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General suggestions or questions about the SparkFun Electronics website
By Beanbag109
#139529
Could someone help a noob?

Could someone please tell me what a "breakout" board is in VERY basic terms. I am soooo new to all of this.

Thanks
Mike
User avatar
By leon_heller
#139536
It''s a PCB for a fine pitch device that brings the leads out to wider pads, making it easy to wire it into a circuit.
By Beanbag109
#139612
okay, so, (knowledge check) it is a board that will attach to a "main" board, that does a certin task, that is larger-and easy to work on.
A) True
B) False

C) All of the above... lol, just kidding

Thanks for the help!
Mike
By n1ist
#139774
To combine all the above: Breakout boards often describe one of two things

- Adapters to convert either connectors or ICs to a convenient footprint. This includes ones that go from a fine-pitch LCD connector to 0.1" headers, and boards with hard-to-mount parts (tiny surface mount parts, BGA or QFN footprints) and a header or connector. They often include other components that are always needed or have to be close to the part (bypass caps, pullup resistors, crystals). http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9614 and http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9719 are examples of this type

- Modules that encapsulate functionality, like a complete MP3 decoder/audio amp or USB to serial interface, that can be used as part of a larger project. http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10277 and http://www.sparkfun.com/products/718 are examples of this type

/mike