Easily Design Your Own PCBs! The SAMD21 HCC Module

[@SeanHodgins]

I'm going to be rolling out a bunch of open source projects that will use this module over the course of the Kickstarter. Stay tuned!

[@afreeland]

Would love to see a video of how to take a basic project from microcontroller...to a PCB. How to know which core components are needed and just some of the though process. Love the content!! =)

[@crckdns]

"I've put a little LED here" -> LED bigger than microcontroller 😹

[@TBL_stevennelson]

I'm from Brampton Ontario Canada, I'm glad to see others doing electronics

[@alphateerex2472]

this channel deserves more subscribers..... unique and cool stuff💯

[@stryk187]

Every one of your videos makes me think "Man, that's some cool shit" while I'm watching them.

[@SeanHodgins]

You've clearly stated my number 1 goal when making a video.

[@Perspectologist]

This is a great idea. I haven’t been a big fan of Kickstarter, but it seems like this kind of thing may actually be a good use for the platform.

[@SeanHodgins]

Perspectologist I don’t align myself with most of the other companies on Kickstarter. I think the reason it works so well for this, is that it’s just me doing it, not some team of engineers, designers, and marketers. I’m as transparent as possible and keep everyone informed along the way. The last 3 Kickstarters I’ve done have been a huge success!

[@Mixbag]

This has been done before. But really i much rather prefer to copy paste the board layout onto projects pcb less pcb

[@PatchBOTS]

Great Project! Super excited about the kickstarter.

[@SeanHodgins]

Thank you! and me too, although I will admit I get a little nervous before the launch!

[@sadiedeee]

You break out more pins than the Seeeduino Xiao SAMD21 in a similar sized PCB, that's great.

[@aptech2933]

WOW! They look great Sean.

[@shinigamilee5915]

I did this for Air Force projects about 20 years ago. Turns out, people can't do that anymore and so now they spend millions to incorporate garbage into systems that still aren't as good as what I did 20 years ago. These skills are really important and it's nice to see people are not becoming so lazy that they waste time and money on avoiding a little bit of work.

[@Soupie62]

Reminds me of the Teensy boards - but without the strange extra pads on the top & bottom. Less functionality, but a HECK of a lot easier to implement.

[@Wei1234c]

Why not use ESP32 module instead?

[@Flapjackbatter]

Not that I know alot about ESP32, but I think there is a cost difference.(And a performance difference too, I think. ESP32 more capable.)

[@RichardEricCollins]

Better IO for starters

[@revimfadli4666]

@@RichardEricCollins reminds me of when I had to include an ATMega for DAQ due to ESP's super noisy ADCs

[@GnuReligion]

Nice, I like the idea, but puzzled why you like the SAMD21. It is a lot more expensive than the ubiquitous STM32F103C8T6, which has similar capability, and costs just $1. A similar idea ... one could put a QFP processor on a standard PCB adapter plate, then, with long pins, stack a plate on top of it with an AMS1117-3.3, microUSB, crystal, reset button, and decoupling caps.

[@astasuleo]

which bootloader did do use? thanks for your kind reply in adnvace.

[@alphaprot2518]

Just a quick reminder that many EDA tools have a functionality called building blocks/reuses of schematic areas - you basically have a template consisting of a "known good" schematic snippet like your MCU with crystals, decoupling and stuff and can place it as one single block across projects. Most of the time you still have the ability - that you miss in your HCC module - to rearrange the parts of your snippet or improve on it. I understand the reason why you did that, but for your own personal use, I would not really recommend it.

[@TBL_stevennelson]

You should name it after yourself. The Hodgins21

[@minibikelarry]

Sean can where can i buy your boards or custom design. please advise.

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Hello i really can use some of these boards. Where can i find them at to buy?

[@benzpinto]

did u just use the oven to solder your parts onto the pcb?

[@Cdswjp]

what's the reason to turn on the serial?

[@GRBtutorials]

Interesting project. However a similar thing already exists: the ESP12-F (ESP8266) and the ESP-WROOM-32 (ESP32) modules. They’re very cheap ($3-$6) and they both have Wi-Fi built-in. Though the SAMD21 might be more low-power (the ESPs with radio enabled are very power hungry), so depending on whether you want Wi-Fi or not, choose one thing or another.

[@SeanHodgins]

GRBTutorials I’m aware of those, since my last kickstsrter used the ESP32. Haha they still require a FTDI chip to talk to them, and a voltage regulator. That’s the point. Plus ever measure the start up current of a ESP32? Haha. The ESP has its place but I prefer to use the SAMD. It’s more versatile if you don’t need Wi-Fi, which is why I used them in the majority of my projects.

[@GRBtutorials]

SeanHodgins Interesting. I didn’t notice the fact that it doesn’t have a USB to Serial converter. I haven’t reviewed the PCB yet, but it seems at first glance that the only chip is the SAMD21. Does it have a native USB interface like the one on the DUE? If the power consumption is low, it could be interesting for some of my projects (though the STM32 looks really nice as well).

[@SeanHodgins]

GRBTutorials yep, the boot loader that will come on it allows native usb, that is what makes it so great! The Kickstarter will start tomorrow and I have a more informative video along with it.

[@nickmulder6156]

Do you have any advice for making and selling electronics products? Could be a great video

[@ChunkySteveo]

Very Cool Sean!

[@jason19920816ify]

thanks for the inspiring vid, Sean. Is there anyway possible that I can power up my HC-05 Bluetooth module (feeds up 5V , says on the datasheet) with the HCC Module? I have a project that requires 5V output to some of my modules including HC-05 and tha't why I'm asking. Thanks and love your videos.

[@SeanHodgins]

The HCC module is a 3.3V device, but it has a voltage regulator that can take 5V. Any signals or voltages on the IO would need to be 3v3 or level shifted though.

[@bantermaestro8825]

Sean, would you please make some more of those Arduino-UNO-footprint breakout boards available for purchase? Thanks and best regards.

[@jon_raymond]

Interesting. I get the advantage of having a pre-existing basic module ready to go for projects. I do the same with Adafruit ItsyBitsy's as they are cheaper than rolling your own. Looking forward to seeing what price point your Kickstarter comes in at per unit.

[@SeanHodgins]

Similarly priced(in CAD though) but with included shipping. Its difficult to compete with Adafruit pricing, considering their sales volume. However, being that its a Kickstarter, get things rolling, and if it takes off, Ill be able to lower the price if I continue to sell them later.

[@jon_raymond]

SeanHodgins I find the trick to getting Adafruit product up here in Canada is ordering through Digikey. Only $8 for next day shipping and I often order from them so a couple Adafruit items bumps my orders over the free shipping threshold.

[@yahyakhalid6599]

Hi, can you suggest some book or some helping resource which would help me in designing my own custom controller for a specific application? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Oh Btw, very cool video!

[@wilson9213]

hey sean think your video is awesome, but i was wondering if you could help? - i'm not sure how easy this would be to build but - i want something to wait for a 12v signal .. and if it gets 3 flashes of 12v within a specified time frame (1-2sec) it lets the 12v through to another pin .... hopefully on a passive board ... is this possible ?

[@sieskingmegabytes7828]

You have a link (gerbers?) to your macro pad?

[@SeanHodgins]

Yeah! They're in the Github - this will take you right to them. github.com/IdleHandsProject/samd_hcc_mod/tree/master/demo_boards/Cherry%20MX%20Board Also you can download(or buy) them off of PCBWay - www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/DIY_RGB_Cherry_MX_Hotkey_Board.html

[@wizardOfRobots]

Instructables t-shirt!

[@seanocansey2956]

How much did your oven cost, and how well does it work?

[@seanocansey2956]

Really cool btw!

[@PatchBOTS]

Do you prefer the oven method over a hot-air rework station? I'm debating which to purchase.

[@SeanHodgins]

You'll need both eventually, but I have never reflowed a board with the rework station. I've only used it to fixed boards that have been flowed in the oven; fix QFN, or if a TQFP has shifted and I need to move the whole chip. Otherwise I just use a soldering iron to fix bridges and small issues.

[@PatchBOTS]

Thanks. Your HCC Mod project has definitely had it's desired effect on me. I've been learning Eagle and slowly building more and more complex boards of my own. Having a small microcontroller onboard is going to save so much room and make so many more of my projects do-able. I'm at the point where I want to take that leap to SMDs but now I'm starting to get nervous. 0805 parts are insanely small.

[@sivaramarajusiv7826]

nice work

[@connorchapman4223]

Cool it looks awsome

[@alexanderurezchenko6651]

Cool!

[@ohararp]

Sean do you have a part number for this uUSB connector?

[@any123-og]

do one for adafruit featherwing

[@seaha3750]

hi sean. Short Question i am not good on the samd21 chips but i read that they didnt have softwareserial and i have to use an SIM800 Module wich use softwareserial. So could you explain me how i do this with the samd chip? Have i to wire the sim modul wich has RX and TX to the RX and TX pin of the hcc modul? So this means RX to TX and TX to RX. Please explain i really like this HCC Modul but need a bit of help here. THX So far

[@SeanHodgins]

Any UART (Serial) can be software serial or hardware serial depending on what pins you use. Software serial is just a "bit bang" version of UART, meaning the code is written to make regular digital pins act like UART. In most cases (depending on speed) software and hardware serial are interchangeable. If you were using software serial and want to use the HCC Module just connect them to the hardware serial pins (Pin 1 and Pin 0).

[@seaha3750]

@@SeanHodgins But the Arduino IDE dont let me compile because softwareserial is just for boards with different frequenzy and not for samd21. Or does this mean i also could use hardwareserial as this Serial1 i read about. Could i use any digital pin for this or only this rx and tx pin from the hcc modul

[@user-mp3eq6ir5b]

Just a thot, but would it be a thing to use an ElectroPlating Pen to bond tiny connections like this? Using an electrolyte solution like zinc or tin or even copper?

[@gizer20]

One question, could you tell who is the PCB manufacturer? castellated are awesome but i don't know any cheap pcb fab that are doing it. Awesome projects!

[@SeanHodgins]

PCBWay for these boards.

[@rzerobzero]

Great vid - What are you applying with the hypodermic needle at 3:51?

[@SeanHodgins]

Rob O that’s flux, just makes the solder joint easier and cleaner since I’m just using the solder on the tip of the iron(instead of adding more solder) - it’s just an applicator, not actually a needle haha, not sharp.

[@PedrinbeepOriginal]

This looks really useful! 👍 Can you make something like this but with more I/O Pins that the MEGA 2560 have? Like 100 I/O pins xD Could be useful for a few people, like me 😂

[@SeanHodgins]

I'm considering doing a whole line of them. Don't think any will have 100 I/O though! haha - Shift registers are your friend.

[@PedrinbeepOriginal]

SeanHodgins Yes please! Do it! 😂 I know but Shift Registers are not my best friends 😂

[@seanocansey2956]

With that many io, it's better just getting the standard Dev board, or this: www.ebay.co.uk/i/292729181876?chn=ps&ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252Fi%25252F292729181876%25253Fchn%25253Dps%2526itemid%253D292729181876%2526targetid%253D522577529503%2526device%253Dm%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9046936%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D1669190636%2526adgroupid%253D67214015920%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-522577529503%2526abcId%253D1139356%2526merchantid%253D101457320%2526gclid%253DEAIaIQobChMIjpf3sPut4AIVBpPtCh1jAAGpEAQYASABEgLPifD_BwE%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1851801628133%2526rvr_ts%253Dd0d286541680a994e8619e80fff40a80

[@themonkey4465]

Hey Sean I wanna make my own samd21 board, what are the bare (bare as in no built in serial communication or built in pullups etc., Just to the point so it can function) minimum components to make one?

[@SeanHodgins]

You're looking at it in this video. You just described the HCC Module. You don't need the oscillator and its caps, but you need everything else(unless you already have regulated power). Reset and LEDs can go too. 0.1F Capacitor on each VCC line, and that is pretty much it. You'll probably want a reset button somewhere.

[@arod4507]

Hey Sean, did you ever run into a problem when plugging in the HCC module and windows says "Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)". I've already bootloaded and everything following your other tutorials but stuck on that error so can't program it in the arduino IDE.

[@SeanHodgins]

You can get that error if there is a short on the board you soldered the HCC module too, if too much current is being drawn etc. Did you load the bootloader before it was soldered on(like my tutorial)?

[@arod4507]

@@SeanHodgins Yes I loaded the bootloader before soldering. I thought there was no short however after inspecting again a notice a tiny solder bead under one of the diodes. Once I removed it the error was gone! Thank you for the response and love the work you're doing. Keep it up!

[@jrashidi1]

HCC!

[@ynzeselders4184]

What program are you using to design these boards? I have been wanting to design my own board for a long time now. Maby it's time to give it a try.

[@SeanHodgins]

I use Kicad. I started with Eagle, but I wish I had just started with Kicad from the beginning.

[@ynzeselders4184]

That is exacly why i asked. Thanks.

[@LoganHenry]

I wish we were friends IRL ;-)

[@martinwestermeyergondonnea84]

the samd21 has integrated usb comunication?

[@martinwestermeyergondonnea84]

just read the datasheet. it has

[@EthanFrei]

How are you installing the arduino bootloader onto the chip?

[@SeanHodgins]

Ethan Frei I’ve made a custom pogo pin jig that you just push the module into. There are 5 test points on the top of the board. So they’re still accessible if you want to do something to the bootloader after it’s soldered on.

[@AshMcKenzie]

@@SeanHodgins be interesting to see that process

[@ChrisWoodle]

How about the new SAMD51? Also have you seen this SAMD21 breakout: www.avdweb.nl/arduino/samd21/sam-15x15.html

[@SeanHodgins]

Chris Woodle SAMD51 looks awesome! But I haven’t used it yet so I can’t comment. Yep, I’ve seen that board, tiny, but missing some essential things, that’s why I made my own.

[@ChrisWoodle]

Agree on the 15x15 being too feature-less. I think the only samd51 devboards out right now are by Adafruit. Looking forward to the Kickstarter!

[@britantyowicaksono8409]

naaaah, it's still expensive in most of the country, it's not easy, u have to match with what component that available around you, aaand if u depend your pcb making to china, the shipping is more expensive than the pcb itself, so yeah it's actually the opposite whatever u said in the video

[@SeanHodgins]

There are some very slow shipping methods that are cheaper.

[@britantyowicaksono8409]

@@SeanHodgins c'mon man, $5 for 10 PCBs but $22 for shipping.

[@SeanHodgins]

@@britantyowicaksono8409 the pcb companies don’t control shipping costs. If I ship something to you, it costs what it costs, I have no control.

[@ronnieb2025]

Sean, do you have a Facebook account or contact number?

[@SeanHodgins]

Hey Ronnie, email me, [e-mail] we can go from there.

[@JohnyDays69]

-_- Obvious ... right ..! give me a break..!

[@browaruspierogus2182]

cheaper just to buy a ready board)