Overview

This tutorial is designed to walk through the basics of setting up a project using the Make Controller with the Prototyping Board. 

The Prototyping Board is a simple, blank PCB (printed circuit board) that can take the place of the Application Board in your project, allowing you to expand the Make Controller with your own custom electronics. 

To do this, we'll need to cover a few general topics:

• Hardware - how to physically connect the Make Controller to the Prototyping Board
  
• Software - how to create firmware for the Make Controller that will work with your new hardware.

Compatible Parts

One of the first things you'll want to do when starting a project with the Prototyping Board is pick up the components you'll need in order to plug the Make Controller in. 

There are four headers (male) on the Prototyping Board that will plug into four corresponding sockets (female) on the Make Controller.  These are standard 0.1" spaced headers, so you can use any kind you like.  However, if you place the headers on the board unevenly (very easy to do!), it will be difficult to plug and unplug the Make Controller, putting extra stress on the connectors. 

Fortunately, DigiKey sells headers in exactly the shape we need, which makes it easier to solder them evenly on the board.  The four headers are labeled on the Prototyping Board as J1-J4, and there's one of each.  These correspond to DigiKey part numbers:

• J1 - WM26920-ND
  
• J2 - WM26926-ND
  
• J3 - WM26924-ND
  
• J4 - WM6413-ND

Communications Connectors

You may also be interested in picking up Ethernet, USB, or JTAG connectors.  The Prototyping Board is designed for each of these to plug in and work with the Make Controller.  Again, DigiKey part numbers for those are:

• Ethernet - 553-1345-ND
  
• USB - WM17113-ND
  
• JTAG - MHE20K-ND

Screw Terminals

Larger through-holes around the edge of the board are designed to accomodate the larger 0.2" spaced headers for the green screw terminals used on the Application Board.  If you'd like to use these on your Prototyping Board project, the part numbers at DigiKey, for both the headers and the connectors are:

• 6-position - header: 277-1649-ND, connector: 277-1611-ND
  
• 4-position - header: 277-1647-ND, connector: 277-1609-ND
  
• 2-position - header: 277-1645-ND, connector: 277-1607-ND

Other Odds and Ends

You may also want to pick up some diodes and resistors, depending on what you're hoping to connect. 

Specifically, if you're going to power the board from both USB and a power supply, you'll want to grab a diode so the power from the power supply does not make it back up onto the USB line.  A good part number to pick up for this is:

• Diode - UF1002DICT-ND

If you're connecting the Ethernet connector, you'll also want to pick up a couple resistors for the LEDs.  These should be 330 ohms, and you'll want to get at least two - one for each LED.  A good part number for this is:

• 330 ohm resistor - 330EBK-ND