XNL STAR-3-MB
The XNL STAR-3-MB is basically a ‘motherboard’ for the commonly known (Chinese) BluePill development boards.
While at the same time also providing a very easy, fast and convenient way to ‘snap-in-and-flash’ (bootload) your BluePill board without needing additional USB->Serial boards or other flash tools/sticks.
During development the XNL STAR-3-MB also gives you instant access to the USB port of the BluePill itself, an additional USB port which functions as a USB->Serial adapter for TX1 & RX1, an onboard RTC Battery and a (more stable) 3.3V ‘power supply’ for your external 3.3V components and/or modules.
Download: 2.5MB
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Information
Like explained in the short description (above), the XNL STAR-3-MB is basically a motherboard for your BluePill boards. It also makes flashing (bootloading) your BluePills a lot easier and faster since you only have to snap in your BluePull, toggle two switches and one jumper, plugin your USB cable and your ready to go.
The fast boot-loading procedure when using the XNL STAR-3-MB can save you quite some time and hassle, especially when you’ve just received a new batch of BluePills and you want to (pre-)bootload them all before putting them into storage (so that they are ‘ready to go’ when you need them). All you need to do then: is ‘setup’ the XNL STAR-3-MB once, then ‘toggle’ one jumper on the BluePill, snap the BluePill into the XNL STAR-3-MB, ‘click on flash’ and you’re (basically) already to do the next one 😊
Why use the XNL STAR-3-MB and not just plug the BluePill straight into your breadboard?
Sure, you could also do that if you prefer to do so, nothing wrong with that 😊. However the XNL STAR-3-MB has a much more detailed (obviously due to the size of the PCB) silkscreen, which gives you a much better overview on which pin does (and can do) what. Next to this the XNL STAR-3-MB also has an ‘onboard’ RTC battery, it already has an onboard USB->Serial adapter for the TX1 and RX1 pins and it also has a (much more stable) 3.3V ‘power supply’ onboard.
Honestly? We (all of us at XNL Future Technologies) now only use the BluePill when it’s in a XNL STAR-3-MB during testing and/or development. For us it is just so much more convenient (and no, this is not a sales pitch 😂, for what? A free download? 😂, we truly believe in and love the XNL STAR-3-MB’s).
License
BY DOWNLOADING, INSTALLING, COPYING OR OTHERWISE USING THIS PROJECT, PRODUCT, FILES OR ANY PART THEREOF (AND THE RELATED DOCUMENTATION) FROM XNL FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES, YOU ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF, OR ON BEHALF OF ANY ENTITY BY WHICH YOU ARE EMPLOYED AND/OR ENGAGED AGREE TO BE BOUND TO THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT.
IMPORTANT
Do note that all sections/'chapters' bellow constitute the entire license and that they are 'interconnected'. This for example means that if there is a section about Closed Source/Binaries License, that this doesn't mean that the rest of the license doesn't to those binaries. It just means that that section is specifically aimed at those files, while the rest of the license (where applicable) is also 'in effect' for those binaries.
(Additional) License(s) in Project, Product or Download
This project, product, the files etc in this download/these download(s) contain (one or more additional) license(s).
When you download this project, product, files, download(s) etc, you agree that you will read the license(s) included in the download and it's files, projects, products etc and that you will delete 'the downloaded content' if you can't (or don't want to) agree to the included license(s).
These license(s) will most likely be present in one or more of the following ways:
- As license agreement/EULA window (in compiled software for example)
- As License 'embedded' into the documentation (like a datasheet for example)
- As additional license file which can be included into the Download (or archive file like a zip file).
- As as 'commented text' in source-code or as 'additional license file' in source code.
Don't worry, this license or these licenses will not be 'sneaky hidden' or hard to find, these licenses can be found in their expected or logical locations (as mentioned in the examples above).
Commercial Use Allowed
Commercial use of this project, product, it's files, download(s) etc is allowed, which means that you are allowed to use it for own financial gain, there could be however (additional) restrictions included in a license (or licenses) which is supplied (within) the project, product, download(s) etc which limits the extent of how (far/much) you are allowed to use it commercially. By using, downloading or otherwise using this project, product, it's files and/or download(s), you confirm that you will first check the supplied content/download(s) for additional licenses to see if there (additional) restrictions which limit the extend of the Commercial Use Allowed Permission Clause, before using it for commercial purposes in any way.
A project/product which for example does allow Commercial Use within your company or organization under certain (licensing) conditions but does not allow you to (re-)sell the project/product would be XEWA™. When you consult the XEWA™ License (which is provided with, and build-into XEWA™), you will find this (additional) license information and/or limitations in the 'included license'.
If the project, product, code, files etc don't include any (additional) license(s), then you are allowed to use this project, product, it's files, download(s) etc, in any possible way for commercial use (including (re-)selling it. If there however is an (additional) license included with the project, product, it's files or download(s) you hereby agree that you will also read that license and accept that license prior to using the project, product or file(s), and that you will refrain from using the obtained 'content' in any way if you can't (or don't want to) agree to the (additionally) included license(s).
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Make sure that you also consult the rest of the license(s) to see if clauses/rules like Attribution Required or ShareAlike for example apply, because even if you are allowed to use the product for any type of commercial use, it could still be that attribution required or ShareAlike 'rules' apply.
ShareAlike
Our ShareAlike Clause means that if you are are for example allowed to share/redistribute modified versions of this project, product, it's files, download(s) etc, that you have to share it under the same conditions as this original work.
Some examples of what this means for you:
- If the rest of the license for example permits you to modify and then redistribute your own 'adaption/version' of this project, product, it's files etc, you would then need to comply with the following 'rules':
- If this original project, product, it's files or download(s) etc are 'open-source' (provide source code/files with it), then your modified version can only be published/redistributed if you also supply your (adapted/modified) source code along with it.
- This also means that you are not allowed to take a project, product etc with the 'ShareAlike Clause' in it's license from our website, modify it and then start redistributing or even selling it as 'closed-source' only.
- You are not allowed to 'remove' clauses or 'rules' from the original license (just to give an example: You are not allowed to remove the 'Attribution Required' or the 'Commercial Use Not Allowed' clauses from your version/license).
- You are not allowed to restrict the original license with additional clauses and/or rules of your own.
We can understand it if some developers/creators put a lot of effort in 'upgrading' existing works, but that they would not like our (for example) 'keep open-source also open-source on redistribution rules', but all I/we can say about that is: Sorry, but that's the 'game of this license'. If you don't like it, then just create your own stuff from scratch 😉
The ShareAlike clause (obviously) also remains fully enforced if you decide to redistribute unaltered versions, and thus the same 'rules and examples' as shown above would apply, but to the unaltered version/re-distribution.
Logo & Branding Copyright
XNL Future Technologies™, XNL TV™, XEWA™, TeamXNL™, System166™, The XNL Ft logo, The XNL Future Technologies logo, The XNL TV logo, The E-Series "Flamingo Logo", The XNL E-Academy Logo, The Overkill Edition Logo, The XEWA logo, The System166 Logo, The Sophie The Pigeon 8-Bit logo and others are trademarks or registered trademarks of XNL Future Technologies in The Netherlands and other countries. Other terms, project, product or brand-names and/or logo's may be trademarks of others.
XNL Future Technologies is not associated and does not claim to be associated with any company or product that might have been mentioned in their documentation unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Legal & Disclaimer(s)
SIMPLIFIED DISCLAIMER:
The use of our projects, products, schematics or other files is at your own responsibility and they are provided “AS-IS”, without ANY WARRANTY. Use of the content on or from our website(s) is 100% at your own risk. Please realize that most of the 'stuff' that we offer on our website is intended for the enthusiasts, and thus it is designed/meant to be adapted, expanded or adjusted for use in 'larger' projects. Or that it is meant as a basic guideline to get started on a project of your own. Some products that we used (or have used) internally in our company will be shared with the public so that others can enjoy these modules or products also. For all these projects, product, files etc goes: USE AT OWN RISK! Some projects or products that we use internally do not have build in security measures (like reverse polarity protection for example!), this is to keep the costs at internal (test) stages as low as possible or due to the fact that the product is intended to be used in only one particular way! Keep this in mind when using, building or even buying these projects or products. If you're not sure what you're doing or if you don't trust a certain product, schematic, sample or anything else: USE YOUR INSTINCT and DO NOT CONTINUE, If you DO want to continue working on or with the project, product, source-code, sample, printed circuit board, model, schematic etc: Again: AT YOUR OWN RISK. The same goes for using our software (either closed source or other included binaries): USE A YOUR OWN RISK.
OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER:
THE SOFTWARE, PROJECTS, SCHEMATICS, INFORMATION, SOURCE CODE, SAMPLES, FILES, 3D MODELS AND PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL XNL FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE, PROJECTS, SCHEMATICS, INFORMATION, SOURCE CODE, SAMPLES, PRODUCTS OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE, PROJECTS, SCHEMATICS, INFORMATION, SOURCE CODE, SAMPLES AND PRODUCTS. XNL FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER AND DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTY RELATING TO ITS SOFTWARE, PROJECTS, SCHEMATICS, INFORMATION, SOURCE CODE, SAMPLES AND PRODUCTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL XNL FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS AND PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, MATERIAL, OR LOSS OF INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS DOCUMENT EVEN IF XNL FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. XNL Future Technologies makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this publication and reserves the right to make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time without notice. The information contained herein may be of a preliminary or advance nature and is subject to change without notice. No license, whether express, implied, arising by estoppel or other-wise, to any intellectual property rights is granted by this publication. XNL Future Technologies software, projects, schematics, information, source codes, samples or products are not designed, intended, authorized or warranted for use in or as systems for applications intended to support or sustain life, or in any other application in which the failure of XNL Future Technologies software, project, schematics, information, source code, model, sample, files or product could create a situation where personal injury, death, or severe property or environmental damage may occur. XNL Future Technologies products, projects or samples are not designed nor intended for use in weapon systems, this applies to offense and defense systems. XNL Future Technologies projects and products shall never be used to cause harm to living creatures including but not limited to humans and animals. XNL Future Technologies projects and products shall never be used to cause damage to property of any kind. Any use of XNL Future Technologies projects or products to cause harm, death or damage in any kind is strictly prohibited.
XNL Future Technologies reserves the right to discontinue or make changes to its projects, products or files at any time without notice.
SAFETY-CRITICAL, MILITARY, LIFE SUPPORT, MEDICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS DISCLAIMER: XNL Future Technologies products, projects, samples, source-codes, documentation, tutorials, software or any other content is not designed for and will not be used in connection with any applications where the failure of such would reasonably be expected to result in significant personal injury or death (“Safety-Critical Applications”). Safety-Critical Applications include, without limitation, life systems or devices, health (monitoring) equipment, safety or security systems, equipment or systems for the operation of nuclear facilities or other “large impact” facilities. XNL Future Technologies products, projects, samples, source-codes, documentation, tutorials, software or any other content is not designed nor intended for use in government, military or aerospace applications or environments or in any other “high-risk” facility, location or environment.
PCB Order Instructions
This section explains the (recommended) ordering process and settings (at the PCB manufacturer) to order our circuit boards using our provided 'ready-to-use' Gerber (zip) files. We will first give a basic overview for the recommended PCB Manufacturer settings, so that the more experianced users can instantly find what they need, and after this 'settings overview' we will explain more in-depth how you can order our printed circuit boards (PCB's) using the files you can download for our projects, products and packages.
NOTE: The clickable links to JLCPCB are referral links, more information about this at the bottom of the page.
Recommended PCB Ordering Settings (Material, layers etc)
All our boards (unless otherwise stated) are designed for and should be ordered with the following settings:
(Base) Material: FR4
Layers: 2 Layer / Double-sided
PCB Thickness: 1.6mm
PCB Color: Choose whatever you like or stick to the 'official project/product color' 🙂
Outer Copper Weight: Use default of the website you're ordering (often 1oz).
When ordering from JLCPCB and using the zip file which has (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's name:
Remove Order Number: Click on [Specify a location]
How to use our files/downloads to order the circuit boards
To order the printed circuit board(s) included in this project, product or package you will first need to download and extract this project or product.
Our project and product folders will often contain several folders/directories, of which one of them should have a name similar to 'Gerber Files (For Ordering-Production)'. If the downloaded project or product only contains one printed circuit board (PCB) then you will often find two archives (zip files) within this folder.
One of these archives will have (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's name and the other won't, for example:
ProjectXNL.zip
ProjectXNL (JLCJLCJLCJLC).zip
NOTE: You will only need to use one of these files when ordering, not both. So please read along to find out how this works 🙂
My 'Gerber Files Folder' contains even more folders
If this is the case it just means that the project, product or package you have downloaded consists out of multiple circuit boards (or options/variations you can choose from), you should consult the documentation (or included text file(s) in these folders) of your project, product or package to find out which folder (or PCB's) you will need. Inside each folder for the different Printed Circuit Boards in the project, product or package we will still use the same 'file structure' where there will be two files per PCB (one having '(JLCJLCJLCJLC)' in it's name and the other doesn't).
My Gerber Files Folder only contains one zip file (per part/option)!
This is also a possibility, this just means that we did not created an additional 'Gerber file-set' with PCB's which have JLCJLCJLCJLC on them. We often choose to do this for boards which would be to small to actually place such texts, we will then just let it be up to JLCPB to place the production/batch numbers on them. So if there aren't additional zip files which have (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in their filename(s), then you should just use the zip file(s) which is present in the folder(s).
File difference explanation
- The one which has "(JLCJLCJLCJLC)" in it's file name will have JLCJLCJLCJLC printed on the circuit board.
- The one which does not have "(JLCJLCJLCJLC)" in it's name will not have JLCJLCJLCJLC printed on the circuit board.
Ordering anywhere else than JLCPCB
When you want to order anywhere else than on JLCPCB.com you should always just use the zip file which does not have (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's filename.
What does this JLCJLCJLCJLC on the PCB mean?
Well this 'piece of text' tells JLCPCB where they can/should place their (internal) manufacturing/production/batch numbers, which they use for handling your order internally. JLCPCB offers a free service where circuit board designers can specify where JLCPCB can place their 'internal batch/production numbers', this prevents issues where they would for example (accidentally) place these production/batch numbers on an ugly location and thus possibly ruin your 'precious silkscreen artwork' 🙂
Ordering from JLCPCB
When you do want to order at JLCPCB.com you have two options to choose from:
- Pay a bit extra on your order (currently around $1.54) and have JLCPCB remove their manufacturing/production code completely, in which case you should use the file which does not have (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's filename.
- Or instead use the file which does have (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's filename, in which JLCPCB will use the by us specified location to place the manufacturing/production/batch number(s). We will always (try to) place this text in the least noticeable location or where it would not 'mess' with the rest of our silkscreen design. To be extra clear: When using this option you will have a small 'batch number' printed on the location of your PCB's where we had placed the "JLCJLCJLCJLC marker", but it will save you a bit of money on your order.
IMPORTANT:
If you are ordering from JLCPCB and you are using the zip file which has (JLCJLCJLCJLC) in it's name, then you have to make sure that you search for the 'Remove Order Number' option when ordering your PCB and then select [Specify a location] at this option. Otherwise you might still end up with an 'factory batch number' on your PCB AND have the 'text' JLCJLCJLCJLC printed on it. So make sure that you select [Specify a location]
Price estimate at JLCPCB
Currently (at the time of writing this 'pre-configured order manual template') prices at JLCPCB per PCB Design are around 2$ to $4 if the board is 100x100mm or less, which will get you 5 copies of the board itself for this price. And if you order 10 of the same board you will often just have to pay $5 (so just $1 more for 5 extra boards). We use JLCPCB for nearly all our projects and products and we are very satisfied with their quality and production times. Ordering from JLCPCB is as simple as going to JLCPCB.com then 'drag-and-drop' your zip file (with the Gerber files) onto the page.
NOTE: The clickable links to JLCPCB in this section are referral links
PCB Sponsor Update/Referal Link Information:
Since July 2024 JLCPCB is now sponsoring my projects, platform and YouTube channel, I'm very grateful for JLCPCB offering to sponsor me (they actually contacted me, I did not contacted them). Despite the fact that they are now sponsoring my/our projects, my opinion about them remains unchanged and will also state that my recommendation to use JLCPCB is 100% my own. If I would not have used (and loved) their service that much myself already I would not have accepted their offer either. The reason I accepted their sponsor offer is because I had already been using them for many years with great satisfaction.
If you click on the referral link I will NOT be able to see that you have clicked it (I will not get any user or order details from them), and neither would you pay more when using their link for example. Using the referal link does however support my projects, content and platform 🙂
You can also use JLCPCB for FR-4 boards up to 20 layers, Flex pcb's and assembly of your PCB's (meaning they will put the components on them for you, I personally haven't used the latter (yet) though).
Changelog
Version 2.0
I recently noticed the BluePill+ (also known as BluePill Plus), and also noticed that instead of having Ground-Ground-3v3 (marked as G-G-3v3) next to the USB connector, that the BluePill+ has 5V-Ground-3v3 next to the USB connector instead.
As you can imagine, inserting a BluePill+ into version 1.0 of the XNL STAR-3-MB could result in a short circuit due to the (new) 5V on the BluePill+ then being grounded to the ground plane of the XNL STAR-3-MB.
Therefor I decided to ‘un-ground’ the affected/changed pin and instead connect it directly to the header of the board, so you can use it as you see fit.
I also updated the silkscreen with the “new pinout” and added some additional information about this pin/change to the back of the XNL STAR-3-MB.
NEW CHANGES NOT IN DATASHEET ILLUSTRATIONS
Please do note that these changes are NOT shown in the illustrations in the datasheet, because it would honestly be quite a lot of work to manually update all the (“hand-drawn”) illustrations just for one changed pin. So the illustrations in the datasheet do still show the “old” board which only shows the affect pin as GND. On the new board it does however show GND/5V with information on the backside of the PCB explaining that this depends on your BluePill version. I did however updated the schematic in the datasheet.
I DID NOT TESTED THE XNL STAR-3-MB WITH THE BLUEPILL+ YET!
Please do note that I currently did not had the opportunity to test the XNL STAR-3-MB with the BluePill+ yet! Usually I never release boards or board updates before I have tested them myself, but for this situation and possible risks for the user(s), I decided that it would be best to do so anyway. I have looked at all the documentation I could find, and it seems like it that it should work as expected now though. When I have tested it (will take some time though, because there is a lot on the backlog currently), I will update this page and confirm my findings.
Features
These are the features of the XNL STAR-3-MB (when using the recommended components):
- Compatible with (Chinese) BluePill boards
- Onboard USB->Serial ‘adapter’ for quick flashing/boot-loading the inserted BluePill
- Can also be used as additional serial port for communication over USB while running sketches
- Can be ‘disconnected’ from the BluePill by simply toggling two buttons on the XNL STAR-3-MB
- Onboard RTC Battery (CR2032)
- Clear and informative silkscreen for each pin of the BluePill
- Pinout on the XNL STAR-3-MB and the BluePill is 1:1
- A stable onboard 3.3V ‘Power Supply’ of about 500mA – 1A (depending on the components uses)
- If the onboard diodes are correctly installed, then both USB ports of the XNL STAR-3-MB can be used at the same time, even when plugging one connector into one computer and the second connector into another (different) computer.
Bill Of Materials
Bellow you’ll find a list of the components you will need to build/make your own XNL STAR-3-MB.
Required components list:
The checkboxes in this table can be used when you for example printed (or copy-pasted) this table so that you can ‘check-off’ the items which you have, have ordered or ‘are in’ (from ordering). The website does NOT remember/stores it when you ‘tick something off’ on this page!
| XNL STAR-3-MB | |||
| Got It | Quantity | Part/Item | Footprint/Size & Notes |
| 1 | XNL STAR-3-MB PCB | (File to order them is included in the download) | |
| 2 | LED Blue | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 4 | 20Ω Resistor | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 2 | 1K Resistor | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 2 | 22pF Ceramic Capacitor | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 2 | 100nF Ceramic Capacitor | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 1 | 470nF Ceramic Capacitor | 0805 (SMD/SMT) | |
| 1 | 33µF Electrolytic Capacitor | SMD or Through Hole | |
| 4 | 1N4007 (Often Marked M7) Diode | 1206 / SOD80C (SMD/SMT) | |
| 1 | LM3940 3.3V Regulator | SOT223 (often marked as L52B) | |
| 1 | CH340G USB to Serial chip | SOIC-16/SOP-16 | |
| 1 | 12MHz Crystal | HC-49/S (Mini) | |
| 1 | 2-Switch DIP-Switch | Often listed as something like: EDG 02, EDG102S etc. | |
| 1 | CR2032 Battery Holder | CR2032H (We’ll picture the model we’ve used further on!) | |
| 4 | 20x1F Female Pin Header | 2.54mm standard pitch | |
| 1 | Tactile Button (6mm) | SMD or Through Hole | |
| 2 | Female USB-B PCB Connector | PN61729/BERG Connector | |
| 1 | Standard BluePill | Yeah… euhm.. A BluePill Module 😉 | |
| Parts List Created With XEWA Enterprise 1.0 By: XNL Future Technologies |
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