[NTLK] MP2x00 Internal Interconnect Breakout

[Jake Bordens]

Hi folks.  

I seem to have an odd, recurring fascination with the internal serial port 
on the MP2x00.  A few years back I tried to make an internal bluetooth 
module.  It worked, but I never got the RF design correct so it didn't 
work well.

Now, I'd like to try for an internal WiFi module.  I'm more hopeful that I 
can get the antenna correct by using more off the shelf components, and 
worst case, an external antenna.

I wanted a breakout board that would help prototype and test the behavior 
of some of the gpio pins and such.  I came up with this:

http://www.allaboutjake.com/images/n2_breakout.jpg

The connector is a FTE-116-01-G-DV-ES.  It is easier to find without the 
-ES option, FTE-116-01-G-DV-P for example is available from Newark 
electronics.  The ES is just an end shroud, which while a nice thing, is 
not strictly necessary.  I think the pins are a little longer than the 
original JAE connector, so it sits a little high.  The case seems to close 
so I'm hopeful that it'll work for an internal card as well.

I had 20 of these boards made for $15.  I'll never need all of them, so if 
anyone has a serious interest in making one of these for their own 
hacking, then contact me off list.  You'll have to solder the connector on 
there yourself, but if you're playing around with this sort of thing, you 
probably know how to handle surface mount pins of this size.

Jake