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2.7A PWM Valve/Solenoid Driver Arduino Nano Shield

Posted on 8 May, 2020 by mixos

2.7A PWM Valve/Solenoid Driver Arduino Nano Shield – [Link]

Piskey Atto is a Tiny Arduino Compatible Board with USB

Posted on 8 May, 2020 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Designed with makers in mind, this cost-effective Piskey Atto handles most of the issues developers face with some of the available development boards.

“We recently started creating DIY projects on our YouTube channel and we ran into a similar issue, time and again. Most of the sensors and modules that we commonly use are already very small in size but the Arduino compatible boards used to drive them were not so much. There are some development boards that are small in size but they all seem to have one issue or the other – either they do not have enough I/O pins, are not powerful enough, or lack native USB support which limits the overall capabilities. We designed Piksey Atto to take care of these issues while also making it cheap enough to leave in projects.”

says BitsNBlogs Electronics, as they tell the story behind the Piskey Atto.

Smaller than a dollar coin, the Atto has everything you need for your projects: a built-in USB support that allows interaction with PCs, breadboard compatibility, and castellated holes that make it easier to be used with protoboard or soldered to your own baseboard.

The Atto has some impressive specs which include:

Microcontroller Unit: ATmega32U4 microcontroller running at 16 MHz, 2.5KB SRAM, 32 KB Flash memory and 1KB EEPROM
11 digital I/O pins,4x analog inputs, 4x PWM
Built-in micro USB port for programming and power @ 5V
Communication: USART/SPI/12C
Power supply: 5V
Weight: 1.3 grams
Dimension: 12.70mm x 20.32 mm (0.5” x 0.8”)
Works out of the box with Arduino IDE 1.0+ (Win/OSX/Linux)

The Atto uses the same Atmega32U4 microcontroller chip found in the Arduino Leonardo and Arduino Micro so there is no need to install any board support packages as the board is compatible with all existing sketches and can work out of the box.

So far so good, BnBe Club says it has been able to use the Atto with PCB to create a nice little RGB LED coaster and also as a MIDI device, but the board is not out for sale yet. More information on how the Atto was built including design files, sketches, and demo projects can be found on Kickstarter where the campaign for the Atto has been launched with a $9100 goal. Rewards are expected to start shipping to any part of the world in June 2020.

New TQ platform based on Layerscape Dual Cortex-A72 technology

Posted on 8 May, 20208 May, 2020 by mixos

The technology company TQ is expanding its product portfolio with a new platform based on the 64-bit Cortex®-A72 QorIQ® Layerscape® processor family LS1028A from NXP. The MBLS1028A-IND is particularly suitable for robust and industrial applications in the field of high-speed data communication and offers TSN support in combination with powerful graphics.

The core of the platform, which is available both as a mainboard and as a complete device, is the TQMLS1028A module. For the TQMLS1028A, TQ relies on the NXP processor family Arm® Layerscape LS1028A. Based on this CPU, four different pin-compatible CPU variants are available depending on the required functionality. Alternatively to the two single-core variants (LS1017A and LS1018A), the dual-core variants (LS1027A and LS1028A) are available. The CPUs LS1017A and LS1027A have deactivated graphic functions. The integrated graphics of the LS1018A and LS1028A support displays up to 4K resolution with a powerful GPU. Combined with a clock rate of up to 1.3 GHz, the TQMLS1028A provides a comprehensive and scalable platform with low power dissipation.

Four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces are available on the mainboard with compact dimensions of 160 x 100 mm for fast data communication, which are implemented via a TSN-capable Ethernet switch. Additionally, users can rely on two independent interfaces for Gigabit Ethernet.

In addition to the Ethernet interfaces, the user has an M.2 SATA for connecting an SSD and a Mini PCIe slot with SIM card for expansion for wireless solutions such as LoRaWan, Sigfox, WiFi and mobile communication. In addition, two USB 3.0 interfaces and two galvanically isolated CAN interfaces are available. The embedded DisplayPort allows the connection of a monitor for a screen resolution of up to 4K.

The design of the MBLS1028A-IND includes sufficient high-speed interfaces for the use in applications such as a TSN switch, edge server, Ethernet gateway or an industrial router. In combination with an enclosure, the MBLS1028A-IND works as a Box PC.

The platform guarantees a fast, secure and real-time capable data communication in combination with low power dissipation. The MBLS1028A-IND also works in robust and industrial applications in the field of high-speed data communication, automation and control systems.

The MBLS1028A is now available.

TQ-Embedded presents new high-speed module With NXP’s LX2160A

Posted on 8 May, 20208 May, 2020 by mixos

The technology company TQ presents the new embedded module TQMLX2160A based on the LX2160A CPU from NXP. The 64-bit QorIQ® Layerscape® processor family is particularly suitable for high-speed data communication. The first prototypes will be available from mid-June.

The TQMLX2160A relies on the NXP processor family Arm® Layerscape LX2160A. Depending on the required functionality, there is a choice of three CPU variants with either 8, 12 or 16 Cortex-A72. The pin-compatible CPUs (LX2160AA, LX2120 and LX2080A) with a clock rate of up to 2.2 GHz differ only in the number of cores.

For fast data communication, the compact dimensions of 126 x 78 mm integrate two interfaces for up to 100 Gigabit Ethernet. All 560 signal pins are available. In addition to 24x SerDes lanes with up to 25 GHz, which can be used as Ethernet, SATA and PCIe, the module has the following additional interfaces: up to 2x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0 2x CAN FD, up to 6x I²C, and 3x SPI.

The design is equipped with a DDR4 SDRAM memory with up to 64 GB with ECC support and up to 64 GB eMMC. The soldered RAM memory withstands even harsh environmental conditions. In addition, a QSPI NOR flash with up to 512 MB is used.

On the corresponding mainboard, users can use two 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces as well as one 100 Gigabit interface in addition to up to ten Gigabit interfaces. USB 3.0, CAN FD, SATA and PCIe interfaces are also available.

With this design, TQ-Embedded proves that it can support its customers in all challenges in the area of fast data communication and an expanded network technology. The module is suitable for network infrastructures where there are increased requirements for data transmission and processing. Further possible applications are servers, edge computers, transport and traffic engineering, as well as everywhere where there is a greater challenge in data processing with consideration of the lowest possible power dissipation.

2.7A PWM Valve/Solenoid Driver Arduino Nano Shield

This Arduino shield helps to drive various loads like a solenoid, valve, motor, inductive actuator, heater, and bulb. A wide supply range 8V-60V and a load current of 2.7A allows it to be used with a variety of actuators. The board can be used as a stand-alone driver or it can be controlled by Arduino Nano. DRV102 is the heart of the project which is a high-side power switch employing a pulse-width modulated (PWM) output. Its rugged design is optimized for driving electromechanical devices such as valves, solenoids, relays, actuators, and positioners. The circuit is also ideal for driving thermal devices such as heaters and lamps. PWM operation conserves power and reduces heat rise in the device, resulting in higher reliability. In addition, adjustable PWM allows fine control of the power delivered to the load. the delay from DC output to PWM output is externally adjustable using C1 capacitor. The DRV102 can be set to provide a strong initial closure, automatically switching to a soft hold mode for power saving. The duty cycle can be controlled by resistor R3. LED D1 output indicates thermal shutdown and over/under current limit. D2 of the Arduino Nano connected to the input of DRV102 to control on/off of the load, J2 jumper can be used to on/off the load in stand-alone mode, J1 PCB jumper provided to run the project with a maximum signal supply of 9V. The project requires dual supply, Load supply 8-60V and logic supply 6-9V.

Note : The board is set for 0.97mS delay on/off and can be altered for other delay using C1, Default duty cycle is 90% and can be altered using R3.

Features

Load Supply 8-60V
Logic Supply Arduino Nano 6-9V DC (Not Required In Stand-Alone Mode)
Load Current 2.7A
Delay On/Off Adjustable 15uS-97mSeconds (C1-Capacitor)
PWM Duty Cycle Adjustable ( 10-90%)
D1 LED Flag Indicator (Fault LED)

Schematic

Parts List

Connections

Delay Adjust

Duty Cycle Adjust

Photos

Video

DRV102 Datasheet

Sparkfun Launches Auto pHATs and Top pHats for Robotics and Display

Posted on 7 May, 20207 May, 2020 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Available for sale at $29.95 and $49.95 respectively, the two new add-on boards recently launched by the Colorado-based Sparkfun for your Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano and Google Coral development platforms can quickly add functionality and support to your single board computers without soldering: the Auto pHAT, all-in-one package for robotic controls and Top pHAT display board, perfect for implementing most machine learning applications that the Pi 4, Google Coral and Jetson Nano excel at.

While the Auto pHAT is feature-packed with motor and servo drivers for robotics and IMU for motor sense, the top pHAT has a 2.3-inch color display, LEDs, mic, buttons, and speaker for ML prototyping.

Auto pHAT

The Auto pHAT is capable of driving two small DC motors with or without encoders as well it supports up to 4 servo motors via 12C. Its servo control is based on a PWM-enabled servo pHAT with an I2C capability that saves the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, allowing them to be used for other purposes. Hence, a unique robotics addition for boards with a 40-pin GPIO connector whether you use it with a Raspberry Pi, Google Coral, NVIDIA Jetson Nano, or any other single-board computer.

The Auto pHAT also has an ICM-20948 9DOF IMU for motor sense, where there are about 4 selected ranges from both the 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer alongside a 3-axis magnetometer. The power supply can be supplied in two ways: either a USB Type-C connector is used to power the pHAT as well as the Raspberry Pi connected to it or the pHAT is powered through the Pi’s GPIO and use the USB port to establish a serial connector with the Pi.

Top pHAT

The Top pHAT, on the other hand, is a UI interface and control panel for Raspberry Pi projects. Though it lacks the 40-pin passthrough, the pHAT is equipped with incredible features like a color TFT display, dual user buttons, programmable joystick for robotic control and GUI, Qwiic connector, 6x LEDs, 2x microphones, mono speaker and an off switch that makes it perfect for machine learning, camera control feedback, voice control, and system status display applications. Just like the Auto pHAT, the Top pHAT does not disturb access to the Pi’s camera or display connectors.

They are both are open source hardware modules and more information can be found on SparkFun’s news. The Auto pHAT is currently available on its shopping page while the Top pHAT is still on pre-order with shipments scheduled to start very soon.

Vacuum Tube Pre-amplifier Runs Entirely on 3.3V, inclusive of filament voltage

Posted on 7 May, 2020 by Emmanuel Odunlade

Most vacuum tubes need about 6.3V high supply plus filament voltage to operate. Running at 3.3V inclusively of the filament voltage, the new vacuum tube amplifier from Albert van Dalen has proven it possible to have one with the capacity to operate on an entirely low power supply voltage and still work well.

“To be able to do experiments with vacuum tubes, I bought a cheap DIY 6J1 tube amplifier on Ali Express. Like most vacuum tube circuits, it uses a relatively high supply voltage of 60V. However, a high voltage is not always required for vacuum tubes, sometimes 12V is used. I was curious how far one can go with reducing the power supply. Nowadays the most common used power supply voltage for electronics is 3.3V and before this was 5V.” says van Dalen as he explains how he started with his design and was able to gradually decrease the voltage going from 60 V to 12 V to 5 V and then finally down to 3.3V partly by using a grid bias that looks like a bipolar transistor instead of the usual single-ended design.

Van Dalen also added that asides being able to work with a low supply voltage, power the preamp can also be used for audio purposes and can easily be powered from a USB.

“Tube amplifiers are used for nostalgia reasons and to get the characteristic tube sound. For this purpose, this preamp is useful, and you can simply power it from USB. The gain is -3.5 and music sounds undistorted. Just the red light from the filament is dimmed.”

However, some of the oddities caused by this very low supply voltage as observed by van Dalen in his experiment included a positive grid-cathode voltage instead of being negative and a very high grid current of 0.3 mA.

Seeing how much power he was able to reduce was a very big feat for van Dalen as the results so far have been very promising. Hopefully, more amplifier designs are likely to integrate the concept of this design in the nearest future.

If you are interested in making one for yourself, you can check out the detailed step by step process of Albert van Dalen’s experiment on his website.

e-con Systems launches 2MP Monochrome global shutter USB camera

Posted on 7 May, 2020 by mixos

e-con Systems’ new See3CAM_20CUG, 2MP, 3.0 µm global shutter USB 3.1 Gen 1 SuperSpeed Camera with NIR sensitivity.

e-con Systems Inc., a leading embedded camera solution company, today announced the launch of See3CAM_20CUG, 2 MP Monochrome global shutter USB 3.1 Gen1 superspeed Camera. It is based on OmniVision’s OV2311 image sensor with 3 µm x 3 µm pixel with OmniPixel®3-GS technology. It has S-mount (M12) lens holder which allows customers to choose and use the lens according to their requirement. It is a Plug-and-Play camera (UVC compliant) for Windows and Linux.

See3CAM_20CUG can capture images at very high frame rate (HFR) 2MP at 60fps, VGA at 180fps and QVGA at 280fps, which helps to minimize the distracting effects while capturing fast moving objects and produce much smoother images, with greater details in a scene. The High Near-Infrared Capabilities helps to produce exceptional image quality beyond visible light region. Both high frame rate and high NIR make it suitable for accurate eye tracking applications and smartly powering driver monitoring systems.

“Our See3CAM_20CUG camera brings out the advantages of global shutter high frame-rate image capture, excellent NIR sensitivity and ease-of-use USB UVC in a single package. This 2MP See3CAM_20CUG camera module will be an ideal camera for applications such as DMS, eye tracking and other tracking applications where NIR imaging and global shutter performance are the important drivers” said Mr. Ashok Babu, President of econ Systems Inc.

Sample Application

e-con Systems provides sample Windows applications, e-CAMView, and Linux application, QtCAM that uses the standard UVC protocol to access the camera controls. The e-CAMView, a DirectShow based image viewer application from e-con Systems enables controls such as Gain, Exposure, Saturation, Brightness, Contrast, and various other controls. QtCAM – Open source Linux camera software application enables capturing and viewing video from devices supported by Linux UVC driver and also works with any V4L2 compatible device

Availability

The See3CAM_20CUG is currently available for evaluation. Customers interested in evaluating the product can order samples from e-con Systems’ online store. For more information, please visit 2MP Global Shutter Camera. Also, watch the demo video.

Customization Services

If you are interested in customizing the See3CAM_20CUG or for any additional features, please contact camerasolutions@e-consystems.com

TQ product launch of CPU modules based on NXP’s i.MX 8X ARM® Cortex®-A35

Posted on 7 May, 20207 May, 2020 by mixos

With the official launch of the i.MX8 X Arm® Cortex®-A35 CPUs from NXP on May 14, 2020, the technology company TQ is bringing two modules based on the new core architecture into the market. As an NXP Early Access Partner for the i.MX8 X, TQ has already introduced the TQMa8Xx and TQMa8XxS modules, now they are available for customers.

This product family offers three pin-compatible CPU variants with different graphics performance (multi-display) and number of cores. The CPU-integrated Cortex-M4 processor supports the required real-time functions. The NXP CPUs combine numerous functions with an attractive energy balance for a future-oriented module design.

The new TQMa8Xx and TQMa8XxS modules are cores for applications in a wide range of areas: from medical devices, HMIs, industrial controllers and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to gateways, building automation, transport and robotics.

With its size of only 55 x 44 mm, the TQMa8Xx allows users to access all interfaces directly on the module. The module is equipped with a DDR3L memory including ECC support. With the implemented ECC function, the module allows for certification for safety-relevant applications. In addition, a pin-compatible variant supports LPDDR4-SDRAM.

The second module, the TQMa8XxS, complies with both the SMARC 2.0 as well as the SMARC 2.1 standard and measures 82 x 50 mm. Both modules are equipped with eMMC flash memory up to 64 GB and optionally with QSPI NOR flash with up to 256 MB.

TQ-Embedded is a long-standing NXP Gold Partner with a lot of experience in the market and therefore has early access to the latest i.MX8 X core architectures and develops new module concepts with these. Due to the comprehensive experience with NXP products, TQ accompanies customers competently with their designs.

more information: www.tq-group.com

New TQ module based on ARM® Cortex®-A53 with i.MX8M Mini and Nano technology

Posted on 7 May, 20207 May, 2020 by mixos

The technology company TQ is expanding its i.MX8 product range with the new embedded module TQMa8MxML based on the i.MX8M Mini and Nano CPU family. It supports all nine CPU derivatives of the two families on the small LGA module and all signal pins are available in every configuration.

The i.MX8M Mini and Nano CPUs from NXP stand out within the i.MX8M family in that they are less expensive due to optimized features. TQ has decided to provide users with 100 percent of the signal pins in the form of an LGA module for the module design of the TQMa8MxML. In doing so, TQ has managed to combine the requirements of both CPUs in a common design. This allows users to choose the optimal variant for their needs and project. The module was equipped with an LPDDR4 with up to 4 GB on the i.MX8M Mini and 2 GB on the i.MX8M Nano. In addition, a QSPI NOR flash with up to 256 MB is available as an option to the included eMMC flash memory.

The i.MX8M Mini differs from the i.MX8 Nano in particular by its 32-bit wide memory interface compared to the 16-bit of the Nano. The Mini uses GC Nano Ultra as GPU, while the GC7000 Lite runs on the Nano. In addition, to reduce costs, the Nano does not have hardware support for video decoding and encoding

Both pin-compatible product families offer nine CPU variants (Dual Core, Quad Lite and Quad Core) with different expansion stages. The CPU-integrated Cortex-M4 processor supports numerous security functions.

The new ARM® Module TQMa8MxML from TQ offers an ideal core for applications from a wide range of areas thanks to its interface variety, scalable computing power with a small size of only 38 x 38 mm and low power consumption. These range from human-machine interfaces to camera and audio applications. In addition, there are many other possible applications in the industrial environment.

With these designs, TQ is not only expanding its i.MX8 product range, but is also expanding its LGA module series with an ARM Cortex-A53-based CPU architecture. TQ now supports all CPU families (i.MX8X, i.MX8, i.MX8M, i.MX8M Mini, i.MX8M Nano) from the i.MX8 series. Based on the i.MX8 CPU series, TQ is also planning operating system support for Android.

TQ is already working on a new design based on the newly announced i.MX8M Plus. In addition to TSN support, this derivative promises support for projects in which machine learning, machine vision, artificial intelligence and industrial IoT are relevant.

Prototypes will be available from mid-May.