Category:How to - connect verdex pro

A/ Connecting Verdex Pro boards

Warning: Make sure that power is NOT applied to any gumstix configuration when connecting or disconnecting any expansion board. Damage may occur if boards separate while under power.

1) Verdex Pro and verdex requirement

For verdex pro configurations, make sure that the 80-pin expansion board is connected to the verdex PRO motherboard before any other expansion board is connected.

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

2) Physical Orientation

All gumstix motherboards and expansion 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.

3/ Using a Tweener

The tweener board does not connect inline but rather sticks out from the rest of the boards in the opposite direction.

Modifications for Tweener when being used 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.

[This Tweener Mod photo] shows the back side of the tweener board. The serial connector is off on the right hand side.

If you cut the trace where the left red line is, then the RxD line will not be passed through to the daughter card. This allows the serial connector on the tweener board to be used instead of the one on the robostix (or console-vx board).

If you cut the trace at the right, then the signal from the serial connector on the tweener board will be disconnected. This might be useful if you're using the tweener to get at additional signals for a JTAG or something and wish to use the serial console on the robostix or console board.

Only cut in one place or the other, NOT both.

- 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. - Using a tweener board

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

4/ Screws and Spacers Kit

Use screws and spacers kit to connect a verdex pro motherboard with it's expansion board.

The resulting board assembly should be solidly held together.

5/ Other Tips - Using a console-vx expansion board

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

B/ Powering Up

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

- Provide one power supply

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.