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Programmable Frequency – Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) – Boost Power – Factor Correction (PFC) Controller

Posted on by mixos

The circuit described here is a simple PFC controller using the UCC28180 chip from Texas instruments. The controller operates under average current mode control at a fixed programmable switching frequency of 116 kHz. Simple external current and voltage loop compensation, along with advanced protection features, make this controller ideal for server and desktop power supplies, industrial power supplies, and white goods. The module is a flexible and easy-to-use, active Power-Factor Correction (PFC) controller that operates under Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) to achieve high Power Factor, low current distortion, and excellent voltage regulation of boost pre-regulators in AC – DC front-ends. The controller is suitable for universal AC input systems operating in 100-W to few-kW range with the switching frequency programmable between 18 kHz to 250 kHz, to conveniently support both power MOSFET and IGBT switches. An integrated 1.5-A and 2-A (SRC-SNK) peak gate drive output, clamped internally at 15.2 V (typical), enables fast turn-on, turn-off, and easy management of the external power switch without the need for buffer circuits. Low-distortion wave shaping of the input current using average current mode control is achieved without input line sensing, reducing the external component count.

Programmable Frequency – Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) – Boost Power – Factor Correction (PFC) Controller – [Link]

BioAmp EXG Pill – Analog front-end amplification for ECG, EMG, EOG, and EEG biosensing

Posted on by mixos

BioAmp EXG Pill is a small, powerful Analog Front End (AFE) biopotential signal acquisition board that can be paired with any 5 V Micro Controller Unit (MCU) with an ADC. It is capable of recording publication-quality biopotential signals like ECG, EMG, EOG, and EEG, without the inclusion of any dedicated hardware or software filters. It’s small size allows easy integration into mobile and space-constrained projects, and it’s powerful noise rejection makes it usable even when the device is close to the AC mains supply. Any 1.5 mm diameter wire can be used as a strain-relieving electrode cable, making BioAmp EXG Pill very cost-effective in comparison to other options.

What Can It Be Used For?

BioAmp EXG Pill is a one-stop solution for researchers, tinkerers, and hobbyists who are looking for novel biopotential amplification. Thus, it can be used for a wide variety of interesting biosensing projects:

  • AI-assisted congestive heart failure detection using CNN (ECG)
  • Heart Rate Variability calculation for heart ailment detection (ECG)
  • Prosthetic arm (servo) controller (EMG)
  • Palsy physical therapy quantitative analysis device (EMG)
  • Real-time game controller (EOG)
  • Controlling LEDs via brain waves (EEG)
  • Patient monitoring device

And many more…

Versatile Design Means A Variety Of Applications

The elegant design of this board allows it to be used in 3 ways:

  • Pin Header Holes allow you to solder on header pins (berg strip) for easy breadboard use
  • Castellated Holes allow you to solder BioAmp EXG Pill directly onto your custom PCB to add biopotential amplification capabilities
  • Electrode Holes allow you to use any 1.5 mm diameter wire as electrode cable with minimal strain

BioAmp EXG Pill | EMG, EOG, and ECG Demo

Features & Specifications

  • Input Voltage: 5 V – 40 V
  • Input Impedance: > 35 MΩ
  • Compatible Hardware: Any 5 V MCU/ADC
  • BioPotentials: ECG, EOG, EMG, and EEG (Configurable)
  • No. of channels: 1
  • Electrodes: 2/3 (Configurable)
  • Wearable: Yes
  • Dimensions: 25.4 X 10.0 mm
  • Custom PCB Integration: Yes
  • OpenSource: Hardware + Software

We are enthusiastic about open source! You can find our extensive, open-source, CERN and MIT licensed hardware/software documentation in our GitHub Repo.

The project will soon launch on Crowdsupply.com (text, video and photos are taken from the pre-launch page)

1.8mm High 3D Printed Statue of Liberty from microlight3D

Posted on by DM

Microlithography is a very widely used technique for the production of micro-scale devices such as very tiny 3D printing in micrometer scale, semiconductor devices, and many other micro-scale products. French microlithography specialist Microlight3D has 3D printed the world’s smallest version of the Statue of Liberty for the inauguration of US President, Joe Biden.

The 3D printed statue is 1.8mm tall and 0.6mm wide. It is printed with the company’s latest Long-range Z process and the statue was directly printed on a 1 cent coin which shows that the printing technology is compatible with a variety of printing substrates, notably metallic and opaque substrates. Using this process, higher resolution can be achieved than the traditional red laser systems. The Long-range Z process allows structures for optical micro-parts, meta-materials, and medical devices up to 10mm high using photolithography, up from 0.3mm previously, on a variety of substrates from glass and silicon to metal [1].

“Users will also be able to make alignments on a pre-existing pattern and print exactly where they want. We had great fun positioning the replica of the statue on the word ‘Liberty’ on a United States one-cent coin,” said Philippe Paliard, co-founder of Microlight3D.

He further added:

“Researchers and industrial developers are looking to work on metallic or silicon wafers. Our enhanced 3Dmicroprinting system, compatible with a wide range of materials and substrates, will allow them to micro-fabricate the structures they couldn’t before, to align the laser and print on the tip of optical fibers for micro-optics applications.”

The Long-range Z process uses two-photon polymerization which allows the creators to print a solid 3D-printed structure from a photoactivable material.

About Two-Photon Polymerization

The two-photon polymerization (2PP) is based on ultra-short laser systems. In these systems, a highly precise beam wave is focused for a very short period. Due to this technology, better structural resolution and quality can be achieved. High resolution is provided by the material and the wavelength of the laser. For 3D printing, the 2PP technique is used along with a green pulsed laser operating at 532nm combined with ultra-precise moving stages. This creates 3D objects in a photoresist with sub-micron resolution. A simple solvent bath removes the unpolymerized resin.

The Microlight3D discusses the ultra-short laser technique,

“The laser can even go through polymerized parts, so the voxel (something similar to a pixel which defines a point in 3D space) is moved freely in three dimensions inside the monomer, therefore any shape can be 3D-printed with our technology !”

With this unique technology, Microlight3D demonstrated that the laser pulse can be controlled in the sub-nanosecond regime.

About Microlight3D

Microlight3D offers ultra-high resolution 2D and 3D printers for industrial and scientific applications. It was founded in 2016, following 15 years of research and development of its 3D microprinting technology at Grenoble Alpes University (UGA). Recently, using their 2PP technology, the Micrlight3D created a 3D printed version of the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars that is only 100 microns in length.

The firm says about their technology:

“The two-photon polymerization (2PP) technology used in Microlight3D micro-manufacturing machines is the result of 15 years of fundamental research at the University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA), the first scientific publications dating from 2002.”

References:

Nvidia Announced Reduction in Hash Rates of GeForce GPUs

Posted on by DM

GeForce GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) designed by Nvidia are intended for the high-margin PC gaming market. GeForce GPUs are highly dominant in the general-purpose graphics processor unit (GPGPU) market due to their exclusive CUDA architecture. CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is a parallel computing platform created by Nvidia. The CUDA platform is a software layer that gives direct access to the GPU’s virtual instruction set and the parallel computational elements for the execution of compute kernels[1]. With their cutting-edge technologies, GeForce GPUs deliver amazing visuals and performance to gamers and creators. Moreover, GeForce GPUs are programmable which means users can use them for a variety of applications like simulations, deep learning, robotics, and mining cryptocurrency.

Nvidia announced in February that all GeForce RTX 3060 graphics cards shipped with a reduced Ethereum hash rate.

On May 18, Nvidia stated on their blog,

“Today, we’re taking additional measures by applying a reduced ETH hash rate to newly manufactured GeForce RTX 3080, RTX 3070, and RTX 3060 Ti graphics cards. These cards will start shipping in late May.”

This step was taken to ensure that GeForce GPUs are used for their intended purpose which is gaming. For Ethereum mining, they have announced the new Nvidia CMP (Cryptocurrency Miner Processor) intended for professional mining.

As Nvidia puts it,

“That only makes sense. Our GeForce RTX GPUs introduce cutting-edge technologies — such as RTX real-time ray-tracing, DLSS AI-accelerated image upscaling technology, Reflex super-fast response rendering for the best system latency, and many more — tailored to meet the needs of gamers and those who create digital experiences.” They further added “CMP products — which don’t do graphics — are sold through authorized partners and optimized for the best mining performance and efficiency. They don’t meet the specifications required of a GeForce GPU and, thus, don’t impact the availability of GeForce GPUs to gamers.”

What is the hash rate and how will Nvidia CMP aid Crypto-miners?

Let’s first talk about mining cryptocurrency. It is the process of making computer hardware do mathematical calculations for the Bitcoin network to confirm transactions and increase security. For this service, the cryptocurrency miners get rewarded and can collect the transaction fees for the transactions they perform. The hash rate is the measuring unit of the processing power of the bitcoin network. As mentioned before, the network must make intensive calculations for maintaining security. To get the idea of the hash rate, when a network reached a hash rate of 10 Th/s, it meant it could make 10 trillion calculations per second.

Nvidia CMP consists of a fully open, airflow optimized bracket which allows the miners to mine more efficiently and recoup the mining investment faster. In addition to this, the Nvidia CMP is configured to allow a large number of GPUs to be controlled by a single CPU.

Nvidia states on their blog:

“CMP lacks display outputs, enabling improved airflow while mining so they can be more densely packed. CMPs also have a lower peak core voltage and frequency, which improves mining power efficiency.”

Therefore, it is clear that Nvidia aims to create tailored products for its customers. With Nvidia CMP, they are ensuring that the miners are benefitted and able to build their data centers efficiently. On the other hand, they are preserving GeForce GPUs for gamers only.

References:

[1] https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-gpus

AAEON FWS-2365 Certified by FlexiWAN for SD-WAN Open Architecture Deployment

Posted on by mixos

AAEON, an industry leader in uCPE and SD-WAN white box solutions, announces their partnership with flexiWAN, the leading pioneer in open source SD-WAN software. With this partnership, AAEON’s desktop uCPE white box solution, the FWS-2365 has received certification from flexiWAN, allowing customer and vendors to leverage a wider selection of network equipment for the implementation of third-party VNF applications.

The FWS-2365 is designed to deliver a flexible and powerful uCPE solution for SD-WAN and Edge networks. Powered by the Intel® Atom™ C3000 series (formerly Denverton) and supporting 4 to 16 core processors, the FWS-2365 is designed to deliver high-bandwidth networking while enabling clients to take advantage of built-in technologies including Intel SR-IOV, Intel® AES-NI, and Intel® QAT to enable fast, encrypted networking for data security. The FWS-2365 also supports zero-touch provisioning for even easier deployment and setup.

“flexiWAN is a leading pioneer in open-source SD-WAN software, providing innovation and flexibility which fits perfectly with our strategy of delivering platform solutions to meet all of our customers’ needs,” said Fredy Hsu, Product Manager with AAEON’s Network System Division. “With this partnership and certification of the FWS-2365, we can demonstrate to service providers and clients our ability to deliver powerful uCPE platforms capable of powering the latest generation in network structures and security.”

flexiWAN offers a comprehensive, centrally managed open-source SD-WAN solution, which allows for third party networking applications to be loaded and run thanks to their application framework including tools such as flexiEdge and flexiManage. Clients and service providers are able to leverage this capability to deploy an SD-WAN solution which meets their specific needs and lowers the cost of ownership by focusing only on the required capabilities. The open and modular design of flexiWAN allows service providers to offer services in line with their networking strategies, while also delivering flexibility to add on third party applications and future proof networks.

“flexiWAN disrupts the SD-WAN & SASE markets. We allow our customers to leverage low-cost and widely available white boxes for deploying state of the art SD WAN services. We are proud to welcome AAEON to the flexiWAN ecosystem”, said Jonathan Amir, Sales Director with flexiWAN

To learn more about flexiWAN’s unique approach to networking, visit www.flexiwan.com, and follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn

Slim. Stylish. UTC-100 Series: Advantech Launches UTC-100 Series Ultra-Slim All-in-One Touch Computer

Posted on by mixos

Advantech, a leading provider of service automation solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of two screen sizes of the new UTC-100 series all-in-one touch computers. Featuring an ultra-slim profile and lightweight structure for enclosed public spaces and customer-facing environments, UTC-100 series is a reliable solution delivering energy-efficient computing performance. Comparable to the other UTC series computers, the system’s fanless design ensures quiet operation and prevents the ingress of dust. Additionally, the UTC-100 family supports multiple OS, including Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Linux, and Android 10.1, enabling easy integration with existing systems. Aimed at self-service and interactive signage applications, this slim-profile solution provides an interactive touchpoint for streamlining operations, improving service efficiency, and enhancing the overall user experience.

UTC-115

UTC-115 features a durable plastic exterior, widescreen touch display, and lightweight components. With a thickness of just 29.5 mm, Advantech’s UTC-115 touch computer is one of the thinnest products of its type, enabling easy installation, integration, and maintenance in public spaces. This machine combines powerful 24/7 performance with a thin form-factor package for applications in diverse retail environments.

Featuring two Gigabit Ethernet, two COM, four USB 3.0, one HDMI, and one audio connector, UTC-115’s minimalist design offers only essential I/Os. The system’s easy installation, adaptable I/Os, and expansion support makes Advantech’s UTC-115 an ideal choice for retail applications.

UTC-120

UTC-120 with its 21.5-inch display features a slim form factor, projected capacitive (PCAP) touch control, and provides a reliable computing solution for self-service applications at retail stores, restaurants, hotels, leisure and entertainment venues, banks, and other public service venues. The full HD touch display with 1080p resolution delivers sharper, more detailed imaging for an enhanced viewing experience.

Flexible Installation and I/O for Integrated Functionality and Essential Connectivity

Advantech’s UTC-100 series supports multiple installation methods, substantially expanding system adaptability. Equipped with a 100×100 VESA mount and easy cabling design, it supports portrait and landscape screen orientations. Additionally, modularized peripherals can be installed on four sides of the computer to accommodate unique requirements. Featured peripherals include an RFID reader, 5M camera, smart card reader, magnetic strip reader, 1D /2D barcode scanner, and LED light bar for value-added functionality. UTC-100 family features a three sectional I/O, enabling secure connections while concealing cords for reliability and safety.

Advantech’s UTC-100 series supports a wide voltage range (12 ~ 24V) to accommodate various power supply considerations.

Key Features

  • Energy-efficient slim form factor with fanless design
  • Built-in Intel® Celeron®/ Pentium® N4200 and Core i5-8365UE
  • 16:9 widescreen display supports landscape and portrait orientation
  • IP65-rated front panel for protection from water and dust
  • VESA mount for easy installation
  • 3-way I/O cable routing for secure connections

Advantech’s UTC-100 series All-in-One touch computers are available for order now. For more information about this or other Advantech products, contact your local sales support team or visit our website at www.advantech-service-iot.eu.

SparkFun Qwiic Haptic Driver – DA7280

Posted on by mixos

SparkFun Qwiic Haptic Driver – DA7280 includes a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) vibration motor and Dialog Semiconductor’s DA7280 motor driver IC for applications that require haptic feedback. Control the vibration motor with the DA7280 via I2C, PWM, or a combination of three general-purpose input pins. It uses the handy Qwiic system, so no soldering is required. Simply connect it to the rest of a system. Included are 0.1″-spaced PTH pads in case a breadboard is preferred to access the driver’s I2C, power, interrupt, and general-purpose input pins on the edge of the board. This board is ideal for projects that require a physical indicator whenever an event is triggered.

Features

  • 2x Qwiic connection ports
  • 1x built-in LRA vibration motor

more information: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17590

Analog Devices, Inc: 16-bit, 15 MSPS data acquisition Module solution

Posted on by mixos

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has introduced a 16-bit, 15 MSPS data acquisition mModule® solution for digitising fast transient signals in power analysis applications, and enabling low latency digital control loop in Hardware in the Loop (HiL) applications or source measurement unit applications. The new ADAQ23875 incorporates the critical signal conditioning circuitry associated with scaling the signal from the sensor and enables a 4x footprint reduction versus a discrete equivalent solution.

https://www.analog.com/en/education/education-library/videos/6248044934001.html

The ADAQ23875 reduces the development cycle of precision, high-speed measurement systems by transferring the component selection, optimization, and layout from the designer to the device. Incorporating more of the signal chain in a package, the ADAQ23875 enables high repeatability of system-level performance over the lifetime of the system in manufacturing thus reducing the OEM’s total cost of ownership. The ADAQ2387x family is available in 16-bit and 18-bit resolution with different input ranges.

ADAQ23875 Key Features:

  • 16-Bit, 15MSPS DAQ solution
  • Integrated precision signal scaling circuitry
  • Wide common mode input range (-1V to +4V) with high CMRR 96dB
  • 4x foot reduction

more information: https://www.analog.com/en/products/adaq23875.html

DFRobot’s New 24GHz mmWave Radar Sensor module

Posted on by DM

Human presence detection is essential for safety, security, or other reasons. There are various software and hardware technologies and methods for detecting the presence of a human body in an area of interest (AOI). Among those techniques, Radar technology is one of the widely used techniques if the aim is to detect only the presence of a human. As we all know, radar is a system that uses radio waves for the detection of an object and to determine its distance, velocity, and angle. A radar system consists of a transmitter that transmits electromagnetic waves (generally microwave). The waves transmitted reflect off the object and return to the receiver, giving information about the object’s location and speed. The radar technology can also detect the unique signature of a human’s breathing pattern and heartbeat.

The mmWave (millimeter-wave) Radar sensors are very accurate. It is a contactless technology that operates in the spectrum between 30GHz and 300GHz. Due to the small wavelengths, it can provide sub-mm range accuracy and can penetrate certain materials such as plastic, drywall, clothing. Further, it is not affected by environmental conditions such as rain, fog, dust, and snow. Due to short wavelengths, this radar sensor provides high resolution, and the antenna required is relatively small.

DFRobot’s new 24GHz millimeter-wave radar sensor can sense human presence within the detection area. Moreover, it can even detect static or stationary humans, such as a sleeping person.

The DFRobot radar sensor’s wiki page shares information about the working of this sensor. Firstly, the sensor transmits FMCW(Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) and CW radio waves to the sensing area. Secondly, the waves get reflected by all targets which are in moving, micro-moving, or weak moving state in the area. The waves are converted into electrical signals by the MMIC circuit in the sensor. These signals are then processed with the help of data algorithms.

DFRobot states that:

“The millimeter-wave radar can sense the human presence, stationary and moving people within the detection area. Moreover, it can even detect static or stationary human presence, such as a sleeping person. There are two ways provided to output detection result: serial port and I/O port switch quantity. Besides that, the sensor module features strong sensing reliability, high sensitivity, small size, easy to be used or embedded in applications.”

The 24GHz radar module is designed for microcontrollers. It draws 90mA of current and can run at 3.6-5V supply. Talking about its range, it can detect up to 9 meters and has a wide beam angle.

Features of the human detection radar module are:

  • Human presence sensing: sense if there is a human body in the area
  • I/O port switch quantity input and output control
  • Serail port input and output control
  • Strong anti-interference ability. Not to be affected by snow, haze, temperature, humidity, dust, light, noise, etc.

The sensor module is available for sale on DFRobot’s website!

An Inkscape extension for exporting drawings into a KiCad PCB

Posted on by DM

Certain electronic applications may require circuits that can fit in a small space, may call for the layout such that the outputs and input pins line up in the enclosure. This can all be possible with custom Printed Circuit Boards(PCBs). Custom PCBs can be used in industries, medical equipment, games, and various other applications. Makers also create fancy custom PCBs for keychains, making gamepads, making decorative pieces, etc. Industries use custom PCBs for verification. They add various indicators in the PCB design to validate the prototype.

When you design a custom PCB, you have complete control over your design. In other words, you have control over the placement of every component and every piece of copper on the PCB. This control not only allows you to create circuits of various shapes and sizes but also to create circuits with minimal parasitics. Moreover, for some designers, appearance matters, and custom PCBs look more professional.

But designing a custom PCB is not an easy task. First, an individual has to create an outline of the PCB in Adobe Illustrator or similar software. Then, import it into PCB designing software and create bare copper areas. Finally, one arranges the components and creates the final design. Budi Prakosa, Frontend Engineer at Codeme.co.id made an Inkspace extension for exporting drawings into a KiCad PCB. To use the extension, you need to add the extensions file in InkScape ‘s User Extensions and then draw the PCB.

For using this feature with Eagle, you need to use this svg to Eagle CAD converter

Following are the features of this Inkspace extension:

  • Draw Any kind of shapes without restriction
  • Supports Drill Pad, and custom drill size
  • Supports Edge Cut (PCB Shape)
  • Works on OSX, Windows, and Linux

Budi Prakosa documented his extension Svg2Shenzen where he included the extension files, instructions on how to use the extension, and few examples as a tutorial.

2 years after his announcement about his extension, Budi posted on the openhardware forum:

“I’m happy that svg2shenzhen now widely used to create PCB art, badges, antennas, and was contacted by a student in Stanford that they use it to design ultra-small vibrating component”

About Inkspace:

Inkscape is a Free and open-source vector graphics editor for GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS X. It uses vector graphics that allow for sharp printouts and renderings at unlimited resolution and is not bound to a fixed number of pixels like raster graphics. Inkspace is widely used for illustrations such as cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagramming, and flowcharting. It uses SVG file format as its main format which is widely supported by many applications and web browsers.

It has the following features:

  1. Can import and export various file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS, and PNG.
  2. Has a comprehensive feature set
  3. Easy to use
  4. Multi-lingual support
  5. Users can customize Inkscape’s functionality with add-ons.
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