Sensorless FOC 3 Phase Low Power Brushless BLDC Motor Driver

Driving a 3-phase brushless DC motor is very easy with this project. It is a simple and easy-to-build project that requires only a few external components. The circuit is based on AMT49400 IC which is an advanced 3-phase, Sensorless, brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver with integrated power MOSFETs. The chip includes the field-oriented control (FOC) algorithm which is fully integrated to achieve the best efficiency and acoustic noise performance. The motor speed is controlled by applying a duty cycle signal to the PWM input. Users may use Arduino, microcontroller, or discrete circuit to generate PWM for the speed controller. It is a hassle-free easy to use board, just connect the 3 phase brushless motor, connect the power supply and feed PWM to control the speed of the motor. This project is the best choice to drive a FAN motor, small pumps, and brushless toy motors, etc.

Sensorless FOC 3 Phase Low Power Brushless BLDC Motor Driver – [Link]

Low Voltage Lead Acid Battery Disconnect board – Prevents Deep Discharge Of 12V Lead Acid Battery

This project helps to optimize the 12V lead-acid (SLA) battery life as it prevents the battery from going into deep discharge. It is very important to disconnect the load before the battery enters into deep discharge as this may destroy or damage the battery cells.  The circuit shown here turns off the load before the battery enters deep discharge and avoids a further (deep) discharge that can shorten the SLA battery life. Once the battery is recharged or replaced you need to push a reset switch to power ON the load.  The predetermined load level is set to 12V, this voltage level is proportional to the battery voltage which is determined by resistor divider R2, and R9. Once the voltage falls below the setpoint (12V) it disconnects the load, the load-battery connection remains open until the system receives a manual reset command using tactile switch SW1.

Low Voltage Lead Acid Battery Disconnect board – Prevents Deep Discharge Of 12V Lead Acid Battery – [Link]

High Side Switch with Input Overvoltage and Overcurrent Protection

The project here is a 48V protected, high side switch designed to switch a 5A output load from input voltages from 8V to 48V. The circuit helps the user to easily ON/OFF the high current and voltage load with over-voltage lockout and over-current protection. The wide input range and low shutdown current (1μA typical) make it suitable for automotive, industrial, medical instruments, and telecom applications. This board offers a low 50ns (typical) propagation delay, fast switching times (<10ns), and 100% duty cycle operation. The project is based on LTC7000 which is a fast high voltage protected high side N-channel MOSFET driver. An internal charge pump fully enhances an external N-channel MOSFET switch, allowing it to remain on indefinitely. Its powerful gate driver can drive large gate capacitance MOSFETs with very short transition times, ideal for both high-frequency switching and static switch applications.

High Side Switch with Input Overvoltage and Overcurrent Protection – [Link]

3W Stereo Differential Input CLASS-D Audio Amplifier with UP/DOWN Volume

The circuit presented here is a 3W stereo audio amplifier with memory UP/DOWN volume control. The project is based on PAM8408 IC from Diode Incorp which is a filter-less class-D amplifier with high SNR and Differential input which helps eliminate noise. Two tactile switches are provided to control the UP/DOWN volume in 32-steps and it will hold the setting when the chip is in shutdown mode. The operating supply is 2.5V to 6V DC and this supply range helps to operate it with batteries like the use of 4 x Alkaline batteries. The small PCB size, 87% efficiency, low cost, minimum external components make this project ideal for portable applications. The PAM8408 also has built-in auto-recovery SCP (Short Circuit Protection) and thermal shutdown. The circuit works with differential audio signal input. It is advisable to use shielded wire for the audio input signals. Jumper J3 is open in normal operation, and if you close it puts the amplifier into shutdown mode and the audio volume will memorize when shutdown mode is recovered. Solder jumpers J1 and J2 are optional and of no use, it is advisable to keep these jumpers open. Connector CN1 is for power supply, CN2 is for audio signal input, CN3, and CN4 are for the speaker, Jumper J3 is for Shutdown, D1 is the power LED, Switch 1 increased volume, and Switch 2 decreases volume.

3W Stereo Differential Input CLASS-D Audio Amplifier with UP/DOWN Volume – [Link]

Galvanic Isolated 8 Channel High-Side Switch (0.6A per channel)

This project provides 8 fully protected and isolated high-side power switches that are able to handle current up to 625 mA. An 8-bit parallel microcontroller compatible interface allows connecting the inputs directly to a microcontroller or standalone circuit system. The input interface also supports direct control mode and is designed to operate with 3.3/5V CMOS compatible levels. The signal transfer from input to output side is realized by the integrated Coreless Transformer Technology. The board is designed for industrial applications such as process control and PLC to drive inductive, resistive, and capacitive loads like Relay, solenoid, lamps, heaters, piezo.

Galvanic Isolated 8 Channel High-Side Switch (0.6A per channel) – [Link]

Bring your creations to life with LumiCube — an ultimate LED cube kit for the Raspberry Pi

A two-man team has created an ultimate LED cube kit for the Raspberry Pi, one that helps to bring your ideas and creativity to life.

“We created the LumiCube to bring the joy of tinkering with technology to as wide an audience as possible. Perhaps you remember the fun and excitement of sitting in front of an old BBC Micro? That’s the kind of experience we wanted to recreate with the LumiCube: create patterns and sounds with just a few lines of code!” the team explains.

The LumiCube as it is called is a kit for the Raspberry Pi covered with over 190 bright LEDs. It combines the powerful mini-computer with a whole range of electronics and sensors and is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts.

The 10cm LumiCube has features that help to support your creativity, from a speaker to an accelerometer, to a screen, to a microphone, and to a range of sensors. It is just a perfect playground that allows you to stay in your creative zone and try out new ideas easily.

You may want to consider trying to use the LumiCube to unfold a number of creative possibilities like creating an internal ticker that gives you constant and regular updates about your important events or creating a wake-up lamp that is programmed according to your schedule, or even making your animations react when you pick them up or shake them. You may also want to use it to create a Pomodoro timer that keeps track of your sessions, send messages to your loved ones, or help you focus by providing some background sounds. It’s quite small in size, so it’s something you can just place on the desk while you work.

The LumiCube is also one good way to learn the Python programming language, for those who are not conversant with coding in Python.

“Every part of the LumiCube is programmable, using our browser-based coding environment. We’ve worked hard to remove any complexity, so you can achieve real results with just a few lines of code. Sometimes modern technology can feel overwhelmingly complicated – with the LumiCube we set out to make programming fun again!”

The team also said that they have made everything as interactive and as immediate as possible.

“Our software works straight out of the box, so you won’t get stuck installing and configuring libraries. The commands to control the LEDs are brief and intuitive. Users can create patterns and animations using the Python programming language, directly from their web browser.”

What’s more?

The LumiCube has environmental sensors that can help you monitor your office or home environment, taking and storing records of the temperature, humidity, and air pressure variations of your space.

Pricing and Availability

The project has been launched on Kickstarter with manufacturing expected to start in June this year while shipping will be in September.

Further Details

Runmecy, A Compact Laser Engraver And Cutter

A campaign has been launched on Kickstarter for a laser engraver called Runmecy. The Runmecy is a laser engraver and cutter that combines more power, speed, and safety than any other engraver in a compact and lightweight design. It enables you to be innovative on any project, whether it’s art, business, or just creating something exciting. Its powerful laser housed in the Runmecy is up to the task of engraving a flask for a friend, a plaque for a trophy, or a piece of art to hang up. We advanced laser technology by shrinking the previous 5W laser from 0.2mm to 0.08mm in diameter, allowing our 5W semiconductor laser to engrave most metal surfaces.

The Runmecy is at the forefront of laser engraving technology. Its powerful laser is built to help you unleash your creativity on any surface, with a 5W German-engineered OSRAM laser chip, efficient heat dissipation, and finely tuned precision glass lens. The Runmecy can now cut through thick wood thanks to our advancements (up to 1.5mm). It ensures that every engraving cut is made on the first try.

The Runmecy can engrave on almost any surface you can think of. Stainless steel, anodized aluminum alloy, iron, glass, ceramic, wood, bamboo, paper, acrylic, leather, stone, cement, or fruit are all examples of materials you can engrave on. Allow your mind to run wild with possibilities. We made it simple to edit your designs while using the app. Engraving with Runmecy is simple. You just connect your Runmecy to your computer or smartphone to begin engraving. It connects via Bluetooth or cable, then you launch the app and select your design to begin engraving. You can also use the app to edit designs from the palm of your hand via your smartphone. You can also connect via USB to your Windows or Mac computer and use the simple software to edit your designs and transform your images into unique designs that can be engraved.

The laser module of the Runmecy utilizes a Nichia 440nm 5000mW laser diode from Japan. It functions via a special process, which compresses the target spot to make it a square of up to 0.08mm in size. This enables the engraving pattern to be far more delicate and clear, offering more focused power and a stronger engraving ability that allows it to engrave on glossy metal. A new app is created for the 5W laser module. The download path and software recognize your device automatically, and if you have a 1.6-watt and a 5-watt running simultaneously, there won’t be any interference with each other’s operation on the same app. The working frame of the 5-watt model is appropriately reduced. Runmecy’s color and surface treatment processes have been changed, to improve the product’s aesthetically pleasing and beautiful appearance. Also, its working hours have been increased to 1.5 hours of uninterrupted work.

The fast engraving feature on the Runmecy is 3-5 times faster than print engraving. The fast engraving is ideal for more casual designs that don’t require much finesse (sketches, signatures, and pictures with more complex images and thin lines won’t be able to be engraved fast). Fast engraving functions via a point-to-point method which is optimized by their advanced algorithm to reduce motor operation in blank areas, resulting in faster engraving. Thanks to its CNC mode, each step is an effective stroke that doubles the overall engraving speed. Its resolution of 508DPI or 0.05 mm enables the engraver to produce clear designs and images. This enables each engraved design to have a distinct focus and resolution. Runmecy is small, foldable, powerful, and convenient to transport anywhere. It offers smart portability, enabling you to keep your engraver close at hand at all times. Its manual focus enables you to go deeper or get better engravings.

The engraving preview area of the Runmecy enables you to see where your engraver will cut. This enables you to make adjustments when necessary. Runmecy has a lot of safety features, to ensure the user’s safety at all times. Its G-sensor is a type of accelerometer. In the event of movement, the laser engraving is paused. Also, if the power is turned off, the device will remain on, and once the G-sensor stops detecting movement, it will turn back on. When the engraver is turned on, its protective shields keep the laser contained. The Runmecy can engrave objects of any size, this is because of its baseless design.

Runmecy can run indefinitely for 90 minutes, making it very efficient and effective. Also, if the laser becomes overheated, its power output will be reduced slightly until it can be turned off. However, you can keep engraving because Runmecy can run at 80% power and below without stopping the process.

For more information about the Runmecy, visit the campaign page on Kickstarter.

Raspberry Pi CM4 powers “Industrial Pi” panel PC and 10.1-inch “All-In-One Pi” system

Today, we will be covering two new products that were announced recently by Chipsee, and are powered by the Raspberry Pi compute module 4: a 7-inch “Industrial Pi” panel PC and a 10.1-inch “All-In-One Pi” system.

Industrial Pi CM3-101-EM

This new 7-inch panel PC seems to be the first panel PC to be powered by the Raspberry Pi compute module 4 and it is offered in two different versions: the Industrial Pi CM4-70-EM which currently sells for $199, and the Industrial Pi CM4-70-PA which sells for $219. Both versions come with a touchscreen, and a mainboard, the major difference between them is that the CM4-70-PA has a panel-PC housing while the CM4-70-EM doesn’t.

The 190 mm × 107.8 mm × 27.7mm Industrial Pi also features a compute module 4 with 2GB LPDDR4 and 16GB eMMC, dual microSD card slots, 7-inch 1024 x 600 IPS, camera connector that is compatible with the RPi cameras, buzzer, boot switch, LED, RTC with coin-cell battery holder, optional VESA mount and operating temperature range of 0 ~ 50℃. The panel PC can be powered by a 6-36V DC input via a terminal plug and consumes 5W, with 420 mA max current @ 12V.

The two models also offer an optional mini-PCIe slot with 4G/LTE module and an external antenna for $64. There are also WiFi/BT and CM4 Lite models, but you may have to place an order for them if you are interested. Software support for the Industrial Pi is Ubuntu and Debian.

All-In-One Pi

The All-in-One Pi desktop which was also announced recently is equipped with a 1.5GHz quad -A72 RPi CM4 with 2GB RAM, 16 eMMC, WiFi/Bluetooth, a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive touchscreen with 10-point touch, GbE, microSD card slot, RTC, micro-USB OTG, 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 3.5mm audio jack and 2W speaker joined by a microphone, front-mounted camera, optional 4G/LTE and ZigBee modules and optional metal stand and VESA desktop stand.

The 250.54 × 178.54 × 26.9mm AiO system also provides a 9-36V DC input jack, consumes 6W, and has an operating temperature range of 0 ~ 50℃. Software support appears to be Ubuntu and Debian too.

More information…

Further details on CM4-based industrial Pi may be found on the company’s announcement page or the Industrial Pi CM4-70-EM and CM4-70-PA product pages.

The All-In-One Pi system on the other hand currently sells for $239, with an additional $50 for shipping to the United States, or you could just wait for about one to two months to purchase from Mouser.

Further details on the AiO Pi may also be found here, on the company’s page.

AAEON Announces New Upcoming Platforms Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Edge AI Platform; Presenting Six Sessions at GTC 2021

AAEON, an industry leader in embedded AI edge computing systems, announces a lineup of platforms currently under development powered by the newly released NVIDIA® Jetson™ TX2 NX system on module (SOM). This range of systems, named the BOXER-823x Series, will augment AAEON’s lineup of diverse solutions powered by the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform. With these platforms planned for release in mid-2021, early adopters have a chance to demo the systems while in development.

The NVIDIA Jetson TX2 NX is the latest addition to NVIDIA’s Jetson lineup, slotting in between the NVIDIA Jetson Nano™ and NVIDIA Xavier™ NX. Jetson TX2 NX is powered by a NVIDIA Pascal GPU, quad-core Arm® Cortex®-A57 MPCore processor complex, offering 256 CUDA® Cores, 4GB of onboard LPDD4 memory, and 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth compatible with extensions of various standard bus interfaces. In total, this offers AI processing speeds up to 1.33 TFLOPS.

AAEON is pleased to announce the following upcoming platforms which leverage their expertise in rugged industrial design with the capabilities of the NVIDIA Jetson TX2 NX, in two familiar yet diverse I/O layouts:

  • The BOXER-8230AI offers ultimate connectivity with five Gigabit LAN ports, four USB3.2 Gen 1 ports and two COM ports.
  • The BOXER-8233AI unlocks greater flexibility with HDMI input, as well as two PoE PSE ports to power and communicate with devices over a single cable, such as PoE cameras or other sensors.

Together, they provide even more flexible options for developers and users interested in leveraging the NVIDIA Jetson platform. The BOXER-823x Series continues to offer AAEON technical know-how with fanless design for reliable, consistent performance. Additionally, AAEON is making available a limited number of pre-release development demo systems (BOXER-8230AI and BOXER-8233AI) for customers/developers wishing to become early adopters of the NVIDIA Jetson TX2 NX platform before it’s widely available. For more information on the BOXER-823x Series or how to become an early adopter, contact AAEON sales by visiting www.aaeon.com.

NVIDIA Jetson is the leading AI-at-the-edge computing platform with over half a million developers. With pre-trained AI models, developer SDKs and support for cloud-native technologies across the full Jetson lineup, manufacturers of intelligent machines and AI developers can build and deploy high-quality, software-defined features on embedded and edge devices targeting robotics, AIoT, smart cities, healthcare, industrial applications, and more.

AAEON Technology will be presenting at GTC on topics like Edge AI Security in AIoT applications [SS33130], Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) [SS33108], Intelligent Video Analytics for addressing challenges brought by COVID-19 [SS33128], Combating the Pandemic through Social Distancing [SS31415], Powering Construction Automation in Extreme Conditions [SS31399], and Automating Defect Inspection with AI to Accelerate the Smart Factory [SS33230]. Register for free for GTC, running April 12-16, to add these sessions on your calendar, by visiting https://nvda.ws/387Xrpn

Maxim Integrated MAX78000 AI Microcontroller

MAX78000 – Ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M4 processor with FPU-based microcontroller with Convolutional Neural Network Accelerator.

The MAX78000 is is an advanced system-on-chip built to enable neural networks to execute at ultra-low power and live at the edge of the IoT. This product combines the most energy-efficient AI processing with Maxim’s proven ultra-low power microcontrollers. The hardware-based convolutional neural network (CNN) accelerator enables battery-powered applications to execute AI inferences while spending only microjoules of energy.

In addition to the memory in the CNN engine, the MAX78000 has large on-chip system memory for the microcontroller core, with 512KB flash and up to 128KB SRAM. Multiple high-speed and low-power communications interfaces are supported, including I2S and a parallel camera interface (PCIF).

The device is available in 81-pin CTBGA (8mm x 8mm, 0.8mm pitch) and 130-pin WLP (4.6mm x 3.7mm, 0.35mm pitch) packages.

Key features

Dual Core Ultra-Low-Power Microcontroller

  • Arm Cortex-M4 Processor with FPU Up to 100MHz
  • 512KB Flash and 128KB SRAM
  • Optimized Performance with 16KB Instruction Cache
  • Optional Error Correction Code (ECC-SEC-DED) for SRAM
  • 32-Bit RISC-V Coprocessor up to 60MHz
  • Up to 52 General-Purpose I/O Pins
  • 12-Bit Parallel Camera Interface
  • One I2S Master/Slave for Digital Audio Interface

Neural Network Accelerator

  • Highly Optimized for Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
  • 442k 8bit Weight Capacity with 1,2,4,8-bit Weights
  • Programmable Input Image Size up to 1024 x 1024 pixels
  • Programmable Network Depth up to 64 Layers
  • Programmable per Layer Network Channel Widths up to 1024 Channels
  • 1 and 2 Dimensional Convolution Processing
  • Streaming Mode
  • Flexibility to Support Other Network Types, Including MLP and Recurrent Neural Networks

Power Management Maximizes Operating Time for Battery Applications

  • Integrated Single-Inductor Multiple-Output (SIMO) Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS)
  • 2.0V to 3.6V SIMO Supply Voltage Range
  • Dynamic Voltage Scaling Minimizes Active Core Power Consumption
  • 22.2μA/MHz While Loop Execution at 3.0V from Cache (CM4 only)
  • Selectable SRAM Retention in Low-Power Modes with Real-Time Clock (RTC) Enabled

Security and Integrity

  • Available Secure Boot
  • AES 128/192/256 Hardware Acceleration Engine
  • True Random Number Generator (TRNG) Seed Generator

more information: https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/microcontrollers/MAX78000.html/product-details/tabs-3#design-developement

TOP PCB Companies