This shield has pads arranged in a 0.1" (2.54mm) grid. They are configured as six columns, consisting of groups of four pads each, interconnected in horizontal strips-- a proven configuration that has been used in the electronics field for decades. This arrangement is useful for prototyping with both narrow and wide DIP packages, 7-segment displays, bargraph LEDs, LED matrix displays, DIP switches, and discrete components (e.g. resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, switches, connectors) compatible with a 0.1" grid. Fourth in a series of useful prototyping shields.

Motivation for creating this product:

Most existing prototyping shields support only very simple circuits-- they're not suitable for more complex designs. Besides, they're way over-priced!

How to use it:

Print out the actual-size layout pattern included in the datasheet PDF as a template to plan your component layout and wiring. Then solder the components in place, and use ordinary wire-wrap wire (i.e. Kynar AWG30 wire) to make the interconnections. Component pins will have three extra pads associated with them, making it easy to make multiple connections to one signal (e.g. a capacitor lead, a resistor lead, and the lead of a crystal). Each Arduino header pin is brought out to an adjacent duplicate pad to make signal access easier after a header has been soldered in. For point-to-point wiring, just cut wires to length, strip a little insulation off the ends, and solder directly to the desired pads on the bottom of the board. Wiring can be routed on the top of the board or the bottom-- or both! I've hand-built many a high-density prototype using this approach.

Compatibility:

This shield implements the original Arduino header configurations (i.e. 8-pin and 6-pin). While it is usable with the newer UNO rev. 3 and Leonardo, the newly-defined signals will not be accessible.