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Ram Tester

tops4u·Ram-Tester·Schematic/SMD/Ram_Tester.kicad_pcb

Ram Tester PCB layout, top view — open source AVR/Arduino board by tops4u
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About the Ram Tester PCB

Ram Tester is an open source AVR/Arduino PCB design by tops4u, published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 39.8 × 59.4 mm, with 35 components from 24 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the ATMEGA328P-AU, from the AVR/Arduino family. Other key parts include the RAM / ZIF and ZIP Socket. By type, the board carries 14 resistors, 6 capacitors, 3 ICs, 3 connectors, 2 transistors and 2 switches.

It belongs with the retro computing designs in this gallery.

From the project

Ram Tester for vintage CBM Computer RAM Chips

This is the mixed SMD/through-hole version of the RAM Tester. SMD components are used for the main circuit; the ZIF socket, ZIP socket, DIP switch and pin headers are through-hole.

Notes: - J1 (display) and J2 (ICSP) are pin headers, not SMD — solder them as through-hole. - R1 and R6 are LED current limitors. The values above work with the Kingbright dual LED. If you substitute a different LED (e.g. from AliExpress), R6 may need to be 500–560 Ω depending on forward voltage.

Ram Tester, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the Ram Tester

ATMEGA328P-AURAM / ZIFZIP Socket

Ram Tester bill of materials (BOM)

35 components, 24 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
ATMEGA328P-AU
ATmega328-P
Microchip Technology
U1
1
RAM / ZIF
U2
1
ZIP Socket
U3
2
BSS138
Onsemi
Q1, Q2
1
445I32C16M00000
16MHZ
CTS Electronics Components
Y1
1
Conn_01x04_Pin
J1
1
ICSP
J2
1
6Pin SMD USB-C
J3
1
PTS12066V050
0.25A
Eaton electronics
F1
1
SW_DIP_x03
SW1
1
SW_Push
SW2
1
APTB1615SURKCGKC-F01
Kingbright
D1
1
CESDBLC5V0D5
D2
1
CESDBLC5V0D5
FB1
3
06036C104MAZ2A
100nF
kyocera avx
C1, C4, C7
2
C0603C150K5GAC
12pF
kemet
C2, C3
1
T491A106K006AT7280
10uF
kyocera avx
C5
1
RT0603FRE13390RL
390R
yageo
R1
1
RT0603FRE071KL
1k
yageo
R2
3
AC0603FR-131ML
1M
yageo
R3, R4, R5
Show 4 more
QtyPartRefs
1
RT0603FRE13150RL
150R
yageo
R6
2
RT0603DRD0747RL
47R
yageo
R7, R8
2
RT0603FRD075K1L
5.1k
yageo
R9, R10
4
RAVF164DJT47R0
47R
SEI
RN1, RN2, RN3, RN4

Ram Tester design files

The KiCad project lives in the tops4u/Ram-Tester repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Ram Tester: common questions

What microcontroller does the Ram Tester use?

The Ram Tester is built around the ATMEGA328P-AU, from the AVR/Arduino family.

How big is the Ram Tester PCB?

The Ram Tester measures 39.8 × 59.4 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Ram Tester?

35 components, from 24 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Ram Tester design files?

From the tops4u/Ram-Tester repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Ram Tester design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its GPL-3.0 license, which tops4u chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Ram Tester without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug AVR/Arduino firmware against it before you order a PCB.

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