Hi All,

I'm working on my fist pcb design and encountering a design issue I'm not sure how to solve.
On the board I will use an ATmega328 as a processor.
I will need the RX and TX pins to communicate with a break outboard I want to fix to the PCB.
I also need the RX and TX pin to upload my firmware to the ATmega (connected to some pins/headers)
On a breadboard I would just reconnect wires as required, on the PCB they will be fixed.

How would I go about this?
Do I use jumpers so I can connect the one to the other but also connect to an external signal?

Thanks,

 

I am not familiar with ATmega or your unnamed breakout board. However, the situation you describe is not unique. If you are familiar with PIC's, the serial programming pins are often shared with other peripherals. Microchip simply tells the designer to "use isolation circuitry." That may be as simple as resistors or as complicated as a header with jumpers.

 

You could use jumpers or (my preference) a small DPDT slide switch.

 

Ok,

Thanks for the responses.
I'll go ahead with a couple of jumpers.

 

Ok,

Thanks for the responses.
I'll go ahead with a couple of jumpers.

Don't forget to put the indicator LEDs with resistors on the not switching side or you will need 2 sets for every device you communicate with on the swithing side.