This shield has pads arranged in a 0.1" (2.54mm) grid. They are configured as four rows consisting of groups of three pads each, connected in vertical strips. This arrangement is useful for prototyping with both narrow and wide DIP packages, 7-segment displays, bargraph LEDs, DIP switches, and discrete components (e.g. resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, switches, connectors) compatible with a 0.1" grid. Second 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. Components will usually have two extra pads, making it easy to make multiple connections to one signal (e.g. both a capacitor and a resistor lead). 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, I recommend using ordinary Kynar 30AWG wire-wrap wire. 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 constructed 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.