YABBAS - Yet Another Bare Bones Arduino (on Stripboard) -

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2 Step 2: Prepare the stripboard for soldering

3 Step 3: Solder the ground and positive voltage wires

5 Step 5: Solder the resistors and ceramic capacitors

6 Step 6: Solder the LEDs and Capacitors

This Instructable will demonstrate the building of a bare bones (and really inexpensive… less than $5) Arduino compatible module that can be put together on a small piece of stripboard and can be used either on a breadboard or independently.
The following links / similar projects were used as inspiration:
* http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-form-factor-DIY-Arduino-on-stripboard/
* http://tinkerprojects.blogspot.com/2012/06/minimal-arduino-on-small-stripboard.html
* http://shop.moderndevice.com/products/rbbb-kit
* http://txapuzas.blogspot.com/2010/07/paperduino-stripboard.html

The schematic is based off of the Arduino Pro Mini (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardProMini) and only differs in a few minor (optional) ways:
1. This design uses a more powerful voltage regulator
2. This design uses a more precise crystal (instead of ceramic resonator)
3. This design ditches the reset button (do you really need it?)
4. This design uses a 1k (instead of 10k) resistor for the power indicator LED

Prerequisites / Tools Required:
* Soldering Iron with fine tip
* Solder (fine) & Flux
* Utility Knife
* Mini needle-nose pliers (optional, but useful)
* Multimeter (or volt meter)
* An existing Arduino, or any other AVR programmer (needed to upload the bootloader)
* A USB-to-Serial TTL adapter (used to upload programs after the bootloader is in place)

Step 1: The Stripboard Design

Note: DIY Layout Creator was used to produce this design
> https://code.google.com/p/diy-layout-creator/

Step 2: Prepare the stripboard for soldering

Using a utility knife cut the copper traces as indicated.

Keep in mind the board will be a mirror image when you flip it over.

I find it easiest to first score the board trying to just barely cut through the copper. Then, I angle the knife a bit (to cut a v-groove) and proceed to make the cut deeper from both sides.

Be careful so that you leave enough copper to solder the holes on either side of any cut, while ensuring that enough copper is removed to ensure the copper is truly separated from either side and won’t bridge when soldered.

Step 3: Solder the ground and positive voltage wires

1. Cut the ground and positive voltage wires to length and strip the ends.

I use the wire from an old RJ45 network cable. Make sure the wire is solid and not stranded.

2. Place the wires into the stripboard as indicated.

You may find it difficult to get two wires into one hole. I find that taking a mini needle-nose pliers and mashing on the ends of both wires a bit helps.

3. Double check that the wire placement matches the design and that the metal in the wires are not touching each other.

4. Finally, flip the board over and solder the wires in place.

Step 4: Solder the DIP IC socket

Place the DIP IC socket (or 2x 14-pin DIP/SIP socket adapters) and solder them in place.

Step 5: Solder the resistors and ceramic capacitors

1. Bend the leads of each component based on the distance it will need to span.

Note: A easy to build bender jig made from a spare piece of protoboard can come in handy here (see picture).

2. Place each component into the stripboard in the appropriate location. Pay careful attention to the components that share a hole.

3. Double check that each component is properly placed according to the diagram.

4. Proceed to solder each component and clip the leads to a reasonable length.

Step 6: Solder the LEDs and Capacitors

1. Place the LEDs and electrolytic capacitors according to the diagram.

Note: LEDs and electrolytic capacitors are directional and must be placed in the proper orientation.

* For LEDs, place the Cathode towards ground.
Looking inside an LED, the Cathode is usually the larger pad, but the smaller lead.
(see picture, source: http://www.societyofrobots.com/electronics_led_tutorial.shtml)

* Electrolytic capacitors should have a marking on the label (‘-‘)
which indicates which lead should be placed towards ground.

2. Double check that the LEDs and capacitors are placed properly.

3. Proceed to solder them in place and cut their leads to a reasonable length.

For more detail: YABBAS – Yet Another Bare Bones Arduino (on Stripboard)

About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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