{"id":21651860,"url":"https://github.com/mignon-p/neobit","last_synced_at":"2026-01-28T19:01:43.639Z","repository":{"id":141895758,"uuid":"149022761","full_name":"mignon-p/NeoBit","owner":"mignon-p","description":"KiCad files for a board that lets you hook up NeoPixels to a BBC micro:bit.  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(Connected to pin P0).\n\n* A barrel connector for an external 5-12V power supply, which is\n  mandatory for powering the NeoPixels, and can also optionally\n  backpower the micro:bit safely.\n\nThis repository contains [KiCad][83] and [gerber][84] files for the\nneo:bit board.\n\n* [View schematic](doc/schematic.pdf)\n* [View PCB][30]\n\n![neo:bit board](doc/neobit.jpg)\n\n## Usage\n\n### Power\n\nNote that the voltage which comes in on the barrel jack is used\ndirectly to power the NeoPixels and DotStars, so you need to choose a\nvoltage which is appropriate for the NeoPixels and/or DotStars you are\nusing.  Most NeoPixels are 5V, although there are a few\n[12V ones][90].  I don't know of any DotStars which are not 5V.  You\ncan't have a different voltage for the NeoPixels and the DotStars.\n\nThe neo:bit contains a low-dropout 3.3V voltage regulator, which is\nused for back-powering the micro:bit, and for supplying the 3.3V power\non the Qwiic connector.  You probably shouldn't draw more than 90 mA\non the Qwiic connector's power pin.\n\nThe neo:bit also contains a low-dropout 5V voltage regulator, but that\nis just to supply the 5V signal on the NeoPixel and DotStar data\nlines.\n\n### Potentiometers\n\nTo read the slide potentiometers, just configure P1 and P2 as analog\ninputs, and read them.  The idea is that you could use these inputs to\ncontrol your NeoPixel animation, such as the speed, color, or\nbrightness.\n\n### NeoPixels\n\nJ4 has the NeoPixel output, along with +V and GND.  You may want to\nconnect a [JST-SM pigtail][80] to the J4 screw terminals.  This will\nlet you connect strings of 5V NeoPixels, such as ones from\n[Alitove][19] or [Wesiri][81], or my\n[chainable NeoPixel butterflies][20].  (The Wesiri lights come with\nthe necessary pigtail, so you don't need to buy one separately.)\n\nYou must have an external power supply (such as [this one][23] or\n[this one][24] for 5V, or [this one][91] for 12V) connected to the\nneo:bit's barrel jack in order to power the NeoPixels.  If the\nexternal power supply is connected, the neo:bit will also supply 3.3V\nback to the micro:bit, so it is not necessary to power the micro:bit\nfrom another source.  (However, this is done with a protection diode,\nso it is OK to have the micro:bit connected to another source at the\nsame time the external supply is connected.)  If you only want to use\nthe potentiometers and/or Qwiic but not the NeoPixel output or DotStar\noutput, then you do not need to have an external supply connected, as\nlong as the micro:bit is powered by another source.\n\nFollowing the [NeoPixel best practices][25], the neo:bit includes a\n470 ohm resistor on the NeoPixel data line, and there is a 1000µF\ncapacitor on the +V power line.\n\nOnce you have your NeoPixels hooked up, you should be able to access\nthem by instantiating a NeoPixel strip on pin P16 in either\n[MakeCode][27] or [Python][28].  The Alitove and Wesiri strings, as\nwell as my NeoPixel butterflies, use RGB order instead of the default\nGRB order.\n\n![example MakeCode program](doc/neopixel-rainbow-pxt.png)\n\n### Qwiic\n\nI have [an example](https://makecode.microbit.org/_DCHeKoPCWEWu) for\nhow to use the [Qwiic Keypad](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14836),\nand [another example](https://makecode.microbit.org/_4x4iFTWd7JoU) for\nhow to use the [Qwiic Joystick](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14656).\n\n## Ordering the Board\n\nYou can order this board [directly from OSH Park][29] without needing\nto upload anything.\n\nOr, if you prefer to go with another fab like [Elecrow][86] or\n[JLCPCB][87], all you need to do is zip up the files in the `gerber`\ndirectory, and upload that zip file to the fab.\n\nIf you want to modify the design, the source is provided in\n[KiCad][83] format.\n\n## Bill of Materials\n\n| Ref      | Description                      | MPN                 | Digi-Key PN                  |\n| -------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------- |\n| C1       | CAP ALUM 1000UF 20% 25V RADIAL   | 25PX1000MEFCT810X16 | [1189-1583-1-ND][C1]         |\n| C2       | CAP CER 0.1UF 50V X7R RADIAL     | K104K10X7RF5UH5     | [BC2665CT-ND][C2]            |\n| C3-C6    | CAP CER 1UF 50V Y5V RADIAL       | K105Z20Y5VF5TH5     | [BC1168CT-ND][C3]            |\n| C7       | CAP ALUM 47UF 20% 16V RADIAL     | ECE-A1CKS470        | [P969-ND][C7]                |\n| C8, C9   | CAP ALUM 220UF 20% 10V RADIAL    | UVK1A221MDD1TD      | [493-7455-1-ND][C8]          |\n| C10      | CAP CER 10000PF 50V X7R RADIAL   | K103K15X7RF5TL2     | [BC1078CT-ND][C10]           |\n| D1       | DIODE SCHOTTKY 20V 1A DO41       | 1N5817              | [1N5817FSCT-ND][D1]          |\n| J1       | CONN JACK STEREO 3.5MM R/A       | SJ1-3533NG          | [CP1-3533NG-ND][J1]          |\n| J2       | CONN PWR JACK 2X5.5MM SOLDER     | PJ-063AH            | [CP-063AH-ND][J2]            |\n| J3       | Qwiic JST Connector - SMD 4-pin  | [PRT-14417][J3]     | (SparkFun)                   |\n| J4       | TERM BLOCK 4POS SIDE ENT 3.5MM   | 1776275-4           | [A98038-ND][J4]              |\n| J5       | micro:bit through-hole right-angle edge connector | [3342][J5] | (Adafruit)           |\n| J6       | TERM BLOCK 3POS SIDE ENT 3.5MM   | 1776275-3           | [A98037-ND][J6]              |\n| R1       | RES 100 OHM 1/4W 5% AXIAL        | CF14JT100R          | [CF14JT100RCT-ND][R1]        |\n| R2       | RES 470 OHM 1/4W 5% AXIAL        | CF14JT470R          | [CF14JT470RCT-ND][R2]        |\n| R3       | RES 22 OHM 1/4W 5% AXIAL         | CF14JT22R0          | [CF14JT22R0CT-ND][R3]        |\n| RV1, RV2 | SLIDE POT 10K OHM 0.25W TOP 45MM | PTA4553-2015CPB103  | [PTA4553-2015CPB103-ND][RV1] |\n| U1       | IC BUF NON-INVERT 5.5V 14DIP     | SN74AHCT125N        | [296-4655-5-ND][U1]          |\n| U2       | IC REG LINEAR 3.3V 250MA TO92-3  | MCP1702-3302E/TO    | [MCP1702-3302E/TO-ND][U2]    |\n| U3       | IC REG LINEAR 5V 250MA TO92-3    | MCP1702-5002E/TO    | [MCP1702-5002E/TO-ND][U3]    |\n| (qty 2)  | KNOB SMOOTH 0.157 X 0.039\" NYLON | 1300-E              | [1722-1329-ND][61]           |\n\nPlus you'll need a micro:bit, a power supply (such as [this one][82]),\nand some NeoPixels.\n\nThe right-angle micro:bit edge connector (J5) is 4UCON 10156, which is\navailable from [Adafruit][J5] in the US and from [Cool Components][26]\nin the UK.\n\n## Assembly\n\nMost of the assembly should be straightforward, but there are a few\nconnectors worthy of more discussion.\n\n### Qwiic connector\n\nThe four electrical pins are not enough to hold this connector in\nplace.  There are two mounting pins which are also meant to be\nsoldered, but I found hand-soldering them was nearly impossible.  So,\nI used a drop of epoxy to hold the Qwiic connector in place.\n\n### Terminal blocks\n\nI've found that stranded wires don't stay in the terminal blocks very\nwell, so I recommend using solid wire.  Or, you may wish to omit the\nterminal blocks entirely and solder wires directly to the board.\n\n### micro:bit connector\n\nThe micro:bit connector has 80 pins, but only 40 of them need to be\nsoldered.  The pins that need to be soldered are the two rows farthest\nfrom the edge.  (These pins are slightly taller than the others.)  I\nusually solder just a few of the pins on the row closest to the edge,\ntoo, just for mechanical stability.\n\n![neo:bit edge connector](doc/neobit-edge-connector.jpg)\n\n## License\n\nThe files in this repo are licensed under [CC-BY-SA 4.0][10].\n\nSome symbols and footprints in this repo are under different licenses:\n\n* [microbit_edge_connector][1] symbol by [anthonykirby][3] and [4UCON_10156_90deg][2] footprint (which I have substantially modified) by [SukkoPera][4] ([MIT License][5]).\n* 74AHCT125 symbol is a substantially modified version of the symbol from [a library][6] by [propane-and-electrons][7].\n* Barrel_Jack_MountingPin symbol is from [the official KiCad 5 library][8], and R_POT_Mountingpin symbol is derived from a symbol in the official library ([CC-BY-SA 4.0 with exception][9]).\n* The TerminalBlock_4Ucon_* footprints are also from the official KiCad 5 library.\n\n![neo:bit with string of LEDs](doc/neobit-alitove.jpg)\n![neo:bit with Qwiic keypad and joystick](doc/neobit-qwiic.jpg)\n\n[1]: https://github.com/anthonykirby/kicad_microbit_connector/blob/master/lib_microbit_connector/lib_microbit_connector.lib\n[2]: https://github.com/SukkoPera/OpenAmiga600RamExpansion/blob/master/OpenAmiga600RamExpansion.pretty/4UCON_10156_90deg.kicad_mod\n[3]: https://github.com/anthonykirby\n[4]: https://github.com/SukkoPera\n[5]: https://github.com/anthonykirby/kicad_microbit_connector/blob/master/LICENSE\n[6]: https://github.com/propane-and-electrons/kicad-libs/blob/master/shardy.lib\n[7]: https://github.com/propane-and-electrons\n[8]: https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-symbols/blob/master/Connector.lib\n[9]: https://forum.kicad.info/t/kicad-library-licensing/7856\n[10]: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode\n[11]: https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/edgeconnector_ds/\n[16]: https://microbit.org/\n[17]: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14165\n[18]: https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Prototyping/ACCA-1495.pdf\n[19]: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AG923GI/\n[20]: https://github.com/ppelleti/ButterflyChain\n[23]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1466\n[24]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/658\n[25]: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/best-practices\n[26]: https://coolcomponents.co.uk/products/edge-connector-for-bbc-micro-bit\n[27]: https://makecode.microbit.org/pkg/microsoft/pxt-neopixel\n[28]: https://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/neopixel.html\n[29]: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/cOlGXHEk\n[30]: https://eyrie.io/board/9e1a5f1d622a41188564be353a699805\n[80]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1663\n[81]: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075T84ZR3/\n[82]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1466\n[83]: http://kicad.org/\n[84]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerber_format\n[86]: https://www.elecrow.com/pcb-manufacturing.html\n[87]: https://jlcpcb.com/quote\n[89]: https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic\n[90]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3869\n[91]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/352\n[92]: https://www.adafruit.com/category/168\n[93]: https://www.adafruit.com/category/885\n\n[C1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=1189-1583-1-ND\n[C2]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=BC2665CT-ND\n[C3]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=BC1168CT-ND\n[C7]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=P969-ND\n[C8]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=493-7455-1-ND\n[C10]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=BC1078CT-ND\n[D1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=1N5817FSCT-ND\n[J1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CP1-3533NG-ND\n[J2]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CP-063AH-ND\n[J3]: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14417\n[J4]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=A98038-ND\n[J5]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3342\n[J6]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=A98037-ND\n[R1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CF14JT100RCT-ND\n[R2]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CF14JT470RCT-ND\n[R3]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CF14JT22R0CT-ND\n[RV1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=PTA4553-2015CPB103-ND\n[U1]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=296-4655-5-ND\n[U2]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=MCP1702-3302E%2FTO-ND\n[U3]: https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=MCP1702-5002E%2FTO-ND\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fmignon-p%2Fneobit","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fmignon-p%2Fneobit","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fmignon-p%2Fneobit/lists"}