February 2022

Hardware

Multichannel window supervisor - a compact replacement of a discrete comparator solution

I found this TPS3704 Quad, Triple, Dual, Single Window or Standard Voltage Supervisor by the Texas Instruments company not so long ago. I like the universality of the component. There are versions with fixed window centre levels (can be used without any voltage divider) or with adjustable variants (requires a voltage divider but provides an excellent variability). The window width is always +/- 4% of the window centre.

Lithium battery manager

The Renesas Electronics company offer the new RAA489204 Li-Ion Battery Manager IC for up to 14 series-connected cells. The device provides all the functions expected of such a critical component in a battery management system, such as accurate cell voltage and temperature monitoring, cell balancing, and extensive system diagnostics.

The Manager IC offers a possibility to be daisy-chained with up to 30 other devices.

KLS Series Illuminated Pushbuttons

The C&K company's KLS series pushbutton switch meets market requirements on haptic and sound with clear “click” sound feedback. It provides the status of the switches’ positioning (on/off) and a clear indication of its functioning. The button provides:

• Bright LED colours
• Momentary or lock version
• Snap-action provides positive feedback
• 1,000,000 life cycle

Automotive sealed ultra subminiature basic switches

The Omron company issued these D2GW ultra-small switches certified for the Automotive industry. The size of these switches is 8.3x6.5x5.3 mm.

Solutions for EV charging

Speaking of the Automotive Industry, the Recom company presents their reference solutions for DC charging stations based on both AC/DC and DC/DC conversion. The Digikey company covers the entire portfolio in a comprehensive form below. I find it useful even for studying purposes.

High voltage Onboard charger using GaN and a real-time MCU

To finish the Automotive lineup, I would like to share this reference design by the Texas Instruments company. It can be used as a gate to the myriad of information on the TI training website regarding this subject.

Thin silicon bridge rectifiers

Sometimes one looks for very thin bridge rectifiers that can offer higher current limits than outperform the discrete solution. The Comchip technology company produces quite these components. Look at their portfolio for example here. The size of the components is 5.4x5.9x1.35 mm.

Military-grade PCB design rules

Have you ever designed a Military-grade PCB? Were you aware of all constraints and requirements? The Sierra Circuits company provides this nice and comprehensive guide

Reference design of a GNSS receiver

SparkFun RTK Facet (GPS-19029) is an open-source, high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic receiver. With just a few minutes of setup, the RTK Facet can make centimetre-grade measurements.

Board-mount micro-speakers

The Advanced Acoustic Technology Corp. produces a quite wide portfolio of speakers. From 10 to 98 mm diameters, oval, rectangle, round or square-shaped speakers.

Useful EMI Filter Designer by RedExpert

I believe there is no need for an introduction of the Wurth Elektronik or their RedExpert tool. You can simulate EMI filters with ease.

Software/Firmware

ST Open Bootloader

ST Open Bootloader is an example application code for STM32 microcontrollers providing In-Application Programming (IAP) and is offered in the STM32Cube MCU Packages and GitHub.

STM32 Secure Patching Bootloader

A Secure Patching Bootloader and Firmware Update System for STM32 MCUs. The only bootloader and firmware update system you may ever need. Works with almost any STM32 MCU family using the STM32CubeIDE development environment.

Altium Viewer Measurement tool units

I use the Altium Viewer a lot but I have been having a hard time finding the switch from mil to mm. You can find it under the circle I icon. Oh, I believe it will solve my issue finally.

KiCAD tip

The 3D export of the electronic design is not a voluntary thing. This is a must for any mechanical engineer who works with the PCB. I believe every PCB layout designer has to provide the best 3D model possible because such a model can save a lot of time and money.

The issue with the standard KiCAD libraries is the footprints contain links to the .wrl format models. The 3D check works well but the STEP export does not. Each .wrl 3D model component will be missing in the exported STEP file.

The only simplest solution I found is to copy the given footprint into your own library and then to edit the link to the 3D model in the meaning of renaming the extension to .step.

The fact supporting this edit job is the KiCAD libraries contain both .wrl and .step models but the standard for them is the .wrl file.

And why copy the footprints into your own library? To be an owner and to gain independence to the software updates etc. You have to be the master of your footprint. Period.

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