600W Step-Up Boost Converter (12 – 60 V / 10 A) with Adjustable Voltage and Current

As a maker, we are always looking for the best way to power our projects. Usually, buck and boost converters are a considerable part of our project, because without good power, then everything else can be compromised. As important as it is, one does not want to splurge huge amounts of money on something that barely contributes to the end experience, but we also want the power supply to be reliable and sleep without wondering if everything can burn down easily, i.e. is protected. But enough mumbling about safety. Today, we bring you a cool boost converter that you may want to include into your next projects.

Over on Tindie, there is this interesting step up converter that can handle up to 600W of power. The interesting power rating is backed by adjustable voltage from 12 to 60 V and current from 0.2 to 10 A, starting with a 10 to 60 V input. Besides that, the input is protected through a fuse, so if you mess up too badly, there is the savior, ready to sacrifice itself for your circuitry. Looking at the outside, the connections are bare wires, which is justifiable due to the high currents, since not all connectors would handle that much current (and you probably do not intend to keep changing the connected cables), and the adjustments of both voltage and current are made through a trimmer potentiometer, that can surely handle with precision the large scales.

Regarding specifications, what is there for us to consider? Let us take a look:

  • Input voltage from 10 to 60 V DC
  • Continuously adjustable output voltage from 12 to 60 V
  • Constant adjustable current range from 0.2 to 10 A
  • Output current of up to 10 A (but needs a beefier heatsink for more than 6 A of current)
  • Static operating current of 10 mA
  • Maximum input current of 10 A, protected by a fuse
  • Operating switching frequency of 150 kHz (no audible hissing)
  • Conversion efficiency ranging from 92 to 96 %
  • Operating temperature range from -40 to +85 ºC
  • Dimensions of 85 x 52 x 21 mm and weight of 80 grams
A closer look at this 600 W boost converter
A closer look at this interesting 600 W boost converter

Unfortunately, there is no reverse protection on the input, but aside from that, there is not much to complain, you get what is described, which is good enough. But what can you do with it? Well, if you need ideas, there is a lot to apply it on. Besides powering those projects that need a bit more current than the popular 3 A limit, you can DIY an old PC power supply to an adjustable 12 to 60 V laboratory PSU, which always comes in handy. Lastly, let us discuss the price: located at $23.80, we would say it is not ridiculously overpriced, just right.

600 W boost converter Tindie link: https://www.tindie.com/products/power_modules/600w-boost-converter-12v-step-up-12-60v-out-adjust/

Keybon: DIY a Functional (but Elegant) Macro Keyboard

So, we have all been there. Looking at our keyboard, adding bindings with our extra keys, but then to go “what did I put in that key?”. It happens to the best of us, no matter how used you are with your apps, games, or workflow. A solution for this, which we have seen used a lot for example in the streaming industry, is one of those macro keyboards with an LCD for each key, until you look at the price, and see all your dreams shattered away for yet another overpriced piece of electronics. If only someone made it easy and cheap for us, makers, to DIY or own solution. Well, say no more!

Today we are talking about a very interesting project, the Keybon, designed by Max Kern. It consists of an extremely customizable macro keyboard, at a very reasonable price point. It comes with a companion software, so that its key layout can accompany your workflow, by witching accordingly to the app running in your computer. From the outside, you will see its 9 tactile buttons, with an 0.66” OLED screen integrated into each one.

The cool Keybon, here to save your productivity
The cool Keybon, here to save your productivity

But how does it work? Well, it has two possible modes:

  • In standalone mode, it is basically a simple HID keyboard, showing its preconfigured functions on the buttons
  • With the companion software (which is for Windows only), allows you to create and customize your own keyboard layouts and even assign them to any application present on your computer. By monitoring the application in focus at the moment, the companion app then communicates via a virtual COM port with the Keybon to send the respective layout to the device and it in turn replies with the keys pressed

We already talked a lot about its functionality, now it is time to take a peek at the hardware: the Keybon is connected via USB (obviously) with the computer, and the brains of the operation had to be chosen carefully, due to the necessary RAM to display the images on the 9 OLED screens. Therefore, an STM32F1 with 20kB of RAM was used, which is officially compatible with the Arduino environment. Then, the 9 OLED screens are placed carefully on top, with mechanical switches and a cool casing. Since this is an open source project, you can access everything on GitHub, from the layout and STL files to the code, which allows you to either replicate it or tinker around it to make it even more to your liking. You can even personalize the companion app, which is a very nice touch from Max Kern. Laslty, we think this is a very cool project that can help your productivity and save you a lot of money in the process.

Keybon GitHub link: https://github.com/CoretechR/Keybon

DR6018-S is a Cheaper and Smaller WiFi 6 SBC With Optional WiFi 6E

Earlier in the year, Wallys Communications unveiled a compact DR6018-V3 WiFi 6 embedded router board based on Qualcomm IPQ6010 processor with optional WiFi 6E and 5G IoT M.2 modules. Now, the company has followed up on the DR6018-V3 router board with a cheaper and more compact DR6018-S SBC that is based on the same processor with WiFi 6 and optional WiFi 6E.

DR6018-S as an enterprise wireless module, aims at providing users with mobile access to high bandwidth video streaming, voice and data transmission for offices, and other working environments with challenging RF. The compact DR6018-S router board runs Linux on a Qualcomm-Atheros IPQ6010 processor with 802.11ax WiFi 6 and 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 support, an M.2 slot for people wanting to add WiFi 6E cards, dual GbE ports, including one with active or passive PoE, and optional micro-SD, GPS, and USB 3.0.

The 125 x 105 x 20mm DR-6018-S board by comparison has pretty the same specifications as the DR6018-V3 like the processor, memory, storage, and WiFi 5/6 connectivity, but does not allow the addition of a 5G module. The DR-6018-S also does not have as much number of Ethernet ports as the DR6018-V2 and does not offer 2.5 Gbps Ethernet support. There’s no option to add a Bluetooth module and the GPS that used to be available via the 5G module is now offered as an optional module.

Key Features and Specifications of the  DR6018-S board include: 

  • CPU: Qualcomm Atheros IPQ6010 quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor at 1.8 GHz
  • 2x 512MB DDR3L system memory.
  • 256MB NAND Flash
  • 32MB NOR flash
  • Optional SD card slot
  • Support for DFS (dynamic frequency selection).
  • 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports (including one with PoE support)
  • Onboard 2×2 2.4GHz MU-MIMO OFDMA 802.11b/g/n/ax WiFi 6, max 23dBm per chain
  • Onboard 2×2 5GHz MU-MIMO OFDMA 802.11a/n/ac/ax WiFi 6, max 20dBm per chain
  • 4x u.FL connectors
  • 2.4 GHz data rate up to 573 Mbps
  • 5 GHz data rate up to 1201 Mbps
  • Optional Qualcomm QCN9074 WiFi 6E card with 4×4 MIMO 802.11ax connectivity
  • GPS support (optional)
  • 1x USB 3.0 Type-A port (optional)
  • 1x M.2 “E Key” socket with MiniPCIe 3.0
  • 12-pin header for serial connection.
  • Reset button
  • FFC/FPC connector for LED
  • 24V – 48V power supply via DC jack input or active or passive PoE
  • Dimensions: 125 x 105 mm x 20 mm
  • Temperature Range:
    • Operating: -40 to +70°C
    • Storage: -40 to +105°C

DR6018-S runs OpenWrt 14.07 Barrier Breaker firmware and Qualcomm SDK is provided with QCA binary drivers. Typical applications include 802.11ax MU-MIMO OFDMA access point and EasyMesh mesh router supporting EasyMesh.

The DR6018-S board is going to be sold for $150, which is way cheaper than the DR6018 V3 board that currently sells for $200. More details may be found on the product page.

Banana Pi BPI-M5: A New Player in Multimedia Boards

A common trend with the Pi-branded boards, is that they are starting to stir away from the given name and getting their own territory. We have seen that recently with the Orange Pi series, and the new Banana Pi BPI-M5 is another good example of it. But what SinoVoip Co. has in store for us this time?

The Banana Pi BMI-M5 is released after an 18-month stint of its predecessor, the Banana Pi BPI-M4, which was very well received by the maker community, and we think the BPI-M5 will not be an exception in this regard. Regarding its capabilities, we can classify it as somewhere among the lines of the Raspberry Pi 4 and the Odroid C4, with the latter actually using the same Amlogic S905X3 processor. From the outside, you can see the interesting I/O packed into this board, with USB 3.0, ethernet, HDMI, audio jack, and power via USB Type-C, so we are very well served in that regard.

But what about specifications, is there anything to put it above its competitors, or the opposite? Let us take a look at them:

  • Amlogic S905X3 Quad-Core Cortex-A55 ARMv8.2-A 64-bit processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz
  • ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU
  • Memories: 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM + 16 GB eMMC on-board Flash and Micro SD card slot
  • Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (10 / 100 / 1000 Mbps), and optional USB Wi-Fi dongle
  • Video: HDMI 2.1 output (up to 4K@60Hz with HDR, CEC, EDID)
  • Audio: 3.5 mm audio jack and HDMI digital output
  • Peripherals: 4x USB 3.0 ports, IR, switches (reset, power and U-boot) and LEDs (power and activity status)
  • GPIO: 40-pin header with 28 GPIO pins (with access to UART, I2C, SPI and PWM) and power (3.3 V, 5 V and GND)
  • Power: 5 V @ 3 A via USB Type-C
  • Dimensions of 92 x 60 mm and weight of 48 grams
  • OS: Android and Linux
A closer look at the I/O from the Banana Pi BPI-M5
A closer look at the I/O from the Banana Pi BPI-M5

As you can see by its specs, it goes about toe-to-toe in every lane with the Odroid C4, but it provides some nice advantages, with the on-board 16 GB Flash memory and the flexible power scheme provided by USB Type-C being the most noticeable ones. You also have access to the wide range of add-ons designed specifically for the Banana Pi series of boards, from which you can find sensors, touch panels, a remote control and other interesting modules. Lastly, it looks like there is already a wide set of documents that can be a nice starting point, if you decide to pick up the Banana Pi BPI-M5. It can serve you well on a wide variety of projects, such as a media center, for example, and you can also take advantage of Android, but you are not limited there. There is a lot you can do with it. Regading the price, you can get it on AliExpress for around $53.

Banana Pi BPI-M5 AliExpress link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001871842695.html?spm=2114.12010611.8148356.2.12b130d9qB91Mt

Arduino-compatible shields quicken KNX communication designs

RS Components is now stocking the Arduino-compatible NCN5100ASGEVB evaluation boards from ON Semiconductor.

These evaluation kits include all the components necessary to create smart home and building automation systems based on KNX communication technology. The kits are suitable for use with a broad range of MCUs, and can be plugged directly into existing development platforms.

There are three variants of ON Semiconductor’s NCN5100ASGEVB that use the company’s NCN5110, NCN5121 and NCN5130 KNX certified transceiver ICs respectively. The range of transceivers allows both standard and sophisticated implementations to be achieved. Each transceiver integrates a pair of high-efficiency DC/DC converters. Focused mainly on the supply for the transceiver and the system MCU, the first DC/DC converter outputs a fixed 3.3V. The second converter has an output that can be adjusted from 1.2V to 21V.

The second transceiver is designed to be used for powering peripheral parts such as a relays, displays or other analogue IOs. The power delivery capabilities of these transceivers, along with elevated levels of operational efficiency, with ultra-low bus voltage drop and quiescent current, allows users to experiment with potential opportunities for KNX in more power-hungry applications.

The boards that use the streamlined NCN5110 analogue front-end offer all the timings required to be dealt with by the host MCU. The NCN5121 and NCN5130 versions have additional features added. In addition to the PHY, both these receivers have a MAC layer incorporated to reduce the software development work involved. The high level of component integration provided by the transceivers means that size and BoM costs are kept to a minimum.

The ON Semiconductor NCN5100ASGEVB evaluation boards are available now from RS in the Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America regions.

More information: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/raspberry-pi-arduino-development-tools/development-tools-single-board-computers/communication-wireless-development-tools/?applied-dimensions=4294965427,4291084781

Arduino Pro launches Distiamo to support safe workplace social distancing and contact tracing

Arduino Pro, announces the launch of Distiamo, an intelligent distancing and positioning solution that supports enterprises and businesses with managing social distancing and contact tracing in any workplace or venue. It is designed to keep employees, visitors and customers safe.

Built in collaboration with analytics and IoT specialist Moviri, Distiamo can be deployed in a variety of environments, such as office buildings, factories, warehouses, exhibition halls, universities, research laboratories and other public and commercial spaces.

Distiamo’s launch by Arduino Pro not only tackles the urgent demands of social distancing and contact tracing but also significantly contributes to creating a positive workplace culture. Workplace culture revolves around how organizational leaders engage with employees, ensuring they arrive at work eager and prepared to excel. By adopting solutions like Distiamo, companies showcase their dedication to prioritizing the well-being of their workforce, guests, and patrons, thereby fostering an atmosphere steeped in trust and consideration.

This proactive stance not only bolsters physical safety measures but also fosters a shared sense of accountability and welfare, ultimately fostering a positive workplace culture where team members feel esteemed and well-supported.

Distiamo is the only hybrid solution in the market that offers two modes of accuracy – ‘fine grain measurement’ for high accuracy (to within 10 cm)  and ‘coarse grain measurement’ for medium-level accuracy (to within 1m). It is an extremely cost-effective system and companies can increase the accuracy they need over time, only where they need it.

Distiamo’s front-end dashboard provides all the useful information you need to customize rules and adapt to company scenarios. It is based on the Arduino IoT Cloud, a proven platform used by millions of people worldwide.

As people’s privacy is also of paramount importance, only relevant data in instances where individuals have been within the distance threshold for too long is captured. The data is then stored anonymously by Distimao, remaining private and confidential to ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

The economic and safety benefits go beyond Covid-19. Other workplace safety applications include person down alerts for medical emergencies (e.g. a heart attack), emergency evacuations and maximum room or venue occupancy. As well as workplace safety, the data measurement and analytics tools can easily be applied to optimise the layout of a factory or workplace to maximize process efficiency e.g. tracking products through a warehouse facility.

Commenting on the launch, Fabio Violante, CEO at Arduino said,

“Our primary focus was to create a solution that helps businesses to get started again by making staff and customers feel confident that their safety is covered. Distiamo provides the flexibility, simplicity and scalability to meet the needs of any type of workplace or venue. We are already using the solution in our office and have extended it throughout the co-working space we share in Turin. Several customers are deploying the solution in some very complex and dynamic environments like cruise ships, to help the cruising industry get back on its feet. I can envision thousands of customer situations in which this solution can be the difference between reopening and being safe or shutting down the business.”

Paolo Bozzola, CEO of Moviri added,

“When it comes to solutions that can impact people’s daily lives, accuracy, responsiveness and privacy are essential. We have been extremely happy to partner with Arduino on this project.  By joining together Arduino’s technological breadth and depth with Moviri’s 20 years’ experience in transforming data into information, we can build extremely effective and pragmatic tools like Distiamo. Every time we meet a new customer the discussion evolves into the countless positive possibilities for the post-COVID scenario.”

For more information on Arduino Pro’s Distiamo solution, please visit: arduino.cc/pro/distiamo

Qorvo QPL1812 Single Ended RF Amplifier is suitable for CATV

Qorvo QPL1812 Single Ended Amplifier is a high-performance pHEMT MMIC amplifier designed to run from a single 8V supply, without the need for an external dropping resistor. The 75Ω CATV amplifier features a high gain of 19dB, high linearity, and low distortion from 50MHz to 1800MHz. QPL1812 offers an integrated active bias circuit to provide stable gain over temperature and process variations in a small SOT-89 package. Qorvo QPL1812 Single Ended Amplifier is ideal for broad-band cable applications.

Features

  • 8V single supply
  • Excellent linearity
  • High gain >19dB
  • 50MHz to 1800MHz operation supporting DOCSIS 4.0
  • 4dB low noise

Qorvo QPL1812EVB-01 Evaluation Board

Qorvo QPL1812EVB-01 Evaluation Board is a demonstration and development platform for the QPL1812 Single Ended Amplifier. The QPL1812 is a 75Ω CATV amplifier with a high gain of 19dB, high linearity, and low distortion from 50MHz to 1800MHz. The Qorvo QPL1812EVB-01 Evaluation Board in combination with the QPL1812 amplifier is ideal for broadband cable applications.

more information: https://www.qorvo.com/products/p/QPL1812

ZMOD4410 – Indoor Air Quality Sensor Platform is designed for detecting total volatile organic compounds

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the ZMOD4410, a software configurable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sensor platform with IP67 qualified waterproof option. The unique hermetically sealed package protects the device from water and dust with the help of the hydrophobic and oleophobic material that is permeable to humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the same time. This enables the device to be used in wet or dirty environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hospital rooms where they are frequently exposed to water, oil, and dust.

The waterproof sensor features AI firmware implemented on an MCU to improve sensing performance, and is also highly resistant to siloxanes, enabling exceptional reliability for use in harsh applications. The unique software-configurable ZMOD platform provides greater design flexibility for smart sensing systems, allowing firmware updates in the field that enable new, application-specific capabilities such as selective measurements to detect VOCs. This includes IAQ measurement within international guidelines, allowing customers to measure total VOCs (TVOCs) in the low parts-per-million range (ppm). The higher accuracy and consistency provide improved estimated Carbon Dioxide (eCO2) levels. The new waterproof ZMOD4410 sensor module supports all firmware updates to date.

Features of ZMOD4410 Indoor Air Quality Sensor

  • Measurement of total organic compounds (TVOC) concentrations and indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • Module algorithm estimates carbon dioxide level (eCO2)
  • Algorithm to set a control signal to trigger an external action based on IAQ and odor change
  • Multiplexed input channel for the heater, resistance, and temperature measurements
  • I2C interface: up to 400kHz
  • Configurable alarm/interrupt output with static and adaptive levels
  • Adjustable ADC resolution for optimal speed versus resolution: 16-bit maximum

The ZMOD4410 combine various features such as waterproofing, reliability, programmability, best-in-class stability, and sensitivity in measuring VOCs into a single device, this makes it a suitable solution for IAQ devices like smart HVAC systems, ventilator fans, bathroom lights and switches, and wearables that operate in a wide range of high humidity, splash zone, dirty or submersible environments.

Fast graphics with ready-to-use modules based on FT81x

The new gen4-FT81x display modules from 4D Systems represent a ready-made solution based on graphics chips from Bridgetek. The main advantages include easy and intuitive programming, powerful SW IDE, many useful functions and three display sizes. (SOS electronic)

FT81x graphics processors were introduced in our recent article.

For many years, we have been associating 4D Systems with their own graphics processors – especially Picaso and Diablo 16, which are still prospective and active.

However, for those who, for whatever reason, prefer Bridgetek’s FT81x graphics processors, they bring an elegant solution with seven new 4.3″, 5″ and 7″ gen4-FT81x modules.

Here you can find types with a resistive and capacitive touch panel, as well as with the demanded glass black frame (CLB – cover lens bezel), which also greatly simplifies assembly on the front panel simply by glueing into the hole.

The FT812 and FT813 chip-based modules allow you to create a powerful graphics application with minimal effort, which, in addition, has very low demands on the performance of the host processor. Bridgetek offers freely available development environment EVE Screen Designer (ESD).

Nowadays more than ever it is often more advantageous to use a ready-to-use module than to develop your own solution, especially for small and medium production series.

Please, find the new gen4-FT81x modules e.g. gen4-FT812-50T directly in our warehouse.

Main Features:

  • LCD TFT Screen with Resistive or Capacitive Touch.
  • Mono PWM audio output with separate amplifier enable
  • Onboard FTDI FT812 or FT843 Video Engine
  • 64 voice polyphonic sound synthesizer
  • PWM dimming control for LCD backlight
  • JPEG and Motion JPEG decode
  • Single 5.0V supply

If you are interested in any of 4D Systems products, SOS electronic is ready to help you at sales@soselectronic.com

AQV258H5 Series HE 1 Form A Type High-Voltage PhotoMOS® Relays

Panasonic’s relays come in a DIP6 package for high-voltage control and are ideal for industrial battery monitoring systems (BMS)

Panasonic’s AQV258H5 series HE 1 Form A Type PhotoMOS® relays offer 1,500 V high-voltage. These relays provide high voltage switching reliability and application safety in BMS. The AQV258H5 series can be utilized in applications where traditional electromechanical relays are already being used. Replacing a standard electromechanical relay with PhotoMOS can provide benefits such as better resistance to shock and vibration, low on-resistance, and a theoretically infinite life cycle. This makes PhotoMOS relays a very good solution for BMS, test and measurement, electrical power, and industrial markets. Panasonic PhotoMOS relays are suitable in the measurement market, security equipment, fire prevention systems, and industrial machines.

  • High capacity
  • Load current: 20 mA
  • Load voltage: 1,500 V
  • I/O isolation voltage: 5,000 VRMS
  • Distance between output terminals expanded to cater to a 6-pin DIP package:
    • Higher factor of safety when operating battery monitoring applications
  • Packaging options: tube and tape/reel
  • UL recognized and C-UL certified
  • RoHS/REACH compliant
  • Able to switch high voltage load
  • Suitable for battery monitoring and low signal controls

more information: https://www3.panasonic.biz

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