Since the competitive part regarding the Primer is now over, I believe that we can make much better use of this little device (and increase our "return on investment") thru cooperative effort such as exchange of info , projects and results.
so, here is my starting contribution:
Note:
Since there is talk of a 2.0 version of Primer I would expect something less game oriented but rather more hobbyist oriented; there are many more hobbyists who could use and buy this product (for a decent pricing) than corporate developers who have much deeper pocket. and can go for the expensive stuff.
I would like to see "
A better diplay, 2", maybe.
Absolutely, a must, connectors to analog and I/O lines.
Absolutely, a must, 5 way button " joystick" for menu section; MEMS are useless in a stationary setting, (like an instrument panel, box)
Nonvolatile type of memory like FRAM which can store data like flash (but much faster) and can also be used as a SRAM complementary, being almost as fast. Ramtron has some nice chips, small, 8pin DIP up to 2MB. wt SPI interface. Footprints on PCB for add on, would be great.
The fancy round shape I believe is wastefull of PCB copper clad, increses the price of the PCB and is a waste of PCB space; better stick to a rectangular shape. It is easier to integrate in a hobby design also.
Also
I believe having a separate USB "mini dongle" programmer/debugger of Serial Wire Debug type is cost saving and convenient for repeat buyers. (something compact shaped like the TI MSP430 USB Stick Development Tool; for inspiration see
:Http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/ez430-f2013.html
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ug/slau176b/slau176b.pdf
An example of an interesting hobbyist oriented device, with regard to form and features, is this Olimex MSP430 design:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=772#
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images … 9LCD-0.jpg
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images … 9LCD-1.jpg
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Now the info
A)
With regard to the best sources of STM3210B-PRIMER (at present), IN USA.
1 Arrow has it, but it crancked the price to $49 (it was $32 months ago)
2 Avnet was the next best at $34 but sold out and is out of stock so far (got last 3 of them)
3 Digikey has it but at $50.75 ; 50 stock
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … 97-6049-ND
4 Mouser has it at $39 and 197 in stock (so far best price ) Mouser Part #: 511-STM3210B-PRIMER
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B)
With regard to connector for extra I/O on PCB footprints.
Connector looks like 2.00mm pitch 2x10 board-to-wire type.
can select according to preference: header (male, wt pins ) on PCB and receptacle(female) on wire or reverse.
Brands:
1)Molex 2.00mm (.079") Pitch Milli-Grid series, Surface Mount, 20 Circuits. (2x10) ; better see:
http://www.molex.com/product/micro/mgindex.html
and make your choice
0877592014, 0877592015, headers SMT On PCB; maybe???
or Receptacle on PCB
0873402013, 0873402014 ,
description: 2.00mm (.079") Pitch Milli-Grid(TM) Receptacle, Surface Mount (Very Low Profile), Top Entry, without Locating Peg,
0.76µm (30µ") Gold (Au) Plating, 20 Circuits
0873812000 regular hight
mouser and Digikey have some of these (Molex mostly)
2)Hirose 2mm Double-Row Connector DF11 Series see catalog
http://www.hirose.co.jp/cataloge_hp/e54305002.pdf
Receptacle (SMT) DF11-20DS-2V(**) on PCB and In-line Plug DF11-20DEP-2C(**) on wire.
or
Straight Pin Header (SMT) DF11G-20DP-2V(**) on PCB || and wire Receptacle DF11-20DS-2R26(**)
Applicable Cable : Part Number Applicable Cable Jacket Diameter
DF11-*DS-2R26 UL1061 AWG26 (7/0.16) Ø0.9 to 1.05mm
3)FCI 2mm pitch Double-Row Connector Minitek series
http://portal.fciconnect.com
98424-F52-10LF - Basics+,Minitek header on PCB || and 77138-101LF - Minitek ,Crimp-to-Wire Contact or 89947-120LFReceptacle
98414-G06-10LF Shrouded Header or 98464-G61-10LF and 89947-110LF - Minitek on wire
see olso
low profile 2mm high for add on cards??
55510-120TRLF - Minitek PCB receptacle and 57102-G06-10LF Unshrouded Headers THRU hole or 57202-G52-10LFUnshrouded Headers SMT
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C)
With regard to the " joystick" button for menu selection sources of inspiration can be found in the shematics of AVR butterfly
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod … oc4271.pdf at page 36- upper left corner
they use an Alps 5 way button(4 + center ) or Multi-Directional Switches part no SKRHABE010 ; see specs at :
http://www3.alps.com/WebObjects/catalog … _list.html
http://www3.alps.com/WebObjects/catalog … BE010.html
mouser has it for $4.98
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDet … vYHw%3D%3D
or other types of Multi-Directional Switches
http://www.mouser.com/search/Refine.asp … s=P_SField
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For other sources of inspiration look at this OLIMEX solutions for STR750 (including source code for joystick)
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=8228
http://www.olimex.com/dev/images/STR-E912-sch.gif
http://www.olimex.com/dev/soft/arm/STR/ … k_uart.zip
also
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … cts_id=772
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I am interested in 2 type af application for this device :
1) as a display of values from some analog sensors and (some logging eventually) and most likely Primer integrated in box , stationary, so MEMS can not be used for MENU , Joystick is a must.
2) as a data acquisition device logging data from analog sensors to PC thru USB .
Found this interesting software (freeware, made by Russians) called "Data Master 2003" multipurpose development environment optimized for data acquisition and post-process.
SEE http://www.datamaster2003.com/ ; http://www.datamaster2003.com/about.htm
would be interesting if we can adapt this software to read data from analog I/O s on Primer.
