Second Steps - Intel Edison Mini Breakout Board

In the last series of posts First Steps - Intel Edison  I outlined installing software, Flashing the image and some frustrations.

Thanks to the kind people at element14, I have an Edison Mini Breakout board to try.

https://software.intel.com/en-us/assembling-intel-edison-board-with-intel-edison-mini-breakout-board

I didn't realise that the Edison mini breakout boardEdison mini breakout board came with an Edison.

Connections

The guide makes this statement

So if you want to log in to the linux OS and check the image, you'll need to connect two cables.

I talked about installing and using PuTTy to communicate here

First Steps - Intel Edison step 4

Just to save you looking the Login is 'root' and no password.

When I entered  'cat /etc/version' into the session, I got this back

edison-weekly_build_56_2014-08-20_15-54-05

which clearly is not the latest version as I found here First Steps - Intel Edison Arduino

I tried the Tool and Phone Flash and had no luck, so I'm not even going to document it in this blog.

Manual reflash

First Steps - Intel Edison step 5

It's not my intention to repeat how to do it, but the steps are :-

• extract the image file to somewhere on the computer (I used C:\Temp\Flash)
• copy a couple fo files into the same place.
• run the Flashall.bat file and be prepared to issue a reboot via PuTTy or by unplugging and replugging the board.

I do have to say the 5mins in the last step is a bit optimistic.

It could be my laptop is slow, but be prepared for it to take 1-2 hours.

You will see a progress bar and percentage number, which is very nice.

After it reboots and comes back you should be able to check the version, which will have changed.

What are the Advantages

The Mini Breakout board is considerably smaller.

It has the ability to connect a battery BUT IMO they should have used JST connectors rather than unpolarised two pin header pins.

If you do intend to connect a battery, I'd suggest removing the pins and solder wires to a JST connector ... it might save some heartache later.

The I/O pins are brought out to 0.1 spaced holes, but the wiring needs to be from underneath.

There isn't a lot of clearance to the Edison, so trim the ends.

As I indicated before the I/O is 1.8v, and will need level conversion for most interfacing.

You can add an smd 2.5mm barrel power jack underneath for the 7-15V DC input.

(The supplied power pack is 12v ... which suits me after my issues)

The guide has a very good description of the connections.

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/edison/sb/edisonbreakout_hg_331190006.pdf

All in all it's a very useful board, but a few level converters would make it excellent.

Mark

These started as a simple blog, but has now grown over a few posts, so an index is appropriate.