Small headers\vias for extra GPIO's

Community PCB Design
1

Hi,

I am working in Eagle CAD on a custom PCB with a Atemga 32u4 and I don’t want to waste the GPIO’s I am not using. I have limited space as getting it to route is already hard. What would be the best way to add small headers\vias in case I or someone wanted to put the extra GPIO’s to use? I was thinking adding vias on the board layout near the pin and connecting them with a wire.

Thanks

2

Yep, vias are a much better way of doing his than simple SMD pads (which tend to get pulled off the board if force is applied).

I’d suggest including pads for 2mm pitch headers (or 0.05" if you’re pressed for room) as a smaller option than the standard 0.1" headers. If you use dual-row headers, you can use IDC-type connectors and ribbon cable so the cables are really easy to build.

3

Thanks, sounds like some good ideas.

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