BoardX Motherboard

A BoardX Motherboard serves as the foundation for your system. You can add processors, sensors and other low cost add-ons that stack on top of one another to save space.

Note to customers: add-ons are sold separately, although they may appear in images.

What is BoardX?

BoardX is a collection of electronic circuit boards that stack on top of one another to share resources, communicate, and extend the functionality of one another. This system is built on the BoardX Motherboard that acts as both an electrical and structural foundation.

Jump to another question:

• What is the difference between BoardX and other boards like Arduino?
• Why choose BoardX?
• How do I get started with BoardX?
• How is BoardX similar to Arduino?
• Can I use BoardX with existing Arduino Shields?
• Why is there a breadboard?
• How do I connect Add-ons?

What is the difference between BoardX and other boards like Arduino?

Unlike similar products (but much like a familiar PC system), the motherboard does not come with a processor pre-installed. Processors come as simple, low cost add-on boards, which allow any processor (or multiple processors) to be used with the system. If you buy the AVR-X Add-on, you can have a powerful Arduino system that is fully compatible with the Arduino SDK out of the box, no modification required. In addition to that, if you pick up the XBee-X Radio Add-on and follow the instructions, you can use the Arduino environment to program BoardX wirelessly!

Why choose BoardX?

There are lots of reasons to choose BoardX over other brands, here are just a few that really make a difference:

• Processor independent hardware – the hardware is compatible with any processor, and even multiple processors
• Choice of full size add-ons, or cheaper, miniature add-ons
• Multiple, independent add-on sockets to reduce vertical growth to 1/3 that of Arduino or other single port development boards
• A breadboard is included on the motherboard for quick prototyping. After you find a design that works, you can make it into a permanent add-on module with the PROTO-X Add-on
• Reverse power polarity and short circuit detection to protect projects against accidental misconnects
• High current allowance permits direct powering of motors, servos and other power hungry applications
• An upgradable power supply feature allows the use of any conceivable power source and regulation method. It also plugs in, just like a normal add-on.
• A unique shape and color lets your projects stand out from the green and blue crowd.

This modular approach to electronics makes it easy to create a robust and flexible design that allows you to choose which parts of the system to dream up and which parts can be off the shelf.

How do I get started with BoardX?

The easiest way to get started is to first get a BoardX Motherboard + AVR-X Add-on, and then visit How to get started with BoardX to learn how to get up and running with your first project.

How is BoardX similar to Arduino?

BoardX includes all the features that designers and students have come to expect from open source systems:

• Stackable design
• Arduino SDK Compatible
• Unique shape and color
• Free documentation and software
• Easy connectivity
• Open architecture

Can I use BoardX with existing Arduino Shields?

The simple answer is no, because they won't work out of the box. However, there's nothing stopping you from wiring them to BoardX by hand or even designing your own adapter boards by making use of the built in breadboard or PROTO-X Add-on.

Why is there a breadboard?

Try connecting a button, or an LED, or a servo to an Arduino and you'll understand instantly. A breadboard is a prototyping must-have. You know you're going to need one at some point, whether it's to add vital glue components like resistors or capacitors that tie a system together, or maybe it's to help connect that third party sensor board you bought a while ago and want to re-use.

We use breadboards so often that we couldn't conceive of a true prototyping board without one. That's why we included one that's large enough to be useful, but small enough to stay out of your way.

How do I connect Add-ons?

Add-ons can be attached to the USB, SPI, UART, and I2C buses to provide any feature imaginable. These can be sensors, communication interfaces, or even physical control devices like motors or servos.

Don't forget that you can always wire things by hand using BoardX's 2.54mm rectangular sockets, which are the standard for breadboards and development kits.