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Meet BPI-M2 Pro SBC — A More Compact Amlogic S905X3 SBC From Banana Pi

Posted on 25 March, 202125 March, 2021 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Banana Pi has unveiled a more compact model of their Amlogic S905X3 based single board computer equipped with a quad -A55 Amlogic S905X3, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, and BT connectivity, HDMI video output, 40-pin GPIO, and two USB 3.0 ports — the BPI-M2 Pro SBC.

The new BPI-M2 Pro is second in line of a bigger but similar open-spec Banana Pi BPI-M5 SBC that closely follows the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B form factor. The BPI-M2 Pro shares almost the same specifications as the BPI-M5 except for some slight differences which I would just like to share briefly.

The BPI-M5 board is also an Amlogic-based board with 4x, up to 2GHz Cortex-A55 cores, a Mali-G31 GPU running @up to 650Mhz, 16GB to 64GB eMMC, a microSD slot and 1GbE LAN. The BPI-M5 has double the RAM of the BPI-M2 Pro at 2GB as well as up to 4x USB 3.0 ports instead of the 2x found in the BPI-M2 Pro. There’s also an audio jack in the BPI-M5 that is not available with the BPI-M2 Pro.

The BPI-M2 Pro on the other hand adds a WiFi/BT module and uses a DC Jack for power supply input instead of the Type-C port.

The new SBC also follows in a line of other BPI-M2 boards like the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Berry and the Banana Pi BPI-M2+ which is of the same size as the BPI-M2 Pro.

Features and Specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Pro include:

Processor: Amlogic S905X3 (4x Cortex-A55 @ up to 2GHz); 12nm fab
ARM Mali-G31 GPU @ up to 650MHz
2GB LPDDR4 RAM
16GB eMMC with optional up to 64GB
MicroSD card slot for up to 256GB
1x Gigabit Ethernet port
Dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 1×1
Bluetooth 4.2 (Realtek RTL8821CU) module
HDMI 2.1 port for up to 4K@60Hz with audio, HDR, CEC, EDID
2x USB 3.0 host ports
1x Micro-USB OTG port
3-pin UART header for serial console
40-pin Raspberry Pi compatible header (28x GPIO with support for UART, I2C, SPI or PWM plus 5V, 3.3V, GND)
IR receiver
2x LEDs (Power and status LEDs)
SW key
Power Supply: 5V/3 DC input jack (micro USB port does not support power input)
Reset button and boot switch
Dimensions: 65 mm x 65 mm
Weight: 58 grams
Operating system: Android and Linux

The SBC is supported with Android 9 and Linux flavors including Ubuntu, Debian, and CoreELEC. Since software support is not really a strength of Banana Pi, judging from past projects, the BPI-M2 Pro will most likely be more appreciated and better used by experienced developers and engineers.

There is no information on pricing and availability yet, but the board will likely cost less than the BPI-M5 that sells for $53. Further details however may be found on the company’s wiki page.

Compact 3.5 inch iBase IB386 SBC Featuring Intel Elkhart Lake SoC

Posted on 25 March, 2021 by Saumitra Jagdale

In December 2020, we saw iBase unveiled the release of the 10th generation intel core Mini ITX motherboard. Now, the company has announced its compact 3.5-inch iBase IB386 SBC featuring Elkhart Lake SoC. There was another 3.5-inch ECM-EHL SBC which had a similar Elkhart Lake SoC but, it comes with 1GbE ports instead of the GbE and 2.5GbE ports on the ECM-EHL.

Discussing further, Intel’s Elkhart Lake SoC is specific to the next generation of IoT edge devices. The SoC comes with new levels of CPU and graphics performance with built-in IoT features, real-time performance, manageability, and security. “It runs on 10nm SuperFin Tremont CPU cores and up to 32EU Intel Gen11 graphics with triple 4K. The SoC offers improved AI performance over the earlier, Atom-class Gemini Lake, which iBase used on its 3.5-inch IB822 SBC.”

Key Features of IB386 SBC

Intel Elkhart Lake Atom x6000E, Celeron, and Pentium (2x or 4x 10nm Elkhart Lake cores working up to 1.8GHz/3.0GHz.
Intel UHD Graphics with 11th generation up to 32EU.
Memory includes up to 32GB DDR4-3200 through two slots and IBECC RAM.
Storage includes 2x SATA 3.0 and mSATA is available through mini-PCIe shared with SATA port.
3x Intel PCI-E GbE LAN for networking.
M.2 sockets and Mini PCI-E slot for expandability.
Watchdog timer, Digital I/O interfacing, and TPM (2.0)
9V to 36V wide-range DC input supply.
Extended operating temperature in certain models.

The iBase IB386 SBC comes with USB 3.1 host ports, the port is a Type-C USB with DP support. It also has USB 2.0 headers for plugging compatible devices with the SBC. The SBC also features three RS-232 headers for connecting serial devices which are capable of transmitting only one bit at an instance.

The iBase says “The unit supports Intel IBECC (In-band error-correcting code), an error-correcting architecture works to detect and correct single-bit memory errors to enhance safety and reliability. With a 15-year life cycle, the guaranteed availability ideally fits customer demands for their projects in smart retail, intelligent transportation, healthcare, and industrial automation applications”

The iBase IB386 SBC comes with non-condensing relative humidity tolerance and has an operating temperature range from -40 to 85°C on Atom models. The dimensions of the SBC are 147 x 102mm with a “3.5-inch form factor”. It supports Ubuntu Linux and Windows operating systems.

There is no pricing or availability information of the SBC at this point in time. For More information visit the official product page of IB386 SBC. Images and technical specifications have also been taken from the product page.

Source: LinuxGizmos

ScioSense’s ENS210 relative humidity and temperature sensor with I²C interface

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

ScioSense’s ENS210 is a high-performance digital output sensor that monolithically integrates one relative humidity sensor and one high-accuracy temperature sensor. The device is encapsulated in a QFN4 package and includes an I²C slave interface for communication with a master processor.

Features

Compact size: 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm x 0.75 mm
Typ. accuracy: temperature sensor ±0.15°C, relative humidity sensor ±2.0% RH
Digital pre-calibrated output in K and %RH
Wide operating range: 1.71 V to 3.60 V
Ultra-low power: standby current 40 nA, active current 6.6 μA @ 1 Hz (1.8 V)
Low drift: 0.25% p.a.
Fast response: τT < 1 s, τRH < 3 s

Applications

Home appliances (dryers, cookers, hoods, refrigerators)
Home and building climate control systems
Transportation condition monitoring
Wireless sensor nodes
Personal health and wellness monitoring
Industrial automation (e.g., server rooms)

Available Tool: Evaluation Kit for ENS210

The ENS210 Evaluation Kit is a combination of an ENS210 shield and a USB-to-I²C dongle. The evaluation kit connects to a Windows PC via USB port, and the sensor is powered via the USB connector. It can be controlled by a Windows PC-based application, which demonstrates the relative humidity and temperature values measured by the sensor. The PC application can also be used for logging sensor data and monitoring the I²C transaction. The evaluation kit can also be used for quick integration into the end customer’s application. The ENS210 evaluation kit comes with an extensive set of documentation such as a quick start guide, a user manual, application notes, and others, and reference drivers for easy design-in.

more information: https://www.sciosense.com/products/relative-humidity-and-temperature-sensors/ens210-relative-humidity-and-temperature-sensor/

Analog Devices’ LT3950 1.5 A multi-topology LED driver offers 20,000:1 range dimming of the LED

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

High contrast applications (day to night) require high dimming ratios, and ADI’s LT3950 provides up to 20,000:1 dimming ratio, providing high dynamic range dimming for day/night vision. The flexibility to combine with analog input dimming provides accurate LED brightness control and eliminates the need for a microcontroller.

The LT3950 is a multi-topology DC/DC converter designed specifically to drive high current LEDs. It contains a 1.5 A, 60 V DMOS switch and supports an external PWM dimming PMOS. The LT3950 has an internal PWM generator for dimming that maps an analog control signal to an exponential scale used to define PWM dimming duty ratio. Using an exponential scale to define duty ratio preserves dimming resolution across a wide range of LED current. In addition to operating as a constant current source, the LT3950 also provides output voltage regulation. This can be used to prevent damage to the part in case of open LED events. A programmable switching frequency offers flexibility in design for higher efficiency or reduced component size. Enabling spread spectrum frequency modulation reduces EMI. The switching frequency can also easily be synchronized by driving the SYNC/SPRD pin with an external clock. LED current is programmed with a single external sense resistor and can be adjusted from zero to full-scale by an analog signal at the CTRL pin.

DC2788A is a boost LED driver featuring the LT3950. This demonstration circuit powers a string of LEDs at 330 mA. The step-up topology can be used to drive a string of up to 28 V of LEDs as assembled. The maximum output voltage capability of the LT3950 is 60 V. DC2788A runs from an input voltage range of 6 V to 24 V as built. It also runs at 2 MHz and has the capability to turn on spread spectrum frequency modulation (SSFM) for a frequency range of 2.0 MHz to 2.5 MHz. Dimming control can be achieved with analog dimming or PWM dimming either from an external or an internally generated clock source. DC2788A features undervoltage lockout (UVLO) set at 6.6 V with a 1.0 V hysteresis for turn-on.

The UVLO voltage, LED current, output voltage range, switching frequency, brightness control, SSFM, and the topology can all be adjusted with simple modifications to the demonstration circuit.

Features

20,000:1 external PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming allows high dynamic range dimming of the LED load
Accurate PWM control and short-circuit protection so it can maintain constant brightness of LEDs in side-by-side strings and protect LEDs from damage
SSFM ensures low EMI performance; passes CISPR25 Class 5; synchronized to PWM frequency to eliminate visible LED flicker

Applications

General-purpose: scanners, industrial panels, display backlighting, video wall displays, LED arrays
Automotive: high contrast instrument clusters, TFT-LCD LED backlighting, heads-up displays (HUD)
Aerospace and defense: HUD, LED backlighting, high contrast instrument clusters
Healthcare: COVID testers

more information: https://www.analog.com/en/products/lt3950.html

LPS27HHTW MEMS Pressure Sensor acts as a digital output barometer

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

STMicroelectronics’ ultra-compact piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor functions as a digital output barometer

STMicroelectronics’ LPS27HHTW is an ultra-compact piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor that functions as a digital output barometer. The device also embeds a temperature sensor to monitor ambient temperature. The LPS27HHTW comprises a sensing element and an IC interface that communicates through I²C, MIPI I³C^SM, or SPI from the sensing element to the application.

Features

Pressure sensor with water-resistant package
Potting gel and grounded metal cap
260 hPa to 1260 hPa absolute pressure range
Current consumption down to 4 µA
Absolute pressure accuracy: 0.5 hPa
Low-pressure sensor noise: 0.7 Pa
Temperature accuracy: ±1.5°C
Embedded temperature compensation
24-bit pressure data output
ODR from 1 Hz to 200 Hz
SPI, I²C, or MIPI I³C interfaces
Embedded FIFO
Interrupt functions: data-ready, FIFO flags, pressure thresholds
Supply voltage: 1.7 V to 3.6 V
ECOPACK lead-free compliant

more information: https://www.st.com/en/mems-and-sensors/lps27hhtw.html

MPM3650 Synchronous Ultra-Thin Power Module

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

MPS’ 2.75 V to 17 V, 6 A, 1.2 MHz module is ideal for applications such as industrial equipment

MPS’ MPM3650 is a fully integrated, high-frequency, synchronous rectified, step-down power module with an internal inductor. It offers a very compact solution to achieve 6 A of continuous output current over a wide input range with excellent load and line regulation. The device has synchronous-mode operation for higher efficiency over the output current load range. Full protection features include SCP, overcurrent protection (OCP), UVP, and thermal shutdown. The constant-on-time control operation provides a very fast transient response, easy loop design, and very tight output regulation. The MPM3650 is available in a QFN-24 (4 mm x 6 mm) package.

Features:

Wide operating input range: 2.75 V to 17 V
Output current: 5 A
Fixed switching frequency: 1,200 kHz
External, programmable soft-start time
EN and power good for power sequencing
OCP and hiccup mode
Thermal shutdown
Internal power MOSFETs
Output adjustable from 0.6 V
High-efficiency synchronous-mode operation
High efficiency with DCM in light-load operation
Supports pre-biased startup
Package: QFN-24 (4 mm x 6 mm)

more information: https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/mpm3650.html

EA W128064-XALG Compact Low-Power OLED Display

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

Display Visions’ 0.84″ 96 x 16 OLED display is ideal for small, compact low-power applications

Display Visions’ yellow OLEDs come packaged as a complete module that includes all required logic at only a 1.34 mm thickness. With a built-in controller, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 10 µs response time, viewing angles greater than 160°, and the ability to withstand harsh environments due to its extreme temperature range of -40°C to +80°C, these displays will offer any industry an upgrade to their current monochromatic character application.

All OLED displays can be evaluated using the EA 9781-USB evaluation board, and a free simulator tool can be downloaded to start the design process.

Features

0.84″ low-power OLED (15 mA typ.)
Temperature range: -40°C to +80°C
96 x 16 dots
Bright white content with unlimited viewing angle
Includes SSD1306B controller
EA W096016-XALW: I²C-Bus interface
EA W096016-XBLW: I²C-Bus and SPI interface (3- and 4-wire)
Fast response time (10 µs) even at -40°C
Connection by stamp soldering or ZIFF connector
RoHS, CE, and REACH compliant

Applications

IoT systems
Low-power handheld devices
Oil and gas equipment
Laboratory equipment
Industrial controls, instrumentation, and machines
Testing and measurement equipment
Medical devices
Defense applications
Low-power industrial automation solutions
Smart home applications

more information: https://www.lcd-module.com

BQ76952 3- to 16-Series Battery Monitors and Protectors for Li-Ion, Li-Polymer, and LiFePO4 battery packs

Posted on 23 March, 202123 March, 2021 by mixos

Texas Instruments’ high-accuracy protector is designed for Li-Ion, Li-Polymer, and LiFePO4 battery packs

Texas Instruments’ BQ76952 device is a highly integrated, high-accuracy battery monitor and protector for 3-series to 16-series Li-Ion, Li-Polymer, and LiFePO4 battery packs. The device includes a high-accuracy monitoring system, a highly configurable protection subsystem, and support for autonomous or host-controlled cell balancing. Integration includes high-side charge-pump NFET drivers, dual-programmable LDOs for external system use, and a host communication peripheral supporting 400 kHz I²C, SPI, and HDQ one-wire standards. The BQ76952 device is available in a 48-pin TQFP package.

Features

Battery monitoring capability for 3-series to 16-series cells
Integrated charge pump for high-side NFET protection with optional autonomous recovery
Extensive protection suite including voltage, temperature, current, and internal diagnostics
Two independent ADCs:
- Supports simultaneous current and voltage sampling
- High-accuracy coulomb counter with input offset error <1 µV (typ.)
- High-accuracy cell voltage measurement <10 mV (typ.)
Wide-range current applications (±200 mV measurement range across the sense resistor)
Integrated secondary chemical fuse drive protection
Autonomous or host-controlled cell balancing
Multiple power modes (typical battery pack operating range conditions):
- NORMAL mode: 286 µA
- Multiple SLEEP mode options: 24 µA to 41 µA
- Multiple DEEPSLEEP mode options: 9 µA to 10 µA
- SHUTDOWN mode: 1 µA
High voltage tolerance of 85 V on cell connect and select additional pins
Tolerant of random cell attach sequence on the production line
Supports temperature sensing using an internal sensor and up to nine external thermistors
Integrated one-time-programmable (OTP) memory programmable by customers on the production line
Communication options: 400 kHz I²C, SPI, and HDQ one-wire interface
Dual-programmable LDOs for external system usage
Package: 48-pin TQFP (PFB)

Applications

Battery backup units (BBU)
E-bikes, e-scooters, and LEV
Cordless power tools and garden tools
Non-military drones
Other industrial battery packs (≥10S)

more information: https://www.ti.com/product/BQ76952

PLEA67 Series Thin-Film Power Inductors offer impressive rated current

Posted on 23 March, 2021 by mixos

TDK Corporation’s inductors are available in a compact external size and an impressive rated current

TDK Corporation has developed the PLEA67 series of inductors for use in true wireless stereo (TWS) devices. TWS devices are finding increasing applications with smartphones, smartwatches, and other wearables and in turn, the demand for electronic components in this domain is rising.

This series of inductors is intended for use in power circuits incorporated into wireless earphones used with smartphones, portable players, and similar devices. In addition to an impressive rated current of 500 mA, the PLEA67 series of inductors also boasts one of the industry’s smallest external sizes, measuring at 1.0 mm (L) x 0.6 mm (W) x 0.7 mm (H), respectively. The compact external size facilitates space savings in circuit board design and helps reduce the weight of earphones, providing users with mobility comfort. The magnetic shield structure reduces magnetic flux leakage to pave the way for high-density implementation. TDK’s original structure design and more recently developed materials are used in its thin-film process to achieve a rated current of 500 mA, despite a high inductance of 2.2 µH for its size.

Compact size
Rated current of 500 mA
Flux leakage reduction structure opening the way for high-density implementation
TWS earphones and hearing aids
Communication modules (GPS, Bluetooth®, etc.)

more information: https://product.tdk.com/system/files/dam/doc/product/inductor/inductor/smd/catalog/inductor_commercial_power_plea67bba_en.pdf

New Versatile AIM-TTi PowerFlex+ 750W DC Laboratory Power Supply

Posted on 23 March, 202123 March, 2021 by mixos

The Aim-TTi QPX750SP is the first of a new Bench/System Single Output PowerFlex+ DC Power Supply platform. It provides up to 80V or 50A at a maximum of 750W in a benchtop or rackmount housing.

Saelig Company, Inc. announces the availability of the Aim-TTi QPX750SP 750W Single Output DC Power Supply that can provide voltages between 80V at 9.4A and 12V at 50A with a maximum resolution of 0.1mV. This laboratory power supply is designed to provide a flexible choice of voltage and current to meet multiple application needs. It is housed in a compact 3U half-rack-width case with front ventilation and low noise fan-assisted cooling. Front and rear power and sense terminals make it suitable for use either on the bench or in a rack-mount system. The available RM460 4U rack kit can accept one or two QPX750SPs with ½U rack spacing above and below to provide full ventilation.

The QPX750SP features an SELV mode, an added safety feature where voltages above 50V require authorization from the user. The QPX750SP’s PowerFlex+ design uses a linear final regulation design, which minimizes ripple and improves dynamic performance. This design results in an unusually low noise/power ratio, coupled with good transient response.

Three operating modes for the QXP750SP are provided: Constant Voltage, Constant Current or Constant Power, with automatic cross-over dependent on output setting parameters CV, CC or CP mode indication in the display.

A 4.3” color touch-screen simplifies operation and enables data entry via touch input in addition to the numeric keypad and rotary encoder. Comprehensive information is displayed for operational settings and limits for voltage, current, or power (watts). Equivalent resistance measurements of the connected load can be made at high currents using the remote sense terminals to create a four-terminal connection. This gives more reliable results for long power leads or components such as magnetics and cable harnesses.

Wide range of voltage/current combinations
Up to 80V and up to 50A within the same power envelope
Low output ripple and noise of <3mV rms at full power
High setting resolution of 1mV
Analog control interfaces for voltage and current
Bench or rack mounting, front and rear terminals
LAN (LXI), USB, (GPIB optional)

A comprehensive array of interfaces including USB, LAN/LXI and quasi-analog are standard, with GPIB available as an option. The QPX750SP is compatible with Aim-TTi Test Bridge software, providing graphical remote instrument control, logging, and sequencing.

Made by Aim-TTi, a leading European test equipment manufacturer, the Aim-TTi QPX750SP 750W Single Output DC Power Supply is available now from Saelig Company, Inc., Fairport, NY their technical distributor.