a dev board to end all dev boards

board::mini series

the board::mini series consists of a main carrier board called mini::base, a breakout board called mini::out to go along with it and, as of the time of writing this, two expansion boards with different feature sets called the mini::grid and the mini::pit.

the mini::base is built around the STM32F103 MCU using the layout of the popular Blue Pill board as a starting point. As such, anything that works with a Blue Pill (or similar) works on the mini::base. aside from better documentation and (much) better build quality, the following features distinguish the mini::base from the Blue Pill board:

• 9 to 24V converter for power supply: run the mini::base with 3.3V, 5V or anything between 9 and 24V
• built-in CAN transceiver (Texas Instruments) with hardware filter and ESD protection, and software switchable 120Ω termination resistor
• microSD card slot (Würth) connected via SPI
• ambient conditions sensor (NXP)connected via I2C
• USB type C connector (Würth)

all components are high quality products. connection to expansion boards is made via industrial-grade board-to-board connectors (Würth). the board::mini series wants to be a serious tool for serious projects, and a development platform which can easily become part of your market ready product as it is. contact us for customized form factors and feature sets.

the expansion boards mini::grid and mini::pit are stacked on the mini::base and enable features such as Wi-Fi, LTE, additional CAN or GPS.

Repo Structure

the repo is structured by the main folder, which contains this README.md and a subdirectory for each board with the following tree:

.
├── mini-<board>
│   ├── arduino-examples
│   ├── design-files
│   ├── pictures
│   ├── production-files
│   └── README.md

You'll find a comprehensive starting guide in the Wiki.

mini::base

our focus for the mini::base were practical, commonly used features implemented via reliable components. we aim to make the bmc::board line viable for everything from development through prototyping and final product.

the mini::base comes with - industrial grade board-to-board connectors by Würth - ambient conditions sensor by NXP - high quality micro SD Card slot by Würth - CAN transceiver by Texas Instruments - software switchable CAN terminating resistor - USB Type C connector by Würth - 9 to 24V power supply (3.3V and 5V can be used as well)

mini:grid

with the mini::grid, we aimed to create a versatile extension to the mini::base for edge applications. it therefore has connector footprints for THT loom connectors which wire the power supply, CAN and some I/Os, it has a connector for a small display and it has connectors for external GSM/GPRS and GPS antennae. all connectors are industrial grade.

the mini::grid comes with - loom connectors (by Binder, 4p and 5p) - display connector by molex - antennae connectors by Hirose - Nano SIM connector by Würth.

mini::out

the mini::out has the same basic dimensions as the mini::base and all other mini series extension boards. the bolt holes are made for M3 bolts. and there is another feature on the mini series: the Würth board-to-board connectors are stable enough for any combination of mini::base plus extension board to be fixed in a housing by simply sandwiching the boards package between two housing halves.

the mini::out comes with - access to CAN and all native pins - reset button for ease of development - JTAG connector footprint for use with the out::cable

mini::pit

with the mini::pit, we aimed to create a versatile extension to the mini::base for local wireless applications. in terms of the wired interface, there are two footprints for THT loom connectors which wire the power supply and one CAN on one and some I/Os and the other CAN on the other, it has a connector for a small display and it has a connector for an external BLE / WiFi antenna.

the mini::pit comes with - loom connectors (by Binder, 4p and 5p) - display connector by molex - CAN identical config as on the mini::base

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