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bitfield labs edited this page Jan 5, 2025 · 21 revisions

v3.0

This is a complete overhaul of the afterglow board.

Changes compared to previous boards include:

  • Support for WPC, Data East, System 11 and Whitestar/S.A.M. with one single board
  • RP2040 microprocessor, allowing for higher resolution PWM
  • Completely new firmware, see here
  • Row input isolation using optocouplers, reducing the risk of damaging the board when no ground is connected
  • Support for hats, e.g. for connectivity, debugging or modding
  • Optimized for easy and cheap production
  • Version 3.0g adds a current measurement resistor and amplifier

💥 Board revisions up to 3.0g have wrong labeling of the input connectors:

  • J135_IN - COLUMNS should be J138_IN - COLUMNS
  • J138_IN - ROWS should be J135_IN - ROWS

afterglow

v1.5

This version is the same as v1.4 but in a single sided layout for easier production. The 0.2 Ohm current measurement resistor to GND line has been removed again.

afterglow

v1.4

+18V from columns
This version is the same as v1.3 with one new feature:

  • There are new Schottky diodes on the board which allow for using the +18V from the columns connector (J138 IN) directly. When powering the board like this only the ground pin (- pin on the +/-18V connector) needs to be connected to the power driver board.

Notice that this board is slightly wider than version 1.3.

afterglow

v1.3

SMD version. Some changes over last revision:

  • Added column output 10k pulldown resistors
  • Added 4.7V Zener diodes to column input as overvoltage protection
  • Removed the 560Ohm MOSFET gate resistors - the UL2803 should easily be able to drive the gate
  • Added a 0.2Ohm current measurement resistor to GND line
  • Moved DIP switch to D8-D11 so that all switches can be used and the LED of the Arduino nano is kept free
  • Removed the status LED, use the Arduino LED instead

afterglow

v1.2

SMD version by Marcus.

v1.1

  • Added 74HC595 output enable pullups
  • Added all output connectors

afterglow

v1.00

This is the very first prototype.

Some notable features:

  • No 74HC595 output enable pullup. This makes it quite unsafe for use.
  • Configuration DIP Switch 4 unusable as it is connected to the Arduino nano LED pin
  • Only one row and one column output connector

afterglow

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