If I want to package a triple axis magnetometer, for example, with an UNO, then is there a designed (intended/best practice) way to physically and permanently (okay, long-term) use the relatively small breakout board with that UNO? I’m thinking a good way would be to add something like a proto shield to my project, stack it with the UNO, and use the shield as an even larger - and much more convenient - breakout for the smaller magnetometer breakout.
Is there another way that I should consider? Even if I hope to expand the number of smallish breakout boards to the project? Because in many cases multiple small breakouts could be used on a single shield.
If I do attach the small breakout to the proto shield, is it smart just to line up the through holes and solder connecting pins from shield to breakout? And then ignore the screw mount holes?
Did I miss a tutorial on sparkfun.com? ALL vids on youTube show wires everywhere - no neat packaging.
Thanks!
(If you should wonder how I can be so ignorant yet continue to live: I first heard of the Arduino three weeks ago, and just bought my first one on Friday (two days ago). My educational background is BSEE but have been writing software instead for some time.)
I use gold-plated header pins (soldered to the boards) on everything, and connect the boards together using multi strand wires, crimp connectors (soldered and crimped) in connector housings, like these: https://www.pololu.com/category/39/cables-and-wire
These connections are reliable even in vibrating environments and are easy to change.
And the wires (or the headers?) fix the breakout to the shield solidly? And allow another shield to be stacked above this one?
Thanks for trying to help. I’m still absorbing lots from the net, including many videos. Like any search much time is spent getting tidbits, BANG/BUCK ratio is not huge yet. Like any new field of learning, it’s like drinking from a firehose. Point is, I’m not lying about waiting for answers here, insisting on being spoon fed, so I appreciate your time and effort.
There are two techniques that are standard in industry. Also realize that what happens in the hobbyist Arduino world often has no resemblance to best practices, but whatever.
Mezzanine stacking: plugging one board directly onto another. Often there are mounting holes to provide a secure mechanical connection using spacers but the connector also provides some mechanical stability. Sometimes designed to stack multiple layers.
Cable connection (what jremington was describing): the connector is used purely for electrical connections and you must provide another method of mechanically securing the boards. Usually not designed for stacking. This is far more flexible and as a result it’s very commonly used.
Which is better? Depends on your application. I think the Arduino/shield/breakout came about because it’s the cheapest method and it’s simple to build.
There are a couple of options, you can build a circuit on a proto-shield, mounting the breakout boards there and using regular hookup wire to connect the appropriate shield pins. Then you essentially have a custom shield with the breakout board on it. That was something I did with the GPS module, it works pretty well. Most of the breakout boards have mounting holes but if you just solder a pin header to the proto board and then solder the breakout board to the pin header (or add a socket if you are saving parts for re-use) then it will generally hold by itself.