FIGnitioninFUZE is an Arduino®-sized and shield compatible single-board computer aimed squarely at the hobby and education market. It is supplied in kit form with comprehensive web-based instructions on how to solder it together. All the parts are standard 'through-hole' format (no surface-mount components) and even a beginner should have little difficulty creating a working computer in a few hours. Only three extra items need to be provided by the user - a television or monitor with a composite video input, a composite video cable and a suitable mains power supply. The microcontroller device is supplied pre-programmed with a high-level language, a dialect of Forth, and programs may be entered via the on-board keypad. FIGnition is an Open-Source product and third-party suppliers are starting to produce add-on 'shields' for it. The on-board Flash memory is supplied pre-loaded with a range of games and utilities including a simple 2-channel analogue data logger. Users are encouraged to create their own add-on 'shields' using copper strip-board. Tutorial and manuals available on line: http://www.fignition.co.uk/fuze
• 20MHz Atmel ATmega328 microcontroller, 32KB Flash memory, 2KB RAM, 1KB EEPROM • On-board 512KB serial SPI Flash memory, expandable to 1MB • On-board 8KB serial SPI RAM memory, expandable to 32KB • Text display mode: 25 x 24 monochrome text with 16 user-defined characters • Graphics display mode: 160 x 160 bitmap graphics with Sprite engine • Pre-programmed FORTH language interpreter/compiler firmware, utilities and sample programs • RCA jack (Yellow phono socket) for composite video display output • RCA jack (Red phono socket) for audio output • On-board programming keypad • +5Vdc power supply via USB-B socket • PCB footprint for optional I/O header sockets, Shield-compatible • FIGnition has a GPL-open source software licence and is Open-Source Hardware OSH compliant
Note
A basic electronics toolkit is required to assemble FIGnition including a fine point soldering iron, side-cutters and long-nosed pliers. Suitable soldering iron kit for UK: 768-3573 , for EU countries: 768-3576. Composite video cable: 410-905 .
Caution
While they are not overly static-sensitive, it's a good idea to keep the chips in the black foam until required and to avoid charging yourself up on nylon carpets!
