Featured Articles
Announcing Pi
Technical Specifications
Raspberry Pi FAQs
Win a Pi
GPIO Pinout
Raspberry Pi Wishlist
Comparison Chart
Quiz
Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: Former Member
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 1671 views
  • Likes 0 likes
  • Comments 8 comments
Related
Recommended

Proposal universal connector for dev kit - Modulowo duoNECT - and RPI Adapter

Former Member

I work in a hardware startup "Modulowo" and I would like to propose a new, universal connector for development kits - ModulowoRegistered duoNECTTm. The connector provides the basic interfaces like UART, I2C, SPI, 1-Wire, a few I/O pins and ID (Identification) pin. The advantage of our connectors is possible to mount by traditional pin 2.54 mm or directly on the base plate thanks to castellated holes. Our solution is not only duoNECTTm connector, but also add-on modules - ExploreTm boards - and adapter for Raspberry Pi 2 or B +. The adapter has three duoNECTTm connectors, but it will be six modules can be connected. In addition, EEPROM memory and 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (16-bit optional). A little more detail: http://blog.modulowo.com/en/modulowo-duonect-czyli-uniwersalne-zlacze-dla-modulow-elektronicznych/


Are our solution can be an interesting proposition? A few photos below:

 

image

 

image

image

 

 

@@@@

  • in reply to shabaz

    They are not compatible. It's a different connector. Here we have an additional 1-Wire/ID pin and the VIN power supply pin.

  • Is it pin compatible with MikroBus modules? (since they look very similar). They too have an RPI adapter (and a BeagleBone Black one too).

    Mikroelektronica probably have close to 100 modules in their ecosystem, so it would be nice if this is compatible, so people can select boards from both ranges.

  • To be honest, I have looked at your idea and it seems me something almost useless. First of all, this sort of universal module is not "universal" by definition as there is not at the moment a breadboarding standard in the direction of the external components, while it is on the microcontroller or SBC side. There is a sort os "universal" accepted standard for the Raspberry PI or the Arduino form design but what it is not acceptable on your module for the commercial products (e.g. the very few samples it is possible to see in the images here and on your site) maybe not acceptable tomorrow. Just because without a previous universally accepted standardisation for the available devices is is also impossible to standardise the connector, i.e. the "receptacle" of the modules.

    This is not only the actual state of the art but - fortunately - I see there is not a trend to change these things.

     

    The second aspect that probably it is the worth, is that the universal connector you mention includes a redundant excess of unused contacts and area in all those cases that not all the available slots are used in a project.

     

    But - frankly - I think it is not a "connector" (we all agree what does the word means?) but it is a small board with some hardware on it just as you mention in the site description:

     

    • power supply pins (+ 3.3V, + 5V and VIN – rarely used),
    • UART interface
    • I2C interface
    • SPI interface
    • 1-Wire interface
    • 4 Digital pins (including dedicated pin INT, RST reset, PWM and selection of IC CS)
    • 1 Analog pin
    • Pin ID – shared with the 1-Wire interface, used to identify the connected modules.

     

    This means that you are barely promoting a series of small boards that - obviously - should fit somewhere, that is, what you mention as the "connector".

     

    What I should expect from a connector is that with the Object A (e.g. Raspberry PI 2) I want to connect the object B (e.g. an accelerometer) using an intermediate passive element that connects the two things.

     

    Please consider this as my sole personal opinion that in no way reflect the common though and vision of the other Members of this community.

     

    Regards. Enrico