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Arduino Nano 33 IoT-based NTP World Clock

Posted on 12 January, 202112 January, 2021 by Saumitra Jagdale

Arduino Nano 33 IoT can be used to enhance existing devices and creating new ones to include IoT and to design network-specific applications. This article focuses on one of such applications which uses Network Time Protocol by clock synchronization between systems all over the world. It is necessary to know more about Arduino Nano 33 IoT board.

Arduino Nano 33 IoT has a NINA -W10 chipset working at 2.4GHz, this u-blox module is used for Bluetooth and WiFi network connectivity. This WiFi connectivity can be used for clock synchronizations via Network Time protocols to get information of time from different systems. The primary processor of the Nano 33 board is a low-power Arm Cortex-M0 32-bit SAMD21, the board also features secure communication ensured by the Microchip ECC608 chip.

Key Features of Arduino Nano 33 IoT

Arm Cortex-M0 32-bit SAMD21
Clock frequency up to 48MHz
Flash Memory of 256KB
32KB SRAM
NINA W10 for Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
Microchip ECC608 crypto chip for security
Circuit voltage 3.3V,
I/O: 8 analog pins, 14 digital pins,
Interfaces: 1 UART, 1 SPI, 1 I2C
Dimensions: 45x25mm

If one wants to know the time of different time zones in the world, there are many mobile applications and websites for this purpose. Although, this is a simple thing but what if one wants to get this time info at a glance. A dedicated device to “know what time it is anywhere in the world” could satisfy this requirement.

Kaleb Clark (Innovation Team Hardware Lead) used a “3.5″ SPI TFT screen to show eight time zones in the device’s main section, plus a pair of 7-segment displays (SSD) for two more “slots.

” The unit runs on an Arduino Nano 33 IoT, which checks the time over WiFi via the Network Time Protocol, or NTP.”

Features of NTP World Clock

The built NTP clock has a TFT screen on the left side and two 4-digit SSDs and a rotary encoder on the right side. The top SSD shows the present location and time and the bottom SSD shows the selected time zone’s time. The TFT screen configured with Nano 33 IoT using NTP, has a WiFi indicator at the top right corner. The screen has four levels of indications based on RSSI values on the radio module of the Nano 33 board:

WiFi indicator (top right corner)
Current location’s date
Country name, Time and Offset Value
Progress scroll bar showing the seconds value

The screen shows 8 different time zones (countries) with additional two time zones synced with two SSDs. The offset value of the time for a time zone is with respect to the current location’s time, and not the standard UTC. Pressing the center button of the encoder takes you to the menu page. The rotary encoder functions as a controller to change a particular time zone from the options available in the menu. There is also an option of 24hr /12hr format in the menu.

You can alter the code to change the structure and design of the display. To know more about this project application of Arduino Nano 33 IoT, watch this video by Kaleb Clark. If you hit a dead-end while building this project, you can shoot your queries on Element14 Community Forum.

The images and technical specifications have been taken from The Arduino Blog and Arduino Nano 33 IoT product page.

BIQU BX, World’s First OctoPrint Integrated FDM 3D Printer

Posted on 12 January, 202112 January, 2021 by Micael Coutinho

Big BigTreeTech is not fond of rushing products to you every month, with their last 3D (BIQU B1) printer having released in July, you can tell they try to deliver meaningful reasons for you to update your 3D printing setup. With the announcement of the new BIQU BX 3D printer, described by the company as “exceptional printing made for creators”, is it the one for you? It certainly is worth checking out!

At first glance, you will feel that this 3D printer is relatively small but sleek, where the carbon-looking frame gives it an appealing look, along with the massive 7 inch LCD touch screen. The enclosure is made of aluminum extrusions, 2040 on both sides and 2020 on top, where the wider base for the Y-axis contributes for more stable 3D prints. For the Z-axis, a dual stepper motor setup is used in combination with a timing belt on top. On the top, you will also find a holder for the filament spool, since we are dealing with a direct drive 3D printer. The bottom heat bed uses the BIQU SSS (Super Spring Steel) technology, guaranteeing that the model is stable when the bed is heated and does not fall off, while being easy to take when the 3D printing is done. The power supply is located under the Y-axis frame, hiding it from sight and therefore contributing to its simple and appealing appearance. On the front side, you will find not only the touch screen but also an SD card slot.

The direct extruder itself is one key differentiator between this and other 3D printers as it is the world’s lightest (219g), paired with a Ra0.4 nozzle to reduce inertia and clogging to its minimum, providing the maximum accuracy improvement. The 7:1 torque transmission ratio ensure outstanding printing performance. Instead of a 1.8º standard stepper motor, the BIQU BX is makes use of a 0.9º degree motor, doubling the precision, which greatly improves the fineness and accuracy of your 3D prints.

The BIQU BX All Metal Extruder, one of the stars of the show

The heart of this 3D printer is the new powerful BigTreeTech motherboard, containing their new 32-bit 400MHz chip, enabling it for bigger complexity when it comes to 3D printing. The beefy motherboard also offers some interesting safety features, such as reverse plug protection, heating overload protection and real time monitoring of the power supply voltage, which will result in a more robust and longer-lasting product.

There are 3 operation modes available for this 3D printer: Marlin mode, the BigTreeTech touch screen mode and the Plug & Print Raspberry Pi expansion mode, making it the world’s first laptop-free OctoPrint integrated 3D printer.

The powerful BigTreeTech board with Raspberry Pi integration

Some other interesting specs are:

Printing volume: 250 x 250 x 250mm
Printing speed: 100mm/s
Printing accuracy: 0.1mm
Power-loss recovery
One-cable extruder-to-board solution
Proximity sensor for auto-levelling
Capable of handling PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS and nylon filaments
Silent printing with a trinamic stepper driver
MEAN WELL 24V/350W PSU

The firmware of the BIKU BX is open source and highly expandable, with new updates coming regularly to GitHub and hardware expansions, such as a breaking and blocking detection module and reserve interfaces for the Wi-Fi printing module and the CAN bus.

But how can you get one? Easy. The printer is funded on Kickstarter, through the ogatget website, where you can get a huge discount, acquiring it for $249.

From what we have seen so far, this printer seems to be a no-brainer if you want to get great quality 3D prints. Will you pick it up?

Ogadget Link: https://www.ogadget.com/x/biqu-bx#CTA

TDK introduces revolutionary MEMS-based CO2 gas sensor platform

Posted on 11 January, 2021 by mixos

TDK Corporation announces the InvenSense TCE-11101, a miniaturized ultra-low-power MEMS gas sensor platform for direct and accurate detection of CO2 in-home, automotive, IoT, healthcare, and other applications. The TCE-11101 introduces new technology that expands TDK’s sensor leadership into new applications and solutions, as part of the new SmartEnviroTM family. Its small size and low power enable consumer and commercial devices of all form factors that do not need to be wall-powered. The TCE-11101 is housed in a 5 mm x 5 mm x 1 mm 28-pin LGA package and requires minimal external components to complete the design.

Currently, available gas sensors use bulky, power-intensive, and expensive optical techniques; or an intrinsically inaccurate “eCO2” approach. TDK’s TCE-11101 is based on a groundbreaking technology platform made possible by TDK’s unique combination of novel materials development, MEMS process technologies, and AI and machine learning capabilities, delivering a solution that is orders of magnitude smaller than traditional sensors, consumes less than 1mW of power and provides accurate measurement of CO2 gas concentration.

The TCE-11101 significantly expands the use cases for CO2 detection in a wide variety of new and existing applications where traditional sensors fail due to size and power concerns or simply the economics of their usage, while “eCO2” solutions fail to provide the required performance. For example, the TCE-11101 is ideal for applications such as fixed or robotic indoor air quality monitoring due to its ability to provide accurate CO2 readings, doing so at extremely low power, in a very small form factor, and in a low cost, easy-to-integrate digital device. Further, in applications such as Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV), the TCE-11101 allows granular control of an HVAC system by accurately measuring CO2 levels that precisely indicate occupancy in a room or given space – information which can be used to optimize energy consumption for HVAC in Smart Buildings or Smart Homes.

Features and benefits of the SmartEnviro products include: Ultra-low-power; Direct CO2 sensing; Digital interface (I2C); Miniaturized form factor; Technology that offers very wide sensing range (400 ppm to 50,000ppm); Integrated solution with onboard programmability via 16-bit microcontroller; Background calibration for long-term stability; RoHS and Green compliant

The gas sensor platform solution includes:

TCE-11101: The TCE-11101 is a 5 mm x 5 mm x 1 mm 28-pin LGA package, with a metal cap and integrated particle ingress filter to ensure long-life operation. It includes an ASIC that provides automatic calibration, reporting, and a serial interface for data output and configuration, making it incredibly easy to integrate into nearly any application, with the low power consumption enabling its use in battery-powered devices. DK-11101: TDK offers a comprehensive evaluation kit with supporting software so developers can quickly evaluate the TCE-11101 and integrate it into their next design.

The TCE-11101 sensor and DK-11101 development kit are available now for select early partners and customers.

Sipeed’s MAIX-II Dock Development Kit for AI-specific Applications

Posted on 11 January, 202111 January, 2021 by Saumitra Jagdale

MAIX-II Dock Development Kit for Sipeed’s second-generation MAIX-II core module has a built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for AI-specific applications. The module runs in a complete Linux environment with edge computing features to improve response time and reduce the bandwidth. Hence, the module specializes in deep learning and AIoT functions. MAIX-II module is an Allwinner V831 SoC with better features than the MAIX-I Kendryte K210 module.

The MAIX-II core module on Arm Cortex-A7 works at a higher frequency (800~1000 MHz) than the MAIX-I module which works at a lower (400~600 MHz). The MAIX-I module has a smaller RAM size but the NPU performance is up to 0.23 TOPS (Trillions Operations Per Second), whereas the MAIX-II module has SIP 64MB DDR2 RAM but the NPU performance is 0.2 TOPS. The MAIX-II module provides more peripherals like SDIO, Ethernet port, ADC, and audio port. Additionally, it features video encoding at H.264 up to 1080p at 30fps, H265 up to 1080p at 30fps, and JPEG up to 1080p at 30fps, which is not supported in MAIX-I.

MAIX-II Dock Development Board Kit

The Sipeed MAIX-II Dock integrates a 1080p30 camera based on Omnivision SP2305 2 megapixel sensor and 6mm default focal length with an M12 lens. It connects to the board via a B2B connector. The 48.9 x 33.9 x 36.1mm development board “communicates through a 2.4GHz 802.11n Realtek RTL8189FTV module and antenna.” Additionally, it provides 1.3-inch 240 x 240 IPS display, a 1W speaker, a built-in microphone, a microSD slot, and a 3-axis accelerometer. The MAIX-II Dock development board kit is meant for AI-specific applications in smart homes, medical industries, education, and agriculture.

Parameters of MAIX-II Core Module and Development Kit

Typically, the core board operating current is 50 mA.
22.1 x 24.9 x 3.0mm are the dimensions of the module board.
Core board working temperature is between 38-65 ℃
Typically, the kit working current is 490 mA
48.9 x 33.9 x 36.1mm are the dimensions of the kit.
5V and 1A is the recommended power supply with a Type C interface.

The Sipeed has the “OpenWrt-based MAIX-LINUX firmware adapted for edge computing, including the relevant drivers, and all opkg package source code” as the system software. The board uses Python 3.8.5 for programming with a user-friendly Jupyter Notebook environment. The system is also compatible with python software packages like numpy for computations and PIL for image processing. The system also supports additional tools like cross-compilation toolchain, QEMU virtual compilation environment, and online model conversion tools.

Sipeed has tweeted the MAIX-III module with a 1.5-TOPS NPU, dual-band WiFi, Gigabit Ethernet, and 512MB to 2GB DDR3. Its performance could be much better than the previous versions of the MAIX series because of the increased RAM and TOPS specification. “Due in February, the module runs on a Linux-ready SoC that could be a Rockchip design.”

The Sipeed MAIX-II Dock is available for preordering from Seeed for $28.80, with delivery dates after the 15th of January. For more information visit the official product page.

Images and technical specifications have been taken from Sipeed’s official product page and Hackster’s post.

LG Introduces LG8111 AI Chip And Development Kit for On-device AI

Posted on 11 January, 202111 January, 2021 by Emmanuel Odunlade

LG Electronics has introduced a highly-integrated LG8111 AI Chip together with a corresponding Eris Reference Board for edge AI Processing.

The LG8111 AI chip for on-device AI inference is equipped with an LG-specific AI processor that can copy the neural network of the human brain and process the deep learning algorithm efficiently. The SoC supports hardware processing in AI capabilities like video, voice, and control intelligence.

Since the chip has a low power low latency feature that enhances its self learning capacity, products built with the chip can implement On-Device AI learned and inferred by themselves. The chip also supports AWS IoT Greengrass and the integration of the Eris Reference board with AWS IoT Greengrass allows for easier deployment of a variety of applications and solutions.

Features of the LG8111 AI SoC:

LG Neural Engine
- LG proprietary AI Accelerator
- Inference/Training engine
- Support for TensorFlow, TensorFlow Lite, Caffe
Quad-Core CPU
- ARM Cortex A53 cores clocked at a frequency of 1.0 GHz
- 32KB L1 cache and a 1MB L2 cache
- NEON, FPU, and Cryptography extension.
Vision Accelerator
- Dedicated vision for DSP which enables feature extraction and image warping.
Camera Engine:
- 5M + 5M dual ISP pipeline
- Parallel interface
- Noise reduction
- Lens distortion correction
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) pre-processing
Video Encoder:
- Support for full HD video H.264 encoding
Audio Engine:
- “Always-on” voice recognition
- Voice Activity Detector with dedicated Audio DSP

The LG LG8111 AI development board on the other hand, is a cost-effective machine learning device development platform for applications such as control intelligence, image classification/recognition, speech recognition, and more. It can provide improved sensor data collection/analysis as well as machine learning inference performance. The board will also find its application in areas like home automation, industrial automation, lighting, etc.

Features and Specifications of the LG LG8111 AI Development Board:

ARM HW Architecture
eMMC storage
Camera Interface support
GPIO, I2C, MIPI, PWM, SD, UART, USB
Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz Network only
C/C++ programming language
Security Features: Hardware Encryption, Secure Boot, TEE
Operating System: Linux and Ubuntu 18.04
Power Supply: Battery
Industrial temperature range: -40°C to +85 °C
Form Factor: Embedded

The company has stated a number of component-specific solution highlights on the board. You can visit their official product page for that as well as other details about the board or the chip. They also went ahead to drop their email address: LGSIC-AI@lge.com for those who are interested in getting the reference board or have some questions about the LG8111 AI chip.

TPSM82810 – 2.75-V to 6-V, 4-A step-down module with adjustable-frequency & tracking

Posted on 11 January, 202111 January, 2021 by mixos

TPSM8281x is a family of pin-to-pin 3-A and 4-A compatible high efficiency and easy to use synchronous step-down DC/DC power modules with integrated inductors. They are based on a fixed-frequency peak current-mode control topology. They are used in telecommunication, test and measurement, and medical applications with high power density and ease of use requirements. Low resistance switches allow up to 4-A continuous output current at high ambient temperatures. The switching frequency is externally adjustable from 1.8 MHz to 4 MHz and can also be synchronized to an external clock in the same frequency range. In PFM/PWM mode, the TPSM8281x automatically enters Power Save Mode at light loads to maintain high efficiency across the whole load range. The TPSM8281x provides a 1% output voltage accuracy in PWM mode which helps design a power supply with high output voltage accuracy. The SS/TR pin sets the start-up time or tracks the output voltage to an external source. This allows external sequencing of different supply rails and limits the inrush current during start-up.

Features for the TPSM82810

Input voltage range: 2.75 V to 6 V
Output voltage range: 0.6 V to 5.5 V
Adjustable and synchronizable switching frequency of 1.8 MHz to 4 MHz
Spread spectrum clocking – optional
Selectable forced PWM or PFM/PWM operation
Output voltage accuracy ±1% (PWM operation)
Power-good output with window comparator
100% duty cycle
Output discharge
Precise ENABLE input allows
- User-defined undervoltage lockout
- Exact sequencing
15-µA typical quiescent current
Adjustable soft-start or tracking

more information: https://www.ti.com/product/TPSM82810

TinyPocketRadio – FM Stereo Radio based on ATtiny13A

Posted on 11 January, 202111 January, 2021 by mixos

Stefan Wagner published another project on github.com. He writes:

TinyPocketRadio is a simple FM stereo radio based on ATtiny13A and RDA5807MP. It’s powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery and can drive 32 Ohm headphones via the 3.5 mm audio plug. The board size is 38 x 23 mm. It has a power switch and three buttons: “Channel+”, Volume-” and “Volume+ “.

The low-cost RDA5807MP is a single-chip broadcast FM stereo radio tuner with fully integrated synthesizer, IF selectivity, RDS/RBDS and MPX decoder. The tuner uses the CMOS process, support multi-interface and require the least external component. All these make it very suitable for portable devices.

TinyPocketRadio – FM Stereo Radio based on ATtiny13A – [Link]

EPC2218 Enhancement-Mode GaN Power Transistors

Posted on 10 January, 2021 by mixos

EPC’s 3.2 mΩ, 100 V, 231 Apulsed GaN transistor provides power efficiency and switching frequency

EPC’s EPC2218 transistors and development/evaluation boards supply 100 V, 60 A, and 231 A_PULSED enhancement-mode GaN FETs. The transistors are only supplied in passivated die form with solder bars and a die size of 3.5 mm x 1.95 mm. The EPC2218 is ideal for 48 V_OUT synchronous rectification, Class-D audio, infotainment systems, DC/DC converters, and LiDAR for autonomous cars, robotics, and drones.

Features

Higher switching frequency for lower switching losses and lower drive power
Higher efficiency provides lower conduction and switching losses, as well as zero reverse recovery losses
Smaller footprint allows for higher power
DC/DC converters
BLDC motor drives
Sync rectification for AC/DC and DC/DC
LiDAR/pulsed power
Point-of-load (POL) converters
Class-D audio
LED lighting

more information: https://epc-co.com/epc/Products/eGaNFETsandICs/EPC2218.aspx

ON Semiconductor NCN51xxASGEVB KNX Evaluation Boards

Posted on 10 January, 2021 by mixos

ON Semiconductor NCN51xxASGEVB evaluation boards are Arduino-compatible shields that enable rapid prototyping with a microcontroller of choice. These evaluation boards incorporate all the external components necessary for operating the transceivers. The NCN51xASGEVB boards come in three variants such as the NCN5110ASGEVB, NCN5121ASGEVB, and NCN5130ASGEVB. The NCN51xx series of KNX transceivers handle the low-level communication necessary to comply with the KNX standard. The NCN5110 is a bit transceiver and all the timings are handled by the microcontroller. The NCN5121 and NCN5130 implement the MAC layer that reduces the software development effort. The critical timings are handled by the transceiver.

Features

Arduino Uno V3 connectors ensure compatibility with a wide variety of development boards
Enable rapid prototyping
All external components necessary for operating the transceivers are included
Four onboard buttons/LEDs to build a dimmer application
Available in UART- and SPI-version
Easily get started with KNX

more information: https://www.onsemi.com/support/evaluation-board/ncn5110asgevb

New Triple Output DC Power Supplies are cTUVus Certified

Posted on 10 January, 202110 January, 2021 by mixos

B&K Precision, a leading designer and manufacturer of reliable, cost-effective test and measurement instruments, today announces the 9140 Series Triple Output Multi-Range DC Power Supplies. With three isolated and individually controllable outputs, the 9140 (32 V, 8 A) and 9141 (60 V, 4 A) provide up to 300 W of clean power with low ripple and noise or 100 W per channel in a compact 2U half-rack form factor. The front panel features a 4.3-inch LCD and unique output terminals that support sheathed banana plugs or spade lug type connectors. Multiple outputs combined with advanced list mode programming, data logging, and extensive protection features make these power supplies suitable for a wide range of benchtop or test system applications.

This series offers several enhanced features not available on any of B&K Precision’s existing triple output power supplies. Powerful list mode features include list sequencing and step triggering for synchronizing events. List mode programs can be assigned to run on one or multiple channels simultaneously. Output sequencing allows users to link the output states between multiple channels with configurable on/off delays. Both models come equipped with LXI compliant LAN and USB (USBTMC-compliant and USBVCP) interfaces for remote control and programming with an optional GPIB interface. Remote control PC software, LabVIEW^TM and IVI drivers are provided to simplify instrument control and test system integration. The USB host port on the front panel allows for logging voltage and current measurements directly to an external flash drive.

The 9140 Series is also cTUVus certified, indicating compliance with Canadian and U.S. National Safety Standards.

Available now, both models start at $1,850 and are backed by a 3-year standard warranty.

Features:

Three independent, floating output channels for up to 100 W per channel or 300 W total
High power density, compact 2U half-rack form factor
Multi-ranging operation
Low output ripple and noise down to 1 mVrms
Combine outputs to increase voltage up to 180 V or 24 A (depending on model)
Advanced and easy to use list mode programming
Channel coupling, tracking, configurable delays
Direct data logging to USB flash drive
Thermostatically-controlled fans for quiet operation
Adjustable voltage and current slew rates
OVP, OCP, OTP, and key-lock protections
USB (USBTMC-compliant) and LXI compliant LAN standard, GPIB option
LabVIEW^TM, IVI-C, and IVI.NET drivers provided
Operating software included
cTUVus certification mark

For additional technical specification, accessories, photos, and support documents, visit: https://www.bkprecision.com/products/power-supplies/9140-triple-output-multi-range-dc-power-supply-32v-8a-300w.html