4 layers132.6 × 100 mm
2 layers46.9 × 19.7 mm
RS485APC
edwindertien/foundscapemidi control of things that tap and go boink
- Size
- 46.9 × 19.7 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 12
- Nets
- 17
- Pads
- 52
- Tracks, vias
- 154, 1
- Pours
- 2
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 5 (file 20171130)
- Created
- 30 Jun 2025
- Updated
- 29 Aug 2026
Overview
RS485APC is an open-source printed circuit board by edwindertien, from the edwindertien/foundscape repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 46.9 × 19.7 mm with 12 parts on 17 nets, routed with 154 tracks and 1 via.
It is built around the MAX485ED and L7805. Its parts include 4 capacitors, 3 connectors, 2 resistors, 2 ICs and 1 fuse. It belongs with the audio and music boards of this library.
Main components
2
MAX485ED
SOP-8-40℃~+85℃ 1 1 1mA 32 4.75V~5.25V 5Mbps Half-Duplex Transceiver ±8kV SOP-8 RS-485 / RS-422 ICs ROHSHTCRS-485 / RS-422 ICs
L7805
TO-220ST0℃~+125℃@(Tj) 1 1.2A 20V 2V@(1A) 42uV 500uA 5V 73dB@(120Hz) Fixed Positive Short Circuit Protection TO-220ST Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators ROHSOSENVoltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators
README
README.mdfoundscape
midi control of things that tap and go boink. The basic structure consists of a midi-interface that takes data from Ableton (or similar) and sends events to 'dimmer cards' - being called like that because initially they mostly controlled LED light.
Two behaviours exist on the main board right now which can be set using a small dip switch: either pulse-lenght or pwm duty cycle as third 'velocity' argument in a MIDI command.
current version (still in operation) uses an ATmega328 (started out with the ATmega8 and then the ATmega88 in WinAVR. now it uses the Arduino environment). In the meantime a version has been made using Teensy, but has not been further pursued / produces (when Teensies were made of nonobtanium). On the wishlist a new version with pico
modules
- actuators 3D printfiles for solenoid holders
- atmegaDimmer first generation dimmer/control box, using RS485(dynamixel) protocol, using ATmega328
- RS485adapter RS485 - midi interface using ATmega32U4 (Arduino micro, native USB)
- teensyDimmer update of dimmer/control box, using Teensy 4.0. build, not tested
- picoDimmer new (to be designed) version of the dimmer/control box using RPI Pico 2040/2350
Parts
12| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 100n | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D4.7mm_W2.5mm_P5.00mm | C1, C4 |
| 2 | R | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P7.62mm_Horizontal | R1, R2 |
| 1 | 100uF | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.50mm | C3 |
| 1 | 10uF | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.50mm | C2 |
| 1 | APC220 | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x07_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | Conn_01x04_Male | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | Fuse | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | F1 |
| 1 | L7805 | Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-220-3_Vertical | U2 |
| 1 | MAX485E | Package_DIP:DIP-8_W7.62mm | U1 |
| 1 | RJ45_LED_Shielded | Connector_RJ:RJ45_Amphenol_RJHSE538X | J2 |
Questions
How big is the RS485APC PCB?
It measures 46.9 × 19.7 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the RS485APC use?
12 parts, built around the MAX485ED and L7805. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the RS485APC KiCad files?
From the edwindertien/foundscape repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is microRS485-MIDI/electronics/kicad/RS485APC.kicad_pcb and its schematic anarchitechno-box/kicad/MIDI.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the RS485APC design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask edwindertien before reusing the design.
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