MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ Carrier Board Hookup Guide

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Contributors: santaimpersonator, MAKIN-STUFF
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Hadware Assembly

For those unfamiliar with the MicroMod ecosystem, be sure to review the Getting Started with MicroMod guide.

Getting Started with MicroMod

October 21, 2020
Dive into the world of MicroMod - a compact interface to connect a microcontroller to various peripherals via the M.2 Connector!

MicroMod Processor Board

To get started users will need a compatible processor board. Insert the MicroMod processor board into the M.2 socket for the processor board at an angle, with its edge connector aligned to the matching slots.

Note: The dimensions of the processor board's edge connector prevents it from mating with the slots of the M.2 socket in reverse. As an extra safeguard, the screw insert is spaced to only match the screw key of MicroMod processor boards.

When inserted properly, the processor board will rest at an angle:

MicroMod processor board inserted into the carrier board
Inserting a processor board into the M.2 socket. (Click to enlarge)

To secure the processor board, gently hold down on the board and attach the M.2 screw with a Phillip's head (PH0 or PH1) screw driver. Below, is an example of an assembled MicroMod system:

MicroMod processor board attached to the carrier board
A processor board attached to the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board. (Click to enlarge)

JTAG Programming (preferred)

To program the processor board on the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board, users will need a JTAG adapter to convert the .1" (100 mil) header spacing on the programmer cable to the .05" (50 mil) header spacing of the JTAG pins on the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board. Additionally, users will need to solder on a compatible JTAG header to their board.

Note: Users should verify that the connections from the programmer matches up to the correct pins on the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board to avoid damaging the MCU of the processor board.

CODEGRIP programmer
mikroProg programmer

Programming the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board through the JTAG pins. (Click to enlarge)

JTAG Header

With the preferred programming method, Necto Studio, users will program the processor board on the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board through the JTAG pins. Therefore, users will need to solder on a JTAG header for the programmer to connect to.

Note: Users should double check for solder bridges and clean off any flux residue to avoid potential issues with programming.

Soldering a JTAG header
Soldering a JTAG header to the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board. (Click to enlarge)

JTAG Adapter

With the recommended programmer, users will need an adapter to convert the .1" (100 mil) header spacing on the programmer cable to the .05" (50 mil) header spacing of the pins on board, .

Note: Users should verify that the pinout for the programmer and adapter match up to the corresponding pins of the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board to avoid damaging the MCU of the processor board. Additionally, preventative measures should be taken if there is a risk that the pins from the adapter could contact the processor board.

JTAG adapter
The JTAG adatpter with pins exposed over the processor board. (Click to enlarge)
tape used as protection
Tape used to prevent shorts on the processor board. (Click to enlarge)

USB Programming (not preferred)

A processor board utilized on the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board, can also be connect to a computer with a USB-C cable and programmed with the Arduino IDE. Depending on the processor board, users may need to install drivers (if they have not done so already).

Note: Make sure that the correct board definitions are installed in the Arduino IDE, for the selected processor board. For help installing board definitions, use the MicroMod processor boards landing page and review the associated hookup guide for that hardware.

Installing Board Definitions in the Arduino IDE

September 9, 2020
How do I install a custom Arduino board/core? It's easy! This tutorial will go over how to install an Arduino board definition using the Arduino Board Manager. We will also go over manually installing third-party cores, such as the board definitions required for many of the SparkFun development boards.

To upload a sketch to the STM32 processor board (recommended), users will need to:

  1. Connect a USB-C cable between the board and the computer
  2. Hold down the BOOT button
  3. Toggle the RESET button
  4. Hit the upload button in the Arduino IDE, to program the sketch
    • Make sure to use the correct setting in the Tools menu for the processor board
  5. Once the upload process has completed in the Arduino IDE, the BOOT button can be released

Programming steps
Steps for programming the STM32 processor board with the Arduino IDE. (Click to enlarge)

Battery

For remote applications, the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board can be powered through its 2-pin JST battery connector. Additionally, users may be interested in utilizing a solar panel and USB-C cable to recharge their battery.

Battery connected to the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board
The MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board with a battery attached. (Click to enlarge)

Solar Panel Charger - 10W

PRT-16835
$18.95 $14.21

USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

CAB-14743
$5.50

Note: DO NOT remove batteries by pulling on their wires. Instead, it is recommended that pair of dikes (i.e. diagonal wire cutters), pliers, or tweezers be used to pull on the JST connector housing, to avoid damaging the battery wiring.

Disconnect battery w/ dikes
Using a pair of dikes to disconnect a battery. (Click to enlarge)

mikroBUSā„¢ Socket

The MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board has a mikroBUSā„¢ Socket, where a Click boardā„¢ can be inserted.

Attached click board
A Click boardā„¢ inserted into the mikroBUSā„¢ socket of the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board.

Note: To remove a Click boardā„¢, slowly and carefully wiggle it out of the mikroBUSā„¢ socket to avoid bending the header pins on their Click boardā„¢.

The header also allows users to connect jumper wires to devices that may not have the mikroBUSā„¢ pin layout to interface with.

jumper wiring
A device connected to the mikroBUSā„¢ socket of the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board with jumper wires.

Serial Data Output

Note: Some of the examples for the Click boardā„¢ libraries in Necto Studio, utilize a serial data output to verify functionality. In order to access the serial data output from the mikroBUSā„¢ socket, users can use a Terminal Click Boardā„¢, serial-to-UART adapter, and jumper wires.

terminal click stack on
Weather and Terminal Click boardsā„¢ inserted into the mikroBUSā„¢ socket of the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board and connected to a serial-to-UART adapter. (Click to enlarge)

To breakout the pins of the mikroBUS socketā„¢, a Terminal Click boardā„¢ can be stacked between a Click boardā„¢ and the mikroBUS socketā„¢.

terminal click stack on
Weather and Terminal Click boardsā„¢ inserted into the mikroBUSā„¢ socket of the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board. (Click to enlarge)

Once the serial pins have been broken out with the Terminal Click boardā„¢, users can access the serial pins with a serial-to-UART adapter and some jumper wire. The pin connections are summarized in the table below and illustrated in the following images.

Terminal Clickā„¢ Serial Breakout Description
RX RXI Serial data output from Click boardā„¢ to MCU
TX TXO Serial data output from MCU to Click boardā„¢
3.3V VCC Power input to mikroBUS socketā„¢
GND GND Ground

Top view of jumper wire connections. (Click to enlarge)

Front view of the jumper wire connections. (Click to enlarge)

Qwiic Devices

To connect Qwiic devices to the carrier board, users will need Qwiic cables; most of these devices can also be daisy chained together. For more information, check out our Qwiic ecosystem page.

Attaching Qwiic devices to carrier board
Attaching Qwiic devices to the MicroMod mikroBUSā„¢ carrier board. (Click to enlarge)