If you follow the Ardunio world, you will have seen that the standard platform is now based on the Atmega328 chip, not the Atmega168 chip that we were all using last year. The main difference between the 328 and the 168 is that the 328 has twice as much flash and EEPROM memory.
Atmel was only able to provide through-hole versions of the 328 until this month, so the only Arduino boards at the moment that use the 328 are the big development boards with DIP chips, such as the Duemilanove. But now the surface-mount version of the 328 is starting to trickle out, and it's time for the Ardunio boards to make the move to 328, too, to get access to that additional memory, which will allow us to do a lot more with the code.
You'll notice that ArduPilot is now out of stock at SparkFun again. That means two things. First, we've sold nearly 500 ArduPilots! Second, we let it go out of stock so as to not make any more Atmega168 boards, assuming that it's better to not sell any ArduPilots for the next two weeks than to make another batch of boards that will be immediately outmoded.
[UPDATE: We're now back in stock and all board will use the 328 chip from now on.]
The latest info we have from Sparkfun is that the 328 chips will be coming in this week, and we should be among the first boards to get them. We'll need to test one board, and then we can start a full production run of 500 328-based ArduPilots. If you backorder the board, we guarantee that it will be filled with the new 328 version and you'll be the first to get them.
So what does that mean for current ArduPilot owners? As mentioned in the ArduPilot roadmap, version 2.2 will require the new boards with the 328 chip. But all versions before that will continue to be supported and will work fine with the current board.
So if you're happy with anything from ArduPilot 1.0 to the forthcoming ArduPilot 2.1, you're fine with the current board. But if you want the features in ArduPilot 2.2 and above, you'll want to upgrade to the new board. The price will remain the same ($24.95), so this won't cost you a lot. Hardware upgrades don't come much cheaper than that!
Hi,would just like to know what kind of features you still want to come up with for 2.2... Sounds like we are going to end up with an AP that can do the same as a jet AP...
as i said if you heat it with a small pencil torch (preferably with the hot air tip) you should be able to dessolder it without damaging any pads.We still need the 368 in small qty though...
You could grid off 168 SMD with a small Dremel diamond burr, leaving solder pads, then clean off pads with micro solder tip, then solder in the AT368. I have done this with good success in the past.
But only If we can get the SMD's economically. $25 for new AP is way cheaper than my time anyway.
I just ordered a 2nd ArduPilot & Atomic IMU last Friday, I need to be more patient, but can't wait to interface to IMU for my AP heli. Congrats on 500 units sold !!
Chris, unfortunately Digikey and Mousers shipping prices to places on the other side of the world would make the updated Ardupilot the better option. I know Sparkfun don't usually sell SMD but since they are not yet available individually and they will be buying them in bulk, but I know it is unlikely.
Regarding soldering/unsoldering these boards. I had a friend who is a certified micro-soldering guru attempt to replace the ATtiny45 (after I toasted it) and well... he succeeded in giving me a $100 soldering lesson, but the pads on the boards lift very easily so... Good Luck! It was fun to try and I haven't given up yet cause the traces are still going somewhere so I know I can bring it back! Won't trust it but I know we can get it back!
Marty, Sparkfun doesn't tend to sell individual SMD components. For that, go to Digikey or Mouser. (Right now they're still only selling 328s in bulk, but that will change as supplies become more abundant.
Comments
But only If we can get the SMD's economically. $25 for new AP is way cheaper than my time anyway.
I just ordered a 2nd ArduPilot & Atomic IMU last Friday, I need to be more patient, but can't wait to interface to IMU for my AP heli. Congrats on 500 units sold !!
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