I had posted a question regarding the requirements to properly connect the FT232 to an ATMEGA328 in a reddit post and a replier suggested I choose the FT230X over the FT232R, a smaller package with a price tag less than half of the FT232R ($2.04 < 10). Most off the shelf Arduinos come with this conversion built in, in the form of an FTDI FT232R IC – a relatively inexpensive chip running around $4.50 in quantities less than 10 (you get a discount per item the more you buy). In order to do that, I need a USB to SERIAL converter. One of the features of the Anemometer is going to be a USB interface so users will be able to view streaming data in a serial monitor/live graph of that data. On top of that, using KiCad will support the open source community by using open source software to develop open source hardware. If I ever do decide to sell anything I design, I would have to purchase a licensed version of Eagle. Eagle cad, a schematic and PCB generating software I’ve used before, is still a superior piece of kit, in my opinion, however, the limitations in the free version was something I wanted to break away from. I had decided to move onto learning KiCad so when a project gets to the point of fabrication, I’ll be able to tackle the schematic and PCB design without delaying the process any further than necessary.
One of the things I hate is working on a single project and essentially getting burned out before its completion – one of the reasons, I’m sure, I fail to complete many of my projects. In my last post, I had mentioned the use of KiCad, which I’ve been working on learning to take my mind off of the anemometer for a bit so when I do continue work on it, it will be with a pair of fresher eyes.
Another weekend has passed and I have neglected to post anything however, this time around, I have been busy working on a little side project that will ultimately interface with the Anemometer.
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