The official CHIPINO website is where you can get all the open source files.
Visit it here.

CHIPINO Module

Picture
This is the module which makes all the Great Cow Basic applications easy to implement. It was designed to match the layout of the popular Arduino module so there are many third party shields that can be used with this module. The CHIPINO can accept many different 28 pin 8-bit Microcontrollers making it easy to expand for your needs. Some of ht emain features include:
  • The board has the PIC16F886 Microcontroller running at 16Mhz. 
  • All the I/O pins are brought out to headers for connecting to shields. 
  • The board also has a 5v and 3v regulator on board. 
  • It has an external power port for plugging in a power adapter so you can run the CHIPINO from household power. 
  • It has an on/off switch for that external power so you can shut it down. 
  • It can run from 9 volts to 12 volts input or just get powered from the USB programming cable. 
  • It has both digital and analog inputs. 
  • It has a built in LED connected to digital pin 13 so you can flash an LED without any added circuitry.


The CHIPINO is an open source design so you can create your own variations. It also comes in kit for and a simplified breadboard version.

Great Cow Basic CHIPINO Starter Kit

Picture
Includes:
* Great Cow Basic (Download)
* CHIPINO Module (Assembled)
* Programming Cable
* Sample Code (Download)
* User Manual (Download)

CHIPINO Module Kit

Picture
If you are a hobbyist who likes to build your own modules then the CHIPINO comes in a kit version so you can solder it yourself that way you want it built. You also save a little money.

CHIPINO Mini

Picture
The CHIPINO Mini is a breadboard version of the CHIPINO. It has the same 28 pin socket with PIC16F886, 10k pull-up on MCLR and 16 Mhz resonator in place of the crystal. All the I/O are brought out to 0.600" dual row headers. The module doesn't have the 5v or 3v power regulator or on/off switch. This simplifies the design and makes it cheaper. The idea is to develop your creation with a CHIPINO module and when you are ready to build it into a permanent project, then the CHIPINO mini can save you cost and space.

CHIPINO Shields

Demo-Shield

Picture
The Demo-Shield makes CHIPINO projects easier with no soldering, no jumper wires, just plug and play. The Demo-Shield has LEDs, Switches, Speaker, Potentiometer, Light Sensor all prewired ready to use.

Proto-Shield

Picture
The Proto-Shield makes it easy to design your own shield or test out a circuit. All the CHIPINO pins are available at the headers so you can connect to the CHIPINO pins with simple jumper wires.

LCD Shield

Picture
The LCD Shield makes it easy to display messages or even control the CHIPINO through a menu system. The LCD shield has input switches that you can read from one analog port. The LCD screen has 2 rows or 16 characters. You can use standard letters and numbers plus all the ASCII characters you see on a computer. You can even create custom characters to display.

Battery-Shield

Picture
The Battery-Shield uses for AAAA 1.5v cells to produce the 9 volts the CHIPINO needs to run. This shield makes the CHIPINO portable. It replaces the need for external power or power from the USB programmer cable. If you create a CHIPINO project that needs to be outside or away from a power source then this is a great way to power CHIPINO. You can also stack Battery-Shelds on top of each other to get a longer battery life.

3rd Party Shields

Relay Shield

Picture
The Relay Shield makes it easy to control external circuits that may need higher current than the CHIPINO can supply. The Relay Shield acts as an electronic switch that can turn on or off a circuit that runs up to 2 amps. This can be great for controlling a light bulb or small motor.

Sensor Robotics Shield

Picture
The Sensor Robotics Shield has all the CHIPINO pins connected to three pin headers. Each header has a 5v pin, a ground pin and a CHIPINO I/O pin. THere are many sensors that connect with just three pins so this shield makes that connection scheme much easier to implement. 
You can also drive servo motors from the shield as they also use the three pin connection scheme. Combine sensors with servo motors and you can built a CHIPINO based robot.

RS232 Shield

Picture
Before there was USB on computers, RS232 serial communication was the way most electronics communicated. There are still many boards that can be controlled by RS232 and this shield connects CHIPINO to just about any of those RS232 boards.