Official Sparky Thread - Sparky Jr USB

32teeth

Sparky Jr USB spy photos

SMD Components soldered up (by hand!)


PTH Components soldered up


Programming the chip with the USB Bootloader


Using the Configurator via USB ONLY!

Spoiler:

October 13th - SOOOOOOONNNNN!!!


Sparky Jr v3.0 (yay)


SparkPlug v1.0


and how they fit together


now imagine having your Sparky somewhere inside your case, and a 6 pin harness connecting it to a SparkPlug which would site somewhere inside your case, but with the USB-B exposed.

the only thing that changed on the SparkPlug is that we went with an RGB LED (yes it's a 10mm) instead of the 2 5mm LEDs, if you don't want it, you don't need it. its colors are activated by
1. Green - Power indicator
2. Blue - RX Line

3. Red - TX Line


October 6th - Sparky Configurator 3.0 sneak peak!

---

As we approach production, we have been busy getting our new config ready!
Check it out!




September 15th - BIG UPDATES!

---

okay okay okay okay.... ...here is the update so far.

Here is a spy pic of the latest Sparky Jr v3 development board.
This board is NOT the one that will be coming around Q3 2011, this one is kinda fun though because we included extra stuff.
Featuring a lazy man's power supply (the mini USB only provides VCC/GND), a couple of LED's, and 2 extra Capacitors


so, this board has been tested thoroughly and will be shortly installed into Project:SPARCLA if you have been following this thread.

Here is what the official release will look like in contrast to the Development board


the footprint is significantly smaller, the lazy man's power supply is gone as are the 2 extra Caps (1uF & 47uF) only there for power regulation from USB
the ISP header is still there should you choose to burn a different bootloader outside of an Arduino one, or if you decide to circumvent the bootloader all together and simply load a hex file from AVRDude, AVRGCC or AVR Studio... ...up to you and your confort level.

the FTDI header is still there obviously.

We are currently looking at offering 3 products, with potentially a 4th.

Guaranteed Release

Sparky Jr (mini) v3


Potential Release

SparkPlug (FTDI breakout for above Sparky Jr)

SparkPlug allows you to connect to the Sparky Jr without having to open your case. And you can have your Sparky and SparkPlug in 2 different locations in your case, simply connected with a 6 pin ribbon cable.

here is what it looks like installed in the cable compartment of the Chun Li TE-S


Sparky Jr (mini) v3 + FTDI


Introducing Future New Release

Striker


[SIZE=15px]What is it?[/SIZE]

Striker is a Sanwa JLF add on daughter board for direction LED indication.
Plug and play using the Sanwa JLF 5-pin harness and 1 additional VCC line for power.
Press a direction (including diagonals) and get an LED response.

How does it work?

Use your JLF mounting plate screws to attach the Striker PCB, and plug in the Sanwa JLF 5-pin harness to connect communications.
Striker features a 4-16 line decoder to translate the input into LED output.

Programming?

None
Striker is pure passive components.
Mount, plug, play, enjoy!
June 29th - The Postage Strike is OVERED!

---

so, what does this mean.
well, hopefully jolly ole st nick will show up at my door with the Sparky Jr V2 Mini prototypes



as well as the FTDI+SMD versions

and that being said, we have released to our SVN some code fixes for those of you who experienced the random reboot issue.

the main event handlers and broadcasters where rewritten.
the color processing was rewritten
this is a proper version of the singletons, and fade in fade out. see the video at teh bottom.

so if you have an ftdi cable, feel free to grab the 'rebuild' folder from the svn.
https://sparky.svn.beanstalkapp.com/sparky/trunk/Arduino Files/rebuild/

a few things to note.
1. this is a stable working code
2. the configurator is NOT connected to this rebuild yet
3. the COM and EEPROM objects are there but turned off.

so what can you do?
prior to uploading the source, take a look @ SparkyConfig.h and change the below section as you see fit.

char* pattern[18] = { "FF0000", // P1 "00FF00", // P2 "0000FF", // P3 "FFFFFF", // P4 "FFFF00", // K1 "FF00FF", // K2 "00FFFF", // K3 "FFFFFF", // K4 "FF6600", // 2x P "FF0099", // 3x P "FF3300", // 4x P "0000FF", // 2x K "FFFF00", // 3x K "FF3300", // 4x K "FF0033",// P1 + K1 (throw SFIV & SSFIV) "0000FF",// P2 + K2 (focus SFIV & SSFIV) "00FF00",// P3 + K3 (taunt SFIV & SSFIV) "FF0000" // P4 + K4 };[/CODE] [B]more things to note[/B] there is no more jumper pin detection. if you have an older common cathode arc eye's you will need to change [CODE]int jumper = true;[/CODE] to [CODE]int jumper = false;[/CODE] the jumper is not software based. there is NO MORE board version option. This code is ONLY for the PWMs V1, V2 and Mini (soon) Enjoy heres the show [B]June 2nd[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, we are looking to produce a 'slimmer' line of Sparky. This would be the [B]Sparky Jr v2 Mini.[/B] It's gonna be the last revision for some time. We will be releasing it towards the end of summer. Some EVO goers will be able to get their sticky fingers on it soon (pre EVO) We are currently toying with some coloring, so definitely let us know. Do you prefer the 'Dark' Edition or the 'Lite' Edition??? [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/5791129520_65757528f3_z.jpg[/IMG] So whats different? 1. No more screw terminals on the output (PnP only with ArcEye cabling and future UILA efforts) 2. No more Reset (no one used it anyway) 3. ATMEGA328 now in QFN SMD package. (i can't solder MLF :lol:) 4. Only screw terminals for inputs (no more header) 5. Resonator will now be PTH (Thanks @Phreak) 6. Removed 20pin TEasy Header (not enough users, cost lower as less Sq.In) 7. No more common anode jumper. ArcEye 2 and UILA common anode mode only (but id you ask nicely, i will tell you how to switch to common cathode) 8. Refreshed Logo (yes the logo on the back still has 'FTDI + SMD' on it but look below) If there is enough interest from the community on an 'FTDI + SMD' version (see pic) then the Mini will be scrapped in propose of this one. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/5742078261_40b61c1980.jpg[/IMG] [B]May 13th[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With some interest from the crowd and emails. The original Sparky PWM, the one with the TEasy connectivity issue is up for grabs. The original mini foorprint one is discounted as well! Here are the three boards we currently offer [B]Sparky Jr PWM [I]v2[/I] - white[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparkypwmwhite.png[/IMG] [B]starting at $23.99[/B] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJrPWM']click here[/URL] [B]Sparky Jr PWM - black (NON TEasy)[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparkypwm.png[/IMG] [B]starting at $21.99[/B] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJrPWMSale']click here[/URL] [B]Sparky Jr - Original mini footprint (no frills)[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparky.png[/IMG] [B]$17.99[/B] [I]- 99 cents more that a fwidget buys you 6 more colors!!![/I] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJr']click here[/URL] [B]May 9th[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey all, so as you may be aware, we have remedied the previous TEasy Strike connection issue in the latest revision. [I]Again, to reiterate, this was only an issue to people wanting to leverage the TEasy 20pin connector.[/I] [IMG]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5677171265_29767dcdb8_z.jpg[/IMG]

[CODE]char* pattern[18] = {
"FF0000", // P1
"00FF00", // P2
"0000FF", // P3
"FFFFFF", // P4
"FFFF00", // K1
"FF00FF", // K2
"00FFFF", // K3
"FFFFFF", // K4
"FF6600", // 2x P
"FF0099", // 3x P
"FF3300", // 4x P
"0000FF", // 2x K
"FFFF00", // 3x K
"FF3300", // 4x K
"FF0033",// P1 + K1 (throw SFIV & SSFIV)
"0000FF",// P2 + K2 (focus SFIV & SSFIV)
"00FF00",// P3 + K3 (taunt SFIV & SSFIV)
"FF0000" // P4 + K4
};[/CODE]

more things to note
there is no more jumper pin detection.
if you have an older common cathode arc eye's you will need to change
int jumper = true;[/CODE] to [CODE]int jumper = false;[/CODE] the jumper is not software based. there is NO MORE board version option. This code is ONLY for the PWMs V1, V2 and Mini (soon) Enjoy heres the show [B]June 2nd[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, we are looking to produce a 'slimmer' line of Sparky. This would be the [B]Sparky Jr v2 Mini.[/B] It's gonna be the last revision for some time. We will be releasing it towards the end of summer. Some EVO goers will be able to get their sticky fingers on it soon (pre EVO) We are currently toying with some coloring, so definitely let us know. Do you prefer the 'Dark' Edition or the 'Lite' Edition??? [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/5791129520_65757528f3_z.jpg[/IMG] So whats different? 1. No more screw terminals on the output (PnP only with ArcEye cabling and future UILA efforts) 2. No more Reset (no one used it anyway) 3. ATMEGA328 now in QFN SMD package. (i can't solder MLF :lol:) 4. Only screw terminals for inputs (no more header) 5. Resonator will now be PTH (Thanks @Phreak) 6. Removed 20pin TEasy Header (not enough users, cost lower as less Sq.In) 7. No more common anode jumper. ArcEye 2 and UILA common anode mode only (but id you ask nicely, i will tell you how to switch to common cathode) 8. Refreshed Logo (yes the logo on the back still has 'FTDI + SMD' on it but look below) If there is enough interest from the community on an 'FTDI + SMD' version (see pic) then the Mini will be scrapped in propose of this one. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/5742078261_40b61c1980.jpg[/IMG] [B]May 13th[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With some interest from the crowd and emails. The original Sparky PWM, the one with the TEasy connectivity issue is up for grabs. The original mini foorprint one is discounted as well! Here are the three boards we currently offer [B]Sparky Jr PWM [I]v2[/I] - white[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparkypwmwhite.png[/IMG] [B]starting at $23.99[/B] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJrPWM']click here[/URL] [B]Sparky Jr PWM - black (NON TEasy)[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparkypwm.png[/IMG] [B]starting at $21.99[/B] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJrPWMSale']click here[/URL] [B]Sparky Jr - Original mini footprint (no frills)[/B] [IMG]http://sparky.32teeth.org/images/sparky.png[/IMG] [B]$17.99[/B] [I]- 99 cents more that a fwidget buys you 6 more colors!!![/I] [URL='http://sparky.32teeth.org/purchase.html?SparkyJr']click here[/URL] [B]May 9th[/B] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey all, so as you may be aware, we have remedied the previous TEasy Strike connection issue in the latest revision. [I]Again, to reiterate, this was only an issue to people wanting to leverage the TEasy 20pin connector.[/I] [IMG]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5677171265_29767dcdb8_z.jpg[/IMG]

32teeth

all your downloads are here

purplearms

Go sparky! I will post pics of my build tonight hopefully.

One feature request for the default software (until i can get time to sit down and get my hands dirty with code)... LEDs should have a nice blink pattern (vegas billboard style) that plays on startup, and stops once a button is pressed (where the behavior goes back to its original button press lightup behavior).

Perhaps in the final release, select + button can be used to choose a mode.. i.e., solid lights, button press lightup, patterns, etc...

Mufasa2

-applauds- great work 32teeth.....this is great because i am trying out the toodles led board and the masterstrike.....can i add this one to my testing for sticks? where and how can i get one sir?

32teeth

Mufasa2, post: 4689247 wrote:

-applauds- great work 32teeth.....this is great because i am trying out the toodles led board and the masterstrike.....can i add this one to my testing for sticks? where and how can i get one sir?

PM me with your email

@purplearms
currently the start up plays the color pattern you set once then starts to listen for input. but i like the recommendation

ShinMessiah

awesome, rad, and magnificent! really looking forward to get my hand on both sparky and jr variants. in kno in the other thread we discussed pricing and stuff, which is really a great value, but when are these ready to ship out? hopefully by next week :) if its possible could you please post the pitch between the main connectors and the R G B at the top (those look a bit further apart)? screws terminals are nice, but since im making ribbons/headers/connectors for everything else i would like to be consistent :) also nice new program! its come a long way from the other programs been demoing great stuff!

Phreakazoid

Very nice 32teeth, can't wait to see this implemented further!

btw, what are you using to view that final overlay of the board? It looks really nice like that

jdm714

So like, I want one of these.
What to do?

Mufasa2

32teeth, post: 4689248 wrote:

PM me with your email

PMed sir

32teeth

jdm714, post: 4689251 wrote:

So like, I want one of these.
What to do?

i have another batch coming in a week or so.
PM me your email and i will let you know when they are in. will be mailing out a few eval boards

Mufasa2

nice updates. anxious to get me hands on her....or him....since its jr. lol

Mufasa2

curious on any future thoughts you have 32teeth

v.wu

Really Cool Mod

Nice mod, man

Wondering how to mod a ps3 joystick like that, don't really understand the concepts behind it. btw, what language is the code in?

cheers

Mufasa2

very nice sir. i replied to your email btw bro. i know some C, C++, and C#. very little java but its similar to C# and a few other languages but im rusty since it's been awhile

ShinMessiah

32teeth, post: 4689257 wrote:

flying cars!

drools...wow this is going to be a great top to bottom solution! so as i am understanding it, the boards that you currently have in stock, or getting shortly (jr.) are limited quantity pre-production pcbs? with bigger quantity production pcbs coming down the pipe in the not to distant future?

32teeth

@ShinMessiah yes an no
there are actually 2 runs of the Sparky Jr, one should be here soon. The second (in picture in first post) will be the next few weeks.
the only differences is that the original Sparky Jr has the additional onboard LEDs (Power, Reset, TX, RX) and 4 resistors.

We are working in tandem to deliver another iteration of the Sparky. Most likely a Sparky Sr board. LOL more details on that as we work it out.

d3v

Ugh, perfect timing, right after I ordered my Masterstrike (well, technically Spenzalii ordered it).

32teeth

d3v, post: 4689261 wrote:

Ugh, perfect timing, right after I ordered my Masterstrike (well, technically Spenzalii ordered it).

The devices don't conflict. you can use the masterstrike to power the sparky.
i have a few masterstrikes at home.

Purplearms (who works 2 blocks over) and I have ongoing conversations. So there is definitely advice and suggestions coming from the rest of the folks involved with Masterstrike, DualStrike and such.

Mufasa2

wow. didnt know purplearms was near u. thats pretty sweet

ShinMessiah

32teeth, post: 4689260 wrote:

@ShinMessiah yes an no
there are actually 2 runs of the Sparky Jr, one should be here soon. The second (in picture in first post) will be the next few weeks.
the only differences is that the original Sparky Jr has the additional onboard LEDs (Power, Reset, TX, RX) and 4 resistors.

We are working in tandem to deliver another iteration of the Sparky. Most likely a Sparky Sr board. LOL more details on that as we work it out.

great more options!! but now im torn :( was gonna order a spark and jr next week, but now with a possible senior in the mix, im not sure. i kno you guys are still discussing stuff, but you would stay that sr. if closer to the sparky or jr.? that way i can get at least one at wait to order another one :)

32teeth

sparky sr is a long way out and ambitious. it will be a consolidation of ideas over drinks this weekend.

purplearms

Mufasa2, post: 4689263 wrote:

wow. didnt know purplearms was near u. thats pretty sweet

yeah its real convenient.. lol.. just found a few bugs tonite and gonna return some atmega328s tomorrow ;)

ShinMessiah

32teeth, post: 4689265 wrote:

sparky sr is a long way out and ambitious. it will be a consolidation of ideas over drinks this weekend.

sounds good...i going to pm you :)

32teeth

purplearms, post: 4689266 wrote:

yeah its real convenient.. lol.. just found a few bugs tonite and gonna return some atmega328s tomorrow ;)

ew, bugs! i prefer to call them undocumented features :P

@purplearms. i will bring my laptop and arduino tomorrow night so we can do on the fly programming LOL

Mufasa2

undocumented features LOL. i have to use that one sometime.

Mufasa2

anything new lately guys?

purplearms

sexy.. now u just need some kind of usb header and bootloader to interface/update it like dualstrike's config editor :D

maybe even a 4066N.. usb cable goes to that first, then one set of d+ d- to the atmega328, and the second set to teasy strike..

purplearms

Mufasa2, post: 4689270 wrote:

anything new lately guys?

I tested sparky on my megatron stick.. the arc-eyes were all common anode.. and the code would freeze or reset intermittently.. common ground might be a better solution.. time to re-solder and try again.. i'll wait for sparky jr to come in so i can help beta test it when i return from getting hitched on oct 19 :D

Phreakazoid

purplearms, post: 4689272 wrote:

sexy.. now u just need some kind of usb header and bootloader to interface/update it like dualstrike's config editor :D

maybe even a 4066N.. usb cable goes to that first, then one set of d+ d- to the atmega328, and the second set to teasy strike..

This is what my #1 suggestion would be. The ability to change things at any point with the simple use of a bootloader would rock faces. An integrated 4066 to switch from normal operation to LED config would be the icing on the cake

TheRealNeoGeo

Someone have a video tutorial for this PCB (just showing when it is used)?
Would love to see it in action. Amazing work.

32teeth

TheRealNeoGeo, post: 4689275 wrote:

Someone have a video tutorial for this PCB (just showing when it is used)?
Would love to see it in action. Amazing work.

Will get one up as soon as i have the new boards in hand.
If you are familiar with the Arduino development environment you can see a video of the Arduino Shield version (Sparky Shield) running the test pattern below

ShinMessiah

nice nice, looks like the software solution is coming along nicely :) i was curious, could i do a simpler setup with this....like have all the buttons on power up always stay one color (red), and change color (blue) on button press for example?

one a side note, but still slightly related...what do you guys think about the new arduino uno boards? they say they are backward compatible with existing solutions....or should i just get the duemilanove?

This is what I would need to program the sparky family correct? the ftdi pins/header/cable is 6 pins right and would plug into arduino board via the 6 pins labled power (reset, 3.3v [3V3?], 5v, ground and vin) on the lower right portion of the arduino board? or do they plugin the to analog pins, just right of those? or the group of 2x3 pins labled icsp? lol sorry im lost a lil and trying figure out exactly what i need....and since ill be making alot of cable harnesses for everything else in my stick, might as well keep it consistent :)

32teeth

one a side note, but still slightly related...what do you guys think about the new arduino uno boards? they say they are backward compatible with existing solutions....or should i just get the duemilanove?

The new Uno is amazing. Same price as Duemilanove!!! They got rid of the FTDI IC and Replaced with an Atmega8U i believe.
The software is backwards compatible. Using 019 to write the code. Processing for the interface. Everything but the main IC (Atmega328) is now SMD.

Mufasa2

cant wait....keep up the great work 32teeth and purplearms and everyone else involved.

32teeth

Sparky Jr, in hand and testing

The first batch. With and without ground/vcc planes came in the mail today. As did my digikey order!

Here is the first glimpse of the Sparky Jr.
note: This one has the onboard LEDs (Rev 2 in mail now doesn't and the foot print is that much smaller). Also, no via's for remote reset.

the bare board


size comparison to Sparky


that's the Dual Strike version 1 in the background


top side


the underbelly


eeerie glow
note: the onboard LED are gone from the official release. too friggen bright, unless you have a clear acrylic bottom. then it's cool


oh noes, whats this
looks like Sparky Jr has a Shield of some sorts!!!


in action

ShinMessiah

awesome! very nice pics, and smd jr shield ftw!

nevermind all the ftdi questions, i answered them all myself :)

32teeth

once i have fully tested this version, it's open to testers.
i have a few earmarked, and a few i am mailing out.

Mufasa2

that is looking very sick sir.

Gummo

I'm interested in playing around with the sparky jr boards. How may I get to partake in the fun?

32teeth

Gummowned, post: 4689284 wrote:

I'm interested in playing around with the sparky jr boards. How may I get to partake in the fun?

PM me

Fenrir171

i am as well... what can i do?

Mufasa2

Don't forget about me 32teeth XP
Just been reviewing the code on the link you posted. pretty solid and nice. have yet to try and run it, just looking and taking notes

32teeth

Mufasa2, post: 4689287 wrote:

Don't forget about me 32teeth XP
Just been reviewing the code on the link you posted. pretty solid and nice. have yet to try and run it, just looking and taking notes

i will be mailing them out tomorrow for those who wanted unassembled.

32teeth

finally got off my lazy ass. removed the old sparky and replaced it with a jr.
this is the one with the onboard LEDs. ALL SYSTEMS GO!!!!


the wires have not been ziipped tied or cleaned up yet, but even at this stage
it's 10x cleaner than the old install.

compare it to the old install


close up

Mufasa2

slick indeed sir.

ShinMessiah

that looks so bad ass....also soldering the headers underneath the way you did, is like slightly genius....worked out real well everything looks real nice :)

are you still using the swiss pins? because the femaie headers look square to me are they compatible? are the pitch standard 0.1" for the headers? where do you got "E" plugged into? im guessing usb for vcc or ground, but then i kno you had installed a ftdi header on your case so but now its not in the new pics so i dont kno lol >:|

spenzalii

Hmmmm... me likey. Just need to get this blasted AVR programmer to work right

ShinMessiah

spenzalii, post: 4689292 wrote:

Hmmmm... me likey. Just need to get this blasted AVR programmer to work right

which one are you using? im thinking about this one or this one for sparky.... I think 32teeth uses the first one.

Or are you still talking about the one you were having problems with trying to program the Masterstrike with? If thas the case i thinks you may need a different programmer for sparky. The AVR uses a 6pin ISP interface while the one 32teeth uses has a 6pin FTDI interface. To be quite honest, im not sure they are compatible. But now that question has been raised im sure it will be clarified :)

and while im at it lol, 32teeth I came across this, could I use something like this instead of getting a whole programming board. If yes, then wow that will make my life so much easier AND should be compatible with crazy idea I have for rigging the rj45 with a rotary switch. Shit if even just a 6 pin header wired usb head, I could prolly make that myself, Im almost willing to bet you did something similar to that cable for programming since I noticed the ftdi "port" missing out of the case and that set of wires running from the sprky jr around and up to the general area of where the usb port would be...or I could be completely wrong altogether.

spenzalii

I have this one. When I tried to flash my Masterstrike, it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, it didn't matter in the end so I didn't press on trying to get it to work

32teeth

@Shin yes you could use a ftdi cable but I believe you will need to change the driver settings
The USB bub uses dtr while cable uses rts for resetting. You can simply go to your com drivers settings and go to advanced then click the checkbox for reset on close and it's done

I am on a project this week in NYC and will reply more in depth on the weekend


Also visiting video games NYC and planning to visit china town arcade to hunt down some players LOL

Mufasa2

LOL. thats pretty cool. enjoy the NY sites....i've only been there once or twice. quesiton 32teeth. I see in the code and everything all the displays and modes but will there be a option to turn off the leds at will/command in the future? i could have missed it in the code though. i went through it then just browse and poke