(Yet another) Arduino - it is small though - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:10:39 pm
content: This is the BareDuino Nano, measuring only 21x14mm.Since I’m on a student budget, I couldn’t afford to leave an actual Arduino into my projects, so I designed, etched and assembled theBareDuino classic. I can quickly throw one into a project without having to worry about using an expensive regular Arduino.Using the experience I earned from the original BareDuino, I started the BareDuino Nano project at the age of 13. I saw Fabio Varesano’sFemtoduinoand really liked the idea, so I set myself the challenge of making it even smaller. Needless to say I’ve succeeded. In order to make it smaller, I had to use 0402 resistors and capacitors (which were a pain to hand-solder) and use 1.27mm spaced headers.Because I was working with such small components, I had to use solderpaste and a soldering oven to get it right. For assembling earlier revisions, I tried to apply the solderpaste by hand but it just wouldn’t work well enough/at all. Eventually I went over to a nearby FabLab and laser-cut some stencils for applying the solder paste.Here’s a video of the process.At the beginning of July,Seeed Studio started manufacturing and sellingmy BareDuino Nano! It was really nice working with them. There were a couple of errors on my side, but they helped me solve them.I didn't build this to get credit, I love challenges. I finished a working prototype within half a year, and the challenge was gone. It was only 2 years later that I picked it up again and decided to try and get it sold.Design files, part list etc.

author: riktw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:40:06 pm
content: That looks really nice, only downside I see is that it is as expensive as a regular Arduino againIt is however really small and the silkscreen on the back is nice.

author: moon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 03:33:35 pm
content: Quotereally resistors and capacitors size was bottle neck for pcb size

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 03:37:57 pm
content: Quote from: moon on October 07, 2013, 03:33:35 pmPlus the QFN atmega328, regulator and crystal of course

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 03:41:32 pm
content: That board can't fit 0603s? Hell, it looks like it could fit 0805s if you move a couple traces.

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:08:05 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on October 07, 2013, 03:41:32 pmYou should give it a try, the design files are on myGitHub

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:15:29 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on October 07, 2013, 03:41:32 pmSwitch to to 01005 , use 1.27mm pitch headers and use 4 milt rack and gap. i'm willing to bet you can shave it 1/2 size.

author: r3l3u
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 17, 2013, 08:57:41 pm
content: nice one, and very tiny indeed !

author: fake-name
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 05:14:35 am
content: Can we stop calling these things "Arduinos" at this point, and just call it what it is: A minimal ATmega238P dev board that comes with a bootloader?The ****duino stuff is just silly at this point.

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 11:08:10 pm
content: Its nice, but I don't get this kind of small breakout boards for a micro-controller that will need to be put into another pcb(or flying wires everywhere), so they can be used.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 01:36:46 am
content: Quote from: fake-name on November 05, 2013, 05:14:35 amI wouldn't even call it a dev board... there's no breadboard area to develop anything additional on that board. It would need to be plugged into a breadboard itself, or daughted onto another external I/O board or breadboard.Like you said, this is just a minimal ATmega board with an Arduino bootloader pre-loaded.From what I understand, modern artist / kinetic artist types like these boards if they need just minimal I/O, because they can leave them at/in an installation site without the additional cost for a full blown arduino dev board that they would have to leave installed at a site.But thesereally arejust minimal ATmega's that run Arduino code.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 02:00:54 am
content: Where is the schema? Documentation?

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 03:00:15 am
content: Quote from: StevenWhitney on November 05, 2013, 11:14:45 pmBut breadboards have 2.54mm pitch, that board has a 1.27mm pitch, you need an adapter board os a butt load of wires to connect to the breadboard.

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 07:27:28 am
content: Quote from: zapta on November 06, 2013, 02:00:54 amhttps://github.com/niekproductions/BareDuino/tree/master/NanoQuote from: senso on November 05, 2013, 11:08:10 pmIt's meant to be used in a permanent project, where you've already prototyped and tested the code. I never meant this to be a prototyping board.

author: fretless
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 03:59:59 pm
content: I'm sorry but I don't see how it's better to use your breakout board in a permanent project. If you are designing a board you can easily incorporate it youself. The only case this was viable would be a breadboard/stripboard, but those have a pin spacing of 0.1", not 0.05". Nice work anyway, though.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 11:16:40 pm
content: Quote from: StevenWhitney on November 08, 2013, 11:13:36 pmMost of it seemed more like constructive criticism.

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 02:12:01 pm
content: Size wise I think this one maybe better, especially for embedded projects, but definitely not as mechanically tough as the topic opener's. You have to be very careful to not lift a pad if you want to use all pins (that's why I still love trough hole design)http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1042#.UoOHS-KHdpF

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 03:12:46 pm
content: Quote from: quarros on November 13, 2013, 02:12:01 pmThat's a very cool board! I can definitely think of some wearable uses for that

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 04:38:00 pm
content: Quote from: niekproductions on November 13, 2013, 03:12:46 pmYeah you're absolutely right(although you have to put some gunk on the sides to properly secure the wires in place).But it is especially good for some RC flying project... Being small and light as possible.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 05:44:40 am
content: I think that is amazing what you have accomplished at only 15. you can communicate perfectly in English being your second language (i assume by looking at the profile).You clearly mentioned that you designed the board to be small and inexpensive so it can be used in your projects and leave the board permanently on them. You obviously have some basic knowledge of programming and electronics and may be more. Whoever is criticizing you is because the're jealous . I hope you keep up the good work.

author: niekproductions
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 10:10:56 am
content: Quote from: casinada on November 23, 2013, 05:44:40 amThanks! Originally this was just a project I started as a personal challengeAs for my English: I'm in my second-to-last year of bilingual education (IB programme). I'm planning to study EE at a university after I graduate from high school.