protoboard

[Dale 0]

Hi, I'm looking for a protoboard to use with an MSP-EXP432, needing access to J1/2/3/4 and also additional signals J5 (or I  flywire them I guess). Of the three boosterpack protoboards I can find, only "MSP430 Launchpad Prototyping PCB" is in stock, and the description says "...designed to work on the Launchpad EXP430G2 20 pin version, not the 40 pin 5529LP version.".

 

The MSP-EXP432 is a 40 pin Launchpad (which I think just means J1, J2, J3 and J4). The photo of the "MSP430 Launchpad Prototyping PCB" seems to show it expects all four J1 to J4. Is there a reason why this protoboard will not work with the MSP-EXP432?

 

Thanks,
?Dale

 

 

[cde 334]

That protoboard was designed with the 430 launchpad in mind. It would only access J1 and J2, the original launchpad headers. If you look closely, you will see that the headers on it are offset. The assembly manual has a better picture. http://store.43oh.com/image/data/LPB_ProtoKit/LPB-ProtoKit_v1.0.pdf

 

Instead of using a pass through or extra long header pins, it offsets the headers to one side, and joins them together. It may look like it has access to all four headers, but does not.

 

That said, you could easily modify it for the 40 pin headers, by cutting the trace between the two sides, and using 4 sets of Stacking Headers. You'd also have to cut the 3.3V trace so that it wouldn't be tied to the 5V on J3. If you want it on the top, the stacking headers have to go female side down, meaning you'll have male pins on your side.

[Dale 0]

Thanks @@cde, I will use the protoboard as you describe. Fwiw, this is my expected stackup:

 

BOOSTXL-SENSORHUB

 |

43oh MSP430 Launchpad Prototyping PCB

 |

MSP-EXP432

 |

SDCardReader

 

 

The SDCardReader will need hacking to move it from UCB0 to UCB2. The Proto-PCB will be used to break-out I2C and also provide an SPI port for inter-connecting LaunchPads (one master with 5 slaves). I'm planning to use standard 0.1-inch headers for the SPI port with an off-the-shelf 6-inch 6-pin cable assembly (Adafruit https://www.adafruit.com/products/206). Does anyone think this is a bad idea, or can say what the max SPI clock will likely be?

 

Thanks!

Dale

[Dale 0]

@@cde, now that I have one in my hand, the "MSP430 Launchpad Prototyping PCB" doesn't really seem suitable for a full 40-pin BoosterPack.

 

It seems no matter how you line up the proto pcb on the Launchpad, because of the offset mounting connectors and there not being a row of holes immediately inside the connector mounting locations, there aren't mounting holes for either J3 or J4 (depending on how you position the proto board). The 3V3/GND rail portion of the pcb could be used for J1/2/3/4 (and either J3 or J4 uses the row of holes just inside the rail area), or the proto pcb can be rotated 90 deg so the connectors land in the main area of the pcb, but I'm thinking it would be simpler to just use an off-the-shelf proto board with individual copper per hole. Am I missing something?

[zeke 693]

@@Dale,

 

I regularly use the PAD3U board from Busboard to do similar prototyping.

 

FYI, they are based in Calgary so I bet you could get one really quick if you liked.

 

Tell them John sent you.

[spirilis 1,265]

Fwiw there is also this: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Sidekick-Basic-Kit-for-TI-LaunchPad-p-2571.html

(not sure if there's a North American distributor carrying it... but that is a kit with a breadboard-to-40pin boosterpack adapter plus kit of components)

[Dale 0]

@@zeke, What a coincidence, I picked up a PAD3U from B&E on Friday before seeing your post. Nice to hear I didn't need to search further for anything else.

 

@@spirilis, thanks for the link, that's really cool and I'll keep it in mind for the future. I also really liked the Grove Base Booster (http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/Grove-Base-BoosterPack-p-2177.html),but I wasn't sure the connector pinouts would work for me, and having to use Grove connector would also add complication.