--- In RoboBricks2@yahoogroups.com, Dave Curtis <dave@...> wrote:
>
> Wayne C. Gramlich wrote:
> >
> >
> > Dave (Curtis):
> >
> > The AT90USBKEY is a neat and inexpensive board.

[snip price]

[snip AVR-Dragon issue]

> > 2) The AT90USBKey is debuggable using the AVR-JTAG-ICE.
>
> Yes, I have one. Wasn't sure if you did.

I do not have one yet.

[snip .050" x .100" connectors issue]


> > 4) It is probably possible to side step the connector problem
> > by simply soldering in a solid wire.
>
> Which is what I was planning to do. I am planning a card
> that has the AT90USB "footprint" on it, and just join the
> boards as a sandwich using wires on the 0.050 centers.
> That should be perfectly doable in 8/8 rules. 0.050 the
> same spacing as SO, and I get one trace between pads
> on SO parts with 8/8 rules.

Actually, it can be touch and go. It depends upon the
hole size, minimum hole donut and such. If you make the
holes really small, it should be doable with 8/8 rules.

> Another alternative:
> http://www.wizbangdesigns.com/10017_PCB.html
> $5.95 for a set of 6 header adapters. You end up with 0.100
> headers mounted on little "wings" on your AT90USBKEY. Again,
> jam in wires to make a board sandwich.

What is sad, is that the guy who layed out the AT90USBKEY
board probably does not know how badly he screwed up.

> > 5) I really, really want a RoboBrick with USB connectivity,
> > working with this board looks like a major project. I'm
> > willing to consider the project only if somebody else is
> > going to actually help out. This may involve buying an
> > AVR JTAG ICE Mk II, designing a daughter board etc.
>
> Well, I already have a design in mind for a board that would
> mount the AT90USBKEY as a daughter card. It would have an
> optional CAN protocol controller, of course :)

Works for me.

> I think the AT90USBKEY is a pretty compelling widget. First of all,
> Atmel has priced them very low. For $32, it's hard to beat the
> functionality. Secondly, it not only allows your robot to be a USB
> device, but since it is USB-OTG you can also use it to host
> standard USB peripherals on your robot.

Agreed.

[snip DB101]

By the way, I should mention, that the Ether1 RoboBrick
is sitting right next to me, waiting for me to program it
up. I have verified that I can download and debug programs
into the onboard ATmega168 using my AVR-Dragon. I figure
on firing up that project in the next month or two.

-Wayne