Finally received the board and soldered the parts on!

In this devlog, I made some changes to the firmware and released v0.0.3 that adds support for comments:

10 REM This is a comment that will be ignored!
20 PRINT "Hello world!"

I’ve also added a more detailed programming guide for my custom BASIC Interpreter.

Difficulties I’ve faced

I had some trouble soldering the keyboard switches on as it was moving everywhere. I’ve attempted applying tape, but it did not work as the temperature was too high.

I’ll be tidying up the repo and get ready to finally ship🚢 my project!

Updated the firmware and ordered my PCB and parts!

In this devlog, I’ve added a new function to my custom BASIC interpreter for my development board, and finally sent my PCB for manufacturing!

It took me quite a while to write the random number function that the old BASIC interpreters used to have: RND. I did many rounds of trial and error to finally create a working code (the previous code was returning either nothing or throwing compiler errors due to data types):

printf("%f\n", (float)rand() / (float)RAND_MAX);

Here’s a sample program you could run that generates a random number, stores it in a variable and prints it:

10 let x = rnd
20 lsvar
30 print x

Now, I’ll be working on support for comments in my interpreter and wait for my parts to come. I can’t wait to assemble my macropad + dev board!

More updates to the documentation site!

Today, I changed the layout and content of the documentation website and made it responsive for mobile devices! I initially wanted to add a 3D viewer to display the .glb file for rendering, but it did not output the result I wanted. (The silkscreen was not appearing!) I’ll read up on more about it, and hopefully, I would be able to add the 3D model into my documentation!

Created a documentation site for my microcontroller!

In this devlog, I improved the documentation of my project by creating a simple website to share specifications, schematics, and provide a direct link to download firmware and 3D print files. You may view it at https://nicholas1023.github.io/macro-microcontroller-2!

What I’ll be doing next

Next, I will be ordering the PCB and electronic components and finally solder them together!

Finished the enclosure and organised the repository!

Today, I have completed the 3D case for Macro Microcontroller 2 and did some minor bug fixes for the BASIC Interpreter. I needed to reassign the GPIO pins from the first revision of the board.

Although the interpreter is currently still basic, it supports 4 BASIC statements and 4 custom statements for controls.

What’s new in this devlog

• Text and key labels for enclosure with cover
• Organised repository
• New KEY statement for hardware GPIO control

Halfway through my PCB’s case!

What I’ve done in this devlog

For the first-half, I added silkscreen text to the PCB for the IO components (GPIO Pins, Keyboard switches, LEDs…). Next, I moved on to designing the enclosure. It took a while for me to get used to using a new app to design it.

Modifications to the PCB

• Added screw mounting pads for easier mounting.
• LEDs moved closer to each other for space to add silkscreen designs.

Problems I’ve faced

The screw holes were not appearing during the first few attempts, but it worked in the end when I placed it manually, instead of using the move function.

Creating the cutout for the USB connector took me about 15 mins as I needed to measure the length and clearance needed for a micro-USB plug and create another sketch before extruding it as a cutout.

What I’ll be working on next

Next, I’ll be continuing with the enclosure design, adding a cover with a keyboard plate, and finally moving on to the BASIC interpreter firmware for it!

Finished routing my microcontroller board!

Did most of the routing for the MCU and macropad segment today, but I might need to do some rewiring for the flash memory as the trace length for SD0 and SD2 are very different (5.57 & 13.2 mm).

What has been added since the last devlog

• Added power LED
• Added pin headers for GPIO and power
• Added barrel jack in case if the DC motor drains too much power

What I’ll be doing next

Next, I’ll be adding more silkscreen text, and maybe design an icon for my macropad + microcontroller board. I’ll also be creating a custom enclosure for my device!

Finished the schematics and a little of the BASIC Interpreter for my microcontroller board!

What I did today

• Redid the old schematics by adding custom RP2040 circuit instead of a using a dev board.
• Added new GPIO devices such as DC motor and a buzzer. (for the BASIC interpreter)
• Started on PRINT, LET and INPUT for the interpreter.

What I’ll be doing next

Next, I will be focusing on the BASIC interpreter firmware, working on variable assignment and math operations and testing it on a real pico board! Also, I will be starting on the layout and BOM as I have completed the schematics!