Arduino/Netduino compatible Multiplexor Shield

[Daniel Booth]

I've put together a shield that chains 4x 74HC595's and 4x74HC165N's. It uses Pins D13,D12,D11,D10,&D5 and gives you 32x Input & 32x Output pins. This board was inspired by http://forums.netdui...h-the-netduino/ and works easily using the classes included in the NetMFToolbox.

A few images of the Shield can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/

If you would be interested in purchasing this shield as a kit then please email me your interest. If there is enough interest then I'll order a run of the boards and sell the kits (estimating $20 for the kit).  

[Brian Wagner]

Nice work.  The boards look great!

[Daniel Booth]

Thanks!

I'd like to do a larger run of these (50-100) if I get the interest.  I just sold the last one I had, but I'll need semi-commitments from a few more people before I put that much cash into it.

I've also considered splitting this into 2 different shields 64-in or 64-out - should be able to stack an "In" shield with an "out" shield that way.  Also had considered changing from female pin headers to possibly something more convenient like RJ-45 connectors or at least a connector style that doesn't require 64 individual wires sticking out of the board :)

I'd love to hear opinions and/or suggestions on that design as well.

On Thursday, June 21, 2012 8:02:54 AM UTC-4, Brian P. Wagner wrote:

Nice work.  The boards look great!

[Jeff Johnson]

You should try to sell those through adafruit.  I think they would be a big seller.  I had considered doing something like that awhile back but lost interest.  Good job!

[Daniel Booth]

I just got several pre-orders on this and I just need 2 more orders to justify a full run of them.

If anyone else is interested in this shield email me.

$20 for the kit (you solder), and I can deliver to Lvl1 to save any shipping costs.

-Daniel

[Chris Hettinger]

Daniel,

Can you give some specifics on this?  I amy be interested.

 

Thanks,

Chris Hettinger

[Pat McCarthy]

Proposed Doc…

 

Assembly and testing of the Arduino/Netduino compatible Multiplexor Shield

 

1.     Prepare your work surface. You’ll need

a.       The kit

b.      Soldering iron

c.       Solder  

d.      Loupe/magnifier, if you have eyesight like mine

e.      Any other Arduino/Netduino Shield

f.        Masking (blue)Tape

(Image here)

g.       Place the chip sockets on the board, taping each in place. Ensure the notch on the socket is pointed the same way it is on the pc board(Yes, they point in all different directions… deal with it J)(Image here)

 

2.     Solder 1 corner pin of each

3.     Invert, remove tape, and make sure, 1 last time, that all looks good and that the sockets are firmly seated on the PC board surface

4.     Solder all the pins… Yes, this WILL take a while…

5.     Take the random shield… insert the I/O headers on the pin side of the shield, so their pins are pointing “up” (Image here)

6.     Place your Multiplexor Shield, inverted, over the shield, lining up the pins with the holes in the PC board.. gently press , to seat the i/o headers(Image here)

7.     Solder 2 pins on each

8.     Remove the shield… the headers are all nicely aligned… solder the rest of the pins

(Image here)

9.     Take the tape again… this time, insert all of the little i/o headers sitting near the chips… Invert, solder 1 pin, remove tape and ensure a snug seating, then solder all the pins

10.  Check your work

11.  Check it again….

12.  OK, now insert the chips… You will note that the pins on the chip are kind of splayed out a bit… so it is best to gently bend them straight (don’t use your fingers, use the table

(Image here)

13.  MAKE SURE THE CHIPS ARE ORIENTED TO THE NOTCHES ON THE SOCKETS (Image here)

 

You have completed the assembly of the shield… Grab a beer (Do not open YET)

 

Testing:

 

(Insert test process, lighting leds, responding to buttons, here)

 

Done? Congratulations, it worked! Have that beer

 

 

Patrick McCarthy

 

T 502.476.9878

C 502.939.1756

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed
and may contain CONFIDENTIAL material. If you receive this material/information in error,
please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information.

[Pat McCarthy]

Ummm, ignore this, was intended for dan only… sorry

 

Nothing to see here… Move along…

 

Patrick McCarthy

 

T 502.476.9878

C 502.939.1756

 

[Daniel Booth]

Chris,

 This board will have 8 shift registers on it (4x 74HC595's and 4x74HC165N's).  Think of these as "directional" so one type does Output (595's) and the other does Input (165N's).  

Each register has 8 input or 8 output pins, and the registers have pins to allow for chaining additional registers (of the same type).  So I have chained 4 of each type together for a total of 32 inputs & 32 outputs.

Each type of register requires of our *duino pins to use.  1 for clock, 1 for latch, and 1 for the serial in or out.  So Both chains are connected to port 13 for clock, port 12 is latch for 165n's, and port 11 is latch for 595's, port 10 is used for serial to 595 chain and port 5 is used for serial to 165N chain.  So you "give up" those 5 i/o ports to gain 32 in and 32 out with this shield. 

(Also connects to the 5v & Gnd pins)

This post was what inspired me to create this shield (that and I wanted one for a project :p): http://forums.netdui...h-the-netduino/ 

If you are using any of the .Net micro framework *duinos then they have a very easy to use library in the toolbox http://netmftoolbox.codeplex.com/

If you are using a Fez Cerbuino (really nice little MC) then I have already ported the toolbox library for this so it works with their "flavor" of the micro framework just let me know if you need this.

If you are using an Arduino then here's a few links to get ya going with it: http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ShiftOut 

http://nicksen782.blogspot.com/2011/02/saving-io-pins-by-using-parallel-in.html 

Does this help answer your questions?

-Daniel

[Daniel Booth]

I you want to see the project I originally did the board for you can see pics from my fireworks launch system here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80320530@N07/7533265364/in/photostream 

Didn't use the input pins after all... 

Had originally planned to make a cool looking button / switch / blinky lights panel for controlling the launches, but decided to go with the XBee & Laptop approach instead.

I would bring the system in and show it off at the space, but on the night we shot off the fireworks there was a crossing of wires and non-fireworks smoke...

My next version (assuming time & money allow) will not have nearly as many wire points...

[Chris Hettinger]

Count me in for 1.

 

Chris