Design with SparkFun Blackberry Trackballer Breakout in Cirkit DesignerThe SparkFun Blackberry Trackballer Breakout is an innovative interface component that allows users to integrate a trackball input device, similar to those found in Blackberry phones, into their electronic projects. This breakout board is particularly useful for adding intuitive navigation controls to embedded systems. Common applications include DIY game controllers, menu navigation for small displays, and robotic control interfaces.
This is a portable, microcontroller-driven interactive device featuring Bluetooth connectivity, visual (RGB LED), auditory (loudspeaker), and haptic (vibration motor) feedback, user input (pushbutton), and a rechargeable power system (TP4056 with Li-ion battery).
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller interfaced with an HC-05 Bluetooth module, an MPU-6050 accelerometer/gyroscope, and a KY-023 Dual Axis Joystick Module. The Arduino Nano is powered by a 9V battery through a rocker switch and communicates with the HC-05 for Bluetooth connectivity, reads joystick positions from the KY-023 module via analog inputs, and communicates with the MPU-6050 over I2C to capture motion data. The circuit is likely designed for wireless control and motion sensing applications, such as a remote-controlled robot or a game controller.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller interfaced with various input devices including a 2-axis joystick, pushbutton, rotary potentiometers, and an ADXL345 accelerometer. It also includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication and multiple LEDs for visual feedback, all powered by a 9V battery.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer
This circuit integrates a Bela Board with various sensors and actuators, including a TRILL CRAFT touch sensor, an ADXXL335 accelerometer, a vibration motor, and a loudspeaker. The Bela Board processes input from the touch sensor and accelerometer, and controls the vibration motor and loudspeaker, while an OLED display provides visual feedback.
Open Project in Cirkit Designer| Pin Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GND | Ground connection |
| 2 | VCC | Power supply (2.5V to 5.25V) |
| 3 | TBX | Trackball X-axis movement output |
| 4 | TBY | Trackball Y-axis movement output |
| 5 | TBS | Trackball select button output |
| 6 | LEDA | Anode for the four LEDs |
| 7 | LEDK1 | Cathode for LED 1 |
| 8 | LEDK2 | Cathode for LED 2 |
| 9 | LEDK3 | Cathode for LED 3 |
| 10 | LEDK4 | Cathode for LED 4 |
To use the SparkFun Blackberry Trackballer Breakout with a microcontroller, such as an Arduino UNO, follow these steps:
// Define the pin connections
const int pinTBX = 2; // Trackball X-axis
const int pinTBY = 3; // Trackball Y-axis
const int pinTBS = 4; // Trackball select button
void setup() {
pinMode(pinTBX, INPUT);
pinMode(pinTBY, INPUT);
pinMode(pinTBS, INPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
// Read the trackball movement and button state
int xValue = digitalRead(pinTBX);
int yValue = digitalRead(pinTBY);
int buttonState = digitalRead(pinTBS);
// Print the values to the serial monitor
Serial.print("X: ");
Serial.print(xValue);
Serial.print(" Y: ");
Serial.print(yValue);
Serial.print(" Button: ");
Serial.println(buttonState);
delay(100); // Small delay to debounce and reduce serial output rate
}
pinMode(pin, INPUT_PULLUP); in the setup function.Q: Can I use this breakout with a 3.3V system? A: Yes, the trackball can operate at voltages as low as 2.5V.
Q: How do I interpret the quadrature output for X and Y movements? A: The TBX and TBY pins will produce digital pulses as the trackball is moved. These pulses can be read using digital I/O and interpreted to determine the direction and magnitude of movement.
Q: Is it possible to control the brightness of the LEDs? A: Yes, by connecting the LED cathode pins to PWM-capable pins on your microcontroller, you can adjust the brightness using analog output commands.
For further assistance or inquiries, please contact SparkFun's technical support or visit the community forums.