Simblee Breakout Board Hookup Guide

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Contributors: SFUptownMaker
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Hardware Overview

Here's a rundown of the features you'll find on the Simblee breakout board:

Labeled board

  • RFDuino Compatible Pin Section -- The top section is compatible with the RFDuino shields and programmers.
  • User LED -- We've provided a user controllable LED on pin D2. This allows you to get some feedback without any additional hardware at all.
  • User Button -- Similarly, we've provided a button on pin D3. Don't forget to use INPUT_PULLUP when setting the mode for that pin in the code!
  • Programming Header -- While you can use the RFduino programmer, we've provided a standard 6-pin FTDI breakout programming header as well. This allows the profile of the board to remain low unless necessary. We recommend using the either the LilyPad FTDI Basic or the 5V FTDI Basic for programming the Simblee. Do not use the 3.3V FTDI Basic.

USB-to-Serial Programmer

We recommend using the either the LilyPad FTDI Basic, the 5V FTDI Basic, or the 5V configured FT231X breakout for programming the Simblee. There is a 3.3V voltage regulator after VIN and a protection resistor on it so a 5V input on the RX line won’t damage the module

Do not use the 3.3V FTDI Basic, as it may not be able to source enough current from the 3.3V rail.
SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 5V

SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 5V

DEV-09716
$16.50
125
SparkFun FT231X Breakout

SparkFun FT231X Breakout

BOB-13263
$13.95
6

LilyPad FTDI Basic Breakout - 5V

DEV-10275
10 Retired

Output Control w/ Transistors

Warning: If you've used Arduino boards before, you're probably used to connecting LEDs to the pins as output signals. A normal Arduino can light up many LEDs at once, and several per pin; for the Simblee, you shouldn't try more than ONE per pin, with an additional recommendation of don't try to turn on more than three at a time across all pins. The processor inside the Simblee module cannot drive enough current to light up more LEDs than this (pg 9 of the Datasheet).

If you decide to drive multiple LEDs, try using a transistor as a switch.

For controlling loads with the pins, try looking at some of these transistors:

SparkFun MOSFET Power Controller

SparkFun MOSFET Power Controller

PRT-11214
$10.50
Transistor - NPN, 50V 800mA (BC337)

Transistor - NPN, 50V 800mA (BC337)

COM-13689
$0.55

SparkFun MOSFET Power Control Kit

COM-12959
18 Retired