Microcontroller Tips

Microcontroller engineering resources, new microcontroller products and electronics engineering news

digikeyelectronics

Mounting base kit simplifies electronic prototyping tasks

By Leave a Comment

Digi-Key Electronics announced that it has expanded its product portfolio to include Phase Dock Inc.’s WorkBench project development kit. This distribution partnership is part of Digi-Key’s Marketplace initiative to broaden the product offerings now available for customers, making Digi-Key more of a one-stop-shop than ever before.

Phase Dock offers a unique project development kit series, the Phase Dock WorkBench, that helps engineers, makers, and students turbocharge prototyping and accelerate projects built with evaluation boards and breadboards. The kits improve productivity by speeding time to completion, greatly reducing work area clutter, and minimizing project setup time. The WorkBench can be used with many development boards, sensors, and actuators carried by Digi-Key.

The Phase Dock WorkBench eliminates many problems common to prototyping. It saves time previously lost constructing an ad hoc platform from cardboard, plywood, etc. It provides portability and protection to fragile hardware that otherwise might be loosely wired together on the desktop. And it allows engineers and hobbyists to dive into the heart of their projects more quickly, easily reconfigure working prototypes, and maintain an orderly work area at the same time.

For more information about Phase Dock and to order from their product portfolio, please visit the Digi-Key website.

IoT data management software runs on BeagleBone platform

By Leave a Comment

Digi-Key Electronics announced that it will be the exclusive global distributor of the industry’s most affordable ready-to-use IoT data management software for the BeagleBone platform, Machinechat JEDI One for BeagleBone.

Machinechat’s JEDI One is an all-in-one software application for IoT developers and solution architects to provision IoT data collection, visualization, monitoring, and local storage capabilities in minutes. Offered as a single binary software application that is installed on-premise, JEDI One for BeagleBone is the industry’s most affordable ready-to-use IoT software solution that enables developers and their customers to have complete control over their data, along with an advanced set of data management tools that can be leveraged in minutes.

Available exclusively through Digi-Key Electronics for $39, Machinechat JEDI One for BeagleBone allows engineers to embed robust edge-based data collection, transformation, monitoring, and visualization to any IoT project in minutes.

Machinechat JEDI One for BeagleBone is available exclusively through Digi-Key Electronics for a one-time fee of $39.00 for a single premium license. Each license supports one BeagleBone board and up to 16 devices and sensors.

Digi-Key launches partnership with ADI on multi-sensor development kit

By Leave a Comment

Digi-Key Electronics, the global electronic components distributor, announced today a partnership with Analog Devices on their innovative new MeasureWare platform. The multi-sensor platform will allow Digi-Key customers to kickstart designs by providing immediate access to availability and pricing of qualifying products.

“We’re proud to be Analog Device’s chosen partner for this intuitive new platform,” said David Stein, vice president of global supplier management for Digi-Key. “Partnerships like this one reflect Digi-Key’s overarching commitment to continue streamlining every aspect of our business – including the purchasing process – in order to support the design engineer.”

The new platform enables Digi-Key customers to have their own customized software and marketplace, without having to spend time configuring hardware or writing firmware. Through the intuitive MeasureWare Software Studio and quick start measurement platforms, MeasureWare gets design engineers up and running with a solution tuned to their specific needs in minutes.

“We’re looking forward to helping our customers get quick and easy measurement insights,” said Leo McHugh, vice president of instrumentation and precision technology at Analog Devices. “Digi-Key is a trusted partner of ours and we’re excited to work together to get the innovative and flexible MeasureWare solutions into the hands of customers across the globe.”

In addition to offering innovative measurement systems, Digi-Key provides makers with a variety of EDA and Design Tools to support efficiency within the design process – from concept to completion. Additionally, Digi-Key offers many online conversion calculators and other free tools and resources to support engineers and makers.

For more information about MeasureWare or Digi-Key’s other Analog Device product offerings and resources, please visit the Digi-Key website.

 

u-blox extends Digi-Key distribution agreement to global basis

By Leave a Comment

u-bloxu-blox has announced that it is extending its distribution agreement with Digi-Key from covering just the Americas region to a global arrangement. u-blox will now appear on all Digi-Key websites worldwide, including 80 country websites that together trade in 28 different currencies.

“u-blox has always been a global provider and this partnership with Digi-Key aligns with that strategy,” said Suresh Ram, President, u-blox Americas. “u-blox and Digi-Key together will be better able to support customer designs worldwide and provide fast access to development tools, evaluation boards, modules and silicon, making our customers’ lives easier and our business relationships more effective.”

“We’re excited to take this next step with u-blox after seeing the success of their products with our customers in the Americas,” said David Stein, Vice President of Global Supplier Management at Digi-Key. “This expansion brings a powerful and innovative cellular, short range radio and GNSS product offering to our customers in every region around the world.”

The collaborative partnership with Digi-Key will extend the availability of u-blox technology to regions that the company alone has not yet reached, as well as making it more accessible to designers working in mid-sized companies and start-ups. Digi-Key’s global footprint will make it easier to ensure that customers get fast access to evaluation kits, development boards and product samples. u-blox should also get enhanced insights into it where its customers are based, what they want, and how they prefer to access it.

With this agreement in place, Digi-Key will provide a one-stop shop for customers who need any type of cellular, timing, positioning or short range communications products. The strong portfolio of u-blox products in these areas will also map well to Digi-Key’s technical marketing and services offering.

BOM MTBF calculator verifies digital design reliability

By Leave a Comment

Digi-Key Electronics and BQR Reliability Engineering Ltd. present a collaboration to deliver a simple yet powerful Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) calculator to support Digi-Key’s global customers.

Digi-Key has undertaken this venture to enable efficient and cost-effective use of BQR’s software solution in a SaaS mode to evaluate products’ Bill of Materials (BOM) MTBF.

BOM MTBF calculator
BQR BOM MTBF Calculator Screenshot
\

“The new BOM MTBF application will enable Digi-Key customers to easily compare different BOMs MTBF, making sure the design meets the reliability goal early in the design process, before manufacturing,” said Yizhak Bot, Founder and CTO of BQR Reliability Engineering. “With Pareto reports showing the most unreliable components, it will ensure the selection of components that balance reliability and cost. It will also provide measures for warranty analysis, design reviews, tenders, product data sheets, and design trade-offs.”

This tool makes it easy and quick to calculate MTBF for BOMs of any size. All one needs to do is export the BOM file and click on “Launch Calculator” on the Digi-Key website and see the magic happen immediately. The online application includes a library smart data auto-complete for BOM components using AI, fast calculation engine, and detailed Pareto and graphic reports. This calculator is not only easy to use, but also 100% secure where the components library and results are saved on the user’s desktop (not on BQR server).

Users can also conduct quick “What If” analyses, checking how a components quality level will increase the product MTBF.

“Digi-Key is excited to launch this new MTBF calculator which enables customers to see the component dependencies that their circuits are relying on and helps them determine the best mix of parts to use,” said Randall Restle, VP, Applications Engineering at Digi-Key. “Digi-Key and BQR want to make it fast and easy for customers to achieve their design and end-product goals.”

To launch the calculator, please visit the Digi-Key website.

IDE simplifies IoT idea-to-prototype design and development

By Leave a Comment

Digi-Key Electronics has released a new design tool called the DK IoT Studio. The DK IoT Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) that aims to provide a radically simple way for developers and providers to create IoT solutions, allowing the user to go from idea to prototype in minutes without writing any code.IoT IDE

The new tool, developed in partnership with Atmosphere IoT, has an intuitive user interface along with drag-and-drop functionality. Simply dragging sensors, processors, and other library elements and dropping them onto the design panel allows a user to make connections and start collecting data and sending it to a mobile device or the cloud.  The DK IoT Studio also generates the embedded code (firmware) as well as the web and mobile application code.

The initial release of the DK IoT Studio will feature Espressif’s ESP32 and NXP’s Rapid IoT Kit, with additional supplier platforms being added quarterly.

Other notable benefits of the tool include:

  • Ability to create and import/export designs for shareable/customizable projects
  • Utilization of Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Integration of data into a third-party application, data warehouse or cloud platform

“The goal of providing a design tool like the DK IoT Studio is to offer a seamless path from the creation of an IoT solution to field deployment,” said Robbie Paul, Strategic Program Development Director – IoT. “We are ready to help bring your IoT designs to realization faster and easier than ever before, as the tool is uniquely paired with access to Digi-Key’s inventory of the world’s largest selection of electronic components to help you take your designs to the next level.”

For more information, check out the DK IoT Studio blog post and visit the IoT Studio page on the Digi-Key website.

IDE from Digikey simplifies IoT development efforts

By Leave a Comment

DK IoT Studio IDEDigi-Key Electronics introduces a new design tool called the DK IoT Studio. The DK IoT Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) that aims to provide a simple way for developers and providers to create IoT solutions.  The DK IoT Studio allows you to go from idea to prototype in minutes without writing any code.

The new tool, developed in partnership with Atmosphere IoT, has an intuitive user interface along with drag-and-drop functionality. Simply dragging sensors, processors, and other library elements and dropping them onto the design panel allows a user to make connections and start collecting data and sending it to a mobile device or the cloud.  The DK IoT Studio also generates the embedded code (firmware) as well as the web and mobile application code.

The initial release of the DK IoT Studio will feature Espressif’s ESP32 and NXP’s Rapid IoT Kit, with additional supplier platforms being added quarterly.

Other notable benefits of the tool include:

  • Ability to create and import/export designs for shareable/customizable projects
  • Utilization of Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Integration of data into a third-party application, data warehouse or cloud platform

“The goal of providing a design tool like the DK IoT Studio is to offer a seamless path from the creation of an IoT solution to field deployment,” said Robbie Paul, Strategic Program Development Director – IoT. “We are ready to help bring your IoT designs to realization faster and easier than ever before, as the tool is uniquely paired with access to Digi-Key’s inventory of the world’s largest selection of electronic components to help you take your designs to the next level.”

For more information, check out the DK IoT Studio blog post and visit the IoT Studio page on the Digi-Key website.

FPGA maker board available through Digi-Key

By Leave a Comment

FPGA maker boardMicrosemi has teamed up with Digi-Key Electronics, a global electronic components distributor, to provide the SmartFusion 2 system-on-chip (SoC) field programmable gate array (FPGA) maker board exclusively to Digi-Key’s global customer base. This low-cost evaluation platform lowers the barrier for hardware and firmware engineers to develop embedded applications for the ARM Cortex-M3 and 12K logic elements (LE) FPGA fabric in the SmartFusion2 device. Contents include the new SmartFusion2 board, a USB cable to provide power, programming and communication, and a QuickStart Guide.

The board is an ideal platform to jumpstart designs using the Microsemi SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA.  This device family offers more resources in low-density FPGAs all while delivering the lowest power, proven security and single event upset (SEU) FPGA configuration immunity. The key features of the SmartFusion2-010 SoC FPGA are an ARM Cortex-M3 processor, GigE MAC, USB OTG, built in DDR2/3 controller, numerous other peripherals, 12K FPGA LEs and the highest levels of security to protect customers’ IP. The board also features a 1000BASE-T PHY and connector, two unpopulated interfaces for the ESP32 and the ESP8266 (not included), USB connectivity and more.

“Microsemi is excited to work with Digi-Key in offering the SmartFusion2 maker board. We believe Digi-Key’s broad customer base will benefit from this low-cost platform for a wide variety of applications,” said Phil Sansone, vice president of global distribution sales at Microsemi.

The board is the lowest cost evaluation board which enables firmware and design engineers to leverage the power of Microsemi’s SmartFusion2 architecture. The board itself is ideal to prototype applications such as internet of things gateway, medical instruments, handheld industrial/test products, motor control, secure connectivity designs, etc.

The SmartFusion2 maker board (M2S010-MKR-KIT) includes the following features:

  • The SmartFusion2 M2S010 SoC FPGA
  • The 10/100/1000BASE-T VSC8541 PHY
  • Wurth Electronics RJ45 7499111221A
  • Ambient light sensor
  • 16 Mbit SPI Flash
  • Eight user LEDs
  • USB integrated FlashPro5 programming hardware
  • Connector for ESP8266 (not included)
  • Laid out footprint for ESP32 (not included)
  • USB port for UART communications
  • LX7167A powering the board
  • 50 MHz clock source
  • 2 user pushbuttons

“This new SmartFusion2 evaluation board is an excellent fit for the greater engineering community,” said David Stein, VP, Global Semiconductor at Digi-Key. “It’s a powerful, versatile, integrated platform, all at a great value for anyone looking for an introduction to a SmartFusion2 system with Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Digi-Key is pleased to support Microsemi’s launch of this low-cost board as it offers our customers a new valuable evaluation platform in FPGA development.”

More information: Microsemi, Digi-Key

Open-source mangOH Red boards now available from Digi-Key

By Leave a Comment

mangOH RedmangOH RedTargeted at the industrial IoT and maker communities, mangOH Red is a feature-rich, low-power open source enablement platform on the market. Talon Communications is producing the mangOH Red and IoT Expansion cards for use with the Red, including a CAN, Ethernet and Wi-Fi/BT expansion card. The Sierra Wireless mangOH Red open source hardware platform is available primarily through Digi-Key Electronics, a global electronic components distributor.

Smaller than a credit card, it includes all of the building blocks needed to prototype and test ideas in days instead of months, with minimal investment. mangOH Red designs can then be modified and repurposed for mass production using its industrial-grade components and applications developed in the Legato open source Linux platform.

Following the successful first mangOH Green edition, mangOH Red focuses on low power and miniaturization, providing a one-stop technology platform that includes:

  • Credit card size form-factor ideal for rapidly building proof-of-concepts
  • A snap-in socket to add any CF3-compatible modules, including wireless modules (2G to 4G & LTE-M/NB-IoT) to achieve up to 10 years of battery life
  • Built-in Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 BLE with an ARM Cortex-M4 core to provide real-time access to I/O
  • Built-in Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Temperature and Pressure sensors, as well as a Light sensor and a 26-pin Raspberry Pi compatible connector
  • An IoT Expansion Card slot to plug in any technology based on the IoT Connector open standard
  • Sierra Wireless Smart SIM with up to 100 MB free data, depending on region, and can also be used with any commercially available SIM
  • Easy connection to the AirVantage IoT Platform to create, deploy and manage solutions in the cloud, and can also connect to other cloud platforms
  • Ready-to-use product from selected distributors and complete source design under Common Creative License

The IoT Expansion Card form factor is designed to be a cost-competitive solution for several current and emerging host applications, by providing:

  • On-demand hardware applications – The same host application can be used for different market segments by including unique expansion cards for each segment. For example, a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth solution for one segment and an environmental sensor for another segment.
  • Electrical and feature compatibility across IoT technologies – Availability of several data interfaces allows support for various IoT solutions. For example, digital audio over PCM, application control and data transfer over USB, etc.
  • Compatibility with various PAN technologies, sensors, and other IoT applications.

More information:  Sierra Wireless,  13811 Wireless Way, Richmond, British Columbia, V6V 3A4;  604 231 1100.

To view Sierra Wireless’ entire product listing, visit the Digi-Key website. Visit www.mangoh.io for tutorials, step-by-step instructions and developer forum.

 

USB-key-fob computer comes in BeagleBoard format

By Leave a Comment

The newest BeagleBoard.org board is PocketBeagle, an ultra-tiny-yet-complete open-source USB-key-fob computer. PocketBeagle features an incredible low cost, slick design and simple usage, making PocketBeagle the ideal development board for beginners and professionals alike.

At 35 x 56 x 5 mm, PocketBeagle is small and flexible enough to fit in gaming, 3D printing, robotics or other electronics projects; and affordable enough to dedicate one to live permanently in each of those different projects. PocketBeagle not only includes a 1-GHz processor, but also industrial-oriented peripherals and microcontrollers optimized for interfacing to the physical world.

PocketBeagle doesn’t require installation of tools to get started. You develop directly in your web browser, a tool you already know; and PocketBeagle® can easily be reset to factory conditions, leaving you free to experiment.

PocketBeagle utilizes a simple open-source hardware design and a catalog-available, well-documented processor. PocketBeagle avoids consuming precious hardware resources, leaving them available for design goals. Most importantly, PocketBeagle respects time and helps avoid risk by providing a solution for rapid prototyping without slowing the path to production. BeagleBoard.org’s community of serious developers allows for crowdsourced similar attempts, answers, and experiences.

Summary of Key Features

  • Low-cost Linux computer with tremendous expansibility
  • Opportunity to learn many programming aspects from educators on-line
  • Openness and flexibility tear down limits on your imagination

Summary of Technical Specifications

  • Based on new Octavo Systems OSD3358-SM 21mm x 21mm system-in-package that includes 512MB DDR3 RAM, 1-GHz ARM Cortex-A8 CPU, 2x 200-MHz PRUs, ARM Cortex-M3, 3D accelerator, power/battery management and EEPROM
  • 72 expansion pin headers with power and battery I/Os, high-speed USB, 8 analog inputs, 44 digital I/Os and numerous digital interface peripherals
  • microUSB host/client and microSD connectors

PocketBeagle is available today from Arrow, DigiKey and Mouser.