Getting Started

1. You need either a Core xChip (Cxxx) or a Bridge (Bxxx) and a Single Board Computer (SBC), such as an Raspberry Pi.
2. If you use any Cores, you also need a Programming Interface (IPxx). Make sure you choose the right programming interface to the right core.
3. You need a Power source (Pxxx) or you can use a programming interface (IPxx) for power as well. If you are using a Bridge and SBC, the power comes from the SBC.
4. You might want to choose a few Sensors (Sxxx) and/or a few Output xChips (Oxxx)
5. And very importantly, you need our Standard xBus Connectors (XC10) and if you are using our CC or CS range of cores (CCxx/CSxx), you also want some xPDI Connectors (XC55). You need typically one XC10 per xChip and one XC55 per CCxx/CSxx core as well. But you get redundancy and robustness by adding 50% more connectors depending on what you are building.

Quick tip: To get going, choose a kit from xKits. Even if you buy your xChips somewhere else, just choose the same as in the listed kits.

2. Assembly

There are only 2 rules:

1. All the xChips has to face the same way up. Make sure you can read the name of the xChip on the same side.

   

2. Any side of an xChip will fit (typically) 2 other sides, but not all 4 of another xChip. Make sure the notches are matching.

   

Quick tip: If you layout all the xChips, so the name is readable in the same direction, you can easily assemble your circuit without problems. Both assembly below is correct, but the first one (the one on the left) is easiest to get right every time.

3. Programming

Depending on your choice, Core or Bridge/SBC, your next path will take you in different directions:

• Single Board Computer:
  • Learn how the specific xChip Bridge connects to your Single Board Computer here!
  • Check out this Hackster project to get going.
• Arduino IDE:
  • Check out this Coding Tutorial made by Virginia Space at their Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, VA. This tutorial gives you a combined idea about how to assemble and program the xChips.
  • Fast track: This CW01 Library gives you a quick idea about how to get going with our most popular core, the ESP8266 based CW01.

Quick tip: Our CC01 core, which is Arduino Uno compatible, and our CC03 (and CS11), which is Arduino Zero compatible, can be programmed using Arduino with no other software installed. Get the CC01 and the IP01 (or IP02) - or go big and get the CC03 (or the CS11 with SD card interface) and the IP02 (or IP03).

4. Next Steps

• Our Hackster Channel features many example projects.

• Our GitHub Repositories contains libraries and example code for all our xChips.

• Our Forums connects you with like minded and is the preferred way of interacting with us.

• Our Wiki is our central documentation site, where this page, technical details, links to data sheets and user guides resides.