I'm sure we have all used Breadboards to prototype with, and we all know how messy it gets, to say nothing of connecting in our microprocessor of choice.
I'm a great fan of Matrix Eblocks counting many multi-programmers, combo-boards and such like in my arsenal. One of the features I like is Ghost which allows me to step-thru my chart reading variables in real time, but of course I need my microcontroller to be connected to whatever.
I'm about to start playing with an AD7606 module which is an 8-channel ADC that samples all channels simultaneously. Depending on configuration it can output readings by parallel interface or serially. As it is a 16-bit device I intend to use serial until I get familiar with it's operation. I may then move to parallel for speed.
Even serially there are still quite a few connections that need to be made for it to operate, consisting of pins that need to be kept high / low and of course the connections to the microcontroller. In addition, as it reads all eight channels simultaneously any unused inputs will float, so for testing they should all be at a defined value.
Looking at one of my Breadboards I saw that there is a blank space on the top right of the board and this would make an ideal mount for the ADC board. Using a couple of PCB spacers I fitted the ADC to the Breadboard which would secure it making jumpering easier.
- Breadboard + ADC.jpg (133.68 KiB) Viewed 102 times
This then lead me to another idea.
As I still need to jumper to my microcontroller, which in this case will be my PIC multi-programmer + Eblocks, why not attach them too? The Breadboard has enough space to host my programmer so out came the drill again. I attached two PCB spacers at the left hand side of the board as can be seen here.
- Stand Offs attached.jpg (153.88 KiB) Viewed 102 times
With a couple of washers they bring the stand offs level with the Eblocks PCBs. In the above I have already jumpered in my ADC Low connections and created a resistor ladder across ADC inputs. Not having modules wobble about is a great help and will hopefully help eliminate "dodgy" connections.
This next picture shows the Multi-programmer plus a couple of Eblocks attached. On the left of the picture you can see I did not use screws to secure the PCB to the breadboard, instead I used a couple of PCB stand offs as I can just twist them on. They do not fully tighten down on the PCBs thereby preventing any flexing, but still hold the board pretty securely.
- Breadboad + Expander + 2xServo-EBlocks.jpg (173.52 KiB) Viewed 102 times
Here you can see that the feet of the Eblocks hold them above the Breadboard, and that the board isn't fully tightened.
- Resting on feet.jpg (97.07 KiB) Viewed 102 times
Another picture showing possibilities.
- Breadboard + Eblocks-2.jpg (159.61 KiB) Viewed 102 times
To test the ADC module I will be using the setup with the expander and two servo boards shown in the above pictures. I think the servo boards could be better named as they do a lot more than allow servos to be connected. For each pin on a Port, you get the actual signal pin plus VCC and VSS connections too. This makes connecting in pretty much anything a breeze. Medelec35 put me on to that idea and it's a great one.
The expander does as it suggests allowing multiple connections to a Port.
I intend to use one servo board as my microcontroller to ADC module connections and directly jumper between, then connect my logic analyser to the second servo board to monitor port activity. So far it seems much easier to jumper.
I may take this further and strategically drill further mounting holes to secure other modules etc.
Regards
