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Renesas RA2L1 ultra-low power single-chip microcontroller

Posted on 3 December, 20203 December, 2020 by mixos

Ultra-low power single-chip microcontroller based on the 48-MHz Arm® Cortex®-M23 core

RA2L1 MCU Group is part of the RA2 MCU Series: It is a combination of a microcontroller with standard communication and timing peripherals, general-purpose analog, and new innovative capacitive touch sensing unit (CTSU2) with best-in-class performance. RA2L1 offers ultra-low power consumption ranked among the best in the industry using the company’s well-known low-power 110 nm process. Moreover, RA2L1 products will be fully upward compatible with other members of the RA Family to support customers with additional needs for their other application designs.

Key features

Designed for ultra-low power consumption in both active and standby modes
Higher integration support for wide operation voltage range and innovative peripherals
On-chip peripheral functions enable system cost reduction
Hardware safety and security features

Additional features

48 MHz Arm^® Cortex^®-M23
128 KB & 256 KB Flash Memory and 32 KB SRAM with ECC
8 KB data flash memory (100,000 program/erase cycles)
Low-power asynchronous general-purpose timer
32-bit & 16-bit general-purpose timers
12-bit A/D & D/A converters
Low-power analog comparator
Temperature sensor
Enhanced capacitive touch sensing unit
CAN 2.0A/2.0B
Serial communications interfaces (UART, Simple SPI, Simple I²C)
SPI/I²C Multimaster interface
HW AES/TRNG & Unique ID
HW safety features for IEC/UL60730 certification
High current drive and 5 V tolerant I/O ports
±1% highly accurate integrated HS oscillator
Wide operating voltage range: 1.6…5.5 V
EEMBC ULP Mark certified score of 299
Down to 64 uA/MHz in Active Mode, 250 nA in Software Standby Mode
Flexible power architecture with fast wake up
Best-in-class HAL driver code
Support Arm® ecosystem and Renesas original development tool
QFN 48, QFP-100, 80, 64, 48 pin package
Operating ambient temperature (Ta): -40…105 °C

more information: https://www.renesas.com/eu/en/products/microcontrollers-microprocessors/ra-cortex-m-mcus/ra2l1-48mhz-arm-cortex-m23-ultra-low-power-general-purpose-microcontroller

Vishay Semiconductors Si PIN Photodiodes

Posted on 3 December, 2020 by mixos

K857PE Si PIN Photodiode

Vishay Semiconductors K857PE Si PIN Photodiode is a 4-quadrant photodetector with a 1.6mm²/quadrant active area available in a surface-mount package. This photodiode functions in epitaxial technology and offers high photosensitivity. The K857PE pin photodiode operates at -40°C to 110°C temperature range, 20V reverse voltage, and 1nA dark current. This photodiode offers 1.3V maximum forward voltage, 840nm peak sensitivity wavelength, and 30ns rise time and fall time.

Features

Surface-mount package type
Epitaxial technology
AEC-Q101 qualified
High photosensitivity

Specifications

20V reverse voltage
-40°C to 110°C operating and storage temperature range
1nA dark current
1.3V maximum forward voltage
840nm peak wavelength
30ns rise time and fall time
260°C soldering temperature

VEMD8081 Silicon PIN Photodiode

Vishay Semiconductors VEMD8081 Silicon PIN Photodiode offers high speed and enhanced sensitivity for visible light. The VEMD8081 Photodiode provides a low profile surface-mount device (SMD), including the chip with a 5.4mm² sensitive area detecting visible and near-infrared radiation.

The Vishay Semiconductors VEMD8081 Silicon PIN Photodiode features an angle of half sensitivity ±65°, a 350nm to 1100nm range of spectral bandwidth, and a forward voltage of 2.3V to 3.3V. The VEMD8081 Photodiode is designed for high-speed photodetectors and wearables.

Specifications

Surface-mount package type
Top view package form
4.8mm x 2.5mm x 0.48mm Dimensions (L x W x H)
Radiant sensitive area of 5.4mm^2²
0.48mm low profile package
Enhanced sensitivity for visible light
Suitable for visible and near-infrared radiation
ϕ = ± 65° Angle of half sensitivity
168h, MSL 3, according to J-STD-020 Floor life

more information: https://www.vishay.com/photo-detectors/list/product-80136/

Superior Sensor Technology HV Differential Low-Pressure Sensors

Posted on 3 December, 2020 by mixos

Superior Sensor Technology HV Differential Low-Pressure Sensors targets pressure ranges from as low as 0.1″ inH₂O (Water Column) to 60″ inH₂O with industry-leading 16-bits of resolution for each range supported. With the Multi‐Range capability enabled, optimal performance is maintained from 60″ inH₂O down to even 0.1″ inH₂O. The HV family employs Superior’s proprietary NimbleSense™ architecture that provides a very high dynamic range to enable a single device to cover the entire range of HVAC pressure requirements. Constructed with a high-reliability plastic enclosure, the components provide the ideal combination of high performance and reliability while ensuring users have a high volume cost-effective solution optimized for their HVAC requirements.

Features

Highly integrated sensor with ADC and DSP
Selectable pressure range from 0.1 to 60 inH₂O
Integrated 50/60Hz notch filter
Selectable bandwidth filter from 0.1Hz to 10Hz
Very high accuracy, ±0.1% of the selected range
-20°C to +85°C operating temperature range
Long term stability, ±0.1% FSS
Temperature-compensated, 0°C to +50°C
Supply voltage compensation
Fully integrated compensation math
Standard I²C and SPI interface

For added performance, the HV Series incorporates a 50/60Hz notch filter to minimize the impact of power noise spikes. The sensors combine an advanced piezoresistive sensing element with integrated amplification, ADC, DSP, and digital interface which simplifies user integration efforts. The incorporation of advanced digital signal processing enables greater functionality thus simplifying system development, manufacturing ease, and increased reliability.

more information: https://superiorsensors.com

BD783xxEFJ-M Monaural Series Speaker Amps for Automotive

Posted on 3 December, 2020 by mixos

ROHM’s amps feature a power package HTSOP-J8 to achieve high output power

ROHM’s BD783xxEFJ-M series includes 6 dB to 26 dB voltage gain products. These Class AB amps have no requirements for care about EMI noise. Adopting a power package HTSOP-J8 achieves high output power. The low quiescent current can reduce battery consumption. The shutdown current is ultra-low at 0.1 μA (typ.) and the pop noise level when switching to shutdown is very small making this series suitable for applications where the mode changes often between a shutdown state and an active state.

AEC-Q100 qualified
Pop noise reduction function
Shutdown function
Protection functions: overcurrent protection, thermal shutdown, and undervoltage lockout (UVLO)
Power package with thermal pad HTSOP-J8

more information: https://www.rohm.com/products/audio-video/audio-amplifiers/speaker-amplifiers/bd78324efj-m-product

IBASE Unveils 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Mini-ITX Motherboard

Posted on 3 December, 2020 by mixos

IBASE Technology Inc., a leading provider of embedded boards and solutions, unveils the release of its latest industrial-grade Mini-ITX motherboard – MI999. Based on Intel’s latest Q470E, H420E, and W480E chipsets, the board is designed to accommodate 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors (codename Comet Lake-S) in an LGA 1200 package with a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of up to 80W. Supporting up to 64GB system RAM and 2666/2933 MHz memory speeds, the new MI999 enables smooth, responsive performance for faster multitasking and productivity to fit the needs of demanding applications such as AIoT industrial automation, intelligent transportation, machine vision, and modern smart factories.

Built to provide high performance and stability to satisfy the requirements in various environments, the IBASE MI999 offers a comprehensive set of I/O for fast data transfers and versatile peripheral connections. These include two Gigabit LAN, six USB 3.2 (Gen1), four USB 2.0, four COM, and four SATA III ports. Expansion and storage are available with one PCIe(x16) and two M.2 slots (E-Key, CNVi and M-Key, NVMe).

MI999 FEATURES:

10th Gen Intel® Xeon® W / Core™ / Pentium® / Celeron® processors, up to 4.8GHz
2x DDR4 SO-DIMM, Max. 64GB, ECC compatible
Intel® Processor integrated graphics, supports DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort and 24-bit dual channel LVDS or eDP
Dual Intel® Gigabit LAN
6x USB 3.2, 4x USB 2.0, 4x COM, 4x SATA III
1x PCI-E (x16), 2x M.2 (E-key, M-Key)
Watchdog timer, Digital I/O, iAMT (14), TPM (2.0)

Four independent 4K displays can be projected with the Intel® processor integrated graphics via DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort and eDP or 24-bit LVDS interface for multi-screen scenarios. The MI999 series is divided into two groups, one with LVDS and the other with eDP support. In addition, the motherboard features iAMT (14) and TPM (2.0) technologies for remote management and computer platform integrity functions. Operating systems supported are Win10 (64-bit), Linux Ubuntu (64-bit) and Windows Server 2019 (MI999AF(E)-W only).

For more information, please visit www.ibase.com.tw

New Sensor Kit by Arduino and Seeed powers-up sensor projects with ease

Posted on 3 December, 2020 by mixos

Enter the world of electronics with Seeed Grove sensors, actuators and Arduino all in one

Open-source hardware, software, and content platform, Arduino has collaborated with Chinese DIY electronics company, Seeed to create the all-new Arduino Sensor Kit. The kit brings the power of Seeed’s Grove sensors to Arduino’s most popular board – the Arduino UNO – to make getting started with electronics and sensing the world around you easier than ever.

Ideal for anyone who currently uses an Arduino UNO board and wants to create and launch their own D.I.Y projects, the kit integrates the 10 most popular Grove sensors and actuators all on one board. Users can plug, sketch, and play without any additional wiring required or learning how to solder.

The Arduino Sensor Kit is available as a standalone kit for US$/€23.00, or can be purchased as a bundle with an Arduino UNO Rev3 board for just US$/€38.70.

The Arduino Sensor Kit contains a Base Shield and ten modules that can be connected either through the digital, analog or I2C connectors on the shield, to make unique projects. The modules include an OLED screen, four Digital modules (LED, Button, Buzzer and a Potentiometer), five Sensors (Light, Sound, Air-Pressure, Temperature and Accelerometer), as well as a range of learning materials to guide users through their projects. Designed to fit on top of an Arduino UNO, the Base Shield comes equipped with 16 Grove connectors, which, when placed on the board, provides functionality to various pins. With 7x digital connections, 4x analog connections, 4x I2C connections and 1x UART connection, the Base Shield can be easily mounted onto an Arduino UNO board and programmed through the Arduino IDE.

Developed for those at the beginning of their Arduino journey, the kit is accompanied by 12 guided lessons that follow a Plug-Sketch-Play approach, helping users to get started with electronics and create their first projects. Plug shows users how to connect the components, Sketch gives them the program that needs to be uploaded, and Play defines how they can experiment with the module. It is, however, also great for more advanced users who wish to reduce time on circuitry and build quickly.

Alessandro Ranelluci, Head of Makers & Community, Arduino commented,

“We are constantly seeking to simplify complex technologies. By combining 10 of the most popular add-ons and sensors into one plug and play kit for the board that began the journey into electronics and coding for millions of people – the Arduino UNO – it’s just got even easier for users to start making projects that sense and interact with the world around them.” “Our collaboration with Arduino on the new Sensor Kit celebrates a shared vision of making sensor projects more accessible than ever before. Bringing the world of Grove sensors to the Arduino UNO board blends an optimal mix of components, with a simple and flexible way for users to take the first steps into the limitless realm of sensing and electronics,” commented Albert Miao, CTO, Seeed.

For more information and to get started the Arduino Sensor Kit, visit https://store.arduino.cc/usa/sensor-kit-base

Low Cost Room Thermometer Using 16×2 LCD and Atmega328

This is an easy to build small size and low-cost room thermometer. The project consists of LM35 analog temperature sensor, 16×2 LCD, and an Atmega328 chip. This compact board is Arduino compatible and provided with an onboard connector for Boot-Loader burning and Arduino IDE programming. Board also has 2 additional connectors for analog input and digital I/O. Trimmer potentiometer PR1 helps you to adjust the contrast of the LCD. Example Arduino Code for the thermometer is available as a download to test the board. The example will display the temperature value in Celsius as well as Fahrenheit. The operating voltage of the circuit is 5V DC and it draws approx. 35mA of current with backlight LED ON. Scale factor/Output of LM35 is 10mV/Centigrade. This board can also be used in other Arduino applications that require a 16×2 LCD and I/O Pins.

Features

Supply 5V DC
Current Consumptions 35mA with LCD Backlite ON
Temperature Measurement Range 0 to 110 Centigrade
PCB Dimensions 41.43 x 23.34 mm

Arduino Pin configurations for Thermometer

LCD >>D12, D11, D5, D4, D3, D2
LM35 Temperature Sensor >> Analog Pin A1

Arduino Additional Pin Configurations

U3 >> VCC, Analog Pin A0, GND
CN2 >> VCC, GND, Analog Pin A2, Digital PWM Pin D9
CN1 >> Arduino Programming

Bootloader Burning and Arduino Programming

Once you assemble the board and use a new ATmega328 chip, you’ll need to burn the bootloader onto it. You can do this using an Arduino board as an in-system program (ISP). Follow the link below for more information on programming and bootloader burning Atmega328 chip.

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoToBreadboard

To burn the bootloader, follow these steps:

Upload the ArduinoISP sketch onto your Arduino board. (You’ll need to select the board and serial port from the Tools menu that corresponds to your board.)
Wire up the Arduino board and LCD microcontroller board as shown in the diagram above.
Select “Arduino UNO or Nano w/ ATmega328” from the Tools > Board menu.
Select “Arduino as ISP” from Tools > Programmer
Run Tools > Burn Bootloader
You should only need to burn the bootloader once. After you’ve done so, you can remove the jumper wires connected to pins 10, 11, 12, and 13 of the Arduino board. Now, this board can be programmed using Arduino IDE with easy connection with Arduino UNO (without Micro-Controller on it) or FTDI USB to a serial module.

LM35 Sensor

The LM35 series are precision integrated-circuit temperature devices with an output voltage linearly-proportional to the Centigrade temperature. The LM35 device has an advantage over linear temperature sensors calibrated in Kelvin, as the user is not required to subtract a large constant voltage from the output to obtain convenient Centigrade scaling. The LM35 device does not require any external calibration or trimming to provide typical accuracies of ±¼°C at room temperature and ±¾°C over a full −55°C to 150°C temperature range. Lower cost is assured by trimming and calibration at the wafer level. The low-output impedance, linear output, and precise inherent calibration of the LM35 device make interfacing to readout or control circuitry especially easy. The device is used with single power supplies, or with plus and minus supplies. As the LM35 device draws only 60 µA from the supply, it has very low self-heating of less than 0.1°C in still air. The LM35 device is rated to operate over a −55°C to 150°C temperature range, while the LM35C device is rated for a −40°C to 110°C range (−10° with improved accuracy). The LM35-series devices are available packaged in hermetic TO transistor packages, while the LM35C, LM35CA, and LM35D devices are available in the plastic TO-92 transistor package.

Schematic

Parts List

Connections

Gerber View

Photos

LM35 Datasheet

Advantech Launches Palm-Sized AIMB-U233 Industrial Motherboard for Smart Applications with Limited Space

Posted on 2 December, 2020 by mixos

Advantech, a leading provider of industrial motherboards, is proud to release its AIMB-U233 palm-sized motherboard aimed at smart applications. As the first Core i platform in Advantech’s UTX motherboard family, AIMB-U233 inherits the highly functional small form factor design powered by powerful 8th generation Intel® Core™ processors (i3-8145UE / i5-8365UE / i7-8665UE). This motherboard combines high computing performance with diverse I/O ports and M.2 expansion slots, yielding an ideal solution for sophisticated digitalized applications, specifically those that require a small footprint, e.g. kiosk integration, medical and factory automation applications.

Palm-Sized Solution for Machine Vision and Deep Learning

The industrial automation market is trending towards computing systems with a small form factor. Smart factory applications require from one side enhanced computing power integrated peripheral devices to enable machine vision and deep learning and from the other side have limited installation spaces. The Advantech AIMB-U233 motherboard is designed to meet the needs of smart factories. Despite its compact size (112 x 137 mm), AIMB-U233 offers 4x COM, 4x USB, 2x HDMI, 2x GbE LAN, 16-bit GPIO and 3x M.2 expansion slots. Meanwhile, the Intel® Core™ i7-8665UE processor guarantees smooth performance for complex computing tasks.

M.2 Expansion Slots for Increased Functionality and Flexible Configuration

The AIMB-U233 motherboard is equipped with M.2 M-key, M.2 E-key, and M.2 B-key compatibility to support diverse applications and drastically boost computing performance. Combining the M.2 M-key interface with 4-lane NVMe PCIe can increase storage read/write speeds up to 400% compared to a traditional SATA 3.0 SSD. Moreover, this functionality is expanded, allowing the system to automatically switch into SATA mode when a cost-effective SATA SSD is installed.

To meet the increasing demands of wireless connectivity, the AIMB-U233‘s M.2 E-key and M.2 B-key connectors can be used to integrate Wi-Fi/BT and 4G LTE modules and support a wide range of wireless applications. Both expansion slots can also be used for storage via a 2-lane PCIE SSD (M.2 E-key) and/or SATA SSD (M.2 B-key). For machine vision applications in automated factories, the M.2 E-key connector supports the use of Advantech Movidius™ modules for AI computing.

Hardware-Based Data Protection with TPM and RAID

Cyber-attacks and storage crashes are two major data protection concerns regarding any AIoT smart application. The AIMB-U233 motherboard is equipped with TPM 2.0 to enable data security with hardware-based encryption and authentication. Meanwhile, to ensure reliable operations, the provision of RAID support enables data mirroring to mitigate the impact of hardware failures.

Smart I/O Controls and Value-Added Software

Advantech combines the palm-sized AIMB-U233 hardware with its value-added software solutions to facilitate remote monitoring and preemptive maintenance and security. The OTA BIOS system offers seamless updates and a backup recovery mechanism, greatly reducing the need for servicing by equipment technicians.

The board currently supports a vast number of Linux distributions. Advantech offers a Linux image based on Ubuntu 20.04, apart of the Windows 10 IoT.

To resolve minor computing glitches, the embedded USB controls can be used to discontinue the power supply from the device. Meanwhile, the COM ports can be configured to RS-232/422/485 mode via the BIOS, which is KVM accessible through Intel vProtm.

Key Features

Palm-sized motherboard design (112 x 137 mm)
Powerful 8th generation Intel® Core™ i processor for fanless operation
Diverse I/O and system expansion slots: 4x COM, 4x USB, 2x HDMI, 2x GbE LAN, 16-bit GPIO, and 3x M.2 expansion slots
Pre-installed Advantech DeviceOn software for remote monitoring and management

Advantech AIMB-U233 industrial motherboard is available for order now. For more information about this motherboard or other Advantech products and services, please contact your local sales support team or visit our website at www.advantech.eu.

Learn more as well about Advantech’s local customization options under http://bit.ly/AdvantechDMS.

Bosch IXO 3 screwdriver offers high efficiency and performance

Posted on 2 December, 20202 December, 2020 by Tope Oluyemi

The Bosch IXO 3 is a cordless screwdriver from Bosch. Bosch is popular for its quality of brand and products they produce, and the Bosch IXO 3 doesn’t fall short of their high-quality product. Unboxing the Bosch IXO 3, which comes in a tin box packaging that is practical and beautiful, you find a cordless Li-Ion screwdriver, 10 standard screwdriver bits, 5 hrs charger base, and an instruction manual. The Bosch IXO 3 comes in a beautiful carry case that fits everything neatly inside.

Package Contents:

1x BOSCH IXO 3 Electric Screwdriver
1x Hexagon shank drill bit
1x Extension rod
1x Screwdriver head set
1x Charger
1x Tin box packaging

At the first squeeze of the trigger, the screwdriver might feel like it lacks power. However, when you put a screw to it, it drives it effortlessly into place. The Bosch IXO 3 helps decrease the amount of time it takes to remove and fasten screws, and it enables a reasonable speed that doesn’t damage components or strip screw heads. However, we should note that just like every other conventional electric screwdriver, you may not be able to use the Bosch IXO 3 to drive screws straight into the wood without creating pilot holes. For that purpose, you may use the drill bit provided in the box. They are primarily meant for assembly and disassembly.

Additionally, the Bosch IXO 3 features a LED light when in use. You have the option of spread lighting or spotlighting. The bright white LED enables you to see what you are working on with ease. It comes with a charging base with a mains cable and offers 5 hours of charging time. The length is only 14cm, which can be easily fit into the pocket, Only 0.3 kilograms, equivalent to the weight of 2 Apple mobile phones. Its small size makes it easy to operate even with slender hands. The Bosch IXO 3 is multipurpose. It enables an optional tilt screw and torque setting adapter for wider application. Even though of its’s small size, it offers high efficiency and performance. It also features a magnetic chuck, soft rubber grip design, forward and reverse switch, positive and negative indicator, and a Bosch lithium battery technology inside.

Specifications include:

Maximum torque: 4/3Nm
No-load rate: 180rpm/min
Charging time: 5h
Battery capacity: 3.6V/1.3Ah
Weight incl. battery : 0.3kg
Screw bits: PH1, PH2, PH3, PZ1, PZ2, PZ3, S4, S6, T20, T25

Once you register the Bosch IXO 3 online with Bosch, the standard two-year guarantee is extended to 3 years. The Bosch IXO 3 is one of the best cordless screwdrivers available in the market now.

You can get the Bosch IXO 3 on Banggood for $69.99

Espressif Leaks RISC-V Powered ESP8266 Pin-Compatible ESP32-C3

Posted on 2 December, 20202 December, 2020 by Rik

The ESP32-C3 is a WiFi SoC that contains a RISC-V core in place of the Tensilica core in the ESP32 we are all familiar with. It uses the ESP8266 pin-out. As with other ESP32 family members, this one delivers b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth LE 5, where it differs is the RISC-V 32 Single-core processor with a clock speed of up to 160 MHz. There is 400 KB of SRAM and 384 kB ROM storage space built-in. It is confirmed that ESP32-C3 WiSoC is pin to pin compatible with ESP8266. It works with the ESP32 development framework too. It consumes only 5uA in deep sleep mode. Pricing is also going to be similar to ESP8266.

As RISC-V is catching up with ARM and other mainstream CPU cores, this move from Espressif was largely anticipated. RISC-V being an open standard instruction set architecture, developers will have better control over the registers of the microcontroller and can write firmware which is way more efficient in terms of memory usage and power consumption. Currently, ESP32 and ESP8266 use Tensillica’s Xtensa 32 bit dual or single-core CPU with Xtensa LX6 instruction set architecture.

The arrival of this new SoC is going to give head-on competition to the cheap wireless SoCs such as the Bouffalo Lab’s BL602. So an upgrade path to a more proficient part with minimal new hardware design requirements could be a powerful motivation for large customers to stay with Espressif.

It’s also to be expected that a standard RISC-V toolchain could also be used instead of the device-specific ones for current Espressif offerings. It is not expected to be open-source replacements for the blobs that drive the on-board peripherals, as the new chip will share the same closed-source IP as its predecessors for them. Perhaps if the PINE64 initiative to reverse engineer blobs for the BL602 will make something fruitful, a similar effort is desired here by the community.

There’s relatively little information about it at the time of writing for this new SoC, but CNX Software has been able to gather together a draft datasheet whose English translation is available as a download.