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SparkFun Garmin LIDAR-Lite v4 Distance Measurement Sensor

Posted on by mixos

SparkFun Garmin LIDAR-Lite v4 Qwiic LED Distance Measurement Sensor is a high-performance, wireless optical distance measurement sensor that doesn’t require any soldering to get started. The LIDAR-Lite Sensor features up to a 10-meter range, 1cm resolution, and requires 85mA during data acquisition. Using the I2C protocol, users can read and write to the LIDAR-Lite v4, utilizing the SparkFun Qwiic system. The LIDAR sensor requires 5V to operate but runs on 3V3 logic. With a 5V boost circuit and an easy-to-use Qwiic connector, users can power the sensor and get distance measurements over Qwiic, all with a single piece of hardware.

The SparkFun Garmin LIDAR-Lite v4 Qwiic LED Distance Measurement Sensor sends out an infrared beam and measures the time it takes to be reflected. The LIDAR-Lite v4 utilizes LEDs rather than a laser for this iteration and is inherently eye-safe under normal usage.

The built-in nRF52840 microcontroller runs a pre-loaded “out of the box” application to calculate the distance between itself and an object in front of it. The equipped nRF52840 also allows developers to create custom applications to expand on the “out of the box” functionality or connect to an external micro-controller running a custom user application.

Features

  • 1cm Resolution
  • Measurement repeatability:
    • As measured indoors to a 90% reflective target
    • 1cm is equivalent to one standard deviation
    • Using “high accuracy” mode, with averaging:
      • +/- 1cm to 2 meters
      • +/- 2cm to 4 meters
      • +/- 5cm to 10 meters
  • Range: 5cm to 10meters (as measured from back of unit)
  • Update rate:
    • I2C = >200Hz typical
    • ANT® = up to 200Hz to a 90% target indoors at 2m in normal operating mode
  • Interface: I2C or ANT; user configurable for SPI using the Nordic SDK
  • 3.3VDC Power (operating voltage)
  • -20°C to 60°C Operating temperature
  • 940nm LED wavelength
  • 4.77° Beam divergence
  • 14.9mm Optical aperture
  • 2.8in x 1.0in x 0.9in Unit size (LxWxH)

more information: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15776

NJR (New Japan Radio) NJG1801BKGC-A Automotive SPDT Switch

Posted on by mixos

NJR (New Japan Radio) NJG1801BKGC-A Automotive SPDT Switch is intended for Wi-Fi®, BLUETOOTH®, and UWB applications. The NJG1801BKGC-A Switch delivers low insertion loss and high isolation, up to 8.5GHz. The NJR NJG1801BKGC-A Automotive SPDT Switch is packaged in an ESON6-GC wettable flank structure that corresponds to the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) standard.

Features

  • AEC-Q100 grade 1 qualified
  • Control voltage VCTL(H) = 3.0V typ.
  • Low insertion loss
    • 0.35dB typ. @ f = 0.3GHz to 2.5GHz
    • 0.45dB typ. @ f = 4.9GHz to 5.9GHz
    • 0.60dB typ. @ f = 8.5GHz
  • High isolation
    • 28dB typ. @ f = 0.3GHz to 2.5GHz
    • 27dB typ. @ f = 4.9GHz to 5.9GHz
    • 18dB typ. @ f = 8.5GHz
  • P-1dB = +31dBm typ. @ f = 0.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 5.9GHz
  • Wide operating temperature -40°C to +125°C
  • Package with wettable flank ESON6-GC (1.6mm x 1.6mm x 0.78mm typ., pin pitch 0.5mm)
  • RoHS compliant and Halogen Free, MSL1

Block Diagram

more information: https://www.njr.com/electronic_device/products/NJG1801BKGC-A.html

Infineon OPTIREG™ TLS850C2TE V50 & V33 linear voltage regulators

Posted on by mixos

The OPTIREGTM linear TLS850C0TE is a high-performance, 500 mA automotive-grade LDO with RESET functionality in PG-TO252-5 (DPAK) package

The OPTIREGTM linear TLS850C0TE is a high-performance, 500 mA automotive-grade LDO with RESET functionality in PG-TO252-5 (DPAK) package. It is the perfect fit to power MCUs (5 V and 3.3 V) and CAN transceivers (5 V) for automotive body, powertrain, and infotainment applications.

Key features

  • Always ON
  • RESET function
  • RESET delay
  • Low quiescent current (Iq)

Additional features

  • Ultra-low drop-out voltage
  • Very good heat dissipation package

Additional Benefits:

  • Device performance upgrade
  • Reduce passive BOM cost
  • Low current consumption
  • Very good thermal performance
  • System monitoring (RESET)

more information: https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/power/linear-voltage-regulator/linear-voltage-regulators-for-automotive-applications/tls850c2te-v50/

Ultra-Compact SynthHD Mini 15GHz Microwave Signal Generator

Posted on by mixos

The SynthHD Mini is probably the world’s smallest innovative, low-cost, pocketable RF signal generator – software-tunable from 10MHz to 15GHz in 0.01 Hz steps

Saelig Company Inc. has introduced the Windfreak SynthHD Mini, a software tunable RF signal source that generates signals from 10MHz to 15GHz with a 0.01Hz resolution and an output power of up to 20dBm. The generator also supports FM, AM, Pulse, Sweep, and List modulations. It can be programmed for standalone operation, running without any PC connection, to produce any frequency, power, sweep, or modulation setting or combinations thereof. When powered by 5V it becomes a highly mobile, low power, light weight solution for a wide range of RF signal generation needs.

This compact 1.6” x 1.6” x 0.5” RF signal generator can be powered from a controller running Windows, Linux or Android via its USB port, requiring 5V at 400mA. The output amplitude can be adjusted in 0.01 dB steps up to +20dBm and across a range of more than 30dB.

Specifications:

  • 10MHz to 15GHz in 0.01Hz steps
  • -13dBm to +20dBm (typical) in 0.01dB steps
  • Select internal 27MHz reference or use external 10-100MHz reference
  • Pulse, AM, and FM internal modulation including FMCW radar chirp
  • Pulse Modulation with 1μS minimum width and 1μS resolution
  • Pulse, AM, and FM external modulation from DC – 10kHz
  • Powerful Trigger modes allow external triggering of most functions without a PC connected
  • Linear, %, and list mode (frequency and amplitude hopping) sweeps
  • All settings savable to the device for use without a PC
  • 32 bit ARM processor onboard which is Arduino compatible
  • LabVIEW GUI executable and source code provided
  • Windows, Linux, and Android compatibility

This software-tunable generator is suitable for use in applications such as wireless communications systems, RF and microwave radios, software-defined radio, radar, automated test equipment (ATE), radiated immunity pre-compliance testing, electronic warfare, law enforcement, medical research, etc.

Designed and manufactured in USA by Windfreak Technologies, a producer of low cost, innovative RF products that are in use worldwide in a variety of technical applications, the SynthHD Mini is a highly mobile, low power, lightweight solution for sophisticated RF signal generation needs.

Vision AI – Smart Camera with Deep Learning Accelerator

Posted on by mixos

VisionAI is an embedded solution for image processing with which applications from the fields of AI, Deep Learning and Machine Learning can be easily realised. With its integrated Google Edge TPU, the real-time inference system supports the frameworks TensorFlow Lite and AutoML Vision Edge. This makes it ideally suited for tasks such as pattern recognition, classification, anomaly or defect detection in inspection applications, code reading and many other custom applications.

Advantages of a complete AI embedded solution for AI-based image processing

VisionAI offers the great advantage of being a complete AI embedded solution that can be quickly adapted to the task at hand with little effort. Users do not have to deal with image acquisition, I/O handling or other essential functions, but can concentrate fully on the development of the actual image processing solution right from the start.

Realising applications within one working day is usually no problem for developers with experience in Linux, AI and image processing. The basis for this is VisionAI’s integrated software, which provides the user with a large number of sample applications. On this basis, a quick adaptation to the individual specifications can be made. Thanks to the integrated Google Edge TPU, VisionAI is particularly predestined for the creation of solutions that require the use of technologies such as AI, Deep Learning or Machine Learning.

In addition to adapting the sample applications provided, VisionAI users also have the flexibility to develop their own image processing applications based on Halcon, C++ or Python and to integrate any libraries or their own software developments. VisionAI’s free programmability makes it extremely flexible in the selection of suitable software and also allows complete access to the hardware, giving users full control over the design of their embedded solution based on VisionAI.

Features:

  • The freely programmable, compact AI image processing camera VisionAI for the rapid realization of individual Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning systems.
  • Perfect combination of high computing power and compact image processing system
  • Integrated Google Edge TPU for TensorFlow Lite and AutoML Vision Edge
  • Open real-time inference system with full hardware access and flexible software options

At the heart of VisionAI is a Quad Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with a modern Debian-based Linux operating system and a clock speed of 4x 1.8 GHz, as well as an integrated Google Edge TPU that supports TensorFlow Lite and AutoML Vision Edge. The global shutter CMOS sensor used has a resolution of 5 megapixels and achieves a frame rate of 65 full frames per second. For communication with the connected machine or process, 2 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs as well as an Ethernet interface with 1000 Mbit/s are available. This performance in combination with the extremely small design of only 50 mm × 50 mm × 40.1 mm, a robust housing and the possibility of connecting C-mount lenses in an optional protective housing makes VisionAI the perfect embedded vision solution for AI, Deep Learning or Machine Learning applications.

Simple configuration with ViewIT

Most industrial cameras and vision sensors already include user software that allows image display and camera configuration. The VisionAI can be put into operation, but for special applications and image processing tasks, the software must first be developed. This takes a lot of time and development effort. ViewIT offers a faster solution.

ViewIT is a framework that allows image processing applications to be developed quickly and cost-effectively – without having to write a single line of code outside of image processing itself. A graphical user interface with intuitive functionality and easy-to-configure software modules allow any automation engineer to access machine vision.

Basic applications as counting, vibration control or kinematic monitoring will be an integral part of ViewIT. Regarding your individual application, IMAGO technologies can provide the algorithms used in the ViewIT environment.

more information: https://imago-technologies.com/smart-camera-with-deep-learning-accelerator/

Low-Cost Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth 5 Development Board combines Skyworks Solutions RFX2401C

Posted on by Emmanuel Odunlade

A new NRF52840 Bluetooth 5 development board with power amplifier/low-noise amplifier range extender chip has been launched by Bulgarian-based Hobby Electronics.

The development board has at its heart the most advanced member of the nRF52 Series SoC family — the ultra-low power wireless nRF52840 system-on-chip. The Nordic Semi’s nRF52840 SoC meets the challenges of sophisticated and demanding applications that need protocol concurrency and a rich set of peripherals and interfaces. The SoC integrates a multiprotocol 2.4 GHz transceiver, an ARM® Cortex®-M4 32-bit processor with FPU, enough flash program memory, high-speed SPI and QSPI for interfacing to external flash and displays, PDM and I2S for digital microphones and audio, a full-speed USB device for data transfer and power supply for battery recharging. There’s also support for Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Mesh, Zigbee, 802.15.4, ANT, and 2.4GHz proprietary protocols.

The board design also boasts of an on-board RFX2401C PA/LNA chip (power amplifier/low-noise amplifier chip) which according to the creator, is for extending the maximum range of the nRF52840. This RFX2401C PA/LNA chip from Skyworks Solutions is a fully integrated, single-die RFeIC that operates at the 2.4 GHz ISM band. It integrates the power amplifier, the low noise amplifier, transmit and receive switching circuitry, as well as the associated matching network and the harmonic filter. All the needed RF functionality for IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee, wireless sensor networks, and other wireless systems is also available with this chip. You can use it in applications like home automation, smart power, industrial automation and RF4CE.

Other Features and Specifications of the board include:

  • Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 SoC offers a single-core Arm Cortex-M4 processor running at 64MHz with 256kB of RAM plus 1MB of flash memory
  • Radio hardware that supports Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh, Bluetooth LE, Thread, Zigbee, 802.15.4, ANT and 2.4 GHz
  • Selectable antenna output with a 0-ohm resistor between an external SMA antenna or a PCB trace antenna
  • A 3.3V regulator with 600mA rated current output
  • 15 user-accessible general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins + 2 hardwired GPIO pins hardwired to control RXen/TXen pins

Going by what the creator said, we expect to see the development board pre-loaded with Adafruit nRF52840 bootloader. The board can either be used for prototyping/development or used directly in a specific project. It can be interfaced via SWD pins or via micro-USB connector.

The NRF52840 Bluetooth 5 development board is currently available and sells on Tindie for $20, in case you are interested in buying one. Further important details on can the board also be found on the Tindie website.

TinyICOC – AVR In-Circuit Oscillator Calibrator

Posted on by mixos

Stefan Wagner published another great project on Github. He writes:

Sometimes AVRs are operated without an external clock. The internal oscillator does a good job in most applications, but when it comes to precise timing, it is too inaccurate. The accuracy of the oscillator of an AVR is only +/-10%. Fortunately, the oscillator can be calibrated, increasing its accuracy to +/-2% or better. There are a few ways to perform this manual calibration, but several steps are required. The TinyICOC does this fully automatically. Simply connect the device to the target MCU via the ICSP header and press the button.

To carry out the calibration, a program is first uploaded to the target MCU using the integrated In-Circuit Serial Programmer (ICSP). This program applies an oscillating signal with half the clock frequency to the MOSI pin of the target MCU. Since the fuses were previously set so that the target MCU clock runs with a prescaler of 8, a signal with 1/16 of the oscillator frequency is applied to that pin. This frequency is measured by the timers of the ATtiny84 and compared with the target value. The oscillator calibration value (OSCCAL) is then adjusted accordingly and written into the EEPROM of the target MCU. This value is in turn read by the target MCU and written to its OSCCAL register. This process is repeated until the OSCCAL value, which leads to the lowest frequency deviation, has been found.

Design Files (EasyEDA): https://easyeda.com/wagiminator/attiny84-tinyicoc & https://github.com/wagiminator/ATtiny84-TinyICOC

BOMIST – Parts Inventory and BOM Management Software

Posted on by Saumitra Jagdale

We saw BOMIST first in late 2017. With a new version re-written from scratch being released by the end of 2020, we are revisiting it now.

Although at first sight, we can spot quite a few similarities in regards to the UI, there is now more features (and very useful ones), better user experience and overall it just feels more solid as a software product.

It’s still a desktop application, not like many other cloud-based-only solutions we see in this field, and it’s available on all major operating systems (Windows, macOS and Linux). Being an offline-first application, it means you can use it even if you don’t have an internet connection, so your data is always accessible – no such thing as down-times. However, this version also comes with a new plan called TEAM which allows for team collaboration so you can have multiple users accessing and sharing a common database.

With BOMIST you can keep track of inventory but also streamline your production and purchasing processes because, after all, these are all related. Integration with Octopart means having access to real time information from the supply chain which ultimately should help you optimize your BOMs by selecting the best quotes, minimizing supply chain risks, and quickly estimate production costs. You can also add your own suppliers and custom quotes in case they are not available online or if you have special pricing conditions in some of them.

Another very useful feature is the option to generate and print barcode labels straight from the app which you can then attach to the physical things you want to track. Scan them and the app will look those things up for you telling you everything you need about them (e.g. “how many or which parts do I have in this storage location?”). There’s also an API you can use to access all the data on your database  – this should be a great way to integrate with your own systems in case you need to.

However when it comes to supply chain and procurement, planergy stands out as a leading provider of Procure-to-Pay Software, offering businesses a user-friendly solution to streamline their sourcing and purchasing activities. With planergy, organizations can optimize their procurement processes, from requisition to payment, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.  Furthermore, planergy’s robust reporting and analytics capabilities provide valuable insights into spending patterns, supplier performance, and procurement trends, enabling businesses to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision-making in their operations.

You can get started for free, or even use it for free forever as the FREE plan will let you keep track of up to 200 parts and 5 projects, but by signing-up will get you access to all the features for 7 days. As stated on the website, “from makers to professional teams”, there’s a plan suited to everyone.

For more information visit the BOMIST website. You can also download the desktop application from here.

Raspberry Pi CM4-based computer Makes Digital Signage simpler and more flexible

Posted on by Tope Oluyemi

Sharp NEC Display Solutions has launched an embedded Linux signage computer, which has a large-format retrofit display system with digital signage capability called the MPi4 NEC. The MPi4 NEC MediaPlayer is based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Application of the system includes; retail environments, passenger information, and quick service menu boards, etc.

The Raspberry Pi CM4 is deployed via an NEC Interface Board, and it is pre-loaded with NEC MediaPlayer software and licenses for video decoding. The software enables remote operation of individual or multi-screen setups. It also enables browser-based playlists, content distribution, and device management. You can also load third-party content management systems.

The MPi4 NEC MediaPlayer utilizes a quad -A72, 1.5GHz CM4 module with 4GB LPDDR4 and 32GB eMMC. The system offers up to 4K@60 video. It is also equipped with a panel with a GbE port, and 2x USB 2.0 ports. Software providers and users can benefit from the large number of already available open source solutions accessible from the global Raspberry Pi developers community. The NEC Interface Board, hosting the Compute Module 4 enables features for intelligent Digital Signage support like the Watch Dog Timer and Real Time Clock for scheduling. The Ethernet and USB interfaces of the display interface board enables you easily integrate into a network or connection with external devices such as mouse, keyboard and touch.

The major highlights of the MPi4 NEC includes:

  • Pre-installed NEC MediaPlayer, which provides an intuitive plug and play digital signage solution, easy to manage and capable of guiding the user to create powerful visual experiences.
  • Offers Future-Proof with Open Modular Intelligence Expansion. You can  upgrade the power of the display by escalating the computing power at any time to boost performance capability.
  • Its Quad Core 1.5GHZ offers powerful possibilities the processor provides amazing performance and supports 4K/UHD playback with an unrivalled price-performance ratio.
  • MPi4 NEC offers unlimited versatility by enabling a wide range of operating systems, this open platform offers high flexibility for digital signage software providers and system integrators.
  • It offers a seamless and fully embedded system. Just slot into the display for a fully integrated solution, where external mounting is obsolete. It enables an elegant, cable free solution with internal connection for power, video, audio, data and all control interfaces.
  • It is very economical, so you enjoy high performance and low energy use with associated savings.
  • It is highly reliable because of the use of industrial grade components and advanced heat management. This makes it ideally suited for 24/7 operation.

The MPi4 NEC Media Player will start shipping out this May within Europe and some Middle Eastern countries. Vendors are offering the system for $176 to $200 (165 Euros). More information can be found on Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe’s product page.

Its Time To Upgrade To Arduboy FX RetroTech Gaming Console

Posted on by Abhishek Jadhav

Arduboy FX

After successful crowdfunding by the manufacturer of Arduboy that was subscribed more than 15x times, now we are looking at an upgraded version of the basic Arduboy gaming console. This product, Arduboy FX is built around the ATmega32u4 MCU same as the predecessor coming with 32KB flash memory, 2.5KB RAM, and 1KB EEPROM. When we looked at the upgrade, we noticed that only one addition of Mod Chip to your original Arduboy will make it a more efficient gaming console.

For those who do know about their predecessor Arduboy, then it was a card-sized gaming console provided with a brilliant OLED display, six soft-touch tactile buttons, and two-channel piezo speakers giving a rich experience to all the console lovers. Because of the high demand for the Arduboy, the manufacturers went ahead to upgrade the model to give more capabilities to the open-source gaming community.

Arduboy Mod Chip

Just like the previous model, the gaming console gives you the option to store more than 250 Arduboy games on the retro-tech console. The addition of an extra mod chip gives you the benefit to not use a PC to switch between games. If you are fascinated to play all the games and get the feel of the device before buying one then visit the official page to play games online on the Arduboy FX simulator.

Now, if you already know about Arduboy and own one. You do not have to buy a new one to get all the functionalities. Assuming you like to tinker with electronic devices, then you just need to play with the components for hardly 15 minutes to complete the upgrade. As mentioned earlier, you just need to pre-order a Modchip that will cost $9 for only hardware and $15 for preloaded games on the chip.

The manufacturer has relentlessly worked to get upgraded to increase the community for retro-tech gaming consoles.

“When you turn your Arduboy FX on you will be greeted with a boot menu that you can either load up the most recent game or flash one of hundreds of other games in only a few seconds,”

the designer notes.

More details on the availability of the complete hardware for Arduboy FX and mod chip are provided on the official website as well as Seeed Studio.

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