Flowcode Support Board

Hi

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.


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.


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.


Here you can see that the feet of the Eblocks hold them above the Breadboard, and that the board isn't fully tightened.




Another picture showing possibilities.


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

Hi

Just a quick update to show the AD7606 module connected in.

The module connects to the LHS Eblock BL0162 Servo Board, my Logic analyser connects to the RHS Eblock BL0162 Servo board and they both connect to the BL0156 splitter board which parallels the connections. Whatever appears on the signal pins on the LHS BL0162 appears on the RHS BL0162 and my analyser.

The BL0156 simply plugs into my Multi-programmer.

With everything mounted it certainly made things easier to jumper as nothing was moving around, and as I'm quite sure I've forgotten some connection or have it wrong, making changes will be easy.



The PIC I'm using won't be my final choice as the module can easily outperform it, but as I can run Ghost I can "figure things out".

Regards

Hi Lian!

Those are some really nice experiment boards you have. I thought I’d share what I use for experimenting as well.

Many years ago, I made my own experiment boards. I have one for Arduino and one for PIC processors, plus all of Matrix Multimedia’s boards that can be connected to the EB-006 Main Board.

On both of my homemade boards, I have 8 potentiometers for analogue inputs, 8 switches for digital inputs, and 8 LEDs to show the On/Off status of the outputs. I also have a couple of displays on each board – one I2C display and one parallel display. This gives me a nice setup for developing and experimenting with different projects. Spend many hours behind these board

I would actually like to upgrade to the newer E-blocks boards that you are using. I have asked about this on the forum before, no respons, but perhaps you can explain it from your experience before I buy

For example, let's say you are working on something with a PIC16xx leaded device. What do you do when you have finished developing your project? With the old EB-006, you could simply remove the programmed PIC from the board and use it in my final project.

Can you do the same with the newer E-blocks boards? And can you program the different PIC packages, such as 8, 18, 20 and 40-pin devices, or does it work differently?

Br Jorgen

Hi Jorgen

Looking good

Having everything fixed to a solid base definitely improves things and helps to keep things more manageable. Did you buy the base board or make it yourself? Being a grid it will be very easy to move things around if needed. I'm sure it makes prototyping much easier.

The post that Martin started, "History of Flowcode" ( viewtopic.php?t=1234 ) is, for those that haven't read it yet, very interesting as it documents not just the software but the boards too, and they have came a long way as well.

Theses boards, including the ones you made are in my view so very helpful when prototyping. That LED that lights could be anything activating, the button could be anything providing a pin change.

I have most of the Multi-programmers that Matrix offered and always have two on my bench, even utilising the older versions if I need more PICs to talk to each other. I love them as they allow me to prototype with most 8-bit PIC devices. Ghost was a good addition but my experience with it is either hit or miss, most likely being my fault for the misses. When it does what I want though it's worth it's weight in gold plated contacts

As far as the current range of Eblocks go, ( https://www.matrixtsl.com/eblocks3/ ) it would appear the range of boards offered has been slightly reduced and it looks like the Multi-programmer board may have been discontinued. I bought Flowcode all those years ago alongside a Muti-programmer-combo board as it offered a one-stop shop to get me started.

My BL0080 (Multi-programmer) has ICSP so it allows me to program other PICs as well, and the convenience it offers is hard to beat. I see that the current boards, although not multi-programmers do provide ICSP too, so you can still use them to program your actual target.

Although being a bit biased I can thoroughly recommend the BL0080 and if you can find one it is in my opinion well worth obtaining.

Going back to the ADC module that started this, if as I fully expect, I move on to parallel communications then I will have another sixteen jumpers to add, so having things secured should make it a bit more manageable.

Regards