SLB Series Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries enable ultra-fast charge/discharge

Nichicon Corporation’s SLB series of small lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, featuring ultrafast charge/discharge rates, long life, and high stability, have been adopted for use on the stylus pens (“S Pens”) of the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, smartphone models by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

The remote operation function of the S Pen used with the Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ has been upgraded substantially compared with conventional models. S Pen motions are recognized using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, allowing the smartphones to be controlled remotely. To realize advanced functionality on the S Pen, Samsung Electronics adopted NICHICON’s small lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, extending their operating time by up to 10 hours. The SLB series of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries offer high input/output compared with general lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, charging/discharging up to 10 times the rated current is possible, making the danger of fire or smoke extremely small and contributing to superior stability.

The SLB uses LTO (lithium titanate) for its negative electrode, enabling ultrafast charge/discharge (up to 20C) and high input/output density that is close to an electric double-layer capacitor. The product is also highly durable, having a cycle life of 5,000 times or more at a charge/discharge rate of 10C. The product can also be used at temperatures as low as -30°C. The SLB is unlikely to experience lithium metal deposition, which can lead to short circuits and deterioration, making the SLB batteries safe, with an extremely low danger of fire or smoke.

more information: www.nichicon.co.jp

Electrolama announces 802.15.4/Zigbee USB Dongle and Raspberry Pi “HAT”

Electrolama has been developing two open-source hardware 802.15.4/Zigbee projects namely “zig-a-zig-ah” (aka “zzh”) USB stick, based on Texas Instruments CC2652R SimpleLink multi-standard wireless MCU, and Zoe (Zigbee + Poe) development board based on Raspberry Pi HAT form factor and powered by TI CC2530 SimpleLink 2.4 GHz SoC alongside CC2592 range extender. The two boards are to be released under an Apache-based Solderpad Hardware License 2.0, and they are aimed at users of the Zigbee2MQTT project. The boards could soon also enable native support in Home Assistant through the “zigpy-cc” library which adds support in ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) integration component.

The Zig-a-zig-ah USB Stick features WiSoC – Texas Instruments CC2652R SimpleLink multi-standard wireless MCU, offering support for Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth 5 Low Energy, IEEE 802.15.4g, 6LoWPAN, and proprietary systems. We should Note that CC2652RB is also considered, as it does not require an external crystal oscillator. For host Interface, the Zig-a-zig-ah USB Stick features a USB via CH340 USB-UART bridge. Misc function enables Push-button on BSL (bootstrap loader) pin for programming. For Debugging, it enables SWD debug header, which is non-standard, and requires a debug adapter board. Additionally, it features a SMA antenna port.

Omer Kilic explains that the board can be viewed as an upgrade to CC2531 USB sticks with the 8051 MCU being replaced by a much faster Arm Cortex-M4F MCU @ 48 MHz in CC2652, with more memory, as well as an open-source toolchain. You can find more details about the Zig-a-zig-ah USB Stick on the product page and Github repository The EAGLE schematics and PCB layout are also available.

Zoe Zigbee + PoE Raspberry Pi “HAT”

The second board the Zoe Zigbee + PoE Raspberry Pi “HAT”, has a similar form factor like a Raspberry Pi HAT, and it is compliant to the standard, but with the exception of no ID EEPROM. The Zoe features WiSoC – Texas Instruments CC2530, as well as CC2592 Range Extender (PA+LNA). Misc function enables RTC + battery slot. For debugging function, the Zoe features TagConnect to CC-Debugger footprint. The power Supply enables a Passive 48V or IEEE 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The Zoe has the same form factors as the Raspberry Pi HAT.

The board is designed to enable connection to a Raspberry Pi board, optionally powered over PoE, and meant to be used as a Zigbee coordinator. The developer stated that no external programmer is needed for flashing the Zigbee module as a result of flash_cc2531, which is an implementation of the Chipcon programming protocol. You can find information on the product page, and hardware design files on Github.

It is worthy to note that you can not use the Raspberry Pi’s WiFi and/or Bluetooth at the same time. You have to disable it to prevent radio interference since everything operates at 2.4 GHz. For now, none of the boards are available, but they’ll be available on Tindie when ready.

MatchX’s EdgeX AI Development Kit Promises AI on Edge with LoRaWAN Support

EdgeX AI

I recently discovered this new board called the EdgeX AI Dev Kit made by German IoT guys MatchX following an hackster post. The specifications of the board look promising, but it also raises some questions as well. According to MatchX, EdgeX AI enables you to build complex data LPWAN or NB-IoT applications, such as videos, images, and speech. EdgeX AI runs artificial intelligence models on edge devices such as sensor nodes.

EdgeX AI Dev Kit is a unique development platform for applications requiring visual or audio data processing and feature extraction combined with long-range radio connectivity.

EdgeX AI
EdgeX AI Kit enables you to build complex data LPWAN or NB-IoT applications, such as videos, images and speech.

EdgeX AI is built around MatchX’s MX1941 AI System on Module. The MX1941 AI SoM is based on the Kendryte K210 dual-core RISC-V system on chip and a Semtech SX1261 LoRa transceiver in a tiny form factor. The Kendryte K210 is a dual-core 64-bit RISC-V processor running at 400 MHz with KPU CNN hardware accelerator, APU audio hardware accelerator, 6 MB general-purpose SRAM, 2MB AI SRAM memory, and AXI ROM to load user program from SPI flash. Combined with the Semtech SX1261, the MX1941 makes it possible to add long-range radio connectivity for edge AI applications.

MatchX's MX1941 AI SOM
MatchX’s MX1941 AI SOM

The MatchX’s MX1941 isn’t the first AI SoM based on the Kendryte K210, and the SIPEED M1 is also a similar SoM based around the RISC-V processor which is deployed to the Grove AI HAT for the Raspberry Pi. The main difference between both SoM is that the MX1941 provides onboard LoRa connectivity.

The Edge AI development kit extends the functionality of the SoM. The development kit provides an outlet for a LiPo battery connector, a couple of three buttons acting as some sort of switches, a USB – C female connector port, comes with an integrated microphone, a camera connector, and also an LCD connector.

The unique combination of AI module + camera + LoRaWAN + microphone offers new opportunities for the expansion of IoT applications and creates new possibilities in the LPWAN world. For example, a camera installed on a window with an AI module can use deep learning algorithms for detecting free parking spaces in close proximity to your house. The AI module carries out all the computational processes enabling the edge processing of video material. The results are converted into “simple data” that can be sent through the LoRa network energy efficiently over long distances. This is how all the magic happens!

Back to the questions, EdgeX looks promising but is the application target really worth it. The LoRa support means the device is expected to perform full AI analysis directly on edge, and the analysis result is streamed over LoRaWAN, making it unrealistic to use the collected image or audio data for retraining in the future since the image feeds can’t be transmitted over LoRa. Nevertheless, the device has the potential to bring AI closer to the edge.

EdgeX AI kit is available for purchase now pricing at $199 and comes with an integrated microphone, camera, and LCD panel. More information on the kit itself can be found on the MatchX website, and the product is now available to order from their Tindie store.

Perceive Corporation Launches to Deliver Data Center-Class Accuracy and Performance at Ultra-Low Power for Consumer Devices

  • Introduces breakthrough ErgoTM edge inference processor, delivering 4+ TOPS sustained and 55 TOPS/W, capable of processing large neural networks in 20mW
  • Selected by two of the leading providers of smart connected camera and security products to integrate advanced neural network applications into future products

Perceive Corporation, an edge inference solutions company, today launched the company and debuted its first product, the ErgoTM edge inference processor. Ergo brings breakthrough accuracy and performance to consumer devices such as security cameras, smart appliances, and mobile phones. The Ergo chip and reference board are currently being sampled to leading customers and are ready for mass production in the second quarter of 2020.

In an environment where consumers are demanding greater security and privacy, Ergo removes the need to send sensor data from devices to the cloud for analysis. Ergo’s real-time, on-device inference processing makes it ideally suited for devices where consumer experience and privacy of data such as video and audio are of paramount importance. Whether it is reducing false notifications in a security camera, extending battery life in a mobile device, or simplifying the user interface of a home appliance, Ergo improves key device features by enabling comprehension and intelligent reactions to surroundings—without compromising consumer security.

“Everyone wants smarter devices—but until now, only the cloud has provided the requisite accuracy,” said Steve Teig, Chief Executive Officer of Perceive. “Perceive has developed novel, mathematically rigorous methods for inference that redefine what is possible in an edge device. Our Ergo chip delivers data center-class accuracy and performance in consumer devices, protecting privacy and security while running at ultra-low power.”

Perceive was incubated by and is a majority-owned subsidiary of Xperi Corporation (Nasdaq: XPER), a leader in audio, imaging and semiconductor technology focused on creating innovative solutions for smart devices that enable extraordinary experiences for people around the world.

“Perceive’s launch today represents the culmination of two years of focused innovation and investment within Xperi that combines Perceive’s work on advanced machine learning with our unique experience in imaging, audio, and semiconductor technologies. The result is a truly game-changing smart device technology platform,” said Jon Kirchner, Chief Executive Officer of Xperi. “With the potential to reach billions of devices across IoT in home, mobile, and automotive applications, the Perceive platform brings a new additional driver to our business and has the potential to unlock substantial future growth. We are dedicated to supporting Perceive as it comes out of stealth and accelerates its commercialization, partner engagement, and product rollout to realize the significant value of its technology.”

Perceive Enables Customers to Deliver Groundbreaking Consumer Devices

There is a growing divergence between the limited capabilities of edge inference processors, or even applications processors, and the rising complexity of the most advanced neural networks, which until now could run only in data centers. Perceive bridges that gap by enabling multiple sophisticated networks such as YOLOv3, M2Det, and others to run on Ergo. By simultaneously providing high accuracy, high performance, and ultra-low power at the edge, Perceive enables device makers to provide a better experience with intelligent features for smart devices such as reducing incorrectly detected camera alerts for security customers, while extending battery life and improving privacy for consumers.

Along with the Ergo inference chip, Perceive is providing a complete solution to OEMs, including reference boards, as well as standard imaging and audio inferencing applications for common inferencing tasks. Customers can also tune the applications or create novel applications with support from Perceive. Recognized leaders in the connected camera and security industry have already selected Ergo to integrate advanced neural network applications into their future products.

“We have been working with industry leaders such as Arlo since our inception and look forward to supporting them as they build amazing products that take advantage of the capabilities of Ergo,” said David McIntyre, Vice President of Marketing for Perceive. “We look forward to partnering with Arlo to reinforce our shared focus on privacy and customer-centric innovation.”

No Compromises: Perceive Delivers Data Center-Class Accuracy, Performance, Security, and Privacy at Ultra-Low Power

The Ergo edge inference processor delivers more than 4 sustained GPU-equivalent floating-point TOPS, with the ability to run heterogeneous, large neural networks simultaneously, powering applications such as video object detection, audio event detection, and speech recognition. For example, Ergo can run YOLOv3 at up to 246 frames per second (batch size = 1) at 30 frames per second while consuming about 20 mW. Ergo supports a wide variety of currently popular styles of neural network for video, audio, and other sensor processing, including CNNs (multiple sizes of convolutions and residual edges), RNNs, LSTMs, and others, providing developers of camera, security and other consumer products ample options for solving real-world problems.

Ergo requires no external RAM and its small, 7×7 mm package makes it well suited for use in consumer electronics such as phones and cameras. By eliminating the need to send data to the cloud for inference and by encrypting the neural networks, software, and access to the chip, Ergo enhances device security and privacy.

The chip’s ultra-high power efficiency of more than 55 TOPS/Watt—20 to 100 times the efficiency of alternatives—enables longer battery life and produces less heat, allowing for smaller and more versatile product packaging. The company has partnered with the leading specialty foundry, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, to manufacture the Ergo chip on their 22FDX® platform.

About Perceive Corporation

Perceive makes devices smarter. The company develops breakthrough neural network inference solutions that push the performance-accuracy-power envelope, while protecting the security and privacy of consumers. By bringing data center-class accuracy and performance to the edge, Perceive enables device makers to deliver smarter products that understand their environment and respond intelligently. Founded in 2018, Perceive is a majority-owned subsidiary of Xperi Corporation (NASDAQ: XPER). Perceive is based in San Jose, California. For more information, visit https://www.perceive.io.

About Xperi Corporation

Xperi Corporation (Nasdaq: XPER) and its brands DTS, IMAX Enhanced, HD Radio, and Invensas, are dedicated to creating innovative technology solutions that enable extraordinary experiences for people around the world. Xperi’s solutions are licensed by hundreds of leading global partners and have shipped in billions of products in areas including premium audio, automotive, broadcast, computational imaging, computer vision, mobile computing and communications, memory, data storage, and 3D semiconductor interconnect and packaging. For more information, please call 408-321-6000 or visit www.xperi.com.

Pin-Type Li-Ion Battery Maintains 80% Capacity after 5000 Cycles

The CT04120 from Murata is a small form factor lithium-ion battery that can support 10C Charging rates without the need for a battery controller IC. Continuous discharge at a 10C rate is also supported by these rechargeable batteries.

In addition, since the internal resistance is low and the voltage drop is small, stable discharge is possible even under a large peak load or low temperature.

These devices have a diameter of 4mm and maintain 80% of their initial capacity even after 5000 cycles. Since these rechargeable batteries are based on lithium titanite, there is no possibility of thermal runaway.

Applications are expected to fall into three general categories including: small devices such as electric pens, styluses and wearables; back-up power in handy terminals, barcode readers, point of sales equipment and so on; and energy storage in energy harvesting powered devices such as solar battery powered equipment and wireless sensor nodes with various energy harvesting power sources.

Benefits and Applications

Small power equipment

  • Quick charge with High rate charge (10C) is available
  • Constant voltage charge is available
  • Able to use many times due to long cycle life
  • High safety and small weight saving

Backup power supply

  • System backup even when the main battery is replaced or the battery is disconnected
  • High power discharge is available
  • Constant voltage charge is available
  • Charge control IC is unnecessary

Energy harvesting system

  • Chargeable/dischargeable in wide rate ranges
  • Long operating time due to low leakage current
  • High power output is available
  • Resistant to over discharge
  • Operation temperature is wide

On The Web: Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Efficiency Meets Practicality in the NISE 108 Industrial Gateway

Compact and streamlined, the NISE 108 is NEXCOM’s newest industrial gateway. We’ve carefully selected each connectivity component to ensure your convenience and easy assembly. The thoughtful design further guarantees that the standalone embedded computer will withstand shock and vibration as well as effortlessly pair with display panels for use in, but not limited to, factory, agricultural, and service settings.

Make the connection, worry-free

The cableless connectors for two SATA storage devices allow the NISE 108 to resist shock and vibration while simultaneously avoid cable detachment, making it suitable for challenging operational environments, particularly in industrial situations. The four USB and three COM ports provide abundant interfaces for both modern and legacy devices, critical for factory automation and communication applications. Two GbE LAN ports also ensure that the fanless computer stays connected to your local network, while you can adapt the expansion mini-PCIe socket for wireless connectivity with an optional Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module – or even other I/O devices.

Three’s not a crowd

The NISE 108 strategically includes two DP and one LVDS port for an effortless triple display setup, ideal for dual display of your critical data (DP) and a third touch screen (LVDS) for operational controls. The NISE 108 is thus especially appropriate for agro-industrial (e.g., temperature sensor monitoring, livestock counts) and service environments, such as gas stations (monitoring oil levels, then uploading to a centralized cloud for further assessments and follow-up).

Sleek and efficient design

In giving you, our customers, more value, the overarching design of the NISE 108 highlights its density and functionality. For convenience and easy access, all I/Os are now on the front interface, helping you maintain a well ordered work environment without the clutter of tangled cables. The I/O gateway’s aluminum and metal chassis, fanless construction, and compact size, combined with pre-drilled threaded holes on the top cover, make it easy to install a VESA mount for assembling your own panel PC – or set up as a standalone computer, with or without wall mount bracket.

Main Features

  • Onboard Intel® Celeron® processor J3455 Quad Core, 1.50GHz
  • Dual independent display from DP1 & DP2
  • 2 x Intel® I210-IT GbE LAN ports; support WoL, teaming and PXE
  • 2 x USB 2.0 & 2 x USB 3.0
  • 3 x COM ports (COM3 with RS232/422/485, jumper-free setting)
  • Supports both 2.5” HDD and M.2
  • Supports -5~55°C operating temperature
  • Supports 24 VDC input

No pricing or availability information was provided for the NISE 108. More information may be found in announcement and product page.

LUNA – a USB-hacking multitool

A USB multitool for monitoring, hacking, and developing USB devices (work in progress)

This is an early work-in-progress version of a USB multitool. LUNA isn’t yet suited for end-users; but hardware development has reached a point where current-revision boards (r0.2+) make good development platforms for early community developers.

Building this board yourself isn’t for the faint of heart — as it requires placing two BGA components, including a large FPGA. Still, if you’re proficient with rework and FPGA development, feel free to join in the fun!

LUNA is in early development; and does not yet have user-facing documentation. Early developer documentation is either inlined in the source; or captured in the GitHub wiki.

LUNA – a USB-hacking multitool – [Link]

90V to 10V @ 500mA High Voltage DC-DC buck converter

This is a versatile tiny module that provides 10V/500mA from 90V DC input. It is a high voltage input DC-DC buck converter, based on LM5017 IC, which is a 100-V, 600-mA synchronous step-down regulator with integrated high side and low side MOSFETs. The constant on-time (COT) control scheme employed in the LM5017 requires no loop compensation, provides an excellent transient response, and enables very high step-down ratios. The ON-time varies inversely with the input voltage resulting in nearly constant frequency over the input voltage range. A high voltage startup regulator provides bias power for the internal operation of the IC and for integrated gate drivers. A peak current limit circuit protects against overload conditions. The under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit allows the input under-voltage threshold and hysteresis to be independently programmed. Other protection features include thermal shutdown and bias supply under-voltage lockout (VCC UVLO). Supply input range 13V to 90V, provides 10V/500mA, switching frequency 225 KHz. Adjustable output voltage possible by altering Resistor R6 and R8 value, refer datasheet. Under-Voltage lockout set to 12.4V.

90V to 10V @ 500mA High Voltage DC-DC buck converter – [Link]

RS485 Shield For Arduino Nano

Arduino Nano RS485 shield will help you to transmit and receive serial data using the twisted pair RS485 network. The module provides half-duplex communication. LED D1 indicates receive data, D2 Transmit LED, J1 jumper is optional and not in use in this application. DI/RE connected to D2 of Arduino digital pin which enables Receiver Output /Driver Output. CN1 connecter supply input, CN2 3 pin screw terminal helps to connected twisted pair cable. The unit can communicate over 4000 feet of 26AWG twisted-pair wire at 110 kHz into 120Ω loads.

RS485 Shield For Arduino Nano – [Link]

ITEAD Launches a $4 Zigbee CC2531 packet sniffer For USB devices

Itead.cc, the Chinese company known for the array of electronics products like the SONOFF smart switch and other makers related hardware, has released a USB Zigbee CC2531 Dongle. The dongle can be used in connection with a PC or single-board computer to build your customized home automation gateway.

Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle

Zigbee is widely used for various IoT projects and has heavily found adoption in the home automation industry thanks to the availability of low-cost Zigbee devices, but in most cases, consumers and makers and limited to the use Gateway devices like Smarthings Hub or others. Itead who has released Zigbee based home automation devices like the Sonoff S31 Lite, Sonoff BASICZBR3 smart switch, and others but haven’t been able to release their own low-cost gateway to work with these devices. With the release of the Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle, this is going to change.

Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle

The Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle from Itead isn’t a gateway entirely, but when combined with a computing device can turn to a Zigbee gateway thanks to the support of Zigbee2MQTT. The USB dongle comes with a CC2531ZNP-Prod firmware that can be plugged directly into a PC/Raspberry or any Linux compatible USB host and be used as a Zigbee packet sniffer.

Zigbee2MQTT
Zigbee2MQTT Architecture

Zigbee2MQTT allows using of Zigbee devices without the vendor’s bridge or gateway. It bridges events and will enable you to control your Zigbee devices via MQTT. In this way, you can integrate your Zigbee devices with whatever smart home infrastructure you are using, including Home Assistant and Domoticz or even OpenHAB. Using Zigbee2MQTT usually requires flashing the firmware with a CC debugger on a CC2531 USB Dongle (also available on Aliexpress), before full usage. Itead has simplified this process by pre-flashing their dongle with the needed firmware for you to get started quickly.

Features of Itead Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle:

  • Texas Instruments CC2531F256 Zigbee and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless MCU with 8kB RAM, 256kB Flash
  • Flashed with CC2531ZNP-Prod firmware for zigbee2mqtt application
  • Host Interface with USB 2.0 Male port.
  • Lead-out 8 IO connectors
  • Debug interface
  • Integrated antenna
  • Dimensions – 5.6 x 1.6 x 0.7cm
  • Extras – Two buttons and two LEDs for user interaction

Zigbee CC2531 USB Dongle

The USB dongle device is available for purchase on Itead for $3.99. More information is available on the product page, and also more information about Zigbee2MQTT is available on the Github page.

TOP PCB Companies