The ‘OSHChip’ open source module, which employs a Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822 SoC, is supplied in a unique 16-pin DIP package with IC-like through-hole pins. These are designed to plug directly into standard solderless bread boards instead of having to be soldered onto an additional board that is then plugged into the bread board, as happens today
Nordic Semiconductor announces that a third-party open source module supplied in a specially-developed 16-pin through-hold DIP style package is said to allow Bluetooth® Smart and 2.4 GHz proprietary wireless prototypes using Nordic chips to be built without soldering because the module plugs straight into any standard bread board used by makers and hobbyists.
OSHChip (OSH standing for ‘Open Source Hardware’) from U.S. maker and hobbyist startup of the same name, employs a Nordic nRF51822 System-on-Chip (SoC) and in addition to eliminating the need for soldering, its 1.98 × 0.89 cm (0.78 × 0.35-inch) form factor is said to be less than 5 percent the size of an Arduino UNO or 22 percent the size of an Arduino Nano.
“Size is another major motivation behind this module because at present almost all maker wireless boards are so big they typically cover up all the holes on the bread board below and so leave no space to plug in wires or other peripherals,” comments OSHChip founder, Philip Freidin. “All of this adds time, complexity, and hassle to a project and hinders the ability to quickly develop and play about with a design.”
 |
| Philip Freidin. |
To develop OSHChip Freidin had to develop his own IC-style pins that would be compatible with the vast majority of off-the-shelf bread boards. Freidin also says that were it not for the Nordic nRF51822’s chip-scale package option he wouldn’t have been able to fit his module into such a small form-factor.
OSHChip can be programmed and de-bugged (Keil) from a partner OSHChip programmer board that supports USB drag-and-drop programming, SWD debugging, and bi-direction serial communications.
 |
| OSHChip's Programmer and Debugger. |
Freidin says he plans to make the entire OSHChip module open source (including sharing its schematics, Gerber file, and BOM). He adds that over-the-air programming functionality and sample apps for iPhone and Android will also be added in the near future.
For price and availability of OSHChip and the OSHChip programmer/debugger, please visit www.oshchip.org.
