StackFoundry Blog » Hardware

Important Note on AVR32 Availability

Yann — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:01:17 +0000

Our current stock of the Copper AVR32 module is almost depleted. Currently, Atmel is very behind on the manufacturing and delivery of numerous parts (AVR, AVR32, Dataflash) – our order for more AT32UC3B1256-AU parts is currently scheduled into March of 2011, meaning that once our existing stock runs out we will be unable to ship more Copper AVR32 modules.

New Products – Beagleboard Hardhat – Industrial Process Control I/O for the Beagleboard

Yann — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:40:06 +0000

We’ve been busy in the labs cooking up a series of new products which will be launching in the next few months. The first of four is the subject of this post – Beagleboard Hardhat! The Beagleboard Hardhat is an industrial analog and digital I/O expansion board for the Beagleboard. Features 4-20mA transmitters and inputs, 0-10V outputs and inputs, along with RS485 and a set of dry contactors.

Hardware On-board

12bit 4 channel Delta-Sigma ADC with programmable gain amplifier, over I2C bus.
12bit 4 channel DAC with EEPROM (keeps state after power cycle), on the I2C bus.
Connectors on board: All connectors utilize pluggable terminal blocks for ease of use and prototyping.
2x Highly accurate 4-20mA sourcing transmitters (up to 600ohms in the loop) with common ground capability, powered by a 12bit DAC (full range 4-20mA input requires a minimum of 21VDC input voltage as the voltage source is a high accuracy 19V regulator)
2x Highly accurate 0-10V analog outputs at up to 10mA each.
2x 0-10V inputs, on the 12bit ADC.
2x 4-20mA loop sensors (150ohms loop resistance), 12bit ADC.
2x opto-isolated dry-contact outputs, protected up to 250V nominal (BeagleBoard GPIO)
2x dry-contact inputs (GND to 3.3V) (BeagleBoard GPIO)
RS485 2-wire interface, tied to the BeagleBoard USART2.
24V DC input with switching buck converter, powers all analog circuits as well as the BeagleBoard 5V system.
All needed level converters (I2C, UART, GPIO) and supplies (5V, 19V, 3.3V)

The design is Open Source Hardware under the Creative Commons Share-Alike Attribution License.

More pictures will be posted soon, along with pre-order information. Pricing starts at $79 with connectors and mounting hardware

AVR32 Software Skeleton – No nonsense build file

Yann — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:37:39 +0000

I have created a no-nonsense skeleton project you can use with the AVR32 GNU Build toolchain, without having to use the AVR32 Software Framework.

The project includes:

A Makefile geared for the AT32UC3B1256 Microcontroller (as on the Copper development board)
The needed trampoline code (for JTAG and other use)
The needed linker script for the microcontroller
Generation of the .elf and .hex images

To add more source files to the project, simply append to the OBJECTS line in the Makefile.

You can grab the Git repository from Gitorious:
http://gitorious.org/avr32-skeleton, or just download the latest snapshot: http://gitorious.org/avr32-skeleton/avr32-skeleton/archive-tarball/master

Copper AVR32 Module – New sale price of $30.99

Yann — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:38:57 +0000

For the month of May, we will be offering the Copper AVR32 module at a new low price of $30.99.

Copper is an AVR32 UC3B1256 mounted on a DIP32 breadboard friendly module, giving you the smallest AVR32 development board available (and one of the cheapest!). Features integrated voltage regulator, USB connector, and in-system programming via the USB port.

AVR32 Software Framework 1.7 Makefiles are broken

Yann — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:21:08 +0000

Word of warning: The Makefiles in the AVR32 Software Framework version 1.7 feature broken GCC Makefiles (hardcoded paths, incomplete files, etc).

For now, make sure you are using an older revision if you don’t need the new UC3C and UC3L files.

We host a local mirror of the 1.5 version: AVR32-SoftwareFramework-AT32UC3-1.5.0.zip

Copper – Expected ship date 2/26/2010

Yann — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:15:29 +0000

Our Copper AVR32 Stick stock is expected to be ready to ship on February 26th! A bit later than we had hoped unfortunately. We are also transitioning to a full make-to-stock system, which should dramatically reduce the time to ship. Previously, we had been customizing each board based on your selections, which added in a 2-5 day delay from order processing to shipping.

Coming soon: new products!

Copper – out of stock, more on the way soon

Yann — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:13 +0000

We’ve run out of Coppers! You can backorder now, and we will ship within 1-2 weeks.

We are also planning on upgrading our production, allowing us much shorter order to ship times.

Happy New Year – New International Pricing

Yann — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:13:24 +0000

Happy New Year to everyone! We have been busy fulfilling all of your orders and questions, leaving little time to make posts on the blog. Thank you to everyone who has ordered, making the Copper our best selling product yet.

On the business front, we are announcing new international postal service pricing. You can now get your package delivered to anywhere* in the world for a low fixed price in 6 to 10 days via USPS Priority Mail International. The base price for this service starts at $16. Our old pricing was automatically computed, but often times would return wildly inaccurate prices and overcharge you, causing us to issue partial refunds for shipping. This new flat rate option should simplify everything.

(* You’re out of luck if you’re in a US Trade Embargo country – sorry)

First Revision Megavore in stock (XMega board without MRAM)

Yann — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:44:49 +0000

The first revision Megavore boards are now available in the store!

There is one caveat to the board: the Arduino shield function does not work well as the pin spacing is incorrect. As such, we have labeled the board the “Non-Arduino” version. However, if you are looking for a general purpose XMega development board, pick one up today!

We are also critically low on male pin headers – more are coming but orders may become delayed.

Copper Development Board Quick Start Guide

Yann — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:03:20 +0000

We’ve just posted the Copper AVR32 stick/development board quick start guide, which is available at the download site: http://dl.stackfoundry.org/hardware/copper/