I been thinking more and more of making a Professional Development Board for the Pico 1/2/PicoMite. I'm concidering the following features:
- 14 seg led display
- Place for your favorite lcd screen of choice
- A video screen
- LEDs
- Buttons/Switches
- Pots
- Servo ports
- Real Time Clock
- Large breadboard area
- Maybe a header of some kind if anyone wants to create Hats for it.
Any other suggestions for features are appreciated, before I start trying to create a design.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on May 28, 2025, 11:56 AM- 14 seg led display
- Place for your favorite lcd screen of choice
- A video screen
- LEDs
- Buttons/Switches
- Pots
- Servo ports
- Real Time Clock
- Large breadboard area
- Maybe a header of some kind if anyone wants to create Hats for it.
Any other suggestions for features are appreciated, before I start trying to create a design.
14 or 16-segment? There is a notable difference, depending on what you're trying to do. There are pros / cons to each.
You mentioned your favorite LCD screen, and then video screen. Are you trying to find a one-size-fits-all? Many people use OLED instead of LCD and video would imply just that, so is the Pico capable of generating video out or would you need some sort of video card / shield?
For POTs, is there on-board ADC for the Pico?
For the PDB and PPDB there were mostly SPI interfaces, since that was the more common way to interface. On the Arduino I
2C is the preferred interface. So if you're adding an RTC, ADC, DAC, etc you should try to stick to one bus type.
Finally, for buttons / LEDs, I would use an equal number of each (8 / 16).
Quote from: Chris Savage on May 28, 2025, 01:09 PMYou mentioned your favorite LCD screen, and then video screen. Are you trying to find a one-size-fits-all? Many people use OLED instead of LCD and video would imply just that, so is the Pico capable of generating video out or would you need some sort of video card / shield?
The PicoMite has built-in commands for both LCDs/OLEDs as well as VGA/HDMI. With certain LCDs (typically bigger ones - 2.8" and larger,) and the VGA/HDMI, you can set the Pico up to show the command line right on that display. When you set it up that way, the input can come from the USB, a standard serial (i.e. RS-232) or the Telnet input from a W version of the Pico. I really love this language - it is amazingly versatile.
Joe, you will need to choose one of the LCD/OLED interfaces (maybe the 8-bit Parallel LCD Panels on page 57, or the SPI display shown on page 62 of the 6.00.01 manual.) There should be no trouble providing an external VGA, or HDMI, port, but if the person sets up for one (LCD/OLED or VGA/HDMI,) then the other will not be available in PicoMite BASIC. Although, you will still be able to use those displays with something like the I
2C 16x2 or 20x4 character displays.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on May 28, 2025, 11:56 AMI been thinking more and more of making a Professional Development Board for the Pico 1/2/PicoMite. I'm concidering the following features:
Any other suggestions for features are appreciated, before I start trying to create a design.
I really like the idea of a PPDB (Pico Professional Development Board? ;) .) That is the reason for several of the boards that I purchased (one described in https://savagechats.com/index.php?topic=295.0). Still looking...
Take a look at the Pico Display Base Board (https://www.tindie.com/products/aiy745321/pico-display-base-board/). I'm not really thrilled by the layout - I like the PDB, and PPDB, layouts better. But then again, this is not for the same purpose as the Parallax boards. Take a look at the LCD port on the left of their board - the LCD goes off to the left of the board. I would really rather (for this board, the PPDB would be totally different) have the LCD laying over the top of the PCB, to make a tablet/slab computer.
Other possible examples are the
DT-01 Digital Trainer from
K and H Products (flyer with specs here: (https://www.kandh.com.tw/uploadfiles/592/Products/Electronic-Training-Equipment-and-Breadboard-Accessories/Breadboard-Accessories-EN/_en_dt-01_11203.pdf)) that I showed in my
Portable Workstation - Notebook thread on ZappBots Forum (https://zappbots.altervista.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=327,)
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.granzeier.com%2FDownloads%2FDT-01sm.jpeg&hash=ef69bcc53f550697231f1060bead1a1039e68533)
and the Heathkit ET-3400 Microcomputer Learning System:
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdunfield.classiccmp.org%2Fheath%2Fh%2Fet3400.jpg&hash=a6c2ed79f5f2c971dbb674ffa0a061d7abd8258d)
Also, there is the DuinoKit (https://duinokit.com/):
(https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F48448926-6b54-4e6a-81fc-87dcbcea7870_4420x3071.jpeg)
This also shows some stuff similar to your idea, that is actually for sale. You may be able to sell those if you decide to go into production.
Quote from: Chris Savage on May 28, 2025, 01:09 PM14 or 16-segment? There is a notable difference, depending on what you're trying to do. There are pros / cons to each.
You mentioned your favorite LCD screen, and then video screen. Are you trying to find a one-size-fits-all? Many people use OLED instead of LCD and video would imply just that, so is the Pico capable of generating video out or would you need some sort of video card / shield?
For POTs, is there on-board ADC for the Pico?
For the PDB and PPDB there were mostly SPI interfaces, since that was the more common way to interface. On the Arduino I2C is the preferred interface. So if you're adding an RTC, ADC, DAC, etc you should try to stick to one bus type.
Finally, for buttons / LEDs, I would use an equal number of each (8 / 16).
I planned on equal no of buttons, switches, and leds. I could see about 16 seg leds, simple jumper is all needed there for 14. As for ADC, yes, they have 3, but even if there wasn't someone could still find use for them.
(https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/microcontrollers/images/pico2w-pinout.svg)
There is a PicoMite ver with video out, but yeah kinda whatever you want to use kinda thing, guess adapter boards could be designed to switch between different video output. Picomite w/VGA (https://geoffg.net/picomitevga.html)
Quote from: granz on May 28, 2025, 02:25 PMJoe, you will need to choose one of the LCD/OLED interfaces (maybe the 8-bit Parallel LCD Panels on page 57, or the SPI display shown on page 62 of the 6.00.01 manual.) There should be no trouble providing an external VGA, or HDMI, port, but if the person sets up for one (LCD/OLED or VGA/HDMI,) then the other will not be available in PicoMite BASIC. Although, you will still be able to use those displays with something like the I2C 16x2 or 20x4 character displays.
I'll probly have something like the PDB and PPDB use, just have the MCU in a powered socket and wire as needed with jumpers, or somehow use adapters or something to allow different selections.
Quote from: granz on May 28, 2025, 02:54 PMI really like the idea of a PPDB (Pico Professional Development Board? ;) .) That is the reason for several of the boards that I purchased (one described in https://savagechats.com/index.php?topic=295.0). Still looking...
Take a look at the Pico Display Base Board (https://www.tindie.com/products/aiy745321/pico-display-base-board/). I'm not really thrilled by the layout - I like the PDB, and PPDB, layouts better. But then again, this is not for the same purpose as the Parallax boards. Take a look at the LCD port on the left of their board - the LCD goes off to the left of the board. I would really rather (for this board, the PPDB would be totally different) have the LCD laying over the top of the PCB, to make a tablet/slab computer.
Other possible examples are the DT-01 Digital Trainer from K and H Products (flyer with specs here: (https://www.kandh.com.tw/uploadfiles/592/Products/Electronic-Training-Equipment-and-Breadboard-Accessories/Breadboard-Accessories-EN/_en_dt-01_11203.pdf)) that I showed in my Portable Workstation - Notebook thread on ZappBots Forum (https://zappbots.altervista.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=327,)
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.granzeier.com%2FDownloads%2FDT-01sm.jpeg&hash=ef69bcc53f550697231f1060bead1a1039e68533)
and the Heathkit ET-3400 Microcomputer Learning System:
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdunfield.classiccmp.org%2Fheath%2Fh%2Fet3400.jpg&hash=a6c2ed79f5f2c971dbb674ffa0a061d7abd8258d)
Also, there is the DuinoKit (https://duinokit.com/):
(https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F48448926-6b54-4e6a-81fc-87dcbcea7870_4420x3071.jpeg)
This also shows some stuff similar to your idea, that is actually for sale. You may be able to sell those if you decide to go into production.
I was thinking of Pico Professional Development Board, PPDB. lol Those are some good examples, but I REALLY like that DuinoKit IOT. Kinda makes me want to try something similar. Maybe a cross between those kits and the PDB/PPDB.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on May 29, 2025, 12:39 PMI was thinking of Pico Professional Development Board, PPDB. lol Those are some good examples, but I REALLY like that DuinoKit IOT. Kinda makes me want to try something similar. Maybe a cross between those kits and the PDB/PPDB.
Yeah, I like them too. Did you take a look at the other versions?
They are pretty good, but I like the large breadboard area of the PPDB. Since you cannot include everything that everyone would want, include lots of breadboard space. :)
It might be a good idea to include some kind of storage for extra components. I like the cheap Dollar Tree storage box that I included in my
Portable Workstation - Notebook:
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.granzeier.com%2FDownloads%2FZappBots%2FDone.jpg&hash=d29474490f90a4456b8aeee02b39d9f60e940050)
Quote from: granz on May 29, 2025, 03:45 PMQuote from: JKnightandKARR on May 29, 2025, 12:39 PMI was thinking of Pico Professional Development Board, PPDB. lol Those are some good examples, but I REALLY like that DuinoKit IOT. Kinda makes me want to try something similar. Maybe a cross between those kits and the PDB/PPDB.
Yeah, I like them too. Did you take a look at the other versions?
They are pretty good, but I like the large breadboard area of the PPDB. Since you cannot include everything that everyone would want, include lots of breadboard space. :)
It might be a good idea to include some kind of storage for extra components. I like the cheap Dollar Tree storage box that I included in my Portable Workstation - Notebook:
(https://savagechats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.granzeier.com%2FDownloads%2FZappBots%2FDone.jpg&hash=d29474490f90a4456b8aeee02b39d9f60e940050)
Naturally I'd include some kind of storage.
Something to get your creative juices flowing. ;D
Another possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
and the Pico Bricks kit that the YouTuber is highlighting:
https://www.amazon.com/PicoBricks-Raspberry-Educational-Development-Platform/dp/B0BMGM74T7
This thing comes standard with a Pico W, which means that you can set it up to connect to your WiFi, then set up Telnet. Then you can control it through your desktop, laptop, tablet or even a phone, just use a Telnet client (which is available for all of the above.)
I checked and all of the components (including the OLED display) are directly controlled in PicoMite BASIC.
Quote from: granz on Jun 21, 2025, 04:05 PMSomething to get your creative juices flowing. ;D
Another possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
and the Pico Bricks kit that the YouTuber is highlighting:
https://www.amazon.com/PicoBricks-Raspberry-Educational-Development-Platform/dp/B0BMGM74T7
This thing comes standard with a Pico W, which means that you can set it up to connect to your WiFi, then set up Telnet. Then you can control it through your desktop, laptop, tablet or even a phone, just use a Telnet client (which is available for all of the above.)
I checked and all of the components (including the OLED display) are directly controlled in PicoMite BASIC.
I've seen those actually, interesting thought.
Quote from: granz on Jun 21, 2025, 04:05 PMAnother possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
I fell for it and watched the entire video! LOL ;D
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jun 22, 2025, 12:06 AMQuote from: granz on Jun 21, 2025, 04:05 PMAnother possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
I fell for it and watched the entire video! LOL ;D
I enjoyed the video. The parts about the History Museum and those multi-project kits were cool.
Quote from: granz on Jun 21, 2025, 04:05 PMSomething to get your creative juices flowing. ;D
Another possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
and the Pico Bricks kit that the YouTuber is highlighting:
https://www.amazon.com/PicoBricks-Raspberry-Educational-Development-Platform/dp/B0BMGM74T7
This thing comes standard with a Pico W, which means that you can set it up to connect to your WiFi, then set up Telnet. Then you can control it through your desktop, laptop, tablet or even a phone, just use a Telnet client (which is available for all of the above.)
I checked and all of the components (including the OLED display) are directly controlled in PicoMite BASIC.
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jun 22, 2025, 12:06 AMQuote from: granz on Jun 21, 2025, 04:05 PMAnother possibility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd42q3OaOrE
I fell for it and watched the entire video! LOL ;D
Granz/Chris, I just had an idea. What about something similar to that kit, only the parts are already apart, and you can pick out the modules you want to use, and just attach to a header of your choice? All same pins on each header, minus the I/O pins obviously, and you do the programming as normal? kinda eliminate the wiring so to speak??
That could work. You have six different sets of pins for I
2C channel 1 and six for channel 2. Unfortunately, without bit-banging other channels, you could only use two I
2C channels at a time.
Quote from: WebMite-Manual, https://geoffg.net/Downloads/picomite/PicoMite_User_Manual.pdfSETPIN sda, scl, I2C
Valid pins are
SDA: GP0, GP4, GP8, GP12, GP16, GP20 or GP28
SCL: GP1, GP5, GP9, GP13, GP17 or GP21
Note that on the WebMite version I2C SDA is not available on GP28
And the following command for the second channel (referred to as I2C2):
SETPIN sda, scl, I2C2
Valid pins are
SDA: GP2, GP6, GP10, GP14, GP18, GP22 or GP26
SCL: GP3, GP7, GP11, GP15, GP19 or GP27
There are two different ways to use this:
- Set up connectors for each of the twelve different possibilities for the two channels, and only allow connection to one connector for each channel.
- Set up each channel with multiple connectors for several different I2C breakout boards (don't forget about the pull-up resistors on all the different boards.) Then the breakout boards would be like old daughter boards plugged into a buss motherboard. That would use the different I2C addresses to access individual boards.
Other than that, you could provide individual connectors for individual GPIO pins - kind of like the servo connectors on BASIC Stamp, or Propeller, boards. Each connector would have a +V
CC pin, a GND pin and a signal pin connected to one of the GPIO pins on the Pico. Using all of the GPIO pins like that would give you a large number of connectors, but you could also use a few for an LCD/OLED, two for the I
2C channels and maybe one or two for sound. That would still leave you with several of the "servo"-type connectors. If you space out those type connectors, they could each hold a single 3-pin board, or use a servo cable to mount them off-board.
While browsing eBay, I found the following sales, and thought about you, and this PicoMite PDB. While these boards are specifically for the Arduino, the components, and ideas, would go well for your board.
I just found these on eBay, and ordered them for my experimenting:
- Multifunction Expansion Board DHT11 LM35 For Arduino UNO 9 in 1 Sensor Shield - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204865329325
- Multi-functional Expansion Development Shield Base Learning Arduino - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204866996021
These are kind of cool, but they have the soldered on male pin headers to plug directly into the Arduino. This blocks the Arduino pins which are not used. They are great for learning, but you cannot use them for more than the included components. You should probably think about that if you directly run PCB traces from the PicoMite to the components, leave connectors for the non-dedicated pins. Or, you could do like the Parallax PDBs and leave all the pins uncommitted, and let the user use hookup wire to connect components. The dedicated PCB traces to the components are easier for beginners, while the undedicated hookup wire connections are better for more advanced users.
- 37 Sensor Ultimate 37 in 1 Sensor Modules Kit for Arduino - https://www.ebay.com/itm/403662906589
This kit includes the following modules:
- 1 x Small passive buzzer module KY-006
- 1 x 2-color LED module KY-011
- 1 x Hit sensor module KY-031
- 1 x Vibration switch module KY-002
- 1 x Photo resistor module KY-018
- 1 x Key switch module KY-004
- 1 x Tilt switch module KY-020
- 1 x 3-color full-color LED SMD modules KY-009
- 1 x Infrared emission sensor module KY-005
- 1 x 3-color LED module KY-016
- 1 x Mercury open optical module KY-017
- 1 x Yin Yi 2-color LED module 3MM KY-029
- 1 x Active buzzer module KY-012
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-013
- 1 x Automatic flashing colorful LED module KY-034
- 1 x Mini magnetic reed modules KY-021
- 1 x Hall magnetic sensor module KY-003
- 1 x Infrared sensor receiver module KY-022
- 1 x Class Bihor magnetic sensor KY-035
- 1 x Magic light cup module KY-027
- 1 x Rotary encoder module KY-040
- 1 x Optical broken module KY-010
- 1 x Detect the heartbeat module KY-039
- 1 x Reed module KY-025
- 1 x Obstacle avoidance sensor module KY-032
- 1 x Hunt sensor module KY-033
- 1 x Microphone sound sensor module KY-038
- 1 x Laser sensor module KY-008
- 1 x 5V relay module KY-019
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-001
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-028
- 1 x Linear magnetic Hall sensors KY-024
- 1 x Flame sensor module KY-026
- 1 x Sensitive microphone sensor module KY-037
- 1 x Temperature and humidity sensor module KY-015
- 1 x XY-axis joystick module KY-023
- 1 x Metal touch sensor module KY-036
I actually ordered this kit (without any case – cheaper that way,) plus I ordered one which included a nice plastic case (a bit more expensive.) The compartments in the plastic case are big enough that the parts from the case-less order should fit in with the parts in the compartments. This kind of component/sensor kit would be good if you create a PicoMite PDB with just a Pico, large breadboard space, and just a couple basic components. The student/user could choose from this large assortment to build their own projects.
The price for all four of these (although you would not need the Arduino shield boards, just look at the designs for them) was just over $61.
Any progress on your PicoMite PDB?
Quote from: granz on Jul 11, 2025, 03:34 PMWhile browsing eBay, I found the following sales, and thought about you, and this PicoMite PDB. While these boards are specifically for the Arduino, the components, and ideas, would go well for your board.
I just found these on eBay, and ordered them for my experimenting:
- Multifunction Expansion Board DHT11 LM35 For Arduino UNO 9 in 1 Sensor Shield - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204865329325
- Multi-functional Expansion Development Shield Base Learning Arduino - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204866996021
These are kind of cool, but they have the soldered on male pin headers to plug directly into the Arduino. This blocks the Arduino pins which are not used. They are great for learning, but you cannot use them for more than the included components. You should probably think about that if you directly run PCB traces from the PicoMite to the components, leave connectors for the non-dedicated pins. Or, you could do like the Parallax PDBs and leave all the pins uncommitted, and let the user use hookup wire to connect components. The dedicated PCB traces to the components are easier for beginners, while the undedicated hookup wire connections are better for more advanced users.
- 37 Sensor Ultimate 37 in 1 Sensor Modules Kit for Arduino - https://www.ebay.com/itm/403662906589
This kit includes the following modules:
- 1 x Small passive buzzer module KY-006
- 1 x 2-color LED module KY-011
- 1 x Hit sensor module KY-031
- 1 x Vibration switch module KY-002
- 1 x Photo resistor module KY-018
- 1 x Key switch module KY-004
- 1 x Tilt switch module KY-020
- 1 x 3-color full-color LED SMD modules KY-009
- 1 x Infrared emission sensor module KY-005
- 1 x 3-color LED module KY-016
- 1 x Mercury open optical module KY-017
- 1 x Yin Yi 2-color LED module 3MM KY-029
- 1 x Active buzzer module KY-012
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-013
- 1 x Automatic flashing colorful LED module KY-034
- 1 x Mini magnetic reed modules KY-021
- 1 x Hall magnetic sensor module KY-003
- 1 x Infrared sensor receiver module KY-022
- 1 x Class Bihor magnetic sensor KY-035
- 1 x Magic light cup module KY-027
- 1 x Rotary encoder module KY-040
- 1 x Optical broken module KY-010
- 1 x Detect the heartbeat module KY-039
- 1 x Reed module KY-025
- 1 x Obstacle avoidance sensor module KY-032
- 1 x Hunt sensor module KY-033
- 1 x Microphone sound sensor module KY-038
- 1 x Laser sensor module KY-008
- 1 x 5V relay module KY-019
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-001
- 1 x Temperature sensor module KY-028
- 1 x Linear magnetic Hall sensors KY-024
- 1 x Flame sensor module KY-026
- 1 x Sensitive microphone sensor module KY-037
- 1 x Temperature and humidity sensor module KY-015
- 1 x XY-axis joystick module KY-023
- 1 x Metal touch sensor module KY-036
I actually ordered this kit (without any case – cheaper that way,) plus I ordered one which included a nice plastic case (a bit more expensive.) The compartments in the plastic case are big enough that the parts from the case-less order should fit in with the parts in the compartments. This kind of component/sensor kit would be good if you create a PicoMite PDB with just a Pico, large breadboard space, and just a couple basic components. The student/user could choose from this large assortment to build their own projects.
The price for all four of these (although you would not need the Arduino shield boards, just look at the designs for them) was just over $61.
Any progress on your PicoMite PDB?
Thanks for the info, will check it out. I've not had much time lately, been doing cleaning n working.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 11, 2025, 06:37 PMThanks for the info, will check it out. I've not had much time lately, been doing cleaning n working.
I know the feeling. It's terrible when "real life" gets in the way of our hobbies. :P
Quote from: granz on Jul 11, 2025, 10:05 PMQuote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 11, 2025, 06:37 PMThanks for the info, will check it out. I've not had much time lately, been doing cleaning n working.
I know the feeling. It's terrible when "real life" gets in the way of our hobbies. :P
I know the feeling...
Well, I got the second set of 37 Sensors pack - about a week early. Nice!
Unfortunately, the sensors were individually packed in anti-static bags - WITH NO LABELING AT ALL. >:( I had to take each one out of its bag, compare it with the over-all page with pictures of all the sensors, and then find the equivalent sensor in my nice plastic case, so that I could put the duplicates into the correct compartment. Two of the hall effect sensors (the "Hall Magnetic" and the "Analog Hall") are unlabelled, except for the tiny (nearly unreadable - even with two magnifiers) print on the sensor itself. I still need to check those tiny numbers and try to decide which is "magnetic" (I thought that all hall effect sensors were magnetic) and which is "analog." :o
Quote from: granz on Jul 21, 2025, 04:50 PMWell, I got the second set of 37 Sensors pack - about a week early. Nice!
Unfortunately, the sensors were individually packed in anti-static bags - WITH NO LABELING AT ALL. >:( I had to take each one out of its bag, compare it with the over-all page with pictures of all the sensors, and then find the equivalent sensor in my nice plastic case, so that I could put the duplicates into the correct compartment. Two of the hall effect sensors (the "Hall Magnetic" and the "Analog Hall") are unlabelled, except for the tiny (nearly unreadable - even with two magnifiers) print on the sensor itself. I still need to check those tiny numbers and try to decide which is "magnetic" (I thought that all hall effect sensors were magnetic) and which is "analog." :o
Don't you just HATE that crap?? How hard is it to label?? I'll start on this after I get my CodeName: Gizmo done.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 21, 2025, 09:08 PMI'll start on this after I get my CodeName: Gizmo done.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with.