Free Friday: BasicUART

Posted on by Brian

This week’s free item is a fully assembled BasicUART. We would give away the PCB but we made all of them into functional devices!

The current design is due for revision as well and we never bothered to clean up the schematic for release nor prepared a board assembly guide. So this version will probably never get either published.

It is based on MCP2200, which is a USB to UART chip from Microchip that really is a PIC inside. This board is pinned out to match Sparkfun’s FTDI basic.

We haven’t decided if we will stick with the MCP2200 or switch to FTDI. The MCP2200 has more overhead in assembly because it has more external parts, however you get more functionality in terms of supplying power with the LDO arrangement we use here than on Sparkfun’s 3.3V board.

The default configuration of the BasicUART is 5V rail and 3.3 V I/O with the solder jumpers you can pick between 3.3/5V for each.

The board will be given to a random commenter. You need to use a real email for us to contact you for your mailing address. Only your first comment will count in terms getting the board. Comments remain moderated so don’t worry if you don’t see your comment right away.

Edit: the winner is Kevin.

21 Responses to Free Friday: BasicUART

  2. Hi. I would love one, please? I am just getting started with developing my own electronics at home and this would obviously help me tons!

  7. I’ve just put my name in the list. :)
    By the way, is this free board comes with free worldwide shipping? like Ian gives in DangerousPrototypes?