Packs and boards setup

Picture Samples
Images of multi-board assemblies

Connecting Boards
1) VERDEX REQUIREMENT:

For verdex configurations, make sure to read this verdex FAQ first to ensure that the 120-pin board is connected to the verdex motherboard before any other expansion board is connected.

2) All boards, except for the tweener board, line up in the same direction, as shown in this audiostix-connex motherboard-cfstix assembly: the connex motherboard is in the middle, with the cfstix expansion board on the top side and the audiostix expansion board connected on the lower side.



Note: Only one 4v wall adapter is needed to provide power to a three-board configuration such as this audiostix-connex-cfstix group. In this configuration that offers two power input ports, the wall adapter may be plugged into the power input port on either the CFstix or the audiostix expansion boards. When using a robostix, or roboaudiostix as one of the boards, then a 5v adapter should be used, and the power jack should be plugged into the robostix.

3) The tweener board does not connect inline but rather sticks out from the rest of the boards as shown here in this audiostix-connex with bluetooth-CFstix board configuration:



4) Use screws and spacers as set out here.

The resulting board assembly should be solidly held together.

NOTE: Make sure to keep all boards connected together when power is connected. Failure to do so will cause damage to the motherboard.

Mod for Tweener with Robostix
In its default configuration, the tweener board can't be used in conjuntion with the robostix. This happens because the robostix and the tweener are both trying to drive the RxD line into the gumstix.

No Tweener with netDUO-mmc or netMMC
The tweener board does not fit on a connex when a netDUO-mmc expansion board or a netMMC expansion board is connected on the other side. They physically interfere with each other.

Go here for information on how to modify the tweener.

Using a console-st or console-hw expansion board
Connect the serial cable(s) and USB cable into the console expansion board and then into the serial or USB port on the host computer on which programming will be setup.

Note that the USB client port on this console expansion board CANNOT be used to connect a usb camera, drive or other usb device to the gumstix.

Using USB on the audiostix expansion board
Connect a USB cable into the USB port on the audiostix expansion board and then into the USB port on the host computer on which programming will be setup.

Note that the USB client port on this audiostix expansion board CANNOT be used to connect a USB camera, drive or other usb device to the gumstix.

Using a tweener board
Connect the serial cable into the tweener and into the host computer on which programming will be setup.

Using Bluetooth
If the pack or board combination includes a motherboard with the bluetooth option, insert the rubber duck antenna into the bluetooth antenna connector.

Using MMC
If using a basix motherboard or an expansion board with an MMC card slot, plug the MMC card into the MMC slot. The MMC card must be plugged in BEFORE powering up to be recognized.

Using Compact Flash
If using a netCF or other expansion board with compact flash, plug the compact flash card into the CF slot.

Powering Up
1) Insert one wall adapter into one power slot to power up the assembled boards. Only one wall adapter is needed to power one, two and three boards assemblies as the power bus connects across all inter-connected boards.

2) More questions are answered in the Heat and Power FAQ here.

Setting Up Communications
Once the pack/boards are assembled together and powered up, set up the communications starting here.