This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
Ever need to test a switch assembly or sensor that will eventually plug into a RoboRIO DIO port or motor-controller limit switch port? Or just provide power to somthing with the FRC-standard 3 pin connector?
Version One: Input only FakeRio
Steve uses a perfboard version of this to test and demo various FRC electrical bits.
On this board are:
- 12VDC Input with protection against reverse polarity and overload
- generation of 5 volts using a classic linear regulator
- an LED that indicates that the 5v supply is OK
- two, three, or more copies of the basic DIO connector circuit
- each with an LED to indicate “low” status on the signal pin
Parts List
1 input wire assembly with anderson powerpole connector 1 rectifier diode - 1N4001, 1N4002, 1N4003, 1N4004, 1N4005, etc. 1 self-resetting PTC fuse, 0.5 to 1.5 amp 1 electrolytic capacitor, minimum 16 volts, 47uF. (can be higher voltage or up to 470 uF) 2 0.1uF ceramic or monolithic capacitor 1 7805 linear regulator 1 LED for 5v power indicator; preferrably yellow or orange 1 resistor for power indicator. typically 2.2K, less if not bright enough One for each "DIO" header; quantities for a 4-port board: 4 three-pin 0.1" spaced header; approx. 0.4" tall posts for cable connection, tails long enough to solder 4 red LED for signal 4 resistor for red signal LED; typical 2.2K, less if not bright enough
Schematic
The complete schematic is in Eastbots github: https://github.com/Team-4795/pcboards-2018/tree/master/fakerio1 And here is a PDF: https://github.com/Team-4795/pcboards-2018/raw/master/fakerio1/fakerio1.pdf
This schematic is actually more than complete: it has too much. There are two alternatives for power supply inputs; choose only one or the other.
Breaking down the schematic, here are the major portions.
Input Connectors and LEDs
Power LED
12v power supply
If you've commonly got a 12v battery or power supply handy in your build space or lab, build this portion. You might wire up the input to a set of red and black Anderson Powerpole connectors.
5v power supply
If you have a 5v power supply handy, for example a USB phone charger battery pack or wall brick, you might choose to build the 5v power portion.

