I2S-DMA compatible PCB/Shield board

[vortigont]

Got sick of those crappy dupont wires hanging around. So I was thinking it would be nice to have a PCB for an easy attaching to the 64x32 or 64x64 modules.
@hallard I saw you have a shield your repo. Does it works fine with I2S-DMA lib?
cc @mrfaptastic

[hallard]

@vortigont nope, I designed it for ESP8266 (with output connector going back to the panels, don't like either)
Even if we can put ESP32 D1 mini, there is not enough wired GPIO to works with DMA, so I planned to make another one with DMA feature.
In the meantime I saw Electrodragon's one (not the best but price is unbeatable $3) so I ordered some, even if I don't like the connector (too high) it works flawlessly. Need to use with Pico D4 dev Board or ESP32 dev Board
I had a discussion with Chow from Electrodragon and we talked about features and we merged ideas and they build a new one with LDR, another connector type, and a build in buffers. I should receive samples soon.

I must admit even with no chip buffer on board it works so fine

But if you want me to update mine it's no problem, the deal is if I put buffer on board, users may have trouble to solder these tiny SMD chip (because I want to keep the board tiny). Other way could be a board refresh with wiring for DMA with no buffer chip. Not sure these chip are mandatory with 1 or 2 panels, never had any issues without them. What's your though?

[vortigont]

Nice infoboard indeed! :)

we merged ideas and they build a new one with LDR, another connector type, and a build in buffers. I should receive samples soon
that's great, pls share you experience afterwards. Yeah, current board does not look convenient to use, but the price does! :) Anyway better than dupont jumpers

[mrcodetastic]

[vortigont]

Cool! With all the efforts combined it makes much better job! :)
I really love that simple approach! You should definitely put those projects/gerbers to the repo along with a lib!
The only changes I could think of is adding some more holes for I2C bus and rx/tx pins

[hallard]

ah ah ah that's amazing indeed, and I love the D1 Pro Mini32 version because these ESP32 boards are cheaper than any other one (half price than devkit) and size are really small.
I also like things to be simple and small.

@mrfaptastic interesting you made a board with different mapping than the library you wrote :-)

So what is your advice for wiring in case of rework? keep same as your board or use default lib one ? What GPIO could be considered as "standard" for E line?

[mrcodetastic]

Nuking my post as it's easier to just use Brian's panel: http://blough.ie/i2smat/ - It's tried and tested and works with the default pin mapping.

[vortigont]

Yep, it looks nice! Except shipping fee from tindie... doubles the price for the shield itself :(
Anyway, it would be nice having an open project and gerbers available for modifications.

[vortigont]

Also found this nice DIY boards. Gerber files are available but not the project if any changes required.

[Lofty73]

I always use the Boards made by. Brian Lough from tindie. Well made and great support

[hallard]

Guys,

took some time, got one, small, I2C, LDR, several way to power, 2 touch pad, and ESP32 in DMA mode of course, should do the job.

Let me know if you see something strange or need something else.

[vortigont]

This little board looks really nice! I like the idea that bottom part could be cut-off inplace in case space is critical. Awesome!
Just a couple of notes - those i2c holes at the top of the board looks a little bit misaligned, is that intentional? and I was thinking about making 1 or 2 pin pads at the top right above power connector. For nor reason, just because there is a free space :)

[hallard]

For holes, correct look at this, it perming to fix devices and headers without soldering for test, awesome.
https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/114

I'm changing a little bit things adding real connector like this one

And on the free space, top right, just putting a diode and jumper to bypass if needed.

Cuffoff bottom part? I didn't tougth about that, shame on me, I made this part for touch pad, but that's a nice idea, I'll add some holes so cutting may be easier :-)

[vortigont]

For holes, correct look at this, it perming to fix devices and headers without soldering for test, awesome.

Hey! That never came my mind before! It's just brilliant! 👍 👍

[hallard]

Ok here final version:

• sacrified one touch pad to allow this super usefull big connector
• exposed as asked GPIO32 and GPIO33 top right
• added diode (huge one to allow 5A) to allow avoiding powering panel thru USB with jumper to bypass if needed
• added cutting holes to be able to reduce board if really needed

Schematics

And PCB

I will order a bunch and send you both one if you're interested.

[vortigont]

Sic! Well, no pain - no gain :) It's time to make a new order than. Your boards are the best anyway, Hallard! :) Thanks for sharing

[mrcodetastic]

Nice looking PCB @hallard!

[hallard]

thanks guy, sorry for the mistake, I ordered 1.9 at Oshpar again and as I ordered other PCBA in china I also ordered 10 units black PCB more, for less than $1/unit great deal, I keep you informed as soon as I got the boards.

I tested Touchpad, works fine except on GPIO2 (the one were it was wired) because GPIO2 is LED of the M&H kit, and also bootstrapping pin, so I changed to another I/O.

[vortigont]

Could you pls, share a link to the factory that you placed an order with a new PCB's @hallard? Or to the project order if possible, so not to upload same gerbers again? I think I will order those new ones at once also :)
Thanks!

[hallard]

Sure the ZIP containing gerbers is located here
https://github.com/hallard/WeMos-Matrix-Shield-DMA/blob/main/gerbers/gerbers.zip

I'm ordering here https://www.cnospcb.com/ but it can be anywhere else.

[hallard]

Guys,
Just ti let you know I received V1.9 boards, quickly assembled one

And, tadaaaaaa, this does work perfectly, LDR is fine, Touch PAD is fine (despite the fact it's under USB connector, so during testing not the easiest way) and I2C is fine also (holes are a bit too high to get full contact without solder)

[vortigont]

Awesome! Mines are on it's way :) Awating!
Thanks, @hallard!

[hallard]

You're welcome

take care, depending on Matrix type, connector may be too short (for 128x64 for example), in this case use one like that with little spacer.

the small black supplement height is enough

[vortigont]

OK, got it! Tnx for the hint! Will check my panel's connector height.

[bogd]

Well... since I just received the first working version of my PCBs, here is another option:

I2S ESP32 D1 Mini PCB

Features:

• connects to the matrix via a ribbon cable (to avoid issues with the PCB hitting the plastic frame of the matrix). Because I couldn't find those long-legged/spacer connectors anywhere locally :)
• exposes multiple I2C connectors for various sensors

A big thank you!! here to @hallard - your board has been the inspiration for this, and looking at the files you shared gave me the courage to attempt to build my own version.

If you find any glaring errors/mistakes in the design, please let me know :)

[witnessmenow]

Hey guys,

I've been working on a new board that will be open source when it's finished, the ESP32 Trinity. It's basically the I2S shield I have but with an ESP32 built in and much better support for being powered from USB.

I'm currently testing what I hope is the final revision, I'll keep you posted!

[bogd]

@witnessmenow - While I'm a big fan of your work (and this new board also seems great), I have to say... you seem keen on adding challenges for the newbies (those of us who still solder components by hand, and order PCBs in the smallest quantity possible, so that automated assembly is not really an option :) ).

With my limited soldering skills, I'm getting chills just looking at that USB connector... 😛

[mrcodetastic]

@witnessmenow - Good to have you back. This is looks great, and I like the humour about where it's most likely made haha!

[witnessmenow]

Cheers! I have been doing bits and pieces for the last while but I missed a whole raft of awesome changes to the library. I love the new config process, I just need to go back and update any sketches/examples I have now. Also need to update documentation I have.

Ha, thanks. It's a play on the apple "designed in California" thing, I always thought it was kind of strange to have that in big writing and then small writing fro where it was made.

[witnessmenow]

Haha, Oh yeah this is for designed for being assembled, my plan is to sell them fully assembled so people can literally drop them into their matrix For people interested in doing their own, and not interested in doing 0402 components the majority of the components, including the usb, are available on jlc assembly service, I tested it a couple of months ago with an earlier revision, but I don't know what stock levels are like now with the chip shortage. I kind of suck at assembling stuff (I'll be getting them made by someone else) but even I was able to assemble them while on a live stream so it's doable (Very long live stream, don't expect people to watch it 😅) https://youtu.be/0VtTJB6Cxx4

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On Thu 24 Jun 2021, 08:37 Bogdan Sass, ***@***.***> wrote: @witnessmenow <https://github.com/witnessmenow> - While I'm a big fan of your work (and this new board also seems great), I have to say... you seem keen on adding challenges for the newbies (those of us who still solder components by hand, and order PCBs in the smallest quantity possible, so that automated assembly is not really an option :) ). With my limited soldering skills, I'm getting chills just looking at that USB connector... 😛 — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#96 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAL5PQVUTI5YXP4XL4S3PPDTULOFLANCNFSM4YEPKKSA> .