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Joystick Controlled 2 x RC Servo motors – Arduino Compatible

This project enables easy control of 2 RC servo motors using a thumb joystick. This is an Arduino compatible project and it consists of a thumb joystick, ATMEGA328 microcontroller, filter capacitor on dc supply, and other components. The thumb joystick has 2 axes, X and Y. The joystick consists of 2 x 10K potentiometers. These potentiometers provide analog voltage output as per the movement of each axis. The microcontroller reads this analog voltage and converts it to RC PWM pulse. The PWM frequency is 50Hz and the duty cycle is 1ms to 2ms. Connect the RC servos to connector CN1 and CN3, apply 5V power supply to connector CN2 and you are ready to go. I have used a high-value electrolytic capacitor on DC supply for the smooth operation of RC Servo. It is important to use at least 1-3A power supply or batteries for the proper smooth operation of the servos and to avoid vibrations. It can be used to control small camera pan-tilt head, robotics, robotics arm, animatronics, toys etc.

Arduino Programming

Note: Project is Arduino compatible, Arduino code provided as a download. New ATMEGA328 requires bootloader and firmware uploading, refer to the link below to learn uploading the code into the chip.

Features

Supply 5V DC – 2A
2 x RC Servo motors
Power LED
PCB dimensions: 61.12 x 47.63 mm

Schematic

Parts List

NO.	QNTY.	REF.	DESC.	MANUFACTURER	SUPPLIER	SUPPLIER PART NO
1	2	CN1,CN3	3 PIN MALE HEADER PITCH 2.54MM	WURTH	DIGIKEY	732-5316-ND
2	1	CN2	2 PIN SCREW TERMINAL	PHOENIX CONNECT	DIGIKEY	277-1247-ND
3	2	CN4,CN5	DNP			OMIT
4	2	C1,C2	22PF/50V SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
5	3	C3,C4,C6	0.1uF/50V SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
6	2	C5,C8	10uF/16V SMD SIZE 1206	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
7	1	C7	470uF/25V ELECTROLYTIC	PANASONIC	DIGIKEY	PCE4886TR-ND
8	1	D1	LED RED SMD SIZE 0805		DIGIKEY
9	2	D2,D3	1N4007	DIODE INCORP.	DIGIKEY	S1MBDITR-ND
10	1	R1	1M 5% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
11	2	R2,R3	Joystick	C&k	DIGIKEY	108-THB001P-ND
12	1	R4	10K 5% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
13	1	R5	1K 5% SMD SIZE 0805	MURATA/YAGEO	DIGIKEY
14	1	U1	ATMEGA328DIP	MICROCHIP	DIGIKEY	ATMEGA328-PU-ND
15	1	Y1	16MHZ	ECS INC	DIGIKEY	X1103-ND

Connections

Gerber View

Photos

Video

THB001P Datasheet

Humidity Meter Using OLED Display – Arduino Compatible

Posted on 9 July, 2021 by mixos

This is an easy to build, very compact, and low profile Arduino compatible platform to build a humidity meter/Gauge using a 0.96Inch OLED display. The project consists of Atmega328 microcontroller, 0.96Inch OLED display, 3.3V regulator, and HIH5030 analog humidity sensor from Honeywell. The HIH5030 sensor provides an analog voltage output, the analog voltage is near linear voltage output vs %RH, the sensor output is connected to A0 (Arduino-ADC pin 0) of the ATmega328 microcontroller. The sensor output is 0.25V to 2.5V vs 0 to 100% RH. Connector CN2 is provided for boot-loader flashing and Arduino programming. Use Pin 4 GND and Pin5 VCC to power the project.

Humidity Meter Using OLED Display – Arduino Compatible – [Link]

Meet AIfES, a C-based AI/ML Framework for Microcontrollers

Posted on 9 July, 2021 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Increased interest in Edge computing in recent times has led to the development of several frameworks to facilitate the deployment of AI/ML models on microcontrollers. There are, however, issues of performance with most of the frameworks as they are mostly scaled-down version of server codes and as such, are only suitable for fairly powerful microcontrollers. To solve this and provide a framework to support even the lowest of 8-bit MCUs, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS) recently announced the release of the AIfES (Artificial Intelligence for Embedded Systems); an open-source framework to facilitate the deployment of AI on all forms of microcontrollers.

Developed using the C programming language, AIfES allows users to quickly, and quite easily, train and run artificial neural networks (ANN) on almost any hardware, including 8-bit MCUs and development boards based on them like the Arduino Uno, without the need to prepare the models on a PC. ‘While featuring significantly reduced functionalities due to the desire to target Low processing power MCUs, AIfES is comparable and compatible with most of the popular ML frameworks like TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch, incorporating most of their popular features.

It currently supports feedforward neural networks (FNN), along with common activation functions like ReLU, sigmoid, and softmax, and common training algorithms like gradient descent optimizer (SGD) or the adam optimizer, all integrated with a full implementation of Convolutional Neural Networks (ConvNet) also on the way. The model development is based on the Python frameworks, and ANN Models developed on those frameworks can also be easily imported into the AIfES framework. All of this makes the transition to AIfES seamless for users that are already familiar with other popular AI frameworks.

One of the many other good things about AIfES is how it allows developers to allocate resources, like specifying the required memory area for an ANN. It is also modular in such a way that different components of algorithms can be exchanged, which makes it easy to use different types of hardware accelerators, and finding one that is compatible with your embedded device easy.

According to the folks at the Fraunhofer IMS, in-house researchers have been using AIfES in AI research and development for years, and it featured in several Custom solutions until a level of development was reached where it could be used as a stand-alone product.

During this period, AIfES featured in several applications including a wireless current sensor for condition monitoring, a gesture recognition system, and an Arduino Uno based handwriting recognition system which is a perfect showcase for the prowess of the framework on 8-bit microcontrollers.

The compatibility of AIfES for microcontrollers was further expanded with the recent release of its Arduino Library, which means makers familiar with the Arduino environment can easily build AI solutions based on Arduino and derivative boards.

The library can be easily installed via the Arduino Library Manager. AIfES is offered as a dual license model. For private projects or developers of free open-source software under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3, AIfES can be used free of charge. However, for users seeking to use AIfES in commercially licensed software, a commercial license agreement must be obtained from the Fraunhofer IMS.

More information on the project, its capabilities, examples, and license descriptions is available on the project’s GitHub page.

Rodriguez – The World’s Slowest IV Tracer

Posted on 9 July, 20219 July, 2021 by Tope Oluyemi

Joseph Eoff has posted on Hackaday details about Rodriguez, which is an IV tracer. About the origin of the project, he says:

“Rodriguez started as a nameless project I used to make a point in an online discussion about the shape of the current/voltage plot of the base/emitter junction of an NPN transistor. It’s as a simple one-off for a specific purpose, and sort of mushroomed. From a simple circuit and software to plot the current and voltage curve of a single diode junction, it has grown into a functional (if limited) current and voltage tracer that can be used to design small transistor amplifiers.”

He started by plotting V_bias against the base current. This is the result:

After successfully plotting V_bias, He realized that he had solved all of the problems involved in making a current/voltage tracer for transistors. He made use of Current/voltage traces to design the transistor amplifiers using the load line method of design. This is what current/voltage plot of a typical transistor looks like:

The circuit he built for Rodriguez featured a few passive components and an Arduino. Arduinos have some low-resolution analog to digital converters and PWM outputs that can be used to generate analog voltages and currents. Rodriguez employs a couple of tricks to derive usable results out of its very crude hardware. For its good resolution on the signals generated by the PWM outputs, it utilizes the Timer1 library. The Timer1 library enables free choice of the PWM frequency and 10 bits of resolution for the pulse width (that’s 1024 steps.) With a PWM frequency of 10kHz, Rodriguez is able to operate with a very simple low pass filter to make the analog signals. Also, with 1024 steps, the plots are smoother than they would be with just 256 steps.

Rodriguez utilizes oversampling to derive the equivalent of 14 bits of resolution out of the 10 bit ADCs. For accurate measurements of the base current, it goes further and oversamples the oversampling which it oversamples by 256 for most measurements. The base current measurements are oversampled 256 times the regular oversampling. The oversampling method gives Rodriguez enough resolution to be useful but however, makes the program very slow.

Rodriguez boasts of the simplicity of its circuit. You only need two capacitors, 5 resistors, and an Arduino of any flavor. It is easy to assemble. About the assembly of Rodriguez, he says

“I built mine as a sort of 3D sculpture on the pin header of the Nano. It could just as easily be assembled on a solderless breadboard. Perfboard would work as well. An etched PCB would be rather overkill, but whatever floats your boat.”

You can find the software on github repository, which also includes a schematic of the required circuit and the Arduino program.

For now, Rodriguez can make current/voltage plots of bipolar junction transistors and diodes, which he tested on 2N3904, 2N3906, and 2N2222 transistors. He also used it on LEDs of various colors, as well as regular diodes (1N4148, 1N4001.) for future upgrades, he says

“I plan to add support for FETs in the future, but I have to order some for experiments. I will also add a save/load feature for the collected data.”

Rodriguez is quite limited in the current and voltage it can deliver to the device under test. You can’t get more than 5 volts or about 5 milliamperes out of it. That’s enough for testing small signal diodes and small transistors. You won’t be designing a class A power amplifier with Rodriguez, but it will do for learning the principles of amplifier design using the load line method.

For more information, visit the project page on Hackaday.

Meet the Jupiter Nano, The Tiny, high-performance computer that runs Linux, and the NuttX RTOS

Posted on 9 July, 2021 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Over the past year since its launch, we’ve seen several interesting projects come out of the Microchip Get Launched program. The latest, which according to Crowd supply, will be hitting the crowdfunding campaign site soon, is the Jupiter Nano.

A tiny, Open-Source, high-performance development board, capable of running a Linux based OS or the NuttX real-time OS, the Jupiter Nano features the Microchip SAMA5D27C-LD1G Cortex A5 processor packed into a 1.125″ x 2.5″ teensy-like form factor with 48 GPIO pins.

Coming with 10x the power of the Arduino due, the Jupiter Nano was designed to be a perfect replacement for Arduino users who need a tiny, powerful computer with more CPU power, lots of RAM, and the ability to deploy an internet-connected real-time operating system like the NuttX.

To expand its offerings and open doors to Linux-based users, the board also supports Linux-based operating systems, with lots of I/O and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Some of the highlight features and specifications of the new board as listed on its crowd supply page includes:

Microchip SAMA5D27C-LD1G Cortex A5 Processor running at 498 Mhz
AP Memory AD2100XXX 128 M x 32 LPDDR2 DRAM chip integrated into system-in-package (SIP)
NuttX RTOS or Linux
Tiny 48-pin form factor (1.125″ x 2.5″, similar in size to Teensy 4.1)
Key peripherals use DMA (USB, SPI, I2C, Flexcom)
JTAG port for programming and debugging
USB 2.0 HS port on USB-micro B jack (Port A, 480 Mbps, host or device)
USB 2.0 HS port on a pin-header connection (Port B, 480 Mbps, host only)
USB 2.0 FS Debug console port on USB-micro B jack (12 Mbps)
SD Card slot – 50 MHz DDR – device boots from the card (this means it is impossible to brick the device)
Native SPI and I2C ports
4 FLEXCOMs on I/O pins – flexible serial controller peripherals that can be SPI, UART, or I2C
Qorvo ACT8945A with integrated LiPo battery charging capability
Compatible with many LiPo Batteries
Open Source Hardware with all design files (KiCAD) available.

According to the project page, the board is totally open source and all files, including PCB Design files, schematics, and software will be made available on Github once the project achieves its funding goals.

There is no price information yet, but this definitely will be available as soon as the crowdfunding campaign begins.

To learn more about the project, the features of the board, and signup to be notified when the campaign begins, you can visit the project’s page on CrowdSupply.

BastWAN RAK4260 Module Based Dev-Board in Feather Form Factor

Posted on 9 July, 2021 by Saumitra Jagdale

With the increasing popularity of the Adafruit Feather form factor in recent years, many third-party manufacturers have developed Feather-compatible boards, such as the Penguino Feather 4260, Giant board, OrangeCrab, and Feather-S2. Mexico-based Electronic Cats has come up with their own Feather-compatible board with LoRa connectivity: BastWAN.

A high-performance, ultra-low-power RAK4260 module based on Microchip R34 LoRa® System-in-Package (SiP) powers the development board. Additionally, the UF2 USB bootloader comes pre-installed on BastWAN, and it’s completely assembled, tested, and programmed.

BastWAN is perfect for beginners and advanced developers, and it is similar to the Penguino Feather 4260. But unlike the Penguino board, BastWAN uses only an SMA antenna connector (no uFL option). But lacks an RGB LED and substitutes the USB-C port with a Micro USB port for power and debugging. Additionally, BastWAN provides SWD support through four holes rather than a 10-pin connector.

Discussing further, Microchip R34 is an industry’s ultra-low-power LoRa (Long Range) SiP device which includes an integrated 48Mhz SAML21 32-bit microcontroller and a LoRa transceiver. It operates in the range of 862 to 1020 MHz frequency. It is designed for ultra-long range spread spectrum communication-based applications with minimal line-power demand.

Features of BastWAN Feather-compatible Board

RAKWireless RAK4260 module based on low-power Microchip R34 LoRa SiP device with SAM L21 Arm
Cortex M0+ MCU and LoRa transceiver for connectivity.
It has up to 32 KB RAM and 256 KB of Flash
Rapid prototype with LoRa/LoRaWAN technology
20 IO pins available on pin headers— PWM, Serial, I2C, SPI, 6x 12-bit ADC, 1x 10-bit DAC.
The ATECC608A crypto authentication chip ensures secure communication.
There are three power supplies available. These include 5V via a micro USB port, a 2-pin header for a LiPo battery, and a 3.3V regulator with a peak current of 500mA.
The board also includes a built-in 100mA LiPo charger with a charging status indicator, an SMA antenna connector, a micro-USB port, a reset pin, and a button.
For easy software development, the Arduino environment is fully supported including a LoRa compatible software stack.
Dimensions – 50.8 mm x 22.8 mm
Weight 6.9 grams

The Feather-format board also includes a Microchip ATECC608A cryptographic coprocessor which provides hardware-based security and hardware-based key storage, both of which are useful for connecting your projects to the cloud. It features a built-in USB, thus it provides a USB-to-Serial program and debugs functionality “with no need for an FTDI-like chip”.

Coming to the software part, the BastWAN comes pre-loaded with the UF2 bootloader. It appears as a virtual disk drive, so reprogramming is as easy as dragging and dropping the firmware file. Additionally, as the bootloader is BOSSA compatible, it can be used directly within the Arduino integrated development environment (IDE), MakeCode, and other programming environments.

BastWAN is available for $31.39 on Tindie. For more information visit the product page. Images and technical specifications have also been taken from the product page.

Melexis MLX90392 Triaxis Micropower Magnetometer

Posted on 9 July, 20219 July, 2021 by mixos

Melexis MLX90392 Triaxis® Micropower Magnetometer is a programmable sensor IC offering a 16-bit output proportional to the magnetic flux density sensed along the XYZ axes, along with temperature output signal. The MLX90392 is based on Melexis proprietary Triaxis technology. By selecting which axes are to be measured, the raw data can be used as input for further post-processing by an external microcontroller, making the device suitable for applications such as joysticks, rotary knobs, linear strokes, and complex 3D position sensing.

The MLX90392 is available in 2 magnetic variants:

±5mT range for low noise applications (MLX90392ELQ-AAA-010-xx)
±50mT range for for position sensor applications (MLX90392ELQ-AAA-011-xx)

The Melexis MLX90392 Triaxis Position Sensor is offered in a compact 2.0mm x 2.5mm UTDFN-8 package, ideal for space-constrained applications.

Features

Programmable parameters on the fly
0mT to 5mT/5mT to 50mT magnetic range
Triaxis Hall technology
- 1µTrms for the ±5mT variant
- 7µTrms for the ±50mT variant
Micropower
- Power down current of 1.5µA
- Supply voltage of 1.8V
Selectable modes
- Single Measurement
- Continuous Mode up to 1.4kHz (XYZ)
Fields of motion
- On-axis
- Off-axis
- Joystick
- Linear
Integrated temperature sensor
Digital 16-bit output for magnetic and temperature (XYZT)
I²C output interface; 1.4kHz data rate
Operating temperature range from -40C to +85℃
2.0mm x 2.5mm x 0.4mm UTDFN-8 package (JEDEC qualified)

more information: https://www.melexis.com/en/product/mlx90392/3d-magnetometer-micro-power-and-cost-conscious

Fibocom Meets MWC21: Unleash the Value of IIoT with the Intersection of 5G, AI and Edge Computing

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by mixos

Mobile World Congress Barcelona, the world’s largest mobile ecosystem event, returned as hybrid event this year, providing the world an opportunity to explore ground-breaking innovations and the latest trend in the mobile world. Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) solutions and wireless communication modules, focuses on the best practices in 5G verticals for industry users.

Fibocom Insights

Among all the topics being discussed this year, combining 5G connectivity with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and edge computing to develop Industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions has attracted much attention. Industry users have been actively investing in IIoT for operational efficiency, which is helpful for real-time decision-making to minimize waste and prevent equipment failure. IIoT applications, meanwhile, generated more data than ever before. Businesses and industry experts are turning to the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), the convergence of AI and IoT, to make smarter decisions more quickly.

Since massive amounts of data have been collected and most of them are unused, the inability for humans to analyze all of the data produced is why businesses seek to incorporate AI and edge computing into Industry 4.0. On the one hand, with the help of AI, AIoT systems can proactively detect failures and events, enabling predictive maintenance. Edge computing, on the other hand, allows data processing and storing at the edge, instead of sending data back and forth to the servers. It helps reducing latency and costs of data storage, while increasing network availability.

Fibocom is always keen to help customers realize IIoT capabilities, by empowering edge computing and AI from end points to the cloud. Integrated with high bandwidth, low latency, ultra-reliability, the Fibocom 5G module is a series of secured wireless communication modules designed to satisfy the wireless communication needs of different industries. Embedded with Fibocom’s 5G modules, end devices connected to the network are able to process data immediately at where it is generated. Furthermore, Fibocom has cooperated with Ali Cloud and Tencent Cloud, delivering connectivity across a range of industries and services.

Industry Events

Besides providing the advanced IoT solutions and wireless modules, Fibocom also plays an active part in running a variety of virtual events. During MWC 2021, Fibocom presented the “Make the 5 G’s Thrive” webinars to the world, discussing how to “Unlock the Best Practices in 5G Verticals for Industry Users”. At the webinar, speakers shared their thoughts on how digital technologies, including AI and edge computing, are transforming IIoT in the 5G era for industry verticals.

Ken Figueredo, Strategy and business innovation for companies in Digital, M2M/IoT and IoM markets, More with Mobile, focused on how digital transformation is fueled by innovation in the communications sector.

“Beyond its technical capabilities, 5G powers new business practices. In the case of IoT, these are an engine for innovation and new commercial opportunities,”

said Ken.

Sander Rotmensen, Digital Industries Director of Industrial Wireless Communication, Siemens AG, presented the audiences with 5G applications in the industrial sectors, followed by Amy DeBuysere, VP Business Development of Fibocom, showcasing Fibocom’s enablement in verticals. Jeroen Baerents, Product Sales Manager, Advantech EIOT Europe, addressed the importance of securing success in IIoT commercialization.

An on-demand video of the webinar is available now via: http://www.fibocom.com/en/eventcenterfeaturepage/index_itemid_2324.html

Fibocom valued the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations at MWC 2021 with our industry partners. The Fibocom FM650, FG650 and FM350 module belong to our excellent 5G wireless module family, offering seamless network connectivity brought by 5G technology to users worldwide.

For more information, please visit:

Resources

White Paper: 5G to Turbocharge IoT Growth

To contact the Fibocom Sales Desk, visit Contact Sales

Andonstar AD407 HDMI Digital USB Microscope Review

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by DM

Introduction

Digital USB microscopes are widely available from various manufactures, are low-cost, and ideal for home or business use. They are USB-powered microscopes that can directly be connected to the computer’s USB port or USB adapter. They are a variation of a traditional optical microscope that uses optics and a digital camera to output an image to a monitor, using software running on a computer. They consist of a high-power macro lens and a reflective light using built-in LED lights surrounding the lens. The microscope is directly attached to the HDMI port of the monitor. So, the images are displayed on the monitor’s screen. They are usually low cost, they provide modest magnification depending on the lens, sensor, and illumination quality. Digital USB microscopes are very useful for examining coins, PCBs, documents, currency notes, fibers, surface irregularities, etc.

Andonstar AD407 USB microscope

Andonstar has recently launched its AD407 HDMI Digital USB Microscope. It uses a 4 megapixels HD sensor and an industrial lens that provides the capability of capturing 1080 (max 120f/s) images as well as video. It can provide clear images with a deep depth of field under a high object distance. It features HDMI output enabling the microscope to be connected with external monitors. Andonstar AD407 microscope is the most convenient tool for soldering work. It features a 7-inch adjustable screen, allowing users to view parts and components of the PCB. Further, its UV filter can protect the lens from oil and heat during the soldering process. Moreover, it has a height-adjustable stand (not very precise manufactured) that can move backward and forward, providing enough soldering working space and allowing you to view better the soldering components. Thus the product aims to improve the precision and efficiency of your soldering and repair work.

Unboxing – Package contents

The microscope comes in a big box with plenty of insulation to protect it during transport. The box includes:

Microscope x1
Stand x1
HDMI cable x1
Switch Cable x1
UV Filter x1
IR-Remote x1(not included the battery)
Adapter x1
Users Manual x1

Unboxing and powering up the unit took only 4-5 minutes. The microscope comes assembled and all you have to do to start is to add batteries to the remote control and connect the light and power control cable the the USB adapter. Hit power ON button and you are ready to go.

Features of the product

With a 7-inch adjustable LCD screen to present clear images of the object
An excellent image processing system for better viewing, monitoring, and documentation
With UV filter protecting the lens from harmful substances and extending the working life of the product
1080P( max 120f/s) HD capability and HDMI video output for high-quality images output
High object distance help to produce images with a deep depth of field
A height-adjustable metal stands able to be moved backward and forward, providing enough soldering working space.

The Andonstar team says that this 7-inch digital microscope is perfect for jewelry appraisal, antique authentication, soldering, repairing, popularization of science, and other applications.

Specifications of AD407

Image sensor: 4 megapixels HD sensor
Video output: UHD2880x2160 24FPS; FHD1920x1080 60FPS/30FPS; HD1280x720 120FPS;
eo format: MP4; real-time play via HDMI w/o recording;
Magnification: Up to 270 times (HDMI monitor 27 inches)
Photo resolution: Max 4032×3024 (12M 4032*3024)
Photo format: JPG
Focus range: Minimum 5cm
Frame rate: Max 120f/s (600 Lus brightness &HDP120）
Video-output: HDMI
Storage: Microscope-SD card, Up to 32G
Pc support: NO
Power source: 5V DC
Light source: 2 LED with the stand
Screen size: 7 inch
Stand size: 20cm*12cm*19cm
Certification: CE/FCC/ROHS/HDMI
Packaging data: 32*22*10cm/1.6kg
Warranty: 1 year

Andonstar ADSM302 vs AD407

Comparing the AD407 with another microscope (ADSM302) from the same company we see they share many parts as the lens, base, and LED lights but AD407 has a bigger screen. The ADSM302 has a better vertical aluminum stand which is more precise than the low-cost stand of AD407. Other than this the lens seems to be of the same type. You can check the full ADSM302 review on this page.

The microscope features magnification up to 270x times. It also allows for an SD card of up to 32 GB. Besides, two LEDs are used for lighting on the stand.

Overall, it is a low-cost digital USB microscope with many features that makes it suitable for a wide range of household, scientific, and workshop applications.

Sample Images

Here are some images captured on the SD card of the microscope. As you can see the quality is nice and the images are sharp and clear. The resolution of the images is 4032 x 3024 px which is fair enough.

Availability

The Andonstar AD407 digital USB microscope is available for sale on the Andonstar store for €235.32 EUR. It comes along with a stand, HDMI cable, UV filter, IR remote control, and an adapter. Plus, it has a warranty for one year.

E-PEAS Battery Chargers Target Wearable, Medical and Sensor Products

Posted on 7 July, 20217 July, 2021 by mixos

Addressing the need for streamlined power management solutions for energy harvesting hardware, e-peas has unveiled a new family of battery charger devices. While the company’s existing power management ICs (PMICs) offer direct power delivery to the application, as well as the charging of energy storage elements (such as Li-Ion batteries or super-capacitors), the AEM10900, AEM10300 and AEM30300 are fully dedicated to the charging function. This allows them to be employed in situations that need a simpler implementation, where there are space or cost constraints that need to be considered. The PMICs are able to achieve zero quiescent current draw from the battery – meaning that if energy harvesting stops for a prolonged period of time, the energy stored in the battery will not be wasted supplying the PMIC.

Working in conjunction with a single-cell photovoltaic panel, the highly integrated AEM10900 PMIC boost converter is optimized for solar-based energy harvesting implementations. Through its super-fast power point tracking (MPPT) functionality specially set for objects in movement, this device is able to ensure that it gets the most energy from the ambient illumination available – so as much as possible can be stored. In addition, it has a 250mV cold start capability, which means it can commence with charging the battery even when light intensities are very low. AEM10900 introduces an I2C interface to minimize the pin count and to offer a larger set of potential configurations. It offers an array of features, including battery thermal protection, a joule counter to let the user know the amount of energy harvested, plus a shipping mode in which the battery cannot be charged. Key applications from this PMIC will be wearable consumer products and body-worn medical monitoring equipment.

AEM10900 Highlights

Ultra-low-power start-up

Cold start from 250 mV input voltage and 5 μW input power (typical)

Highly efficient energy extraction

Periodic open-circuit voltage sensing for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT);
Configurable MPPT ratios of 35, 50 and from 60 to 90% by 5% steps;
Constant impedance matching (QFN package only);
Configurable MPPT sensing timing and period;
MPPT voltage operation range from 115 mV to 1.5 V.

Flexible energy storage management

Selectable overdischarge protection from 2.8 V to 4.0 V;
Selectable overcharge protection from 3.0 V to 4.8 V;
For any type of rechargeable battery;
Battery charge can be disabled, e.g. during transportation.

Configuration and communication

Static configurations available through configuration pins (depending on package) or I2C interface;
I2C interface to set system functionalities and read system information;
I2C mode up to Fast Mode Plus.

Configurable thermal protection

From -40°C to 125°C with accuracy below 1.5°C up to 60°C.

Power meter

Energy transfer or pulse counter mode.

Smallest footprint, smallest BOM:

WLCSP16 2×2 mm or QFN28 4×4 mm;
Only three passive components.

AEM10300 and AEM30300 PMICs both have built-in ultra-low power DC/DC converters supporting operation over an input voltage range that covers 100mV to 4.5V. Adaptive energy management permits these devices to automatically switch between boost, buck-boost and buck operational configurations as deemed appropriate. This ensures that optimal energy transfer is always maintained between the respective inputs and the storage element.

Key Features:

250mV cold start capability, which means it can commence with charging the battery even when light intensities are very low.
MPPT voltage operation from 115mV to 1.5V
I2C interface to minimize the pin count and to offer a larger set of potential configurations
Battery thermal protection functionality
Joule counter to let the user know the amount of energy harvested
Support any type of rechargeable battery
Shipping mode in which the battery cannot be charged
Small BOM with only three passive components
Available in WLCSP16 (2×2 mm) & (QFN28 4×4 mm)

All these new battery chargers PMICs only require three external components. This means that energy harvesting functionality can be added while keeping the bill-of-materials costs low and taking up very little board space.

“As e-peas’ business matures and we continue to gain ever greater commercial traction, we must look to provide a more expansive portfolio of PMIC options to the market,” states Geoffroy Gosset, CEO & co-founder. “Following on from in-depth consultations with our customer base, it became clear that having compact solutions for charging only was going to be of real value. With these newly introduced devices we will now be able to better serve the wearable, healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors, supporting them with technology that fully meets their needs in terms of performance, size and price point.”

The AEM10300 and AEM30300 PMICs are both supplied in a 28-pin QFN package format (with (4mm x 4mm dimensions), while the AEM10900 is available in either the 28-pin QFN package or a 16-pin WLCSP (with 2mm x 2mm dimensions) package for even greater space savings.

more information: E-PEAS