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Microcontroller Dev Boards: What features do you like to have (or to add?)

baldengineer

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A couple of weeks ago, I bribed (with coffee) to send me one of his Pi PIco Eurocards. As the name implies, these are a development board for the Pi Pico / RP2040. In the past, another friend sent me one of his all-in-one microcontroller development boards (pictured above). And I have designed a few boards that had development features on them. Besides those, boards like Adafruit's Feathers or even the iconic Arduino Uno could be considered dev boards. Last, historically, microcontroller manufacturers had elaborate evaluation platforms for their chips.

All of these points made me wonder: what are the features YOU want to see in a microcontroller development board?

image

If we use 's Eurocard, some notable features are:

  • Headers for changing power source (external / Pi Pico / Programmer)
  • Integrated programmer/debugger (RP2040-based Xiao, in this case)
  • Prototype areas for through-hole and surface mount parts
  • SD Card
  • Button
  • LED
  • (and many more)

In addition to features, what tricks or tips have people learned when making a board like this one?

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  • It's great to see how the community comes together to create and share different microcontroller development boards! Here are some features that I think many users would like to see in a microcontroller development board:

    • Breadboard compatibility: A development board that is breadboard-friendly makes it easier for users to prototype and test their circuits quickly.

    • Multiple power options: Having the flexibility to power the board through USB, an external power supply, or a battery can be beneficial for various projects.

    • Built-in debugger/programmer: A built-in debugger/programmer can simplify the development process and eliminate the need for external tools.

    • Comprehensive documentation and support: Detailed documentation, examples, and tutorials can help users get started and make the most of the development board's features.

    • Wide range of GPIO pins: A development board with a sufficient number of GPIO pins, including digital, analog, and PWM pins, provides flexibility for different project requirements.

    • Connectivity options: Built-in support for communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, and USB, along with wireless options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LoRa, can enhance the versatility of the development board.

    • Expandability: A development board with expansion headers or slots for additional modules, shields, or HATs allows users to add more functionalities to their projects as needed.

    • Onboard sensors and peripherals: Including basic sensors (temperature, humidity, accelerometer) and peripherals (LEDs, buttons, displays) on the development board can enable users to experiment with various components without the need for external modules.

    • Robust voltage regulation and protection: A development board with efficient voltage regulation and protection circuits ensures stable operation and safeguards the board from potential damage.

Reply

  • It's great to see how the community comes together to create and share different microcontroller development boards! Here are some features that I think many users would like to see in a microcontroller development board:

    • Breadboard compatibility: A development board that is breadboard-friendly makes it easier for users to prototype and test their circuits quickly.

    • Multiple power options: Having the flexibility to power the board through USB, an external power supply, or a battery can be beneficial for various projects.

    • Built-in debugger/programmer: A built-in debugger/programmer can simplify the development process and eliminate the need for external tools.

    • Comprehensive documentation and support: Detailed documentation, examples, and tutorials can help users get started and make the most of the development board's features.

    • Wide range of GPIO pins: A development board with a sufficient number of GPIO pins, including digital, analog, and PWM pins, provides flexibility for different project requirements.

    • Connectivity options: Built-in support for communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, and USB, along with wireless options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LoRa, can enhance the versatility of the development board.

    • Expandability: A development board with expansion headers or slots for additional modules, shields, or HATs allows users to add more functionalities to their projects as needed.

    • Onboard sensors and peripherals: Including basic sensors (temperature, humidity, accelerometer) and peripherals (LEDs, buttons, displays) on the development board can enable users to experiment with various components without the need for external modules.

    • Robust voltage regulation and protection: A development board with efficient voltage regulation and protection circuits ensures stable operation and safeguards the board from potential damage.

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