Fletchtronics

Bumble-B version 2.0 is coming soon to fletchtronics.net. There have been several improvements.

• Updated microcontroller: ATMega32U2
• 3 pin power header replaced by a switch
• Improved silkscreen
• USB D+, D- lines now accessible
• 100% RoHS

The new microcontroller ATMega32U2 is pin and firmware compatible with the chip it is replacing, the old AT90USB162. You can flash an image made for the 162 on to the 32u2.

Bumble-B 2.0 Schematic

A switch replaces the former 3 pin power header. The three modes described in the Bumble-B datasheet for version 1 have been reduced to two power modes.. BUS and EXT mode. In BUS mode, the USB bus powers the device and supplies +5v to pin 24. In EXT mode, the USB bus is disconnected and you can supply an external power source on pin 24.

Bumble-B 2.0 Board Top

The bottom silkscreen has been simplified, increased in size, and moved to the other side of the pin headers. This should make the bottom silkscreen legible.

Bumble-B 2.0 Board Bottom

The circuit board manufacturers are on holiday for the Chinese New Year, so the order for these will be placed before they return on Feb 19, 2010. With an 8 day lead time, this order should be arrive in the US early to mid March.

If there is enough demand, I will open it up for pre-orders. Drop me a line on the site contact form or comment here if you want to pre-order.

Update: New version brings out D+, D- USB lines for direct connection to a USB cable.

Update 2: You can now pre-order Bumble-B version 2.

Update 3: Circuit boards on the way! I'll update again with a shipping date when I receive one from pcbcart.com. These guys have great options for solder mask and silkscreen colors, electrical testing, and nice prices in quantity. I ordered 500 pieces.

Update 4: The PCBs will ship from the PCB manufacturer in China on March 9th. Shipping should be fast (a few days only) and assuming everything works as planned, the pre-orders should ship before the middle of March.

Update 5: The circuit boards have arrived and I had enough parts around here to make two test boards. They work very well. Waiting on a stencil from ohararp.com and a batch of ATMega32U2 to arrive and then production can start. The pre-orders should ship next week, the week starting March 21, 2010.