I just got a peek of the Arduino Shield connected to a Seeeduino Mega board from NKCElectronics. This really looks nice!!!
Oh yeah! This is definitely a significant development. There are so many libraries for the Arduino! 
What chip are you using on this? At least an Atmega644?? That second serial port is valuable. 
8-Dale
Pictures please! You KNOW how we love pictures and videos…
8-Dale
Seeeduino Mega is a microntrolller board based on ATmega1280, derived from Arduino Mega with changes in pursuit for small form factor, flexibility and functionality.It has 70 digital input/output pins (of which 14 can be used as PWM outputs), 16 analog inputs, 4 UARTs (hardware serial ports), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started. Seeeduino Mega is compatible with most shields designed for the Arduino Duemilanove or Diecimila, also share accessories with Seeeduino family.
Sometimes the old Robot Dude posts images way too early. 
Let us get a little more tested before I go posting any images…
I meant which chip on the Botboarduino? Hopefully it is at least the Atmega644 with the second UART. Having that second UART would allow for some fun things, like an XBee add on while still keeping the main UART for host communication with a larger more capable on board controller. The Sanguino (which I have) uses the '644 and having that second UART is like having gold.
8-Dale
Hi Dale,
I agree a second UART would be great, but I don’t see any standard Arduino Boards that support the 644. I do see that there is a Sanguino (sp) or the like that has it, but I believe that they have to hack up several things like boards.txt, probably hardwareserial(.h cpp),pins_arduino(.h .c)… From my quick check they are still on a modified version of build 18. So while I really would like a second UART, I am not sure this would be the best approach.
Kurt
Hi kurte,
Yes, current support for the Atmega644 chips is a hack, but it works very well and I’ve never had any problems transferring code between my Sanguino (Atmega644) and my upgraded Arduino (Atmega328) boards. I’ve never been sure exactly why the Arduino folks have never formally supported the Atmega644 chip - they have supported everything else up to the Atmega2560. Perhaps this is because nobody has created a mass market '644 based board.
Granted, the Sanguino is not what I would call mass market, but Lynxmotion could certainly drive that support if Jim wanted to do so. We know that UARTs are like analog pins on a robotics controller - never enough of them are present. I think it depends on the cost difference for the capabilities available and maybe that is why the '644 has never really taken off for small robots. I still think the '644 would be a better choice than the '328 for a BotBoarduino board, just to get the extra memory, 2 extra analog pins, and of course that golden second UART.
I’d still like to see the '644 formally supported in the Arduino IDE, and I know Lynxmotion could drive that. This is assuming for now that Jim has not already committed to the '328 or other similar Atmega chip.
8-Dale
I just looked at the Seeeduino Mega and I see why you chose to do your shield for it - smaller form factor, which is good. I think I will have to get one and possibly make it my new standard for Arduino experimentation. The Mega does open up many more possibilities and I like the smaller Seeeduino Mega better than the approved Arduino Mega (blue board). All the approved Arduino boards are blue. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your shield for the Seeeduino Mega.
8-Dale
One last argument for using the Atmega644 instead of the Atmega328 for a Botboarduino.
2 more analog pins on the '644 (8 instead of 6 on the '328)
No conflict between analog pins and I2C pins. The '328 has I2C on 2 analog/digital pins so you lose 2 analog pins to use I2C.
8-Dale
How about a PIC32MX340 like is on the new UNO32?
With the additional pins, 80 Mhz, and full break-out with “servo” headers, it would be a great board!
Alan KM6VV
Yes, this does look like a real nice board.
I am looking more closely at this now. However, as much as I would love to see this made into a robotics board, I don’t think it will happen until somebody breaks away from set standards and just does it. If this were to happen, I’d want access to all the I/Os and features of the PIC32, which might not be reasonable in order to keep a decent (small) form factor board for small robots. I do think I will investigate the PIC32 more closely, now that more options for using it are available, including the chipKit Max32.
For now, I think Jim is pretty much on the right path, sticking with true Arduino compatibility and Atmega chips. There is massive support for Arduinos and it’s pretty easy to write new libraries (I have done it). It will be great to see more Arduino compatible robot boards be made.
8-Dale
You are way better than me on that, but i like the footprint of this one.
robotshop.com/ca/microcontroleur-maple-32-bit-compatible-arduino-leaflabs-1.html
As far as I can tell, the Maple has less Arduino compatibility than the Uno32 or Max32 have. Even though the latter does use a modified Arduino IDE, that IDE still supports all the true Arduinos. There are also full Eagle layouts for both the Uno32 and Max32 boards, to make it easy to create your own modified boards.
But, this is going WAY off topic.
I’m very excited that Lynxmotion is entering the Arduino world! I definitely think this is the right way to go with all the existing and always growing support Arduinos have. Iplan to be in line to get one of the first Lynxmotion Arduino compatible boards. I’ll be watching closely what Jim does with the Botboarduino.
8-Dale
The board is already laid out to accept the 28 pin DIP. There is no way the board will be able to fit the larger 40 pin chip. Sorry…
Ah, OK, didn’t know you were using the DIP part. A 40-pin part would not have fit with the other stuff you are probably putting on the board (if the name gives anything away). It will be interesting how the BotBoarDuino will look and work compared to the RoboDuino. I’ve got a feeling I will like the BotBoarDuino better.
I’ve been tempted a few times to get a RoboDuino, but will wait for the BotBoardDuino. I’ll be even more excited to see your shield for the Seeeduino Mega and eventually your own Atmega1280/2560 based board.
This is exciting!!
8-Dale
Same footprint, I believe. Twice the price, but that may be made up if you can avoid shipping/import tax.
ARM7 processor?
Alan KM6VV
Wonderful! I have been looking at and learning as much as possible about the Seeeduino Mega since you are working with it now, and I really like what I see. They brought out all the UARTs and I2C to separate headers! You only have to solder the extra headers for the added functions you need, which is also great. I believe I’ve found my new standard for Arduino experimentation, and will be ordering one very soon. I already have some 3 pin headers wired up on my breadboard, so I’ll be able to start writing and testing software as soon as I get this great Mega board.
Aside from the much needed 3 pin I/O headers, what other functions will be available on this shield? I must say, I am quite excited about this development! I will be anxious to get one as soon as they are available.
Inquiring Roboteers want to know!
8-Dale
I actually know a bit more about the Botboarduino Mega Shield boards than I have been letting on. I have been in on the design and I am now in the process of testing two of them out.
A few issues have come up, like that will need to be resolved in the next prototype, but I believe most of the functionality is there.
-
It is a proper shield and it has stackable headers for all of the standard Arduino pins. Actually we have stackable headers for all of the Seeeduino Mega pins (over 100).
-
It has a power bus, with heavier duty screw top power connection. We have 3 pin servo connections for 20 digital pins, plus 8 Analog pins. All of these are in 4 pin groups, where you can choose +5v or VS for the 4 power pins.
-
The 4 USARTS have 3 pin male connectors, (GND, TX, RX), which allow you for example to use a standard servo extension cable and plug one end into one of these and the other end directly into the communication pins of the SSC-32.
-
has a circuitry and speaker like BB2 for sound on Digital pin 46.
-
Has 3 buttons (51-53) and 3 LEDS(48-50). Unlike BB2 these are independent of each other.
-
Has connections for PS2 (30-33). It has PU resistors for CLK and DAT
-
There are male connectors for the upper 8 Analog pins as well. In addition there are jumpers you can set to have VS and VL connected to 2 of these through a voltage divider.
8 ) We have connectors in place for I2C. We have jumpers in place for PU resistors
That is all I can think of for now.
Kurt
The new mega bot shield sounds like it will be very nice! It does sound like it is extremely packed in order to get all that on it though. I’m anxious to get a glimpse of it and will definitely be getting one as soon as they are available. This is what I have been waiting for!
I have one question about the mega bot shield though. Will there be a special version of the Seeeduino Mega available that has the extra mating headers already soldered, or will we have to get a current version Seeeduino Mega and solder the headers ourselves? Either way, I am going to get a Seeeduino Mega and this shield when it’s available.
8-Dale