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This versatile board provides the ultimate flexibility for microcontroller designers. A unique pattern allows you to fit virtually any 40, 32, 28, 24, 18, 16, or 8 pin processor into this PCB. The board provides connections to a breadboard, a 3 terminal regulator power supply, a crystal or resonator, a reset circuit, and a flexible RS232 subsystem.

It is great to test and debug processor circuits on a breadboard. But it is tedious to have to build your basic circuit on a breadboard for each project. The GPMPU40 plugs directly into a standard solderless breadboard and provides access to all 40 pins right to the breadboard. It also provides a customizable connector for a programmer or other external connection. When you are ready to put your product in the field, you can solder an ordinary "prototype" PCB to the GPMPU40's breadboard connector.

The unique hole pattern used by the GPMPU40 allows you to connect the various subsystems to the CPU. Of course, you can also use the breadboard header to connect to any real-world device you like after your design is off the breadboard (see an example). Four mounting holes allow the GPMPU40 to install permanently, if desired.

The high-quality double sided board has plated through holes, solder mask, and silk screen markings to make assembly simple. The included instructions show the schematic, parts list, and it also discusses many possible customizations you may wish to make.

The board accepts virtually any 40, 32, 28, 24, 18, 16, or 8 pin processor with either .6" or .3" spacing. If you use a chip smaller than 40 pins, you can use the unused area for other ICs like EEPROMs, A/Ds, etc. For example, you could use a 24 pin Basic Stamp and still have room for 2 8 pin EEPROMs!

The board can be configured for a wide variety of chips including:

• Any Microchip PIC in DIP packaging (18F254, 18F252, 16F877, 16F873, 16F628, 16F84, etc.)
• Any Atmel AVR/ATTiny/ATMega in DIP packaging
• DIP ARM processors (such as LPC1114 or LPC800-series)
• Basic Stamp and compatible variants (BS2P/40, BS2, Javelin Stamp, etc.)
• Cygnal processors in DIP packaging
• Many Intel processor in DIP packaging
• Many DIP processors from Dallas
• Many DIP processors from Motorola
• Virtually any DIP microcontroller
• Add a surface mount to DIP adapter and open up even more possibilities!

The RS232 system is flexible allowing you to connect the DB9 as a DTE or DCE device. You can also use jumpers on the board to select one auxiliary input and one output (that is, RTS and CTS, for CD and DTR). You can easily connect a USB to RS232 adapter or use a USB cable if you prefer a USB connection option.

If you are breadboarding or you just want a robust platform for your microprocessor projects, you want the GPMPU40!

The core components you may need (depending on how you want to customize) include:

• A MAX232-compatible RS232 converter and any associated capacitors. You can use a SIPEX chip or compatible MAXIM chip for 3.3V operation.
• 9 pin right angle DE9 (DB9) connector
• Power supply components for a 78XX-style regulator suitable for your processor (e.g., 7805, 7833).
• An IC socket or SMD adapter
• A reset resistor or 3 terminal reset controller
• Pin headers and jumper caps
• You need a processor and resonator (or crystal/capacitor)

You can "hardwire" a configuration, or, if you prefer, use jumper cables to connect the subsystems and make a truly universal development board!

This is for the bare PCB only, allowing you the maximum flexibility to customize for your particular application. You can read the manual here.