Difference between revisions of "VGA Shield"
From Hackstrich
(Waiting on parts.) |
(Issue list.) |
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== Project Status == | == Project Status == | ||
| − | Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, VGA modules received from 4D, | + | Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, VGA modules received from 4D, parts received from Digikey. First rev. 1 board has been assembled and is working fine video-wise. Testing continues. |
== Design Overview == | == Design Overview == | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
** Hybrid CPLD/MCU solution, cheaper than using a softcore in an FPGA | ** Hybrid CPLD/MCU solution, cheaper than using a softcore in an FPGA | ||
** Would allow for an easy DVI shield too | ** Would allow for an easy DVI shield too | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Revision 1 Issues == | ||
| + | * Through-holes for all connectors mating with the VGA module are too small! | ||
| + | ** Worked around for rev. 1 by modifying VGA module w/ thinner machine pins | ||
| + | * Serial connector doesn't work well at all, need to figure out a better solution for rev. 2 | ||
| + | ** Concave pogo pins? | ||
| + | ** Connector on wires? | ||
| + | * Pads on audio jack could be a bit larger to make it easier to inspect soldering | ||
[[Category:Projects]] | [[Category:Projects]] | ||
[[Category:Current Projects]] | [[Category:Current Projects]] | ||
[[Category:Status/Waiting for Parts]] | [[Category:Status/Waiting for Parts]] | ||
Revision as of 06:42, 19 March 2011
The VGA Shield will be, as the project name may indicate, an Arduino-compatible shield that outputs VGA video.
Project Status
Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, VGA modules received from 4D, parts received from Digikey. First rev. 1 board has been assembled and is working fine video-wise. Testing continues.
Design Overview
- Shield will provide I2C-RS232 bridge so the Arduino doesn't have to use its (only) RS232 UART for this
- Will provide a 3.5mm jack for external speakers (no room on shield for a speaker)
- The µVGA-II(SGC) has 16 GPIOs, so will pin those out on the standard 2x5 connectors
- Status LEDs for power, TX, RX, and audio enabled
Chipset Options
- 4D Systems µVGA-PICASO-MD1 module ($54)
- Very expensive
- Some complaints about reliability
- Only talks RS232
- New 4D Systems uVGA-II(SGC) module ($49)
- Relatively expensive
- Only supports up to 800x480 (WVGA) @ 16bpp
- Very easy to interface with (via an I2C/SPI to RS232 bridge likely)
- Propeller chip with custom code ($8)
- Cheap
- Unsure how high resolution would be possible given generating VGA video from an MCU
- Custom FPGA solution ($?)
- More work than any other solution
- Similar cost to propeller chip, likely
- Off-the-shelf VGA controller chip
- The Epson S1D13506 seems promising, you talk to it and it has an internal RAMDAC to generate video.
- Supports LCD, VGA, and NTSC/PAL composite output
- Flexible bus to talk to the microcontroller
- Requires EDO DRAM, which isn't available anymore.
- The Epson S1D13517 might work, it's like the S1D13506 but takes SDRAM
- Supports up to 800x600 16bpp
- Only supports TFT displays, may be able to make it talk DVI though through timings/TMDS converter?
- The Epson S1D13506 seems promising, you talk to it and it has an internal RAMDAC to generate video.
- Project Peacock
- Hybrid CPLD/MCU solution, cheaper than using a softcore in an FPGA
- Would allow for an easy DVI shield too
Revision 1 Issues
- Through-holes for all connectors mating with the VGA module are too small!
- Worked around for rev. 1 by modifying VGA module w/ thinner machine pins
- Serial connector doesn't work well at all, need to figure out a better solution for rev. 2
- Concave pogo pins?
- Connector on wires?
- Pads on audio jack could be a bit larger to make it easier to inspect soldering
