RandomElectrons LP10062

Hi Guys,

It's been quite a while since I was really active on the board (dang work!) so I thought I would take some time to make something that I could contribute back to the community.

I put together something not really new. Well the idea isn't new but the implementation is new.

I designed a LaunchPad board and it's called the LP10062.

This preliminary design is based on the MSP430G2452 TSSOP.

It has the same connector pinout and spacing as the original Launchpad board so all the shields will (should) work on it although they may look goofy.

I decided to use the Sick of Beige 100mm x 62mm PCB shape since it is pleasing to the eye and acrylic "cases" can be obtained from SeeedStudio super cheap. This will let you permanently mount the board if you want.

My motivation for designing this board is practical as well as aesthetics. I believe we can have beautiful looking boards THAT HAVE MOUNTING HOLES!

Additionally, this board has a USB-Serial UART on it. It will provide power to the board as well as give you a way to talk to the MSP430.

My preliminary investigation tells me that the BOOSTXL-BATTPACK should power this board without difficulty. Again, it will look goofy but that can be remedied in the future by redesigning the battery pack layout.

I still have to design a decent power supply and I can't make up my mind on the topology just yet. So the board isn't fully routed just yet. I think it's too late in the day or something. I would like this thing to accept 12V DC and not give a care about which pin is +ve or -ve. You won't be able to blow it up by accidentally reversing the polarity.

I have attached a preliminary pdf schematic and a screen capture of the PCB. 

Yeah, I realize that the MSP430G2452 looks tiny on this PCB but it is my intention is to use this as a launching point [nyuck nyuck nyuck ;-) ] for a couple more LaunchPad designs that have more powerful MCU's on them i.e.: bigger MSP430 or a TIVA processor. I wanted to start small and work my way up in complexity.

Until that time, I invite your feedback on this design. 

What do you think?