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Detect Carbon Monoxide using a Smart X-Sense Home Security App

Posted on by Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detector, X-Sense Wi-Fi CO Detector, Real-Time Push Notifications via X-Sense Home Security App, Replaceable Battery, Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring Service, XC04-WX

A carbon monoxide detector, also called a CO detector, is a device that senses carbon monoxide (CO) gas to keep people from getting sick from it. We will look at one of these CO detectors, the XCO4-WX, in detail. The brand is X-Sense with Wi-Fi support. It is powered by a battery, and it is white in color. The item has a dimension of 5.3 x 0.6 x 2.5 inches. Additionally, It has an audible alarm and a photoelectric sensor.

Connecting this electrochemical CO alarm to your smartphone running the X-Sense Home Security app is as simple as downloading the app from the app store, signing up for an account, and then connecting the device to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. No hub is required.

The APP provides real-time alerts. By using the device sharing feature, you can include family members in keeping tabs on the home’s security and receiving notifications about things like low battery, malfunction, CO alarm precaution, and more. Service for dispatching fire alarms can be tailored to meet individual needs.

For residents in Brisbane looking to enhance their home security, exploring Access Control Brisbane services is a prudent step. These services offer a range of options aimed at fortifying security measures. One notable feature is the intercom system, which adds an extra layer of protection by allowing homeowners to screen visitors before granting them access. Whether it’s for a residential property or a commercial establishment, investing in access control can significantly enhance overall security and provide added convenience for occupants.

As a precaution, it comes with a CO alarm. When the CO level rises above 100 ppm, the app will send you a warning so you can take precautions without waiting for the response time. The LCD will show the highest CO concentration since the last reset. It has a large detection range of CO, from 30 to 999 ppm. The device’s status is displayed clearly on an LCD, and a trio of different colored LEDs alerts you to any impending issues.

It has a fire alarm dispatch service that is made just for it. The X-Sense Home Security app’s professional 24/7 monitoring service works with the smart alarm, so you can call for help when you need it most to protect your life, family, and property.

With a sensor life of 10 Years, it is anexcellent investment. With a 10-year lifespan and a stable, high-performance electrochemical Figaro CO sensor, your family will be safe in your home thanks to this battery-operated, smart carbon monoxide detector.

It’s built to stand on its own. This smart carbon monoxide detector can be mounted to a wall or left free-standing on a shelf, and its tiny size of 5.3 x 2.5 x 0.6 inches (135 x 63 x 24 mm) will give you peace of mind whether you’re at home or away.

By subscribing to the X-Sense Home Security app, you may receive emergency dispatch service when you need it most, helping to keep you, your loved ones, and your possessions safe even if you have to be away from home for a few weeks. Its features, which include straightforward installation and accurate output, have earned it 4.6–4.7 out of 5 stars from users. Products that come with plugs that are only suitable for usage in the United States. Because plugs and voltage levels vary from country to country, you may need an adapter or converter to use this device overseas. Before making a purchase, please make sure the items are compatible.

Features

  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Connection: Easily connect this electrochemical CO alarm to the X-Sense Home Security app on your smartphone via a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, without the need for a hub; download the app, sign up, and connect the device
  • Instant Notifications: Stay connected to your alarm and view all its notifications, including its CO alarm, low battery, malfunction, CO alarm precaution, and more; the Device Sharing function lets you add your family members so you can all keep an eye on your home’s safety
  • Customized Fire Alarm Dispatch Service: The smart alarm supports the subscription-based professional 24/7 monitoring service from the X-Sense Home Security app, giving you access to an emergency dispatch when you need it most to protect your life, family, and property
  • 10-Year Sensor Life: This battery-operated smart electrochemical carbon monoxide detector has a stable and high-performance electrochemical Figaro CO sensor that accurately monitors CO levels in the house, ensuring that your family stays protected for 10 years
  • CO Alarm Precaution: Using the app, you will quickly receive a warning that alerts you to any possible risk once the CO level reaches above 100 ppm without waiting for the response time, allowing you to act immediately
  • Free-Standing Design: Measuring a mere size of 5.3 × 2.5 × 0.6 in (135 × 63 × 24 mm), this smart carbon monoxide detector can be left free-standing on a shelf or fixed to a wall using the accessories provided, giving you peace of mind whether at home or on holiday

The XC04-WX has an electrochemical sensor and a Carbon Monoxide detector. The RC01 remote is not compatible with this device. The battery that supplies the power can be swapped out when it wears out. It has a size of 5.3 x 2.5 x 0.6 inches and can be managed through the X-Sense Home Security App. The item is 4.6 fluid ounces in weight.  The model number of the item is XC04-WX. It runs on Lithium Metal batteries, and it is white. It is a model that can connect to Wi-Fi and made of ABS. The shape is rectangular, and it can be powered by batteries, stand on its own, or be mounted on the wall. It covers about 164 feet. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, a 5-year quality guarantee, and technical support for life. Check this link for further information on the product.

Model XC01-R

Model XC01-R is the second in the series of Carbon Monoxide detectors. It has an electrochemical sensor and doesn’t work with the Remote RC01. The power comes from batteries that can be changed. It measures 5.3 by 2.5 by 0.6 inches.

Model XS01-WR

The third model in the series is Model XS01-WR. It utilizes a photoelectric sensor. It can sense smoke and can be used with the Remote RC01. The power comes from batteries that can be changed. The size of the item is 3 x 1.9 inches.

 

Model SCO7-W

Photoelectric electrochemical sensors are used in the SCO7-W model which is the fourth in the series. It has a carbon monoxide and smoke detector. It works with the RC01 Remote Control. The battery that powers it has been designed to last for ten years. The dimensions of the product are 5.70 x 2 inches.

 

Model SD20-W

Model SD20-W is the fifth model which has a photoelectric sensor. It is able to detect smoke. It is compatible with Remote RC01. The power comes from a battery that has a 10-year capacity built into it. The dimensions of the object are 4.8 by 1.8 inches.

If you would like to buy the XCO4-WX model, you can visit the Amazon Store and there is a discount code for it: RA6MYOIT (10% OFF) just for our website visitors.

EBOX-58 Industrial Mini PC comes with a range of Connectivity Options and Modern OS Support

Posted on by Emmanuel Odunlade

Industrial mini PCs are compact computers designed for use in industrial environments. They are typically ruggedized and designed to withstand harsh conditions such as temperatures, vibrations, and dust. They also often come in a compact size, making them suitable for use in applications where a traditional desktop or laptop computer may not be suitable. Industrial mini PCs are equipped with powerful hardware including fast processors and plenty of memory and storage, to ensure they can handle the demands of industrial applications.

There are many different industrial mini PC options available on the market and there are still more to come, but for now, we will be introducing you to one of the most recent models designed by a company that manufactures a range of industrial computing products: EBOX-58 mini PC from ICOP Technology.

The new EBOX-58 is a fanless industrial computer offered with the Intel Atom x5-E8000 or Intel Celeron N3160 processors. It has up to 8GB of DDR3 memory and a range of connectivity options including Ethernet, digital I/O, USB, and optional serial ports. It is housed in a rugged, compact enclosure and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, vibration, and other challenges encountered in industrial settings.

The fanless computer hardware product is suitable for a variety of applications, including factory automation, data acquisition, machine control, transportation systems, and digital signage. It has a number of features that make it suitable for use in industrial environments, including a rugged design, a wide temperature range, and support for various I/O interfaces. The mini PC supports DOS, Win 7/10/11, QNX, Android-x86 operating systems, and many others.

Some of its Key Features Include:

  • Compact size – can easily be installed in small spaces
  • Fanless design – makes it reliable and durable
  • Wide operating temperature range – suitable for use in a wide range of environments
  • Multiple connectivity options – makes it suitable for a variety of applications
  • Industrial-grade components – can withstand shock, vibration, and other environmental stresses

Specifications:

  • Processors:
    • Intel Atom x5-E8000 processor running at up to 2.0GHz; 2MB cache; 5W
    • Intel Celeron N3100 processor running at up to 2.34 GHz; 2MB L2 Cache; 6W TDP
  • Up to 8GB of DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM slots
  • 1x SATA Gen3
  • 1x microSD card reader
  • 1x HDMI 1.4b
  • 1x M.2 2230 E-Key
  • 2x GbE RJ45 port
  • 4x USB 3.0 ports
  • 2x RS-232/485/TTL
  • TPM 2.0 and VESA/Din Rail support (optional)
  • Power On Automatic Feature
  • PXE diskless boot
  • Power: 8-16V DC
  • Temperature range: 0 – 60°C
  • Dimensions: 115 mm x 115 mm x 35 mm
  • Certifications: CE, FCC, VCCI
  • Operating Systems: DOS, Win 7/10/11, QNX, VxWorks, Android-x86,

Overall, the EBOX-58 is a reliable and durable industrial computer, good enough for a variety of applications. The product is currently available on wdlsystems.com; the variant with Atom processor sells for $231 and the one with the Celeron N3160 processor and 4GB RAM goes for about $330. Other useful details can be found here.

Geniatech launches DS-3566 – a Digital Signage Player Based on Rockchip RK3566

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

Digital Signage boards are prevalent today, mainly because they are the most visually appealing mode of advertisement. These boards use SBC because they are compact, low-cost, and low-power. One such SBC is Geniatech’s DS-3566, it is a powerful yet efficient display SBC powered by a Rockchip RK3566 processor. The Geniatech DS-3566 is equipped with an efficient processor, ample memory, and built-in storage, making it capable of displaying high-quality video, images, and other multimedia content. It can be controlled remotely using a web-based management platform, allowing users to manage and control the content being displayed readily. The module supports HDMI 4K display output and features LVDS,eDP, and MIPI-DSI for the high-speed serial interface between a host and a display module.

Hardware Specifications

  • The Rockchip’s RK3566 is a quad-core processor which uses 4 ARM Cortex-A55 at 1.8GHz clock speed. It supports various multimedia codecs, including H.265 (HVEC) and VP9, and is capable of decoding and encoding 4K video at 60fps.
  •  RK3566 uses ARM Mali-G52 as Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) which supports all modern graphics APIs. The Bifrost architecture used by the G52 is mainly intended for mainstream phones. ARM claims that the G52 series offers 30% more performance density and 15% better energy efficiency compared to the ARM Mali G51 series.
  • The RK3566 supports a variety of RAM like LPDDR4x, LPDDR4, DDR4, LPDDR3, DDR3, DDR3L with capacity that varies from 2Gb-8Gb. It supports 16Gb-128Gb eMMC storage and also features a MicroSD card slot.
  • The Geniatech DS-3566 has a built-in watchdog timer function which ensures the continuous and stable operation of the product 24×7. A watchdog timer ensures the proper operation of the system by resetting a microprocessor after a specific time interval.

Connectivity Features

A lot of input/output options are available on the board. It features a 3.5mm audio jack, 2 microphone connectors, and a 4-pin speaker header. The module also comes with a USB Type-A 3.0  and a USB 2.0 OTG Type-A port for fast data sharing. For the display interface, the module has an HDMI 2.1 port. The HDMI supports an ultra-rich visual experience of 4K video at 60FPS. For internet connection, the module has a lot of options. The RJ45 connector enables a stable Gigabit Ethernet wired connection. The board has a WT6354, the latest Wi-Fi 5 module for the wireless medium. DS-3566 also has one mPCIe socket and a nano SIM card slot for cellular connectivity which supports 2G/3G/4G/LTE.

Geniatech provides Debian10 and Andriod 11 operating systems for the module. Due to this, there is a safe and stable environment for research and development on the module.

The RK3566 is a high-performance processor with the potential to implement many AI applications like face recognition, object recognition, motion detection, and much more. The module has various applications like business display advertising machines, touch all-in-one machines, conference tablets, cash registers, automotive electronics, and many more.

To know more about DS-3566 visit the product page.

M5Stack collaborates with Waylay to quicken digital transformation

Posted on by Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.

M5Stack is proud to announce that the company has teamed up with Waylay, a leading low-code automation platform that helps companies get up and running faster and see more success. The partnership with Waylay will allow users to build applications quickly so they can reach their digital transformation goals. At its core, the partnership is about building innovative digital solutions that bring faster speed to market and a compelling experience for our clients. More than ever before, businesses today are putting digital first. Low-code development is becoming more popular everywhere in the world. Waylay is working with M5Stack to help customers who need IoT use cases and automation to use low-code to meet the growing demand for cloud-native applications. PoCs can be built in days, and they can be put into production in weeks.

M5Stack Use Case, which incorporates Waylay IO (built by Zalmotek)

Air Quality Monitoring – Waylay IO

When things are as they should be, you don’t pay much attention to the air quality. However, when it gets too bad, especially for sensitive people like children, people with cardiopulmonary diseases, and people with other respiratory illnesses, you become very aware of it. To solve this problem, they came up with a way to collect data on air quality using an IoT device, store it in the cloud, and show it in a dashboard that is easy to read. Based on the PMSA003 Digital laser dust sensor, they chose the M5Stack Air Quality Kit for this application. Based on the ESP32 SoC, the M5Stack ecosystem is beautifully put together and has a big enough screen for a User Interface. With this beautifully integrated big user interface and continuous monitoring of data, you’ll know when air pollution gets too bad. To find out more about the project, clickhere.

Health monitor – Waylay IO

M5Stack Ecosystem lets build a system without special tools for prototyping, like a soldering iron or prototyping cables. The M5Core2 IoT development kit, which is based on the ESP32 microcontroller, is the “heart” of this project. This ecosystem lets you connect the provided modules to the M5Core2 through a GROVE port, making it easy to set up hardware quickly. Using an IoT device, health parameters like body temperature, heart rate, fluid balance, and blood oxygen saturation can be collected, stored in the cloud, and shown on a dashboard in a clear way. To find out more about the project, click here.

AutomaticIndoor Garden-Waylay IO

Keeping the right environment for our green ecosystem friends is very important for their health. Keeping the soil and air at the right humidity, temperature, and light intensity not only helps plants grow faster but also makes them less likely to get sick and less stressed out. In this tutorial, you get to know on how to build a simple indoor garden that takes care of itself. The system will automatically water itself and keep track of data about the environment, which we’ll be able to see on a cool dashboard. The M5Core2 IoT development kit, which is based on the ESP32 microcontroller, is the brain of this project. This development kit comes with modules that you can connect to a GROVE port, and it also has a touchscreen that you can use to run commands and find bugs. To find out more about the project, click here.

Pet Feeding–Waylay IO

We love our pets. When you’re at home, you can easily tell what they want, but when you’re away, it’s a different story. To feed them, you will need to ask neighbors or close friends. Enough already! Let’s make a smart pet feeder that will dispense food at set times, keep track of how often the pet eats, and teach the pet to press a button to get food. The main goal of this tutorial is to show you how to use the Waylay IO low-code platform to get started with IoT development. The pet feeder is controlled by the M5Core2, which is an Internet of Things (IoT) development kit based on the ESP32 microcontroller. Through a GROVE port, you can connect the modules that come with this ecosystem to the M5Core2. This makes it easy to set up hardware quickly. To find out more about the project, click here.

About M5Stack

M5Stack is a technology company with headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Its main focus is on designing, developing, and making IoT development toolkits and solutions. With the mission “Quick and Easy IoT Development,” we are committed to providing fully functional, customizable, and cost-effective open-source IoT development toolkits and the graphic programming platform “UIFlow,” as well as IoT solutions for the smart factory, smart agriculture, smart retail, robotics, and STEM education.

About Waylay

Waylay is a leading enterprise IoT digital unification software company that offers software solutions for orchestration, automation, and analytics that don’t require a lot of coding. Waylay is very interested in helping communities of citizen developers and making sure that all user data is put to work for developers, data scientists, and domain experts. Waylay makes the transition to digital easy and lets you go from an idea to a working use case in just a few hours.

A Peek into the ESP32-S3 module-powered Industrial Edge Controller

Posted on by Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.

EdgeBox-ESP-100 is an industrial-grade controller with a rugged architecture. It features an ESP32-S3 SoC. SeeedStudio’s latest release includes features for communicating with Fieldbus solutions, including CAN Bus, RS485, Ethernet LAN port, and other isolated peripherals. The EdgeBox-ESP-100 differs from previous SeeedStudio Edge Series products (such as the EdgeBox-RPi-200/1000) in that it incorporates the ESP32 SoC described below.

  • It has an Xtensa 32-bit LX7 dual-core (up to 240MHz), along with 512KB + 8MB RAM, 16 MB Flash storage, and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi/BLE 5.0.

ESP32-S3 SoC block diagram

The datasheet says that this device already has a 4G LTE cellular module installed (A7670G SIMCom). The EdgeBox-ESP-100 can be changed to support LoRaWAN, but this will mean that the 4G LTE module will have to be removed.

EdgeBox-ESP-100 block diagram

As you can see in the picture below, the EdgeBox-ESP-100 has a phoenix connector that gives you access to isolated I/Os like 4x digital inputs, 4x analog inputs, 6x digital outputs, and 2x analog outputs.

Phoenix connector pinout

The EdgeBox-ESP-100 can take power from 10.8V to 36V. Also, the EdgeBox-ESP-100 can work at temperatures between -20°C and 60°C. Since it is based on an ESP32 module, this industrial-embedded device can also be programmed with ESP-IDF. The STM32H747XI Dual ARM Cortex processor runs the  Arduino Opta Wi-Fi, which came out a few months ago and has similar features.

EdgeBox-ESP-100 DIN rail mounting

SeeedStudio seems to offer a 2-year warranty, and they said this product is compliant with RoHS, CE, FCC, UKCA, and TELEC. The product is not yet compliant with IEC 61131-3; for now, its status is “under development.”

The EdgeBox-ESP-100 can be bought on SeeedStudio.com for $179.00. Read the SeeedStudio blog post to find out more about the EdgeBox-ESP-100 and other Edge Series products.

M5Stack and Qubitro Join Hands for an Exciting Partnership

Posted on by Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.

M5Stack is excited to work with Qubitro, the leading provider of an IoT application development platform, to provide customers with comprehensive, high-quality services. Through their new collaboration with Qubitro, they will be able to bring to market cutting-edge, data-driven products and services and help more companies reap the IoT’s efficiency, productivity, and sustainability benefits.

“Together with Qubitro to provide services to a wide range of customers that require low-code, easy-to-use and many other industrial solutions,” expressed Jimmy Lai, the CEO of M5Stack. “Connecting Qubitro platform via M5Stack’s UIFlow IDE, allows developers to proactively identify issues and resolve them all from one cohesive interface, and to get sensor data showing up perfectly for fast deployments, significantly reducing the time and cost, improve workflows, and increase overall customer satisfaction.”

The connection, performance, and functionalities made available by Qubitro and UIFlow make it possible to implement a wide variety of apps using M5Stack Cores based on ESP32. Qubitro’s debugging, and monitoring platform offers a great deal more than simply managed storage, the ability to visualize and comprehend metrics, and the capability to help customers correlate behaviors more accurately with the state of their devices in order to reproduce an issue and find a solution more quickly.

Tutorials that show you how to integrate M5Stack Core2 with the Qubitro platform using the UIFlow IDE in a matter of minutes!

There is additional information available at this link: https://blog.qubitro.com/qubitro-with-uiflow/.

About M5Stack

M5Stack is a technology company with headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Its main focus is on designing, developing, and making IoT development toolkits and solutions. They are committed to providing fully functional, customizable, and cost-effective open-source IoT development toolkits, an easy-to-use programming platform called “UIFlow,” and AIoT solutions for smart cities, smart agriculture, commercial purposes, industry 4.0, robotics, and STEAM education.

About Qubitro

Qubitro is a platform for building Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It lets you build IoT solutions without having to worry about infrastructure management and scaling. It is the fastest way to build IoT apps, with prices you can count on, features that are easy for developers to use, and scalability you’ll love. Qubitro offers a no-code Portal and APIs to cut costs and shorten the time it takes to get a product on the market while also making developers more productive.

Meet the new Arduboy Mini, the size of a coin pocket

Posted on by Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.

The Arduboy Mini is a brand-new handheld gaming system that can be backed on Kickstarter. It is designed to fit into the coin pocket of your jeans, and it is available for purchase there. The layout of the Game Boy served as inspiration for the design of this diminutive gaming console, which serves as a sequel to the original Arduboy. A system that was initially introduced in 2016 by its designer, Kevin Bates, in a somewhat expanded version. Despite its little size, this handheld gaming device has many of the same advantages as the bigger Arduboy, such as an OLED display, hundreds of open-source games, and an exposed design that invites users to explore hardware hacking and coding.

A tiny OLED display and an Arduino board are used in the construction of the Arduboy Mini, just like their predecessor. In addition, there are buttons for controlling the games, and a charging port may be found on the underside of the console. A portable battery that is linked to the Arduboy Mini’s USB-C connector can be used to provide power to the device. Having said that, it is most certainly not a fully functioning console as a result of the fact that it does not contain a few of the components that one would anticipate discovering on a mobile gaming system. However, that is not necessarily a negative thing at all. And the way that it was constructed was done so for a specific reason.

The Mini has a monochromatic OLED display with 128 by 64 pixels, a 16MHz ATmega32u4 processor, and a total of six buttons, four of which are arranged on the front left side of the device like a directional pad, two of which are located on the right side and can be used as action buttons while playing games. A seventh button that may be used to reset the console can be found on the back of the device, where it is likewise situated. The tiny console comes with a library of over 300 games inspired by the 8-bit era of video games, all of which are open-source and were developed by a community of committed game developers.

To keep the gadget powered, you will only need to insert a cable that uses the USB-C standard. It comes preloaded with more than 300 games, all of which may be played on the OLED display, which has a resolution of 128 by 64 pixels with a total of six physical buttons located on the front panel for use in managing controls. The controls consist of two action buttons and four that are arranged in the shape of a pad.

In addition, there is a button on the back that can be used to reset the system. This appears to be essential in order to participate in a different game. Because the Arduboy Mini only supports 8-bit games, the gameplay mechanics of such games should be expected to be rather straightforward. If you are a fan of classic video games, this fact should not deter you from enjoying the excitement that may fit in your pocket. On the Kickstarter page for the device, you will see the option to purchase an Arduboy Mini for the price of $29. It is anticipated that units will begin shipping in June of 2023.

ArduCam Mega is a High-Quality Camera Module for all Microcontrollers with an SPI interface

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

There is an increase in demand for devices that perform applications like machine vision, surveillance, and robotics. ArduCam Mega is the solution that will fulfill these increasing demands of the market. The camera module with a high resolution, a small form factor, and a wide field of view. This module works with all microcontrollers with the SPI interface. Serial peripheral interface (SPI) is one of the most widely used interfaces between microcontrollers and peripheral ICs thus, there are various options for ArduCam Mega. There are two variants of the product, the 3MP model is a fixed-focus camera, and the 5MP variant supports autofocus.

Technical Specifications

  • The camera module features Arduchip, which is a camera control processor. The Arduchip is based upon ATmega328p which is a high-performance microcontroller.
  • Atmega328p is packed with 32KB ISP flash memory, 2KB SRAM and 1024B EEPROM for good data retention and durability.
  • The still resolutions of Arducam Mega are 320×240, 640×480, 1280×720 x 1600 x1200x 1920 x 1080 with a maximum resolution of 3MP and 5MP cameras 2048×1536 and 2592×1944 respectively.
  • Both variants feature a focal length of 3.3mm and a viewing angle of 68.74 degrees(diagonal). Output formats are RGB, YUV and JPEG which are some of the most widely used formats.

Wake-up time is the amount of time it takes for a camera module to be fully operational after being in a low-power state. The ArduCam mega has a rapid wake-up time of 42ms for the 3MP model, whereas it is 94ms for the 5MP variant. It is also ten times faster than the previous version of the camera.

Connectivity Features of ArduCam Mega

Arducam Mega is one camera solution for all the needs of users. This module connects with any microcontroller with an SPI interface which includes 8-bit,16-bit or 32-bit, ARM, RISC-V, and many more. The module requires only six pins to connect. The ArduCam Mega does not need memory for register settings or frame buffers. The product is fully compatible with Arduino, STM8/STM32, ESP8266/ESP32, MSP430, Nordic, Renesas, and countless more. The module needs a power supply of 3.3V and has a working power consumption of 585mW for the 3MP model and 650mW for the 5MP variant.

ArduCam offers a C/C++ SDK for Raspberry Pi RP2040, Arduino 8-bit AVR, STM32, MSP430, ESP32, ESP8266, etc.

The ArduCam Mega has a variety of applications like surveillance, environment monitoring, IoT, scientific imaging, VR, and much more. In the surveillance sector, users can capture high-resolution images or videos of a room or area with the Arducam and send them to a computer or smartphone for monitoring. It is possible to use multiple camera modules with the Arducam for monitoring wildlife or collecting data on the weather or air quality.

ArduCam Mega has raised over $12,000 on Kickstarter. The 3MP variant costs $16 and the 5MP model costs $22. For more information visit the product page.

M5Stick T-Lite Wi-Fi thermal camera powered by ESP32 microcontroller

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

Specialized imaging devices called thermal cameras are devices that make use of infrared radiation to detect and measure the temperatures of objects. The advantage of such cameras is that they can detect temperature differences that are not visible to the naked eye. The M5stick T-Lite is a small, lightweight, and portable thermal camera that is based on the ESP32-PICO-D4 microcontroller. The device has a built-in 1.14-inch colour LCD display for observing the output on the device itself, and a 160mAh battery backs it up. T-Lite is designed to be used as a development platform for creating Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

camera module

Technical Specifications

  • ESP-PICO-D4 systems-in-package is based upon ESP32 dual-core processor. It features a 4Mb SPI flash, 448Kb ROM combined with 520KB SRAM.
  • With an on-module 40MHz crystal clock the module has a hall sensor & a temperature sensor that can handle a diverse range of temperatures varying from -40°C to +85°C.
  • The M5stick T-lite is very compact, measuring just 35.5mm x 17.5mm x 10.5mm, and weighs only 5.5 grams.
  • The display is a 1.14-inch color TFT LCD display with a 240 x 135 resolution. The TFT technology allows for high-resolution displays with good color accuracy and fast refresh rates.

The module uses a 2 MegaPixel thermal camera which uses Melexis MLX90640 infrared sensor. It has a field of view of 110°×75° and can read temperatures from -40°C to +300°C. The sensor can handle a temperature range of -40 to +85°C which ensures that the sensor can be used in difficult industrial environments.

Connectivity Features

The ESP32-PICO-D4 has Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2 which enables the M5stick T-Lite to connect to various devices like smartphones, laptops, etc. The T-Lite has a built-in Lithium Polymer Battery which has a capacity of 160mAh. A 5V supply at 0.5A via a USB type-C port powers this battery, and the PMU used is AXP192. The type-C port helps charge the device faster and more efficiently.

The device is programmable with UIFlow, MIcroPython, and Arduino IDE.

This module can be used to build smart home devices such as smart thermostats, thermal security cameras, and housekeeping robots. Its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity helps in smart home automation projects. Military drones and robots can use the camera for surveillance purposes. Environment sensing robots also have a vast application of M5stick T-Lite. The M5stick’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and its ability to communicate with other devices using various protocols make it a good choice for building IoT projects such as smart home appliances and industrial automation systems.

The company also launched a new programmable controller based on ESP32-S3. It features an integrated Wi-Fi function and 0.85 inch IPS screen. Such modules have extensive applications in areas such as IoT nodes, the microcontroller sector, and wearable devices.

The product is sold for $79 plus shipping charges, and the AtomS3 is available at $15.50.

SparkFun Releases Miniature Barometer and Accelerometer with Enhanced Accuracy

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

In today’s world due to global warming and climate change, it is essential to monitor the earth’s environment. Also, there is a market for fitness bands which are devices that track the physical activities of users and their sleep cycle. SparkFun has launched a pair of new boards in the market which will fulfill demands for the environment and fitness monitoring. One of the two boards is an Absolute Digital Barometer board which is developed around STMicro’s LPS28DFW. The other board is a Triple Axis Accelerometer which uses the Bosch Sensortech BMA400 sensor. Users have some options in case space issues are a concern, as Sparkfun offers both standard-size and micro-size versions of the barometer and accelerometer.

Technical Specifications of Barometer and Accelerometer

  • The LPS28DFW is a piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor that functions as a digital output barometer in a small form factor.
  • The device comprises a sensing element and an IC interface communicating over the I²C or MIPI I3CSM interface from the sensing element to the application. The Devices incorporate I²C, a bus interface connection protocol, for serial communication
  • Bosch Sensortec´s triaxial BMA400 is the first ultra-low power acceleration sensor. Wearable devices, which need long-lasting battery life, are especially suited for the BMA400.
  • The BMA400 offers a full-scale acceleration range of ±2/±4/±8/±16g with a claimed sub-14.5µA power draw at its highest-performance setting. The supply voltage is 1.72-3.6V, and the digital resolution is 12bit.

The LPS28DFW provides lower power consumption, achieving lower pressure noise than its predecessor. It is guaranteed to operate over a temperature range extending from -40 °C to +85 °C. The standard-size version offers a 0.1”-spaced PTH pin connected to the sensor’s communication interface. The micro-size version does offer such, but the board does route an interrupt and ground pin to a through-hole connection.

Connectivity features

SparkFun’s Qwiic Connect System uses 4-pin JST connectors to quickly interface development boards with sensors, LCDs, relays, and more. This system does not require soldering as Qwiic cables (4-pin JST) plug easily from development boards to sensors, shields, accessory boards, and more, All Qwiic cables have the following color scheme and arrangement where Black represents Ground, Red shows the 3.3V source, Blue shows the SDA pin, and Yellow is for the SCL pin.

Environmental monitoring and movement projects are the intended use for both boards. The boards come with Qwiic connectors. While talking about the barometer, the company claims, “It is the perfect board for pressure measurement applications where the sensor is exposed to or even submerged in water”. The SparkFun Qwiic BMA400 Triple Axis Accelerometer Breakouts offer 3-axis acceleration sensors perfect for ultra-low-power applications. These boards are best for wearable devices like smartwatches, heart rate monitoring devices, etc.

The standard-sized barometer costs $24.95 and the micro-sized variant costs $25.95.  The price for the standard-sized accelerometer is $8.95, and the micro variant is $9.95 For more information visit the product page.

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