Spark Logic

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. connection guide

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. wiring guide with power, signal assignments, and bench checks.

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P.

80 contacts Current package

Next Thing Co. · Allwinner R8 · two 40-position headers U13 and U14

Power through Micro-USB

Required

Power the board only through the Micro-USB port for this fixture. Use a regulated 5 V supply rated at least 1 A and leave the UART adapter power wire disconnected.

  • Board supply
    • 5 V source
    • the Micro-USB port 5 V contact
  • Board return
    • Supply return
    • the Micro-USB port ground
    • GND (U13-1)
    • Meter COM
  • 3.3 V check

Bench checks

  • Verify the supply polarity and connector before plugging in. With the board powered, measure the regulated 3.3 V rail against ground.
  • Confirm a normal power indicator or boot message before adding accessories.

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. Hardware and Pin Headers

Connection scenarios

Read the boot console

Connect a 3.3 V logic-level USB UART adapter. Cross TX to RX, share ground and leave adapter power disconnected.

Board transmit to adapter receive, board receive to adapter transmit, and common ground.UART adapterBoardRXU14-3 TXTXU14-5 RXGNDU14-1

Bench checks

  • Use 115200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity and one stop bit.
  • Start the terminal before rebooting. Verify cable direction and logic level if the boot output is unreadable.

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. Hardware and Pin Headers

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. wiring map

Highlighted contacts are used in the required step or selected circuit. Select a contact to inspect it.

U13 left header
Component side with USB at the top. Contacts 1 and 2 are at the top.
U14 right header
Component side with USB at the top. Contacts 1 and 2 are at the top.
Selected pin details

U14-36 · CSID5

Multiplexed · GPIO

Board connector signal. Enable its peripheral or GPIO function in the operating system when the board supports it.

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P. Hardware and Pin Headers

Electrical limits · Pin in the reference

Models and documents

Covers both original C.H.I.P. board headers, U13 and U14. Use the board’s orientation diagram before counting contacts.

Next Thing Co. C.H.I.P.
Allwinner R8 · two 40-position headers U13 and U14