Sorry guys. I didn’t realize that this thread was about just the chip. Our project requires a Photon…
@peekay123 P1 Arrived 
So from what I have been told the extra 1Mb of memory can not be written to via programming via the regular online IDE so the offline DFU-util utility has to be used.
Once I get the DFU-util installed how do I go about putting that extra memory to good use?
I know the firmware updates happen often so I’m looking for the path of least resistance for getting Bitmap arrays stored on the P1’s extra memory.
Any guidance with this is greatly appreciated 
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I got a batch of P1 breakout boards back from fab last week. I am currently debugging a power supply issue as I suspect I have substitute/fake RT8008 chips. A new batch of chips arrived today so I should know soon if everything is working on this board. I might switch to a TI chip if this issue continues.
In summary, this is a P1 breakout board.
It includes the same power circuit as the Photon as well as Setup and Reset buttons and the RGB LED.
The RGB LED, Setup button, and Reset button signals are broken out in case you would like to use off-board I/O.
The Spare 1-6 I/O’s from the P1 are also on the headers. The pinout follows the same order as the Photon with 5 extra pins added to each side.
I plan on doing another rev on the design to fix up some minor issues. Since several of you have expressed interest in the board I will probably make some available to the community. I can also share the design files once everything checks out.
Let me know if you want bare boards and/or fully assembled boards (including P1 module). Do you need castellated headers for mounting?
I also have a version coming without the power circuit if this is of interest.
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@lige Looks nice!
Let us know about the dc regulator and if it works out.
I think the Castellated heads would be a great idea since they can be used or not used.
Are the headers arranged to fit perfectly into a breadboard?
I’m designing a custom project that will include a P1 also so I would like to see your design files once you release them just so I can see what all you broke out and what you didn’t
I picked up 10 P1 modules yesterday for 30% off which was a killer deal 
Keep up the good work!
Are you using Eagle CAD, KiCad or something else?
Great, bravo !
<particle-polemical>
Maybe serial2 access does not need a rework station with this breakout
</particle-polemical>
Yes, you have a few options for reconfiguring the RGB LED I/O’s that are required for Serial2. There are cut trace test points on the bottom of the board that can be used for disconnecting the on-board RGB LED. You could potentially connect an external RGB LED via the severed test points to still utilize the on-board 1k current limiting resistors.
The R, G, B I/O connections (before the current limiting resistors) from the P1 are broken out on the header so you should be able to use Serial2 directly. No rework station needed . . . (just a sharp knife)
I’m curious to know how the copper antenna on the P1 compares with the performance of the chip antenna on the Photon? I wonder if the P1 antenna layout is any better than the Chip antenna based on Particles testing that was done. I would assume one was better than the other.
I wonder why the chip antenna was not also used on the P1 like the Photon since it would have made the P1 a lot smaller.
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@RWB I think the P1 design is based around a module that USI had already done a lot of engineering / design work on eg http://www.usish.com/english/products_wm_11.php Several similar modules there that look similar to the P1 I didn’t look at details too closely.
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@RWB The P1 antenna is very similar to the Photon’s chip antenna. I can’t say why it was designed this way, but it can be less expensive and you don’t have to worry about sourcing issues (both of these are really not great reasons though). It’s also more robust when comparing just antennas (again, I’m pulling at straws here…). Both the P1 and Photon have a u.FL connector though, and with that I would expect when using the same antenna that both would yield very similar performance. We did create some Photon designs with a PCB antenna, but ultimately didn’t use it to save space. We also didn’t put those designs through rigorous testing so unfortunately I can’t get super specific about performance of those
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@will I purchased a 10 pack of P1’s on Cyber Monday. They were out of stock over the weekend and then back in stock on Cyber Monday so I’m wondering if this batch I bought on Cyber Monday are from that new run of P1’s and if they have your latest factory image or not.
Even if I did get the original factory image units doesn’t a new firmware flash when I upload new code load your latest firmware anyway? Just trying to make sure I’m as up-to date as possible with the P1’s.
Hey @RWB! The units you purchased are still the original factory image–we haven’t yet reordered P1 modules with updated firmware. However, you are correct that the newest version of firmware will be flashed to your P1 when you connect it to the Internet for the first time, so you’ll still be able to take advantage of the most recent features.
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Hi!
Have you finished this design?? I would love to get this to learn about SMD soldering. I ordered a reflow oven, so I guess I need the designs to make stencils.
once you sort the issues I would be more than happy to buy some to learn, and then do my own design based on it.
The most important thing I learned about SMD soldering and reflow is that to get the nice professional results you want you have to use a good solder paste stencil. Everything I tried without one turned out looking like crap.
I also have some recommended solder paste by Kesters that was recommended to me for fine pitch parts and it works really good. I’ll have to look at it to get a model number if your interested.
Unfortunately there was an issue with my P1 order so I have been unable to fully test the boards yet. I literally have no P1’s so until they show up I won’t know if the board actually works.
I was able to resolve the RT8008 issue. The parts that were initially sent to me were indeed incorrect. I have already tested the power, button, and LED circuits on the board and will test the full system once my P1’s arrive.
I will will let you know as soon as everything is finished and ready for sharing.
Regarding the SMD soldering I would definitely recommend a stencil. Luckily we get our stencils made by our PCB shop in China for about 15 USD.
@lige Are your P1’s on the way or are they delayed? I have 10 sitting there and I can send you one if the P1’s are delayed for some reason.
Thank you.
Who do you use for PCBs and how much do you pay for something like the P1 board you are doing and how many do you have to order?
I currently use oshpark for volume of 3 PCBs but they don’t offer to make stencils. I have a Ultimaker CNC machine, and was wondering if it’s precise enough for stencil creation… But don’t know yet if it’s worth the effort or if I should just order it.
www.dirtypcbs.com is where to buy PCBs and steel stencils for quality boards and fast processing also cheap.
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@frlobo I get my PCB’s from OSH also and I get laser cut metal stencils cut by this guy: http://ohararp.com/stencils/
Success!!! My P1’s arrived today and I assembled them on the breakout board. To my delight everything fired up on the first try. I did have an issue with the firmware update process as they got stuck in solid white or green LED mode. I was able to update the firmware via DFU and now everything is running smoothly.
Here’s a picture of the fully assembled P1 breakout board BREATHING CYAN!
Now that I have verified the layout I will send the updated rev to fab and should have the next batch of boards back next week.
What do you guys think is the best way to make these boards available to the community? I can list some on Tindie if that is easy for people to access. All suggestions are welcomed!
Please feel free to PM me if you would like a board right away. I have a bunch bare boards or can assemble full breakout boards.
8 Likes
Beautiful 
Is it open-source, though?