SSC-NG images

[xan]

@Robot Dude

If you go to one connector will the board still be able to handle 30 amps?.

30 Amps! Didn’t know it was capable to do that! Great stuff! 8)

[fish-5]

@Xan

@Robot Dude

If you go to one connector will the board still be able to handle 30 amps?.

30 Amps! Didn’t know it was capable to do that! Great stuff! 8)

Well… it’s 15 amps per side

[zenta]

Hi Mike,

@miked

I’ll use larger and more robust power connectors than on the SSC-32. I am seriously considering having only a single servo power connection. Does anybody actually use the VS2 connector on the SSC-32, or do you all just jumper it to VS1?

It sounds like a good idea of using a more robust power connector. I use both VS1 and VS2 because I’m using two UBEC switch regulators. I think having both VS1 and VS2 would also be useful if you want to combine different power sources (read voltage levels). I think the Hitec robot servos 5990 support 7,4 volt, so combining them with smaller servo for 6v or 4,8v would be easier with two power connections.

Of course there are always other solutions to distribute the power, but if you find place on the board for two connectors that would be great.

Since the ground are common. What about a power-connector with three pins/sockets? That would save some place I think…

[kurte]

@miked

I’ll use larger and more robust power connectors than on the SSC-32. I am seriously considering having only a single servo power connection. Does anybody actually use the VS2 connector on the SSC-32, or do you all just jumper it to VS1?

I sometimes use both sets not for multiple power supplies but as a simple way to daisy chain power to a couple of boards

@miked

I will provide a bootloader like on the SSC-32 for firmware downloads. I plan to use the C30 compiler from Microchip. The student version is a decent gcc compiler, it just doesn’t support the heavy-duty optimization. But with 256K bytes of flash, optimization might not be so important. I don’t know if I will be able to fit an ICD2 connector–probably not as I expect the board to be tight. But maybe I can sneak on some pads to wire up the debugger on a separate board.

Sounds good to have the bootloader and the possibility of maybe hooking up an ICE to it, even if it is external, but I will also have to decide on how much to invest in this platform. If you are still looking at platforms, I still reasonably like the Renesas H8 series of processors that are underlying the Atom Pros or possibly the H8S, they come in many configurations for both 3v to 5v ranges…

My guess is that any of us who wish to contribute or build our own versions will end up using the student version of the Compliler as I believe the main version costs about $500.

Kurt

[robotdude]

@kurte

I sometimes use both sets not for multiple power supplies but as a simple way to daisy chain power to a couple of boards

I do that too. 8)

[miked-6]

@Robot Dude

@miked

I’ll use larger and more robust power connectors than on the SSC-32. I am seriously considering having only a single servo power connection. Does anybody actually use the VS2 connector on the SSC-32, or do you all just jumper it to VS1?

I know the dual power connector is used by some. If you go to one connector will the board still be able to handle 30 amps? I’m ok with a single servo power connector as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the capability of the board.

I’ll try to reply to several comments and questions that people have had.

This board is planned to be 2-layer, and I think this will be doable.

I haven’t forgotten about the request for a jumper for Vref selection. Using a 64-pin processor, the Vref pins are brought to 2 analog inputs, so they would be available (optionally) as 2 of the 16 analog inputs. With the 80-pin processor I would be able to bring them to pads or pins.

Regarding Jim’s comment above about current capacity with the single connector, I would say that the single larger connector will handle 30A as well as the existing connector handles 15A That is, the connector is not rated for that high a current continuously, but should handle it intermittently.

I’ll try to squeeze in a VS2 if possible, but it will get really tight on that end of the board.

Daisy chaining power using the VS1/VS2 connections should be done with caution, since it could mean a lot of current in the connectors and in the VS2=VS1 jumper.

Somebody mentioned 5V ARMs by Atmel. Those chips are large (144 pins minimum) and lack internal flash. I think they target a different kind of board.

Finally, the H8 is a nice product, but does it have an inexpensive C compiler? I have ruled out any processor family that lacks inexpensive tools, both for myself and for others that might want to program for it.

Thanks for all the comments.

Mike

[kurte]

@miked

Finally, the H8 is a nice product, but does it have an inexpensive C compiler? I have ruled out any processor family that lacks inexpensive tools, both for myself and for others that might want to program for it.

Actually it has a free C compiler (GCC) which when you install the Atom Pro IDE it installs the GCC compiler as well…

Kurt

[linuxguy]

@miked

Finally, the H8 is a nice product, but does it have an inexpensive C compiler? I have ruled out any processor family that lacks inexpensive tools, both for myself and for others that might want to program for it.

GCC is available for at least some of the Renesas processors, but I don’t know if that covers the H8 series or not. I just did some quick googling for H8 tools, but it’s a bit confusing exactly what is and isn’t supported. There is support for the H8/300 series, but it appears one has to build their own toolchain, and that’s what has put me off from doing more with the H8 (I have at least 3 H8/36077 starter kits).

GCC is installed when one installs the Basic Micro IDEs, so maybe this could be used. However, this is good only for Windows.

I know GCC is available for the SuperH and M32R processors. I really like the Renesas processors, but am leaning more towards concentrating on AVRs and ARM just because I can’t learn them all (but wish I could).

8-Dale

[acidtech]

If you need GNU for H8(non windows since it’s already included when you install teh AtomPro IDE) the best setup I’ve found is from:

kpitgnutools.com/login.php?m … lchain.php

You must create an account but it’s free. They have a Linux and Windows toolchain available for all Renesas parts as far as I can tell.

[linuxguy]

How is the NG coming along? I’m getting much more interested in AVRs since I got my Arduino and started tinkering with it. There is a controller called the Axon that is $124.95, but I am hoping the NG will come out at a lower price. Otherwise, the Axon is my only real choice for the features I want.

8-Dale

[siempreaprendiendo]

Are there any news about the NG and the support to the AX-12 servos?

[wghost9]

Any update on the future of the SSC-NG?

[robotdude]

There are some things in the works, but I’m not supposed to talk about them. I have no tentative release date. Sorry, not much info is it.

[wghost9]

Ah top secret I see That’s okay. I do look forward to hearing more news of it in the future though.

[sn96]

@Robot Dude

There are some things in the works, but I’m not supposed to talk about them. I have no tentative release date. Sorry, not much info is it.

Lets play Hangman:

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THE BOARD SHOULD BE READY BY  _  _  _  _      _  _

Just Kidding…