OOPic Modifications
October 2003
Fig. 1: My Modified OOPic.
Introduction
The OOPic microcontroller is a powerful little workhorse from
Savage Innovations. Its object oriented
programming is extremely unique and extremely useful for robots. This is an easy way
to make complex event-driven behavioral based robots. The newest OOPic, the OOPic R,
allows you to easily attach many sensors and assorted stuff without using a soldering
iron - but how can you easily attach stuff to the older Rev A and B boards? Well
in this note I will show you how I modified my board to avoid using the 40 pin header
and avoid the clutter of external prototype boards. (THIS DOES REQUIRE SOLDERING)
The Modifications
The original OOPic form factor (S), has a useful prototyping area (Figure 2) built right
into it. This prototyping area is what I used to modify my board. As you can see in the
pictures I attached male and female headers, this is quite useful because you plug servo
headers in or wires.
Fig. 2: OOPic Prototyping Area.
The first step in modifying the board is to get the headers you will use. The male headers I
used are available from
Jameco. The female headers I used are also available from
Jameco.
I then soldered the headers in. I found that it helps to put a servo connector or two on
the headers to make sure that they don't move into a position that doesn't line up with
the connector when you solder them. (See Figure 3)
Fig. 3: Soldering The Headers In.
Once the headers were in place it was time to hook them to the right connections. The pins that
are supposed to go to I/O lines were already connected, so all I had to do was connect power
and ground. I simply ran wires down the rows of pins and connected it to each pin. I then
connected the wire to the bus. The final step was to check for short circuits.
Fig. 4: The Bottom of My Modified OOPic.
Conclusion
I am quite happy with the results of the board. Please
let me know what you thought about this note, and feel free to
contact me with any questions.
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