The Unofficial GADGET GANGSTER Design Contest – Open Source Design Contest for Propeller Platform…
1st Place : Gadget Gangster Full Kit (parallax) / Nook Color (gg)
2nd Place: Multicore Startup Special (parallax) / Gadget Gangster T-Shirt (gg)
3rd Place: El’ Jugador (parallax) / Propeller Platform Kit (signed by Jon Williams) (gg)30% community participation: Entrants are expected to help others and contribute design ideas on the forums or Object Exchange and use community resources.
How to: Start a thread for your project. (If you haven’t done so already) Post a link to that thread in this one with your intent to enter the contest. Allow your project to develop publicly, working with other forum members to fine tune your design and code. Keep old designs and code in the thread so that we may track your progress and learn from it.
25% capabilities & design appropriateness: External hardware should build upon the capabilities of the Propeller Platform, maintaining compatibility with the existing configuration.
How to: Both the original Propeller Platform & Propeller Platform USB are considered fair game. As well as any compatible board. Understand that the Propeller Platform USB will be the most common, so if you are producing a product which might shared or sold, keep the onboard SD adapter in mind.
25% usefulness: The entry should be useful to others.
20% success easy to duplicate: All designs should be open source providing schematic, code, and PCB layout files (if possible).
How to: Not understanding how to use a schematic tool, or PCB layout software won’t throw you out of the contest. Document your work as much as possible, as plainly as possible. Provide videos if possible. Make your project as easy for someone to replicate as you can. Involve others who can help you in these areas if possible. (Community involvement is part of your score.)
Propeller Platform USB. The Propeller Platform USB is an open-source platform for building your own electronics projects with the new 8-core Parallax Propeller chip. This development board has the programming/debugging interface built in along with a microSD card slot.
Features!
- Design your project in Spin, a custom programming language perfect for beginners (tutorials)
- Collaborate with your PC, built in USB lets you update programs or share data with your computer
- Interact with the real world, 32 I/O pins let you read tons of sensors and control multiple devices
- Output video or advanced audio, Built in video hardware makes video easy, microSD lets you include Hi-Fi audio samples
- Expand with any breadboard or protoboard, use a custom designed module, or create your own
What Can You Do With the Propeller Platform USB?
Turning Stuff Off and On:
32 I/O pins means you can connect to many devices at the same time – multiple LED's, real-time clocks, switches, and relays. It's easy to control dozens of devices.
Robotics:
A unique architecture lets you simultaneously control multiple motors and read multiple sensors. Take a look at the Spyder, an auto-balancing quadcopter running on the Propeller. A screw terminal power connection helps to connect a battery, and the ultra low dropout voltage regulator runs with as little as 5.5V input power.
Make Videogames:
If you want to make your own games, adding video output is as simple as using 3 resistors and an RCA jack. Games like X-Racer are possible, and you can output video in PAL, NTSC, or even VGA. Advanced sound capabilities let you enhance your game, too.
Advanced Audio:
Playback 16-bit stereo wavs stored on the microSD / SDHC card, output TOSLINK (optical) SPDIF audio with a standard LED, or create your own digital effects.
Expansion Options:
- Protoboard & breadboard compatible
- Download layout templates in Eagle, Diptrace, or ExpressPCB to design your own modules
- We offer an add-on module for prototyping, other add-ons are available at Gadget Gangster
Specs:
- 80Mhz 8-Core Parallax Propeller with removable 5MHz crystal
- 64kb EEPROM for long-term program and data storage
- 5V and 3.3V 1.5A Voltage Regulators accept 5.5v min. power input
- Comes with a 2.1mm barrel power jack connector and screw terminal connector
- 2.8" x 2.5" footprint with pin sockets to add additional Platform modules or connect to a breadboard.
The Propeller Platform USB comes pre-assembled – you just a 5.5v-12v power adapter and a mini-B USB cable.
Resources:
- Software: Windows, Mac, or Linux. If you need USB drivers, they're here
- Documentation: Manual (pdf), schematic (pdf), Layout, BOM, & License (zip archive)
- Tutorials: Getting started with the Propeller, Add-on module design templates
The Propeller Platform USB is designed and assembled in California.
