Resources for MB997C compatible RS232 daughter PCB and PCB reverse engineering

[bitSync]

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.

[mƎALLEm]

Hello @bitSync and welcome to the ST community,

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

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

[Andrew Neil]

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:

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

[bitSync]

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]

---

@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.

[bitSync]

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.

[bitSync · Accepted solution]

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. 
Which PCB services to use for personal projects after being out of it ...
Dec 12, 2023 — Circuit Maker feels like it's made annoying on purpose to make you wanna pay for Altium Designer, I know that's not quite true, but this is how it feels. For bo...
Reddit·r/embedded
Solved: PCB Customization - STMicroelectronics Community
Sep 7, 2024 — 0 Kudos. Go to solution. STTwo-32. ST Employee. ‎2024-09-07 5:19 AM. Hello @Ankur_1. ST Microelectronics does not manufacture Customized PCB. For more details a...
STMicroelectronics Community
The 2022 List of Top 10 Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers Serving ...
Here is our list of the top 10 PCB manufacturers * Advanced Circuits/4pcb.com. * Sunstone Circuits. * Bay Area Circuits. * Allpcb. * JLCPCB. * PCBgogo. * PCBWay...
Camptech II Circuits Inc.
What are the best low cost PCB manufacturers for hobbyists now that ...
May 2, 2025 — [ Aisler ](http://aisler.net), eurocircuits or multi-circuit-boards. Shameless EU plug here btw, these are all European based fabs. Aisler is quite affordable, ...
Reddit·r/PCB
Possible to order a custom PCB with components already attatched?
Dec 15, 2023 — I always order from JLCPCB , but with their assembly services you have to make sure you use their components/part numbers in your CAD software . When you upload...
Reddit·r/arduino
Comparing hobby PCB vendors - lcamtuf’s thing
Mar 23, 2023 — OSH Park is by far the best-known hobby PCB source in the United States. They do not do in-house manufacturing; instead, they combine multiple small orders into...
Substack
PCB manufacturer for hobbyist
Sep 25, 2025 — What files do you need to order a PCB? You need Gerber files, a Bill of Materials (BOM), and a drill file. Some sites also ask for a centroid file. Always check...
Wonderful PCB
They'll even assemble it for you! Comment "PCB" to Order your Flight Controller How to order a custom PCB for your project - like my Flight controller board for my mini rocket drone :rocket: Thanks to @jlcpcb for providing their great service, manufacturing my FC's board! #JLCPCB #pcb #esp32drone
Mar 26, 2026 — If you never had one of these made before, I'll show you just how easy it is. Design your PCB in an ECAD software such as Flux, export what's called a Gerber fi...

[Andrew Neil]

---

@bitSync wrote:
 you must design your own baseboard (mate board) that connects to the header pins of the MB997C ...

---

Generally, the Discovery Board (eg, MB997C) would be considered the base board - so what you design would be an accessory to fit onto the Discovery base.