[mc1322x] "atoi" oversize

[Matthew Lange]

Hi, gang!

I'm going to taking things a little off-topic from the atoi oversize 
dillema, but...

On 07/03/2010 10:17 AM, Mariano Alvira wrote:
> I'm planning to do rev2 of a USB stick version of the econotag and
> will be getting FCC cert. for that. Also a bunch of new modules. I'm
> planning to do the Xbee and Mbed footprint, a castellated small
> module, a castellated bigger module that brings out all of the I/O
> (all 64 pins), and a first rev of a mc13224v with PA.
>
> Anyone have any thing on there hardware wishlist?
>
> -Mar.
>    
Sweeeeeet.

1. Anything with an optional external antenna port (Either u.FL or 
RP-SMA.. I've seen designs where you can stick an RP-SMA socket over the 
edge of the board, so takes up essentially no extra footprint) Could 
either be solder-bridge or jumper to connect, or some kind of tiny 
auto-RF-switching IC... and perhaps a small power amplifier to drive the 
antenna... That'd be neat, even if it were do-not-place, 
reflow-it-yourself. Just think... MC13224v's with cantennas!

It would likely be easier to get FCC clearance with such parts 
Do-Not-Place, since antennas can vary, etc. (Though I have no experience 
with FCC clearance, etc.)

2. Castellated stuff is always cool. I had to look it up to see what it 
meant, as I haven't heard the term in relation to PCBs before; though 
there is another MC1322x-type board that's made like it, I think it goes 
for ~$12. It's on Mario's list of boards. See also: 
http://blog.screamingcircuits.com/2008/11/castellated-mounting-holes.html

I'm not sure if this is going to sound stupid, and this may only be 
possible with the smaller castellated module, but for prototype work, is 
there a way that you could make sure the castellations are at .1"x.1" 
spacing? It would be nice to plug some/most of the commonly used options 
into a breadboard, if possible, by soldering (or friction-fitting) the 
castellations to downwards-pointing male headers. Top and bottom 
castellations (if any) would likely require upwards-facing male headers 
to be soldered on, and wire leads connected.

I'm not sure if headers would be supportive enough when used as such 
(soldered to essentially half a solder hole), but even being able to 
press-fit a module onto a breadboard that has male header pins in it to 
receive the module for testing purposes would be great!


Hope I didn't ramble too much, just tossing some ideas out there.

Thanks!
Matthew