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Smartbreadboard Programmable PCB

January – August 2026

Three-dimensional render of the green Smartbreadboard PCB with three integrated circuits and connection headers
KiCad 3D view of the Smartbreadboard PCB design.
Smartbreadboard PCB layout showing component footprints, red and blue routed tracks and mounting holes
PCB routing layout, showing the connections between the switching matrices, interface circuitry and headers.
Assembled green Smartbreadboard PCB with soldered integrated circuits and pin headers
Assembled Smartbreadboard PCB with fitted components and headers.
Smartbreadboard development setup with interconnected breadboards, an Arduino board and jumper wires
Breadboard development setup with controller, interface circuitry and jumper-wire connections.

I designed a programmable breadboard with 256 programmable crosspoints and developed Arduino firmware to control the connections. I tested addressing and control signals using logic analyser captures and schematic checks.

Objective: Reduce manual rewiring during electronics prototyping by allowing circuit connections to be selected and changed in software.

My role: PCB design, embedded firmware and signal verification. Individual research project.

My contribution: Designed a custom PCB in KiCad. Integrated two MT8816 switch matrices with an I2C GPIO expander. Developed Arduino firmware for connection control. Checked addressing and control signals using a logic analyser and schematic review.

Programmable connections: Two MT8816 switch matrices form the basis of the circuit-routing design, providing a total of 256 programmable crosspoints.

Firmware and interfaces: Arduino firmware controls circuit connections through a design incorporating an I2C GPIO expander.

Verification: Logic analyser captures and schematic checks were used to test addressing and control signals. This provides evidence about the control interface without implying comprehensive electrical characterisation.

Scope: Testing reported here covers addressing and control signals. Switch resistance, signal bandwidth, current limits and end-to-end circuit performance are not characterised on this page.

Technologies

View on GitHub