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GoGo board Assembly Guide

Contents:

 

Preparation Checklist

Assuming that you have all the necessary parts available and you are about to solder them to the PCB, here is a checklist of things to do before starting:

  1. Make sure the Bootloader is programmed onto the PIC microcontroller. You will need a PIC programmer hardware to do this. See the general guide for more information.
     
  2. Download and install the firmware downloader software from the Bootloader page. This program allows you to download code (firmware) to the microcontroller. You will use it to download the GoGo board firmware.
     

  3. Download the GoGo board firmware from the download page. You will eventually open this file with the firmware downloader previously installed.
     

  4. Download the Parts Map from the download page. You can use it to figure out which component goes where on the PCB.
     
  5. Download and Install the GoGo board monitor software from the download page. This program will be used to test the board from the computer.
     

Recommended Assembly Sequence

Following this sequence allows you to test different parts of the board as you build them. This makes it easier to debug when something goes wrong. Please refer to the components map for a description of each part.

Step 1: Power Supply

Parts to Solder
10  On/Off Switch
3 Power Jack
16 Power Regulator
21 Diode
4 On LED (Red)
7 1K Resistor - next to the LED
13 100 uF Capacitor

[Click to enlarge]

After finishing this step, plug in the power adaptor and switch the board on. The ON LED should light up.

Note: the numbers in the table refers to the numbers presented in the component map document.

Step 2: Micro-controller

Parts to Solder
1 40 Pin Socket
15 RUN Button
6 3.3K Resistors - under the button
7 1K Resistor - next to the 3.3K
4 RUN LED (Red)
11 20 MHz Clock
5 USER LED (Green) - under the clock
7 1K Resistor - above the USER LED

[Click to enlarge]

When done, plug in the micro-controller. Then, hold the run button while powering the board. Assuming that the micro-controller contains the GoGo Bootloader (see checklist above), all three LEDs should light up (Power, RUN, and User LEDs).

Step 3: Serial Port

Parts to Solder
2 Serial Connector
6 3.3K Resistor - next to the Serial port
12 Hex Inverter Chip
5 Serial LED (Green)
7 1K Resistor - next to the serial LED

[Click to enlarge]

When you are done, download the GoGo firmware to the board. Hold the run button while powering the board. The same affect should happen as before (the RUN, USER are on). Plug the serial cable to the board and to the computer. On the computer, start the firmware downloader program. Then, open the GoGo board firmware and press the download firmware button. See the Bootloader page for detailed instructions.

If the download process is successful it means the board is working fine. If not, pleas check both the software settings (i.e. COM port number) and the GoGo board hardware. You must fix the problem before continuing.

Step 4: Complete the remaining parts

Notes for the Resistor Pack

You need to be careful when assembling the resistor pack (number 8). While the component has ten pins, the board contains eleven holes. Leave the left most hole empty. Also notice the polarity of the component. Pin one (normally the side that has a mark or a dot) must be placed on the right hand side.

Step5: Final testing

Once you have soldered all the remaining components, start the GoGo board monitor program on the computer. The monitor program allows you to test all the functionalities of the board, such as sensor readings, motor output controls, beep, user led.

 

Photo Gallery

The following are some photos of a completed GoGo board.


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[640x480] [2048x1536]
 

 

Good and Bad Soldering

Here is a guideline for when you solder components to a PCB:

  • it is important to make sure there is enough solder between the pin and the pad on the PCB.
  • Sometimes having enough solder is not enough. You need to make sure the solder is truly melted to both the component and the PCB. This will happen only when both sides are sufficiently heated.

Bad Soldering


Good Soldering

 

 

 Last updated: April 2, 2004