AtomSoftTech's AtomIC Family Opens with a Pair of Compact, Breadboard-Friendly Level Shifters
Designed to mimic DIP-packaged ICs, the AtomIC family is due to launch in the near future — as a means to expand breadboards' capabilities.
AtomSoftTech's Jason Lopez has unveiled his latest breadboard-friendly compact electronics projects, the first in a family of devices he calls "AtomICs:" a pair of level shifters.
To say Lopez has a fascination with shrinking devices down to a more pocket-friendly size is no exaggeration: From the Atomized Annoy-O-Tron to the AtomIO and DimeDuino, Lopez has released a range of devices designed to take up as little room as possible.
The AtomICs are no exception. "The main reason for them will be to allow people to create more using breadboards," Lopez explains. "Testing designs and having fun. There will be more to come but here is a peek at what’s currently made."
The first two devices in the AtomICs family are a pair of level shifters, one offering two channels and the other offering four. Both are presented in a DIP-format design, but where a true integrated circuit (IC) would package a silicon wafer in plastic or ceramic the AtomICs are PCBs with legs soldered onto the side.
The result is a compact device you can easily pop into a breadboard, but which leaves its internal components on display — and which should be a lot more const effective to make at small scale than a custom IC.
"These are great," Lopez says, "for those projects where you need to interface I2C or SPI from 5v to 3.3v systems."
The parts aren't yet available for sale, but Lopez has promised to reveal more on the AtomSoftTech website.
