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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Elemento - it's just a tiny bit magic. :)

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Mixtel90

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Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8927
Posted: 09:15pm 07 Jul 2026
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I started this design prior to going out of commission for various reasons (including a stay in hospital). I dug it out again the other day to see if my brain was up to working again (epilepsy leaves me a bit off, sometimes for weeks). Things seem to be ok, even if I'm still suffering from some of the physical problems!

So, Elemento.
The enclosure costs about £1.47 from AE. No screws, just clips together.
AE link
The PCB is my first serious attempt at a 4-layer board.
Designed to be easy to assemble for just about anyone who can solder.
Although there is SMD work there is nothing smaller than 1206. The bits you *will* break while practicing are the two LEDs. lol
Built in 4-port USB hub
Will accept either the Adafruit DVI breakout module for HDMI or a little board for VGA output.
Choice of 2 different full size SD card sockets or a micro SD card module (not SMD).
RTC with CR2032
40-pin Pico socket.

You need a short lead with a "mini" plug to fit your Pico and D+ / D- connecting to the hub. You simply unplug it for installing MMBasic then reconnect it.



Eight uncommitted GPIO pins on the front for the user.
PWM audio. Sorry, but there's not much space and I can't hear stereo anyway!

The clever bits are the changeable display module and the Pico. The 40-pin layout is completely standard so any pin-compatible device can be used. You will probably want to run the USB firmware though as otherwise your only access is the console. In theory it will accept anything from the original Pico to the Pimoroni Picp Plus 2 W and you can upgrade from one to the other. The VGA module is the same footprint as the Adafruit module. Both are intended to be screwed down onto M2.5 tapped spacers to reduce the strain on the connections. Note that you have to fit the display board *after* screwing the PCB down as there is no access to this screw after.

As usual with my designs, the components are generally cheap and cheerful. I'm just starting to check it over so comments welcome.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
lizby
Guru

Joined: 17/05/2016
Location: United States
Posts: 3792
Posted: 11:26pm 07 Jul 2026
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Nice. Like the case. Any way to squeeze in PSRAM? Even on the underside?
PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on FOTS
 
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