📟 Raspberry Pi Matrix Cube Takes LEDs to a New Dimension
Matrix panels are awesome to play with using a Raspberry Pi but why limit yourself to a 2-dimensional plane? This maker, known as M4ngolicious online, is using six panels of 64 x 64 pixels, 24,576 pixels in total, to create a portable, wireless matrix cube.
M4ngolicious designed and 3D printed custom frames for each panel along with internal structures for mounting the hardware inside. The top panel even has magnets glued into place so it can be removed to access the internal components.
In the project, M4ngolicious is using 2200mah 3S 30C LiPo battery and two YPG 20A SBEC step down converters. The battery can last between 15 and 30 minutes but will vary depending on how bright the output is while in use.
More information:
Original post
Github page
#projects #raspberry #3d_modeling
Matrix panels are awesome to play with using a Raspberry Pi but why limit yourself to a 2-dimensional plane? This maker, known as M4ngolicious online, is using six panels of 64 x 64 pixels, 24,576 pixels in total, to create a portable, wireless matrix cube.
M4ngolicious designed and 3D printed custom frames for each panel along with internal structures for mounting the hardware inside. The top panel even has magnets glued into place so it can be removed to access the internal components.
In the project, M4ngolicious is using 2200mah 3S 30C LiPo battery and two YPG 20A SBEC step down converters. The battery can last between 15 and 30 minutes but will vary depending on how bright the output is while in use.
More information:
Original post
Github page
#projects #raspberry #3d_modeling
💻 Python vs. C/C++ in Embedded Systems
The article covers the merits and drawbacks of these programming languages and explains why Python can become a serious competitor in embedded systems for C.
The Case For Python:
▫️ Automated testing. Python provides developers with automated testing due to its ability to control tools that send and receive information from the embedded system.
▫️ Data analysis. The ability to receive and store information from the embedded system allows programmers to use Python to develop methods for real-time data visualization.
▫️ Easy-to-learn.
▫️ Extensive libraries.
▫️ Doesn’t use pointers in comparison to C. It lets developers manage the problems in the code easier.
The Case For C/C++:
▫️ Runtime speed. These languages don’t need to interpret the code at runtime.
▫️ Code is easy to control making the language highly-efficient.
▫️ More compact programs. It is crucial as embedded devices usually have little memory and lower-powered CPUs.
More information...
#articles
The article covers the merits and drawbacks of these programming languages and explains why Python can become a serious competitor in embedded systems for C.
The Case For Python:
▫️ Automated testing. Python provides developers with automated testing due to its ability to control tools that send and receive information from the embedded system.
▫️ Data analysis. The ability to receive and store information from the embedded system allows programmers to use Python to develop methods for real-time data visualization.
▫️ Easy-to-learn.
▫️ Extensive libraries.
▫️ Doesn’t use pointers in comparison to C. It lets developers manage the problems in the code easier.
The Case For C/C++:
▫️ Runtime speed. These languages don’t need to interpret the code at runtime.
▫️ Code is easy to control making the language highly-efficient.
▫️ More compact programs. It is crucial as embedded devices usually have little memory and lower-powered CPUs.
More information...
#articles
🔌 Shine Turbine: Foldable Turbine Puts Wind Power in Your Backpack
It can harvest three phones worth of power in as little as an hour
Shine Turbine, a 3-pound, 40-watt wind turbine that can charge handheld electronics, is the first of a series of renewable power devices designed by the startup to provide freedom from the electrical grid.
The team had to overcome several engineering challenges to get its design right since there were many variables contradicting each other. It had to be durable enough to use as an outdoor product but also lightweight and compact to be easily carried around, and also efficient enough to generate lots of power. This all meant it had to be highly engineered.
When wind speeds double, power output increases eightfold, and when you combine this with Shine's patent-pending technology (high-efficiency blades and lightweight design), you get yourself a wind charger that can provide the most energy for the least amount of weight.
More information...
#articles #energy
It can harvest three phones worth of power in as little as an hour
Shine Turbine, a 3-pound, 40-watt wind turbine that can charge handheld electronics, is the first of a series of renewable power devices designed by the startup to provide freedom from the electrical grid.
The team had to overcome several engineering challenges to get its design right since there were many variables contradicting each other. It had to be durable enough to use as an outdoor product but also lightweight and compact to be easily carried around, and also efficient enough to generate lots of power. This all meant it had to be highly engineered.
When wind speeds double, power output increases eightfold, and when you combine this with Shine's patent-pending technology (high-efficiency blades and lightweight design), you get yourself a wind charger that can provide the most energy for the least amount of weight.
More information...
#articles #energy
📊 Best RP2040 Boards 2021
While Raspberry has its own RP2040-powered board, there are now more than a dozen, third-party solutions
1. Raspberry Pi Pico: $4 Dual core Arm microcontroller
+Low cost
+Small size
+Ease of use
+Built-in ADC
-No USB-C
-Only three ADC pins
2. Adafruit Feather RP2040: The Gold Standard of ‘Pi Silicon’
+Great form factor
+STEMMA QT easy to use
+FeatherWing add-ons
+Onboard battery connection and charging
+Pin labelling on both sides of the board
-No pull up resistors on I2C pins
-No battery monitoring
3. Cytron Maker Pi Pico: The ideal way to build your Raspberry Pi Pico projects
+Low cost
+Easy to use
+Lots of extra features
+Inline LEDs
+Grove connectors
-ESP-01 needs extra work
4. Adafruit QT Py RP2040
+Small size
+Stemma QT Port
+USB-C
-Lack of GPIO pins
5. Pimoroni Tiny 2040
+Small size
+More ADC pins than Pico
+Built-in reset button
+Pin IDs printed on top
-Tricky to surface mount
-Incompatible with Pico add-on boards
-Premium price
More information...
#articles #boards
While Raspberry has its own RP2040-powered board, there are now more than a dozen, third-party solutions
1. Raspberry Pi Pico: $4 Dual core Arm microcontroller
+Low cost
+Small size
+Ease of use
+Built-in ADC
-No USB-C
-Only three ADC pins
2. Adafruit Feather RP2040: The Gold Standard of ‘Pi Silicon’
+Great form factor
+STEMMA QT easy to use
+FeatherWing add-ons
+Onboard battery connection and charging
+Pin labelling on both sides of the board
-No pull up resistors on I2C pins
-No battery monitoring
3. Cytron Maker Pi Pico: The ideal way to build your Raspberry Pi Pico projects
+Low cost
+Easy to use
+Lots of extra features
+Inline LEDs
+Grove connectors
-ESP-01 needs extra work
4. Adafruit QT Py RP2040
+Small size
+Stemma QT Port
+USB-C
-Lack of GPIO pins
5. Pimoroni Tiny 2040
+Small size
+More ADC pins than Pico
+Built-in reset button
+Pin IDs printed on top
-Tricky to surface mount
-Incompatible with Pico add-on boards
-Premium price
More information...
#articles #boards
📃 9 Career Tips for Embedded Software Developers
Interesting article in which author shares his experience of working as a Embedded Software Developer
▫️ Do Not Work Under Isolation
Discussing and analyzing the issue with developers of different perspectives while solving a problem increases efficiency.
Checking your code with other developers makes it easier to detect errors early. Developing together forces you to use methods such as CI/CD, TDD, effective use of version control systems, and good documentation.
▫️ Find Best Practices
Before deciding on a method, you should always ask these questions: “how can I do this best?”, and “someone must have gone through this path before,” and do some research or consult a more experienced colleague.
▫️ Postpone Coding
Do not embark upon this task until you have fully defined the requirements, fully created the architecture, and agreed on common ground with the people you work with.
More information...
#articles #work #design
Interesting article in which author shares his experience of working as a Embedded Software Developer
▫️ Do Not Work Under Isolation
Discussing and analyzing the issue with developers of different perspectives while solving a problem increases efficiency.
Checking your code with other developers makes it easier to detect errors early. Developing together forces you to use methods such as CI/CD, TDD, effective use of version control systems, and good documentation.
▫️ Find Best Practices
Before deciding on a method, you should always ask these questions: “how can I do this best?”, and “someone must have gone through this path before,” and do some research or consult a more experienced colleague.
▫️ Postpone Coding
Do not embark upon this task until you have fully defined the requirements, fully created the architecture, and agreed on common ground with the people you work with.
More information...
#articles #work #design
📰 The global chip shortage is creating a new problem: More fake components
An ongoing shortage of chips is a perfect terrain to lure in equipment manufacturers that are desperate to find alternative ways to get their hands on the components they need. And, in fact, it would not be the first time that disruptions to the electronic components supply chain triggered a wave of counterfeit products.
Typically, fraudsters use one of two methods to create fake products: they can clone them, building them entirely from scratch in a manner reminiscent of what has become common in the fashion industry, for example; or, they can recycle components from electronics waste, erase old markings, clean the part and package it to appear new to potential buyers.
In both cases, the final product might meet basic quality standards, but it will not have gone through any of the testing processes or reliability criteria that authentic chip manufacturers invest time and money.
More information...
#news #articles
An ongoing shortage of chips is a perfect terrain to lure in equipment manufacturers that are desperate to find alternative ways to get their hands on the components they need. And, in fact, it would not be the first time that disruptions to the electronic components supply chain triggered a wave of counterfeit products.
Typically, fraudsters use one of two methods to create fake products: they can clone them, building them entirely from scratch in a manner reminiscent of what has become common in the fashion industry, for example; or, they can recycle components from electronics waste, erase old markings, clean the part and package it to appear new to potential buyers.
In both cases, the final product might meet basic quality standards, but it will not have gone through any of the testing processes or reliability criteria that authentic chip manufacturers invest time and money.
More information...
#news #articles