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bitSync
Associate
April 27, 2026
Solved

Resources for MB997C compatible RS232 daughter PCB and PCB reverse engineering

  • April 27, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 113 views

I am trying to troubleshoot and reverse engineer a project no longer in production and for which the developer is no longer reachable.  The project is based on the ST MB997C and uses an attached daughter board that serves as an R232 communications interface to external I/O (whatever other functions it may perform are unclear).  Are there PCB suppliers that manufacture MB997C compatible PCBs to provided specifications?  The subject PCB in this project is silkscreened with the project name "ProBox V1R1", so it is not a generic OTS part.  Also, are there resources out there that can reverse engineer the functions of this PCB?  Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

ProBox Daughter Board Top.jpg

Best answer by bitSync
Closing this thread having found the following resources -who produces custom pcbs to mate with ST MB997C?
+6
STMicroelectronics does not manufacture customized PCBs for their discovery boards, such as the MB997C (STM32F4 Discovery). 
STMicroelectronics Community
Instead, you must design your own baseboard (mate board) that connects to the header pins of the MB997C and have it produced by third-party manufacturers. Common options for manufacturing and assembling such custom PCBs include:
PCBWay & JLCPCB: Popular manufacturers for custom, low-cost prototypes and assembly (PCBA).
PCBGoGo, AllPCB, & NextPCB: Other common suppliers for custom assembly.
OSH Park: USA-based fab for high-quality prototyping.
Eurocircuits & Aisler: Reliable options for European-based manufacturing. 
Reddit +4
How to get a mating board produced:
Design the Board: You need to use CAD software (like KiCad or Eagle) to create a board that matches the pin layout (headers) of the MB997C.
Generate Gerbers: Export the Gerber files and Bill of Materials (BOM) for assembly.
Upload to Fabricator: Upload these files to one of the manufacturers listed above to order the custom-designed mating board. 
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2 replies

mƎALLEm
mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
April 27, 2026

Hello @bitSync and welcome to the ST community,

What do you mean by "ST MB997C"? STM32F4DISCOVERY board?

mALLEm_0-1777288326746.png

I don't think "ProBox V1R1" board is a ST product we don't know how to help here..

"To give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on ""Accept as Solution"" on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question."
    B
    bitSyncAuthor
    Associate
    April 27, 2026

    The MB997C nomenclature can be seen on the image of the PCB in your post.

    I believe I have found some resources for PCB baseboard manufacture. Thank you.

    mƎALLEm
    mƎALLEm
    Technical Moderator
    April 27, 2026
    @bitSync wrote:

    The MB997C nomenclature can be seen on the image of the PCB in your post.

     

     It was to confirm if it was the case or not.

     

    @bitSync wrote:

    I believe I have found some resources for PCB baseboard manufacture. Thank you.

    Better to post the resource here and close this thread.

    "To give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on ""Accept as Solution"" on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question."
      Andrew Neil
      Andrew Neil
      Super User
      April 27, 2026

      Googling* "ProBox V1R1" finds this:

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/1454328184881203/posts/3897897383857592/

      in a group about "Mackie d8b".

       

      Maybe that would be a better place to ask about this?

       

      As to general resources for reverse-engineering PCBs, just visual tracing of the tracks and/or a continuity checker.

      Tips:

      • Some document scanners have sufficient depth-of-field to get a good picture of the tracks;
      • Use an image processing tool to reverse the image of the underside - so that you can line it up with the top-side.

       

      * Other internet search engines are available

       

      PS:

      Adding "mackie d8b" to the search finds this:

      http://www.probox-controller.com/downloads/documentation/user_manual_V2-01-17-1.pdf

      Which contains this picture:

      AndrewNeil_0-1777290757705.png

      Is this the product you're talking about?

      If so, there's a contact email address in that document.

      Other resources here: http://www.probox-controller.com/ 

       

      PPS:

      Another FB thread of people reverse-engineering (what appears to be) this thing:

      https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1asamYwLJH/

      This post concludes that the board just provides an RS232 transceiver:

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/1454328184881203/posts/3867040220276642/?comment_id=3867247823589215&reply_comment_id=3867291836918147

      A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
        B
        bitSyncAuthor
        Associate
        April 27, 2026

        Yes, thank you. I'm familiar with those FB posts and I've been posting in that group on this subject.

        I believe I have found some resources for baseboard production. Thanks.

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