water anything. I will be getting some silicone pipe (with holes in it from a thumb tack) and a water pump and essentually, tending my tomatoes and cress from my bedroom. (Although I do understand that the current draw from the pump motor will surely damage the 7805 or at best cause the current to drop and reset the 'F84. I plan to use a solderless breadboard and some discreet componants for that purpous. Could anyone lend some helpful critisism?As of the moment I plan to operate the pump with a darlington pair chip I salvaged from a VCR. (this will be mounted off-board on a solderless bread board.) (The pump motor is rated at 500mAh which is supprisingly low, but it is a very small one from a wind-screen washer mechanism I belive)
It also utilises a pair of independantly operating 7805 regulators to not brown-out the PIC and to drive other small devices.
We are still hoping that Flames can send us board files that can be produced. At this point there are problems with the layout that need to be fixed before we can make the PCBs.
Comments: {ed: Nothing for months and then when it rains, it pours! I hope we can find a way to do all of these...}
Background:
At my day job, we build custom test equipment and fixturing. (See attached
picture for a typical machine.) For troubleshooting purposes, I often need
to set up the equipment to automatically cycle for an extended period of
time. In the past, I would either modify the existing PLC program or borrow
an PLC from an upcoming project. The downside was that I might forget to
restore the program to its original state (possible safety issue) or we
wouldn’t have an extra (expensive) PLC lying around to borrow. Plus,
I always had to drag the laptop out to the shop floor and knock together
a quick little program to make everything happen. I got tired of doing this,
so one Saturday I built this little project with about $5 worth of components.
Circuit Description:
1. Power from the machine, typically 24 vdc, is supplied to J2-1 and J2-2,
which feeds a 7805 voltage regulator to supply the PIC.
2. Reset button on MCLR allows user to reset the PIC and start the timing
sequence from zero.
3. ALIVE led flashes every 0.5 seconds just to let the user know the thing
is executing its program.
4. An optoisolator (from my junkbox) is driven by GP2.
5. The optoisolator drives a relay robbed from a dead PLC.
Link
to picture of the PLC
Link
to product information
6. The relay’s coil voltage is 4.5vdc. Setting JP1 allows the relay
to use power either from the 7805 regulator or from the machine. R4 and R5
need to be sized based on the supply voltage and rated coil voltage.
7. Relay contacts (J1-1 and J1-2) are wired in parallel with the machine’s
start button.
8. Potentiometer allows the user to manually set the amount of time between
subsequent machine cycles.
Software Description:
A PIC12F675 reads the voltage from the potentiometer wiper connected to AN0.
Timer0 rolls over on a 0.5 second interval and toggles ALIVE led to let the
user know the program is running. A register is also incremented for each
timer rollover. When the number of timer0 roll-overs is greater than or equal
to the A/D counts, the relay will turn on for 0.5 seconds to initiate a machine
cycle. Thus, by setting the pot, the delay between machine cycles can be
adjusted from approximately 0 to 8.5 minutes. The contacts of the relay are
wired in parallel with the machine’s start button(s).
Let me know if I forgot to include anything or you need any clarifications.
Regards,
Aaron Garber
{ed: Excellent! I've forwarded your entry to Olimex they will be produced
and mailed to you.}
I've just sent James the files for a simple prototyping board for the dsPIC30F2010. All the I/Os are brought out to a 2x13 header for IDC ribbon cable and there is a connector for the ICD 2 in-circuit debugger. The board was designed with Pulsonix, and I used the Electra autorouter.
Leon
{ed: Leon is updating his design and I hope to see new files very soon!}
With no new entires for April, we have re-entered the following from last month:
With no new entires for May, we have re-entered the following from last month:
Leon F Heller of LFH Associates Says:
Another USB project!
I've designed a little USB prototyping system using the PIC18F2455. It basically consists of the 18F2455, crystal, USB connector, and ICD 2 connector (it's laid out for either the Microchip version or Olimex's clone), with a small prototyping area. I made a simpler single-sided PCB at home, which works OK with Brad Minch's Lab 1 software:
http://pe.ece.olin.edu/ece/projects.html
Leon
Leon F Heller of LFH Associates replies: Just got my PCBs from Olimex, they look fine! Leon Leon F Heller of LFH Associates replies: Details of the project (including software) are here: http://www.leonheller.com/usb/getting_started.html I've also provided details of how to order PCBs from Olimex. Leon
The IR Widget captures the infrared signals used by remote controls. It is able to determine the carrier frequency and demodulate the carrier in the digital or analog domain. The captured information can be used to reproduce or recognize the signal. The hardware is designed to be as simple and low cost as possible. The captured infrared signal is displayed by a Windows program.
This board uses a PIC to control a stepper motor connected to the base of a camera and a relay connected to the shutter. The result is automatic panoramic photographs.
Sadly annular ring violations do not allow us to produce this board. All pads/vias should be 0.406 mm bigger than drill holes
I have designed another one.... Totally based on the ETHERNET PICTAIL daughterboard, whith two extra motor drivers. I build this thing only to go on experimenting with controling steppermotors through ethernet. Placed a PIC18F4550 on the board and the ENC28J60 Ethernet controller. Didn't test it so far... Include the Schematic, gerber and the Microchipstack where I have based this design on...
Sadly our process do not allow non plated holes on the board
2008/11/05 we recieved
updated
files from Jody and his boards have been produced.
This is a development board for the new PIC32 microcontrollers. It features onboard ICSP programming (just plug in a serial cable), EEPROM bank and interface to the BISM II bluetooth module (see: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0188949) (which means it should also work with the WISM wireless lan chip by the same manufacturers). Ben Stabler
This project read's three DS600 temperature sensors from Maxim/Dallas and two pressure sensors and display's it on a POWERTIP 2 lines by 20 character LCD. I used it to check the [air conditioning] from a car; now I can read the [hi and low] pressure in the system and the temperature inside [and outside] the car and in the system......
There are many versions of WWVB clock designs available on the web. Commercial "atomic" clocks are inexpensive and widely available, but I wanted to try my hand at designing one to gain insight into WWVB reception and to learn a little about programming a PIC microcontroller. My version is not the simplest available, but it works well and I think it offers a few unique features.
- Receives time broadcast from WWVB, Fort Collins, CO
- Auto syncs internal time with WWVB time
- This version is for Pacific Standard Time, and auto detects/corrects for Daylignt Savings Time
- 6-digit display of hours, minutes, seconds using 1" seven-segment LED displays
- WWVB sync indicator
- PIC 16F628 microcontroller
- software written in C
All tools (schematic editor, C compiler, PCB layout software, PIC programmer are free and available for download on the web.
Sadly, this board is larger than the 160x100 mm limitation for this contest
PIC 18F2550 Based Scoreboard RFM12 radio module. Software in CCS C. PCB in Mentor Graphics.
This is a replacement for the Ampere meter in a old Dodge (from 1978 orso)… It indicates the current flow and the amount of current. So you can see if you are charging the battery or discharging the battery and with how much current… Software in CCS C. PCB in Mentor Graphics.
Jody has provided an update to his Nico_2xDruk_3xTemp 3 temperature and 2 pressure sensor reading board to adapt it for USB connection to the PC. The prior version communicated via RS232, but that is getting hard to find on some PCs so USB is a real improvement. The Pic code generated a virtuel Com port and so the PC code is the same as the before. Jody uses this to monitor car AC systems.
3# PWM output to control three high power RGB led's. I used it to control the colors in a swimming pool. You can send different colors to this board through the serial connection.For the futere I have also placed a RS485 connection(for long distance) and IR control hardware is present although not tested it so far.
Different patterns are stored in the EEPROM. And a LCD to show some info. When using the colored LED's the normal lighting of the pool are switched off. This is done by the relays. The sequence speed you can vary with the potentiometer.
Comments:
Leon F Heller of LFH Associates Refers to: http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller/dsPIC33FJ12.html "a dsPIC33FJ12GP201 development board. This is a little development board for the little 18-pin dsPIC33FJ12GP201 (or the similar dsPIC24 part). "
See also:
