Atmega*8 Breadboard Backpack

The latest version of the board just came in from OSH Park and it works perfectly! What's new in this version? A few things...

I've added two new LEDs for MOSI and MIS (be sure to read the IMPORTANT NOTE at the end of this post). These serve a dual purpose: First, they'll flash during programming, so you know the programmer is working. Then, you can control them directly with PB3 and PB4. This is good if you need quick debugging LEDs.

At the smaller end, there was some basic housekeeping. I updated the reset button to a new lower profile tactile. The layout is more compact and I updated the silkscreen on the programming header, so that it's obvious which way to install it.

Since ordering the boards I have also added some rounded corners for some final polish.

Links:

• Upverter (source files)
• OSH Park Project (order PCB)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The symbol on the bottom of the power LED and the MOSI/MISO LEDs is opposite (weird, right?). Be sure to check the datasheet. On the board the dots for the LEDs represent the cathode.

I finally received the PCBs from OSH Park and they worked great right out of the gate. I tried round machine pins, instead of the usual break away headers, and found they felt much better when plugging the backpack in. Pictures and more info after the break.

A New Design

I also created a new design that has LEDs for the MOSI and MISO lines. These will show programming status and double as LEDs that can be used for impromptu debugging on PB3 and PB4. I should be getting the new PCBs next week.