Open Electronics

The TinyGo Starter Kit with Seeed Studio XIAO brings the Go language to embedded hardware. At its centre is the pre-soldered Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 board, with 2.4GHz WiFi and BLE 5.0, which plugs into the Grove Base for XIAO. The kit includes 11 plug-and-play Grove modules and a set of official tutorials for learning by building real projects. The price is 53.54 dollars.

Go was released to the public in 2009 and today is a widely used language on the server side. TinyGo brings a version designed for microcontrollers, with support for more than 150 development boards and WebAssembly as a target. Anyone who already programs in Go therefore finds a direct path into the embedded world, without changing language.

XIAO ESP32-C3, Grove Base and 11 modules with no soldering

Assembly requires no soldering. The XIAO ESP32-C3 board slots onto the Grove Base for XIAO, which acts as an expansion board for the modules. From there each module connects with the Grove connector, so you go straight to the code. For anyone who wants to start with a cheap and versatile board, an ESP12 board with mikroBus and Grove slots remains a different but equally easy-to-program option.

• Inputs: button, touch, rotary, light, sound, temperature, vibration and acceleration
• Outputs: RGB LED, OLED display and buzzer
• Sensors included: Grove Light Sensor v1.2 with LS06-S phototransistor, Piezo Vibration Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Rotary Angle Sensor
• Other modules: Piezo Buzzer/Active Buzzer and Sound Sensor based on the LM358 amplifier
• 0.66-inch Grove OLED display (SSD1306), IIC, 3.3V/5V
• Grove RGB LED Stick with 10 WS2813 Mini 3535 LEDs

Every hardware module is backed by programming tutorials written by Patricio Whittingslow of TinyGo. The path therefore does not stop at the board: you move from the light sensor to the buzzer, from the OLED display to the RGB LED, building projects that really work. For anyone looking for a compact board for embedded and IoT prototyping, a mini development board based on the RP2040 is an interesting alternative, but here the point is something else: the Go language.

TinyGo v0.41 and native wireless support on XIAO

TinyGo v0.41 brought native wireless support to the XIAO ESP32-C3 and XIAO ESP32-S3. As a result, you write Wi-Fi applications in Go and flash them directly onto the boards, without going through other languages. The WebAssembly target also remains available, so the same environment covers both the microcontroller and the browser.

The kit sells for 53.54 dollars and includes 11 plug-and-play Grove modules. The XIAO ESP32-C3 board has 2.4GHz WiFi and BLE 5.0, so it covers both network connectivity and connectivity to nearby devices. For anyone who wants to understand how to write a Wi-Fi application in Go on this board, the maker’s site with the TinyGo tutorials is the place to start.

The kit is designed for those who already know Go and want to bring it to hardware, but also for those who want to learn a language different from the usual ones. The combination of a pre-soldered board, plug-and-play modules and official tutorials reduces the barrier to entry to a minimum. The code does the rest.

Source: https://www.seeedstudio.com/tinygo-xiao-starter-kit.html

Related products

• GANIMEDE.E12 ESP12 Board with USB, Wi-Fi, mikroBus and Grove Sockets
• RP2040 Mini Development Board

The post TinyGo Starter Kit with XIAO ESP32-C3: Go Comes to Hardware appeared first on Open Electronics.

An E-ink e-reader can become a printer. Nishant Joshi has modified the CrossPoint firmware to run the IPP protocol on a reader based on the ESP32-C3. This way the device announces itself to the operating system as a printing peripheral and receives documents without any dedicated software. You just select the printer from your computer and hit print.

The reader presents itself as a monochrome, single-sided printer at 300 DPI on A5 paper. It accepts Apple raster and PWG raster formats, so system drivers need no special translation. The fork also works on the Xteink X4 and Xteink X3, two models built around the ESP32-C3 microcontroller. The project page on Hackaday.io collects Nishant Joshi’s work.

Pixel by pixel, row by row, to avoid saturating RAM

The raster images of an A5 page at 300 DPI are too large for the microcontroller’s memory. So the firmware does not hold them all in RAM. It receives the pixels one row at a time and writes them immediately, both directly to the screen and to the SD card. As a result, the document remains available even after printing.

The fork of the CrossPoint firmware implements the IPP protocol on the ESP32-C3.

The reader announces itself as a monochrome, single-sided printer at 300 DPI on A5 paper.

It accepts Apple raster and PWG raster formats.

The pixels are received and written row by row, because the whole image does not fit in RAM.

Each row ends up both on the screen and on the SD card.

A folder on the SD card acts as the printer’s output tray.

Anyone who wants to rebuild the project starts from an ESP32-C3 module, the same microcontroller that powers the reader. For those looking for a compact board with integrated wireless connectivity there is the SuperMini form factor development module, suitable for IoT and embedded projects. Alternatively, for those who prefer to start from a more complete kit, the catalogue offers a kit based on the ESP32-C6-Zero with Wi-Fi 6 and integrated peripherals.

The folder on the SD card as an output tray

Every printed document ends up in a folder on the SD card. That folder works as an output tray: anyone who wants to re-read a page finds it there, without having to print it again. Moreover, writing to the SD card happens in parallel with writing to the screen, so the reader is not left blocked waiting for the save to finish.

The flow is linear. The operating system sees the printer, sends the job in raster format, the firmware breaks it down into rows and deposits them. Finally the document appears on the E-ink screen and stays archived on the card. No application is needed on the computer, because the IPP protocol is the standard one for network printers.

For those who want to follow the work closely, Nishant Joshi’s project page on Hackaday.io is the starting point. There you will find the fork of the CrossPoint firmware with the IPP implementation and the references to the two supported hardware versions.

Source: https://hackaday.io/contests

Related products

• Mini ESP32-C3 module
• ESP32-C6-Zero Wi-Fi 6 IoT Development Kit

The post Printing from an E-ink e-reader: the IPP firmware on ESP32-C3 appeared first on Open Electronics.

It lets you understand and be warned acoustically and visually when the concentration of ethyl alcohol in your breath is over the tolerable threshold, optionally activating a relay.

When you say “breathalyzer”, your thoughts immediately run to the roadside checks carried out by the police to identify and fine those driving under the influence; on those occasions a device is used that has an interchangeable mouthpiece (for obvious hygiene reasons) where the person under test blows and the breath is directed against the sensitive surface of an ethyl alcohol sensor. We want to offer you something like that in these pages, but not so that you go and swell the ranks of roadside checks or play at being “rookie cops” – rather because it can always be useful to check, after getting up from the table and before taking the car, that you are not risking being in violation.

In fact, just like the alcohol testers available commercially for that purpose, it lets you measure the blood alcohol level (that is, the specific amount of alcohol in the blood) of the puff of breath directed against the surface of the sensor used. The latter is a device labelled MQ-3, able to detect not only alcohol vapours but also various types of gas and hydrocarbons, although the aerosol compound it is most sensitive to is certainly alcohol, followed by petrol; we will use it in the circuit described below, analysing its electrical schematic. First, though, let’s take stock of the sensor, explaining how it works.

The MQ-3 sensor

This device is made by Hanwei Electronics (www.hwsensor.com) and is based on the well-established metal oxide film structure, long used successfully to detect gases: the sensitive element is an oxide layer that is heated by a filament powered through two dedicated pins (labelled H for heater) so that it reaches the optimal temperature for its operation; the filament has a cold resistance (at room temperature) of about 33 ohm, is made of a nickel-chromium alloy and has no polarity, but should preferably be powered with direct current, at least for our purposes.

The metal film is applied to a tubular ceramic support made of alumina (Al2O3), which is an electrically insulating material; it is made of tin dioxide (SnO2) and its characteristic is that, when heated, it becomes permeable to the atoms of the gases it is sensitive to. Contact with ethyl alcohol and the resulting oxidation-reduction reaction alter the conductivity of the tin dioxide film, which under normal conditions is very low: in fact the resistance measurable at rest is in the order of kohm. To be precise, we are in the order of a few hundred ohm, up to 20 kohm for ethyl alcohol concentrations varying between 10 and 0.05 mg/L, corresponding to the range measurable by the sensor (the higher the concentration, the lower the resistance and vice versa); the reference resistance given by the manufacturer for an ethyl alcohol concentration of 0.4 mg/L is defined as Ro. The oxidation-reduction reaction triggered by the alcohol (taking into account the oxygen content of the surrounding air) causes the release of electrons that increase the conductivity of the sensitive element and therefore lower the resistance.

To detect the variation in resistance of the film, the latter is placed in a resistive divider powered at 5V and having a load resistance (the one terminating to the ground of the measurement circuit) typically of 20 kohm as shown in Fig. 1 ,

even though in our case we are around 1.2 kohm because the circuit requires it; as the concentration of alcohol in the air pushed past the protective grid of the MQ-3 increases, the resistance of the filament decreases and consequently the voltage detectable across the load resistance grows. To give you an idea of the behaviour of the sensor, that is of its thin tin dioxide film, in Fig. 2 we show the logarithmic-scale graph of its response to various types of gas and clearly to ethyl alcohol.

The curves refer to 20 °C ambient temperature and 65% relative humidity, with an oxygen concentration in the order of 21%. In the graph, Ro is the resistance of the sensor at an ethyl alcohol concentration of 0.4 mg/L in clean, dry air; Rs, on the other hand, is the resistance assumed by the sensor element at a given concentration of the compound in the air, which in this specific case is air. You can see that at 0.4 mg/L concentration Rs equals Ro and therefore the ratio is 1; at 10 mg/L Rs becomes practically 1/10 of Ro. The Rs/Ro ratio determines the sensitivity of the MQ-3. From the graph it is clear that the sensitive element of the MQ-3 sensor also responds to the presence of other aerosols and gases, because the tin dioxide film behaves that way, although in the case of the sensor we use the behaviour towards ethyl alcohol is the relevant one (the ratio varies by about 20 times over the measurement range).

Electrical schematic

Well, having established what the sensor is and how it works, we can see how the MQ-3 has been used in the circuit of the alcohol tester proposed in these pages: looking at the electrical schematic you can see that we adopt the configuration mentioned above, where the resistance of the sensitive element is placed in series with a resistance with which it forms a divider; to help you follow the schematic, in Fig. 3 we show the pinout and the internal connections of the MQ-3.

The sensor divider and the 555 timer

Since the sensor is analogue, between the series of resistors R3 and R5 we will get a voltage that varies according to the graph in Fig. 2 as a function of the ethyl alcohol concentration; since R5 is a trimmer, it is possible to vary the amplitude of the voltage obtained, that is the ratio between the potential difference presented at pin 2 of the integrated circuit U1 and ground and the supply voltage of the filament, which is 5 volts DC. In accordance with the manufacturer’s prescriptions, in series with the heater filament we have placed a resistor that limits its current and with it the dissipated power, staying within safe values that guarantee both the correct response to alcohol and long-term durability.

We use the signal provided by the sensitive element, and therefore the voltage across the series R3-R5, in a fairly unusual way: no reading by the DAC of a microcontroller or anything like that, but much more simply we send it to the trigger input of an ordinary 555 timer, whose internal flip-flops we exploit. To understand what role the 555 plays we need to look at what is inside it, with the help of the block diagram shown in Fig. 4 :

The internal comparators and flip-flop

Inside the 555 we find two comparators sharing a ladder voltage divider of resistors that biases the inverting input of the upper op-amp and the non-inverting input of the lower one; of the comparators, the non-inverting input of the upper one is made accessible from outside (the terms upper and lower refer to the reference potential they receive from the multiple divider, so the upper comparator receives the higher voltage), corresponding to pin 6 (THR, that is Threshold), and the inverting input of the upper one, corresponding to pin 2 (TRI, that is Trigger).

The node between the first and second resistor (starting from the positive supply, that is from pin 8) of the multiple reference divider of the two comparators is brought outside through pin 5 (CV, Control Voltage) and this allows the reference voltages of the comparators to be altered, so as to control with an external voltage the operating frequency in the astable configuration (performing the frequency shift as is done in VCOs, that is voltage-controlled oscillators) or the pulse duration in the timer (monostable) one. But this feature does not interest us for the circuit we are describing.

What interests us is what comes next: the outputs of the comparators drive one the RESET (that of the upper comparator) and the other the SET input (lower comparator) of an RS-type flip-flop, which is a logic circuit whose direct output (Q) goes to a high level (corresponding to about the potential of pin 8) when SET is at a high level, that is it takes the logic zero if SET is brought to about zero volts; the output behaves in exactly the opposite way when the RESET input is activated, which, when it is placed at a logic high level, resets the flip-flop, bringing the logic state of the direct output Q to zero.

The flip-flop has a complementary output (/Q), whose logic state is always the inverse of Q; in the 555 it drives the base of an NPN transistor wired in open-collector configuration, whose emitter is connected to ground and whose collector goes to the DIS (Discharge, 7) pin, which we do not use in this application. The direct output, Q, is connected to the OUT (3) pin of the IC through an internal push-pull buffer, capable of sourcing a maximum of 200 mA. The negative supply, that is the 555’s reference ground, corresponds to pin 1, while pin 4 is the flip-flop’s active-low reset: this pin lets you force a reset of the circuit from outside by applying a logic low, but we have tied it permanently high because we don’t need it.

Configuring the alarm

In our application we connected pin 6 to the positive supply, so the upper comparator can never switch and its output stays permanently at a logic high, and with it the flip-flop reset. So we only use the lower comparator, which is tied to the trigger pin; every time pin 2 is pulled to a logic low, the 555’s output (pin 3) goes to a logic high. Therefore, as long as the alcohol concentration is low and the voltage across the resistor chain is below 1/3 of the 555’s supply voltage, the output of the latter stays high; but if the concentration rises enough to bring the voltage between pin 2 and ground above 1/3 of the supply voltage, the lower comparator drives its output low and the flip-flop’s set returns to a low level. In this condition the reset state prevails and the flip-flop’s direct output goes low; this condition powers the piezo buzzer and the positive-test LED labelled LD2, biased through the current-limiting resistor R2.

The relay for use as a gas alarm

But that’s not all: pin 3 of the 555 also powers the coil of relay RL1, which we deliberately included in the circuit so that anyone who wants to can also use it together with an alarm control panel, to detect the presence of gases such as LPG and other gases the sensor can detect, as well as petrol and alcohol aerosols. To protect the 555’s output transistor from the reverse overvoltages that occur across the relay coil when it is de-energised, we included diode D1, connected in antiparallel with it. The relay is very useful if you intend to use the circuit as a gas detector and alarm, but you have to bear in mind that you need a hermetically sealed relay, since even the small spark produced by switching the load could trigger an explosion. Of RL1 we make the changeover available only on contacts C and NO, so it can be used as a switch.

Powering the circuit

We finish the description of the schematic with the power supply, which must be a stabilised DC voltage of 5V maximum and is applied to the power plug observing the polarity shown; to switch the circuit on and off we included a changeover switch used as a power switch and labelled SW1, from whose wiper the supply is taken for the MQ-3 sensor, the 555 and the rest of the circuit, including the relay coil (5V). Between the positive line and ground, at the output of the switch, is LED LD1, powered through resistor R1, which acts as a power-on indicator for the circuit.

Building and using it

Well, now that we have described how the circuit works, we can look at how to build it, starting from the printed circuit board we designed to hold all the required components, sensor included; the PCB is double-sided and, so that you can make it by photoetching, we publish the two copper-side traces to print on tracing paper or acetate to produce the necessary films.

Assembling the printed circuit board

Once the printed circuit board is etched and drilled, you can fit the components starting with the lowest-profile ones such as the resistors and the silicon diode (to be oriented as shown in the assembly drawing visible in these pages), then moving on to the socket for the 555, the horizontal trimmer and the slide switch with right-angle pins. Then come the DC power jack, the MQ-3 sensor, the 5V miniature relay, the buzzer and the two LEDs. Pay attention to the polarity of the two LEDs, whose cathodes (corresponding to the flat on the body) must face the piezo buzzer BZ1; the latter also has a polarity to respect, so when inserting it into its holes on the board keep the + facing the side of the board along which it is positioned. The photos of the prototype and the assembly drawing you find in these pages are helpful during the various assembly stages anyway.

Power supply and calibration

As for use, you need a mains power supply with a stabilised 5 Vdc output, capable of delivering 250 milliamps of current; battery power is also possible using a battery pack with a 5V regulator or, better still, a power bank able to provide a 5V voltage and enough current for good autonomy, considering the circuit’s draw, which even at rest sits at around 170 mA because of the current drawn by the heater filament of the MQ-3 sensor.

To use the product, first turn the switch to ON; after that the buzzer will probably sound, because you will most likely need to adjust the trimmer to set the alarm threshold, that is the sensitivity of our alcohol tester. At this point, if there is no alcohol in the air, turn the trimmer anticlockwise and then release it the moment the buzzer stops sounding. For correct calibration it would be a good idea to leave the device powered for a few minutes (at least 5 minutes) with the trimmer at minimum and only then proceed with calibration, because by that point the sensor, or rather its sensing film, will have reached its operating temperature and its behaviour will be stable. Once calibration is done you can use the device.

Using the device

If alcohol is present, the red LED will light up, the buzzer will sound and the relay will energise, closing the contact on connector CN1. It should be pointed out that this is not a breathalyser, because our circuit does not take measurements: it is an alcohol tester, that is something that warns you if the alcohol concentration is above the set threshold; to align it with the devices used before driving, you should compare it with one of those and adjust the trimmer after breathing into it, checking when it signals excess alcohol.

Alternatively you can refer to the response graph given in Fig. 2 and set the trimmer so that LED LD2 lights up at the desired ethyl alcohol concentration; for example, you can calibrate it by putting a little denatured ethyl alcohol on a table top and holding the sensor a few centimetres away from it with the circuit powered: adjust the trimmer until the buzzer starts sounding and LED LD2 lights up, checking that once the alcohol has evaporated everything returns to rest. When putting the alcohol down, be careful not to spray it onto hot bodies or high-voltage circuits, because it would catch fire.

Related products

• Breathalyzer with LED and Buzzer Alarm – Kit

The post Breathalyzer with audible and visual alarm appeared first on Open Electronics.

A self-built robot arm is usually controlled by programming its movements or by holding a controller. Kelton Serra took a different route: puppet-style control. A scaled-down input device replicates the real arm and physically mirrors its structure. Move a joint on the device and the robot moves in exactly the same way. The project is a redesigned version that is cheaper, easier to build and better performing than the original.

The advantage of puppet control is how intuitive it is. There is no need to write a sequence of angles or to learn the kinematics of the manipulator. You pick up the input device and move it, and the arm follows. That makes a project which would otherwise demand complex programming accessible even to beginners. On top of that, the design is meant to be 3D printed and assembled easily.

Potentiometers instead of motors in the input device

The input device is a scaled-down replica of the arm. Instead of servo motors it carries potentiometers, one per joint. The analog voltage output by each potentiometer corresponds to the angle of that joint. So every movement of your hand on the device translates into a voltage value read by the brain of the system.

The brain of the robot arm is an Arduino Nano ESP32 board, which reads the potentiometers as inputs. The Arduino then commands the arm’s servo motors through a servo driver board, making them match the position. The cycle is continuous: read, compute, command. As a result the real arm chases the input device without any programming required.

• Arduino Nano ESP32 as the control unit
• Servo driver board to drive the motors
• Servo motors for the arm joints
• Potentiometers mounted on the scaled input device
• Belt on the wrist and rack-and-pinion on the gripper

The mechanics have been updated compared with the original. The wrist joint now uses a belt drive, while the gripper adopts a rack-and-pinion system. These two choices improve the arm’s performance and simplify construction. The structure is also designed for 3D printing, so anyone who wants to rebuild it can start from the files and assemble it piece by piece.

Anyone wanting to take on the project will find the starting point on the page with the printable files. There you’ll find the files for 3D printing, so you can begin with the mechanics and then move on to the electronics. The components do the rest: the Arduino Nano ESP32 board, the servo driver board, the servo motors and the potentiometers. For controlling traditional three-pin RC servos there is also a shield solution, handy if you would rather not wire everything by hand.

If you are looking for the control board, the compact board with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is the one the project adopts as its brain. To drive the servos, on the other hand, the shield that controls up to six traditional RC servos is an option worth keeping in mind during assembly.

The beauty of puppet control is that it requires no complicated software. There are no trajectories to plan, no torque sensors to read. You move the input device and the arm copies it. The project therefore stays within reach of anyone with a bit of manual skill and a 3D printer, without having to master advanced robotics.

For anyone who wants to rebuild it, Kelton Serra’s page with the printable files is the place to start. There you’ll find the files for 3D printing, so the mechanics of both the arm and the input device. From there you move on to the electronics and assembly, following the same logic as the original project.

Source: https://www.printables.com/model/1834841-arduino-robot-arm-and-controller-v2-rad

Related products

• Arduino NANO ESP32 with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Arduino shield for RC servo control

The post DIY Robot Arm with Puppet-Style Control appeared first on Open Electronics.

Livegrid Aura is a wall-mounted digital aquarium that turns air quality into a visual spectacle. A 64×192 pixel HUB75 RGB LED matrix displays virtual creatures that are not merely decorative: their health depends on the environmental values measured by a Sensirion SCD40 sensor. The panel is also interactive, thanks to a time-of-flight depth sensor that detects who is standing in front of it without using a camera.

The project is by Dhruv Kumar and is the natural evolution of Livegrid, the previous version with a 78×78 pixel matrix. The new frame is about three times wider than the original, and the result is an object that combines digital art, environmental sensors and interaction with people. Dhruv Kumar’s crowdfunding campaign gathers the details on costs and shipping for anyone who wants to support the project.

How the virtual aquarium works

The heart of the system is an ESP32-S3 that drives the LED matrix and collects data from the sensors. The SCD40 environmental sensor measures temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide. The virtual fish thrive when these values are within the normal range, while their health worsens if the air becomes stale. This way the panel becomes a visual indicator of environmental quality, far more immediate than a numeric display.

The time-of-flight depth sensor detects the distance and shape of whoever is in front of the panel. The fish follow the movements of a hand or gather around a person standing still. Moreover, the device does not use cameras: the sensor reads only shape and distance, guaranteeing the privacy of those interacting with it. All computation happens locally, without sending data to external services.

• 64×192 pixel HUB75 RGB LED matrix for the display
• Sensirion SCD40 sensor for CO2, temperature and humidity
• Time-of-flight sensor to detect presence and movement
• ESP32-S3 for local processing and control

Connectivity and home automation integration

The ESP32-S3’s built-in Wi-Fi is disabled by default. This reduces power consumption and keeps the device isolated from the network. Those who want to can enable it to unlock advanced features: a REST API, ArtNet and sACN streaming at 30 fps, and MQTT connectivity. The latter makes it possible to integrate the aquarium with home automation systems, for example to change scene when a window is opened.

The redesigned Livegrid is now three times wider, or taller if rotated, and has a built-in depth sensor. This geometry expands the space for animations and makes interaction more natural. The 64×192 pixel matrix offers higher resolution than the 78×78 of the previous version, with a panoramic format that suits a wall well.

Cost and availability

The hardware price starts at £299, about $405, plus shipping, for the first backers of the base model’s Kickstarter campaign. Anyone who wants to build a similar system can start from standard components. For the proximity sensing part, a TOF module with a VL53L0X sensor can be used, offering a solid basis for camera-free interaction experiments.

For those who prefer a more traditional development platform, an Arduino Uno R4 Wi-Fi board with a dual microcontroller can be a starting point for prototyping similar logic, even though the original project uses an ESP32-S3. The choice depends on the need to directly drive the HUB75 LED matrix and streaming protocols such as ArtNet.

Livegrid Aura shows how a decorative object can become an interactive environmental sensor. The combination of LED matrix, air quality sensors and depth detection creates an experience that changes with the environment and with the people around it. A project that looks to the future of digital art at home.

Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/livegrid/livegrid-aquatic-environment-monitor/description

Related products

• TOF (Time Of Flight) Module with VL53L0X Sensor
• Arduino Uno R4 Wi-Fi with Renesas RA4M1 and Espressif ESP32-S3

The post Livegrid Aura: the digital aquarium that lives with air quality appeared first on Open Electronics.

Tiny Engineer is an open-source, 3D-printable desktop robot that gives a physical body to an AI coding agent. Krzysztof Jamroz’s project turns monitoring the agent from a passive on-screen activity into a tangible experience. Instead of watching the IDE to figure out what the AI is doing, you see it nod, gesture and type on an imaginary keyboard. The robot translates the agent’s activities, such as reading, thinking, writing code and finishing the job, into physical movements and gestures. When the task is done, it rings a bell.

Operation is simple and relies on an integration that turns the AI agent’s activities into events. These events are sent to the robot’s REST API over the LAN. Krzysztof Jamroz’s repository contains the code and files needed to rebuild the project. The Waveshare ESP32-C3-Zero board receives the commands and handles the robot’s logic and animations. The ESP32-C3 drives 5 servos through the PCA9685 PWM controller for the head, neck, hands and body movements.

Robot components and circuit

The component list is essential and well defined. The robot uses 5 PowerHD HD-1370A servos for the movements. A 0.91-inch, 128×32-pixel SSD1306 OLED display shows the status, the face and information. Audio is handled by a MAX98357A amplifier with an 8 Ω, 1 W speaker. Everything is powered at 5 V with at least 2 A of current.

The firmware is compiled with PlatformIO and the serial port runs at 115200 baud. The configured Wi-Fi network must be 2.4 GHz. The robot runs specific animations such as ‘typing’, ‘reading’, ‘thinking’ or ‘ring’ based on the commands received. For connectivity, the project uses an ESP32-C3-Zero board, but those who want to experiment can consider an ESP32 development board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to get closer to the project.

3D printing and customisation

An overview of the project shows how carefully designed it is. The structure is 3D-printable and the project is meant to be modified. You can change the CAD, modify the animations or connect a different agent. The repository contains everything you need to get started.

The robot is designed to be a desktop object, so its dimensions are compact. The 5 PowerHD HD-1370A servos are distributed between the head, neck, hands and body. The 0.91-inch SSD1306 OLED display is small but readable. The 8 Ω, 1 W speaker is enough for the notification sounds.

Customisation is one of the strengths. Beyond 3D printing, you can work on the firmware to change the animations. The source code is available and well organised. Communication with the AI agent happens through the REST API over the LAN, so you can adapt it to different systems.

Power and network requirements

The required power supply is 5 V and at least 2 A. This ensures the 5 servos can move without current problems. The configured Wi-Fi network must be 2.4 GHz, a common choice for IoT devices. The 115200-baud serial port makes debugging easier during development.

For those who want to dig deeper, Krzysztof Jamroz’s repository is the ideal starting point. You will find the code, the STL files and the instructions. The project shows how the work of an AI agent can be made tangible, turning monitoring into a physical experience.

Source: https://github.com/jamro/tiny-engineer

Related products

• OLED Display I2C 0.96” – VCC/GND/SCL/SDA
• ESP32 – Development board with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB Type-C connector

The post Tiny Engineer: a desktop robot that gives your AI agent a body appeared first on Open Electronics.

Kelton has redesigned his robot arm, applying three years of experience to improve its mechanical design and accessibility. The new arm keeps the scale-model control scheme, but is easier to print and assemble. All the parts are designed to be 3D printed without supports, which simplifies assembly. The total cost of the required components and hardware is under 100 dollars.

The project is accessible: it costs less than 100 dollars, prints in a couple of days and requires no programming to be used. The video of the original project, published three years ago, has reached 654,000 views on YouTube. This new design grew out of the experience gained with that first version.

How scale-model control works

The robot arm is controlled by a custom input device, which is a scale model of the arm itself. When you move a joint on the model, the corresponding joint on the robot arm moves in the same way. The control is based on an Arduino Nano ESP32 board and a driver board for the servos.

The new wrist joint uses a belt drive. The new gripper uses a rack-and-pinion mechanism. These design choices improve the precision and reliability of the movement. On top of that, printing without supports makes assembly much faster.

• Arduino Nano ESP32
• servo driver board
• servomotors
• drive belt
• rack-and-pinion gear

3D printing and required components

Printing all the parts takes a couple of days. The parts are designed to be printed without supports, so no extra work is needed. This cuts down the time and materials required, making the project suitable even for people with little 3D printing experience.

For the electronics you need an Arduino Nano ESP32 board, which handles the control. Alongside it, a driver board for the servomotors. The servomotors move the joints of the arm. Everything connects to the scale model, which acts as the controller.

Anyone who wants to rebuild the project can find all the files to print on the project page. The page with the files to print collects Kelton’s work and lets you download the necessary parts. The project is meant to be replicated without difficulty, even by someone who has never assembled a robot arm before.

The overall cost stays under 100 dollars, a remarkable figure for a robot arm with these characteristics. The choice of common, easy-to-source components helps keep the price low. What’s more, the modular design allows individual parts to be replaced if they wear out.

A project built to last

The new design comes from three years of experience with the previous version. Kelton listened to feedback from the community and improved the weak points. The result is a sturdier arm that is easier to print and simpler to assemble.

Control through a scale model is intuitive and requires no programming skills. This makes it suitable even for those approaching robotics for the first time. The project shows that excellent results can be achieved with inexpensive components and a lot of care in the design.

Source: https://www.printables.com/model/1834841-arduino-robot-arm-and-controller-v2-rad

The post 3D-Printable Robot Arm Controlled by a Scale Model appeared first on Open Electronics.

The UNO Media Carrier is a carrier board that brings two MIPI-CSI camera inputs, one MIPI-DSI display output and three 3.5 mm audio jacks to compatible host boards. The connection runs through the high-speed JMEDIA and JMISC connectors, so the board stays in the UNO form factor. That way the multimedia capabilities of the UNO Q and VENTUNO Q are extended without touching the host board’s headers directly.

The strong point lies in the standard connectors. Two 22-pin MIPI-CSI ports accept IMX219 cameras, for example the Camera Module 2, and open the way to computer vision applications with dual cameras. A 22-pin MIPI-DSI port, meanwhile, supports Waveshare displays, so you add an interactive visual output without any special soldering.

On the audio side the carrier offers three separate 3.5 mm jacks: a combined microphone input and headphone output, a line out for amplifiers or powered speakers, and an ear out for connecting earphones directly. In addition, the JMEDIA and JMISC connectors have a passthrough design, so all the host board signals remain accessible for stacking additional modules or carriers.

The exposed signals: I2C, PSSI and two-voltage GPIO

Besides the multimedia connectors, the board exposes several interfaces useful to anyone who wants to integrate sensors and peripherals. There is I2C (CCI and MCU I2C4), an 8-bit PSSI parallel camera interface, the SoC GPIOs at 1.8 V and the MCU GPIOs at 3.3 V. This dual voltage reflects the architecture of the UNO Q, which pairs an STM32U585 microcontroller with an application processor.

For those who want to get started right away, the 8-megapixel camera module with a Sony IMX219 sensor is the right component to pair with the two MIPI-CSI inputs. The module with the IMX219 sensor for Raspberry Pi 5 covers exactly that kind of application, from surveillance to embedded computer vision.

Power, dimensions and operating temperature

The VIN (DC_IN) supply accepts 7 to 24 V DC through the 4-pin J13 header. The VCOIN input, on the other hand, is 3.0 V DC for the host board’s RTC, with a maximum of 3.6 V, and goes through the 4-pin J10 header. The dimensions are 68.58 x 53.34 mm, so the form factor stays UNO, and the temperature range goes from -10 to 60 degrees. The board also has room for 4 RGB LEDs.

• Two 22-pin MIPI-CSI connectors for IMX219 cameras
• One 22-pin MIPI-DSI connector for Waveshare displays
• Three 3.5 mm audio jacks: mic/headphones, line out, ear out
• JMEDIA and JMISC connectors, 60-pin female, in passthrough
• I2C (CCI and MCU I2C4) and 8-bit PSSI
• SoC GPIOs at 1.8 V and MCU GPIOs at 3.3 V

The list price is 19.25 dollars, or 19.89 euros including VAT, on the Arduino store. For those who want to start from scratch with the host board, the complete kit with accessories for the UNO Q 4GB covers the starting point. The complete kit with accessories for the UNO Q 4GB combines the STM32U585 microcontroller with the application processor, that is, the same combination that the Media Carrier sets out to extend.

On the software side Arduino provides a User Manual and a Kiosk Mode tutorial, which explains how to connect and configure the UNO Q and Media Carrier with a Waveshare touch display. Those who want to dig deeper will find everything on the Arduino maker site, where the manual and tutorial are collected.

Source: https://docs.arduino.cc/hardware/uno-media-carrier/

Related products

• 8MP Camera Module with Sony IMX219 for Raspberry Pi 5
• Arduino UNO Q 4GB – Complete kit with accessories

The post UNO Media Carrier: cameras, displays and audio for the UNO Q appeared first on Open Electronics.

A TrueTime XL-AK GPS time server from 1995 is back at work, but with a new heart. The project replaces the original electronics with a Raspberry Pi 5 and a GNSS HAT, and the result is a stratum 1 NTP server for the local network. The enclosure, the 16×2 LCD display and the bicolour LED are still the ones from thirty years ago.

The board was purchased in June and received on 22 June. Sixteen days later, a similar GPS time server caused a 12-hour cellular service outage in Australia. An episode that shows how widespread these instruments were, and how much they still matter, even when they stop working.

The Raspberry Pi 5 and the GNSS module

The Raspberry Pi 5 runs Pi OS Lite and communicates with the u-blox NEO-M9N GNSS module through the GNSS HAT. The HAT software creates a bridge to transfer the NMEA sentences, which carry date and time, to gpsd and chrony. It also provides a PPS signal for precise timing.

You can also use a Raspberry Pi 5 with 1GB of RAM, at a cost of 44 dollars. The version used in the project has 4GB, but the difference is not in the memory: it is in clock stability and thermal management, which here matter more than anything else.

Configuring chrony and PPS

Chrony is configured to use the PPS refclock as the preferred source and the SHM refclock, which comes from gpsd, as a reference. The configuration includes an offset of 0.0 and a delay of 0.05 for the SHM. The PPS refclock is set with poll 3 and filter 16.

For maximum precision, the system was pushed on the clock parameters. Here are the main values of the chrony configuration:

• maxclockerror set to 0.5
• maxupdateskew 100.0 and makestep 1000 3
• maxchange 0.1 1 -1 to limit sudden corrections

Thermal stability is another key point. The Raspberry Pi is configured with force_turbo, which draws about 1W more continuously, and with a fan running at a constant duty cycle. The fan is set to 50% duty cycle to reduce noise, while 75% offers slightly better performance. Thermal insulation was also added.

The original LCD display and bicolour LED are driven by the Raspberry Pi to show the server status. The LED, for example, indicates the GPS status. The NTP server then provides time synchronisation services to clients on the local network through chrony.

The project was built with VCF Midwest in mind, an event dedicated to retrocomputing. The video documenting the restoration shows the whole process, from the original board to the working NTP server. Anyone who wants to redo the work will also find the GNSS HAT software and the fan control utility, included in the Time Pi repository.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T9xQy-dsQo

The post A 1995 GPS Time Server Gets a Raspberry Pi 5 Heart Transplant appeared first on Open Electronics.

Seeed Studio has introduced two new XIAO Plus development boards, the XIAO SAMD21 Plus and the XIAO RP2040 Plus, which address the main trade-off of the XIAO boards: the limited number of pins. The new versions offer up to 30 GPIO pins, compared to the 14 on the originals, while keeping the same 21 × 17.8 mm footprint. In addition, they integrate a PMIC for Li-ion battery management, making them suitable for advanced embedded projects and battery-powered devices.

Additional pins via SMD castellated pads

The XIAO Plus boards keep the dimensions and the 2.54 mm pin header layout of the other XIAO boards. The additional connections are exposed through SMD castellated pads with a 1.27 mm pitch on the back. This design allows the board to be soldered directly onto a custom PCB, like a true System-on-Module. So, anyone designing a compact device can use the full computing power without taking up extra space.

The XIAO SAMD21 Plus has 30 GPIO pins, including 27 digital pins, 11 analog inputs, two I2C interfaces, UART, SPI, I2S and a DAC. The XIAO RP2040 Plus has 29 GPIO pins, with 26 digital pins, four analog inputs, two I2C interfaces, UART, SPI and up to 26 PWM outputs. Both double the capabilities of the previous versions, which stopped at 14 pins, without increasing the board size.

PMIC and Li-ion battery management

Both boards include a PMIC that allows a Li-ion battery to be connected directly for integrated charging and protection against current backflow. The XIAO RP2040 Plus adds a battery monitoring circuit that can be enabled via software through GPIO24, to measure the voltage through the ADC on GPIO29. This feature is designed for those developing portable devices who want to know the state of charge in real time.

The XIAO SAMD21 Plus, on the other hand, adds a programmable WS2812 RGB LED and dedicated Reset and Boot buttons. These elements make debugging and programming easier without having to solder additional pins. Support for multiple development environments, including Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython, TinyGo, Rust and Zephyr, makes the boards flexible for different levels of experience.

Prices and compatibility with existing projects

The new boards cost $5.90 for the XIAO SAMD21 Plus and $4.90 for the XIAO RP2040 Plus, respectively. Despite the increase in pins, the footprint remains identical to the other XIAO boards, so existing projects can be upgraded without mechanical changes. For those starting from scratch, the maker’s website offers guides and ideas on how to get the most out of these boards.

These boards are particularly useful for those who want to move from breadboard prototyping to small-batch production. The SMD castellated pads allow the board to be soldered as a module onto a custom PCB, reducing development time. Furthermore, the presence of the PMIC eliminates the need for external charging modules, simplifying the overall design.

For those looking for a board with more pins and integrated battery management, the XIAO Plus boards represent a compact and economical solution. The maker’s website collects examples and documentation to get started right away.

Source: https://www.seeedstudio.com/Seeed-Studio-XIAO-RP2040-Plus-p-6932.html

The post XIAO Plus: More Pins Without Changing the Footprint appeared first on Open Electronics.

A portable square wave generator covering from 2 Hz to about 33.5 MHz, with adjustment steps of 2 Hz. The heart of the project is an AVR16EB28 microcontroller, which handles both signal generation and the user interface. Power is supplied by a LiPo battery, while an OLED display, rotary encoder, and push-button keypad provide full control. The project is by David Johnson-Davies, known for his experiments with AVR microcontrollers.

The frequency is set with precision, and the reading appears on the OLED display. The rotary encoder allows rapid variations, while the keypad is used to enter exact values. The whole thing fits in a compact enclosure, suitable for the workbench or the field. The 2 Hz resolution across the entire range is remarkable, and makes the device useful for testing audio circuits, filters, and timing.

Circuit and control with AVR16EB28

The schematic is simple: the AVR16EB28 microcontroller generates the square wave directly from a pin, with the frequency calculated in software. Control is via an OLED display, rotary encoder, and push-button keypad. The LiPo battery powers the whole system, with a regulator for a stable voltage. The project is designed to be replicated with easily available components.

The firmware handles the 2 Hz steps and updates the display in real time. In addition, the rotary encoder allows scrolling through frequencies smoothly, while the keypad allows direct entry of a value. The code is available on the maker’s website, and includes libraries for the display and encoder. The result is a stable and repeatable device.

Construction, power, and practical use

Construction requires a PCB, which can be made with a milling machine or through an external service. Assembly is within reach of those with SMD soldering experience, since the microcontroller is in a surface-mount package. The LiPo battery connects on the back, and the front panel hosts the display, encoder, and keypad. The whole thing is compact and easily portable.

For power, a 3.7 V LiPo battery is sufficient, with a voltage regulator for the 3.3 V of the microcontroller. Consumption is low, thanks to the OLED display and efficient sleep management. Practical use is immediate: turn it on, select the frequency, and connect the output to the circuit under test. The precision of the 2 Hz steps makes it suitable even for fine adjustments.

David Johnson-Davies’s website hosts the source code and construction details. Those who want to go deeper can consult the complete documentation, including schematics and assembly photos. The project demonstrates how a modern AVR microcontroller can generate high-frequency signals with precision, without complex external components. An elegant solution for those seeking a reliable square wave generator.

In summary, this square wave generator offers a wide range and fine resolution, all in a portable format. The choice of an AVR16EB28 ensures programming simplicity and low cost. The OLED display and manual controls make it intuitive to use, even for those unfamiliar with professional instruments. A project worth replicating.

Source: http://www.technoblogy.com/show?5QE2

The post Square Wave Generator from 2 Hz to 33.5 MHz with AVR16EB28 appeared first on Open Electronics.

Add cellular connectivity on LTE bands, both for phone calls and for broadband Internet access.

Partly because cellular networks supporting the latest data communication standards are so widespread and readily available, and partly because of the difficulty and poor economic convenience of bringing in wired telephone lines, more and more users are turning to radio-mobile telephone connections, especially when they need to work in areas that high-speed lines have not reached yet; in such cases various solutions are used, depending on the goal to be achieved. If the connection is needed to run a more or less automatic control system, you need a cellular module, whereas if you have to interface a computer, microprocessor or microcontroller to the Internet, it is essential to adopt a cellular module with a suitable data access technology.

In the latter case, given that the current focus is very much on 4G and 5G and that UMTS/HSDPA (better known as 3G) is being gradually abandoned, you need a module/modem that is at least LTE, while for phone calls (typical of remote control systems, which work with simple phone calls or SMS) 2G (GSM) or GPRS (2.5G) is still available. The project described in these pages is precisely a device that implements cellular connectivity with LTE data support, based on a recent GSM module from SIMCom, capable of supporting both ordinary phone calls and the SMS (Short Message Service) messaging service and data communication protocols from 2G up to the latest 4G.

Circuit diagram

To make it clear what we are dealing with, let us take a look at the diagram of the device, published in these pages, which shows that everything is based on the SIMCom A7682E module, which is in practice the only active element on the board; around it are some passive components, six NPN bipolar transistors, plus a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor) overvoltage protection array and a socket for a microSIM SIM card.

So let us start with the description of the circuit, for which we have provided only a Quadriband cellular module, namely the SIMCom A7682E, which is able to cover up to 4G and is therefore up to date with the new wireless communication technologies on radio-mobile telephone networks, at least with those currently most used, if we consider that 5G does not yet have a significant spread. Its printed circuit board has two miniature connectors, one for the connections to the outside needed for use and integration into other equipment (we can consider it a header…) and the other for firmware updating (labelled UPG). The main connector, a 20-pin one in two rows with 2×2 mm pitch, also carries the positive and negative supply, as well as the power-on control line (PWR), all the signals and communication lines to and from the SIMCom module, but also the grounds of the analog and digital sections of the module (contacts 18 and 20).

Power-on and reset control

So let us describe how the circuit works, starting from the power supply control section, which operates by acting from the outside on the ON/OFF line (pin 1); this line is used to switch the GSM/LTE module on and off while keeping it constantly powered from the Vcc and GND contacts of the pin-strip; in fact our GSM1 module is always under voltage, supplied by the Vcc line (pins 17 and 19 of the 20-pole connector) to pins 34 and 35 (labelled Vbat, because the module was designed for use in battery-powered devices) and is switched on or off by the logic level applied to pin 39 (PWR), which internally is connected to a pull-up resistor and is active at logic zero, so to switch on the GSM1 module you have to bring the ON/OFF line (contact 1 of the pin-strip) to a high logic level and drive transistor T2 into saturation, which pulls the PWR line of GSM1 low.

Reset control works in a similar way: the SIMCom module provides a reset input (RST, located at pin 83, active at logic zero and fitted with an internal pull-up resistor); the reset is obtained by bringing pin 16 (RST) of the 20-pole connector to logic 1, whereupon transistor T3 goes into saturation and pulls the RST line of GSM1 low; at the same time, VDD_EXT of the same module is brought to logic 1.

The UART lines and level shifting

Let us go on with the UART control lines, namely RTS, CTS, DTR, DCD, which go to the outside through contacts 2, 4, 10 and 6 of the connector respectively; the same applies to VRTC (contact 5) and ADC0 (7). Note that by means of jumpers JP1, JP2, JP3 and JP4 it is possible to connect or disconnect the CTS, RTS, DTR and DCD control signals on board; normally these jumpers are open and if they need to be closed, this is meant to be done by soldering the pads of the ones you want.

About the UART, note the particular configuration of the TXD and RXD lines, each of which is interfaced through an NPN transistor configured in common base, so as not to sit directly on the corresponding contacts of the pin-strip; in particular, RXD (which is an input), fitted with a pull-up resistor, is connected to the collector of T5, whose emitter is connected to the RXD pole (contact 14) of the pin-strip, and therefore when the latter is in the open state or is at a high level (voltage equal to VDDEXT of the GSM1 module) T5 is off and the module’s RXD is at a high level. TXD instead (which is an output of GSM1) drives the emitter of T4, whose collector is fitted with pull-up resistor R13, in parallel with capacitor C11 which filters out noise) and is therefore at a high level (the same potential as VDDEXT) when the SIMCom module pad is at logic 1 and at zero when it is at a low level. The external connection of TXD is located at pin 12 of the 20-pole connector. Transistors T4 and T5 ultimately serve as repeaters of the logic states and as level adapters between the module’s VDDEXT voltage (which is 1.8V, like the logic levels the TXD and RXD signals work with) and the TTL standard, whose levels are 0/5V.

The RI signal and audio

The RI signal (ring indicator for an incoming phone call) comes out of contact 8 of the connector, which leads to the collector of transistor T6, an NPN used as a static switch to repeat the module’s RI to the outside; therefore when contact 7 of GSM1 goes to a high level, pin 12 of the strip takes on the low logic level and vice versa (the high level is obtained only if pin 8 is brought to the supply positive through a resistor of suitable value). The open-collector output makes it possible to provide the incoming call signal to devices and systems with a different supply from that of our circuit, perhaps 12V, or to drive actuators.

The audio, which uses two contacts for the microphone (it is a differential input) and as many for the loudspeaker, passes through contacts 15, 13, 11, 9, which correspond respectively to MIC1P and MIC1N (microphone positive and negative) and SPK1N and SPK1P (loudspeaker negative and positive respectively).

Antenna and field LED

The antenna needed for the GSM1 module to work is connected through a gold connector on the cellular board, leading to contact 32 (RF ANT); the connector is an MMCX type. Let us go on with transistor T1, which here is used to drive the cellular module’s “field” LED locally: its base is biased by the logic level present on pin 41 (NETLIGHT) of GSM1. From the collector of the transistor runs the line that leads to contact 3 (LED) of the 20-pole connector, through which the host microcontroller (or in general the system using our module) learns about the conditions of the cellular network (presence, signal strength, availability) as well as the connection state of the module (no network signal, network present, etc.).

SIM management

Let us conclude the analysis of the circuit diagram by dealing with the SIM management lines, which interface to the contacts of the dedicated bus on the GSM1 module through the SIM_CLK (clock), SIM_RST (reset) and SIM_DATA (data channel) lines; the SIM_VDD line is used to switch the SIM on and off (power it and remove power from it) and is managed by the GSM1 module.

TVS protection and power supply

Note the presence of the array of four Zeners (D1) made up of TVS elements, that is, special diodes used to protect the SIM card from any voltage spikes caused by interference, which can travel from the power supply line all the way to the lines of the communication bus between the SIM and the cellular module. In fact, in the schematic we included it for future developments, even though it was not fitted on the prototype because the documentation provided by SIMCom does not consider it necessary for the A7682E module used here. We provided for it anyway, at the printed circuit board level, because in theory the board can support other pin-to-pin compatible SIMCom modules that might require it, or in any case if you should run into interference problems in your application.

Further protection of the communication between the SIM and the cellular module is provided by capacitors C5-C9, C6, C7, C8 connected respectively to the SIM_VDD, SIM_RST, SIM_CLK and SIM_DATA lines toward ground, whose purpose is to filter those lines from impulsive interference that could affect communication between the card (chip-card) and the GSM1 module.

The Vcc supply of the circuit is expected to be around 4 V, because the module is designed to be powered by a single-cell lithium battery (which at full charge sits at around 4.2 V…) and therefore with a DC voltage between 3.6 and 4.2 volts; it is nevertheless possible to power it from a “fixed” source, that is, from a mains power supply or a line coming from another device, as long as you stay within the range given above.

We finish the description of the schematic with the connector labelled UPG (CN1), which is a miniature 6-pole male single-in-line type with a very tight 1 mm pitch: besides carrying the 5 volt supply and ground, it conveys the DP, DM and Vbus lines of the integrated USB 2.0 connection and the Boot line to be used for programming the SIMCom A7682E cellular module. The connector is visible at the top right in the photograph of the prototype shown in Fig. 1.

Practical construction

Well, now that the schematic has been explained in detail we have to move on to the practical side: the board requires a double-sided printed circuit board, whose copper-side traces can be downloaded from the Download Sources and Gerber Files section on the presentation page for this issue. For making the PCBs you can use the inexpensive PCBPRODUCTION service. Once you receive the PCB you can fit the necessary components onto it, following, for the polarised ones, the orientation shown by the assembly drawing you see in these pages.

SMD preparation and soldering

The build requires some care, since the circuit is surface-mount and also requires a minimum of equipment consisting of at least a very fine-tipped soldering iron, solder wire (or solder paste) with a maximum diameter of 0.5 mm, medium-density flux paste, a magnifying lens and tweezers for placing the components. Soldering the SIMCom module requires the use of a hot-air station and, preferably, a heating plate able to bring the underside of the printed circuit board to a temperature of at least 100 °C. Alternatively, you can use an oven specifically for soldering or reworking SMD components. In this case, the procedure calls for first applying a low-density flux to the pads of the SIMCom module, followed by a uniform layer of solder paste. The module must then be positioned precisely in the centre of the pads, strictly respecting the orientation indicated in the prototype images and in the assembly drawing. Without moving the module, the printed circuit board goes into the oven drawer.

Once the machine has started, you follow the appropriate soldering cycle, determined by the type of paste used: lead-free (compliant with RoHS regulations) or leaded (containing lead). It is important to note that these ovens generally come with factory-preset soldering profiles, but in some cases custom profiles can be configured according to specific needs. Once the A7682E module is in place, which is the first component to solder so as to avoid having to heat the others in the “little oven” and therefore subject them to thermal stress, you can proceed with the remaining components. If you wish, it would be possible to solder all the components in one go (except for the connectors, to be soldered at the end, as well as the microSIM socket, to be soldered by hand) and in that case take the printed circuit board, spread solder paste on the pads intended for the SMD components and then put everything in the little oven, making sure that no element has moved.

Manual components and antenna

If you choose to solder the discrete components by hand, get yourself a pencil soldering iron (or a soldering station) with a fine tip and a power rating of no more than 30 watts. Apply some flux to the pads and start tinning the resistors and capacitors. Then move on to the LED and the transistors, making sure you respect the correct orientation of the terminals for the transistors, since their arrangement is unambiguous. As for the tantalum electrolytic capacitors and the LED, follow the orientation indicated in the assembly drawing shown in these pages. Pay particular attention while soldering the LED: try to minimise the exposure time to heat so that the small transparent resin window through which the light passes does not deform. Finally, insert into their respective holes the 20-pole connectors for interconnecting the board and the one for implementing firmware update and programming (UPG or CN1, as you prefer to call it).

For connecting the GSM antenna there is a special gold-plated MMCX connector, in THT format, to be soldered by hand into the dedicated pads.

The cellular antenna to be used with the circuit proposed here must be compatible with all the bands supported by the SIMCom A7682E module, therefore 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; a good example is the product 8170-ANTGSMSTL-MMCX, which is a cellular whip antenna with a magnetic base and 3 metres of cable. RG174 cable, female MMCX connector. 12 cm long, this antenna is Quadriband, compatible with GSM networks with mobile radio network frequencies at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (824~894 MHz / 1710~1990 MHz – 880~960 MHz / 1710~1990 MHz – 1920~2170 MHz).

Staying on the build, note that jumpers JP1, JP2, JP3 and JP4 on the printed circuit board are not ordinary 2.54 mm pitch pin-strip jumpers, but are made using pads on the underside of the printed circuit board, to be joined with a drop of solder when you want one or more of them closed (ON state); in normal conditions, therefore, they are open (OFF) and if you need to connect the CTS, RTS, DTR and DCD control signals you must join the respective pads by melting solder over them until those of each jumper are united.

For use, remember that the circuit works with a power supply capable of delivering 4 volts and a current of at least 800 mA, which is the peak draw at maximum transmission power.

Let’s do a quick test

To test the operation of the cellular module we can connect it to a Personal Computer via USB, inserting a TTL/USB converter for the purpose, then issuing basic AT commands from a terminal emulator, for example those for dialling a phone number and managing a phone call (ATDT followed by the number to call and a final ;). The task becomes simpler using the base for GSM modules presented in issue no. 236 of Elettronica In (Fig. 3) and available already assembled with the code FT1427.

The FT1427 base

This base board features a 20-pin female connector compatible with the 4G module, and it packs several useful functions: power-on control, module reset and a CH340 TTL/USB converter. The latter is followed by a MOSFET logic-level translator, which adapts the TTL UART interface to the voltage levels (0/3.3V) required by the cellular module. The FT1427 board also brings the audio and microphone signals out to two jack sockets, so phone calls can be made. Finally, it integrates a switching DC/DC converter (based on the LC3406 IC) running at a high frequency (1.5 MHz, which keeps the size of the required reactive components down) that delivers 3.6V to power the SIMCom module.

Drivers and PC connection

This board is easily recognised and managed by a Personal Computer running a recent operating system (for example Windows 8, 10 or 11), but there are no problems with older Windows versions either: just download the drivers for the CH340 IC from the Internet. It is one of the most popular TTL/USB converters, and it is also used by some Arduino boards, so much so that the drivers can be downloaded, among other places, from the chip manufacturer’s website ( https://wch-ic.com/products/CH340.html ).

To manage the modem built into the GSM/4G module from Windows you can use any terminal emulator (for example Hyperterminal, MobaxTerm, Telnet…) by setting the virtual COM port assigned by the operating system once the drivers are correctly installed, and then issuing the appropriate AT commands; remember that to see the virtual COM port you have to go into Windows Device Manager and open the COM/LPT ports. The drivers also let Windows access the Internet by going into network connections and creating a connection based on a USB modem, which in this case will correspond to the adapter board.

Well, with this we think we have explained everything you will need to use the cellular module; all that is left is to wish you happy working!

Related products

• GSM 4G/LTE Cellular Module – SIMCom A7682E
• GSM Whip Antenna with MMCX Connector

The post A Miniature 4G Module: Compact LTE Cellular Connectivity appeared first on Open Electronics.

FREE-WILi 2 is a portable open-hardware multitool that packs an entire embedded hacking lab into a single device. Inside, you’ll find two RP2350B MCUs, an ESP32-C5, a Lattice iCE40UP5K FPGA, and a Raspberry Pi CM0 running Linux. Designed for hardware hackers, penetration testers, and embedded systems developers, it lets you perform wireless testing, hardware debugging, real-time control, and electronic development all in one tool.

The board integrates a range of radios and interfaces that would normally require a desk full of modules. The ESP32-C5 provides dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE, and 802.15.4. The STM32WLE5JC module handles the SX126x LoRa radio, while the CC1101 covers sub-GHz communication. The ST25R3916B takes care of NFC and RFID, so you can read, clone, or emulate tags. Additionally, the iCE40UP5K FPGA has all its pins exposed and 8 MB of dedicated SRAM for custom logic experiments.

Two RP2350s and a Raspberry Pi CM0 for computing power

At the heart of the system are two Raspberry Pi RP2350B chips. One handles the main controls, while the other is dedicated to managing the 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 480×320 resolution. For heavier tasks, there’s the Raspberry Pi CM0 module with a Broadcom BCM2710A1 SoC, a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU at 1.0 GHz, 512 MB of LPDDR2 RAM, and 8 or 16 GB of eMMC storage. This module runs a full 64-bit Linux, so you can launch even substantial Python scripts directly on the device.

Connectivity is complete: there are 3 USB host ports, 2 of which run at 12 Mbps connected to the display RP2350 and one at 480 Mbps connected to the CM0. For the lab, you’ll find 13 GPIOs with SPI, I2C, and UART, plus software-selectable I/O voltage. There are also 4 analog inputs from 0 to 5 V with op-amp buffering, PGA, and window comparator, and 2 analog outputs from 0 to approximately 4.84 V at 25 kHz. CAN FD supports up to 8 Mbit/s with a CAN SIC transceiver.

Programmable power supply and voltage glitching

One of the most interesting features for hardware hackers is the programmable 5.5 V / 1.5 A power supply with MOSFET crowbar. This enables voltage glitching, a technique used to test device robustness. The battery is 3000 mAh with USB-aware charging, and sleep current is just 60 µA. The whole thing fits in a 152.4 x 78.9 x 22.3 mm enclosure weighing 290 grams, with 14 gamer buttons for interaction.

The stock firmware exposes a USB CLI, an on-device GUI, and the OneWili API for control from Python, Rust, or C/C++. The device also supports executing code generated by LLMs directly on it, a feature that makes it particularly suited for experimenting with AI applied to hardware. For those who want to dive into code examples and libraries, the project’s code repository is the right starting point.

The FREE-WILi 2 GUI is not just a control panel: it shows the registers of I2C devices and offers graphical controls to interact with connected components. You can also configure the connection to the Claude API to use AI models directly from the device. This makes it a versatile tool for both debugging and rapid prototyping of ideas.

For those working in the embedded world, having all this in a portable device changes the workflow. No more carrying a full test bench: with FREE-WILi 2 you can test radios, read NFC tags, debug over I2C, and even attempt voltage glitching, all from a single instrument. The presence of two separate RP2350s ensures the interface never slows down the main processes.

The board is open-hardware, so you can study the designs and adapt them to your needs. The pre-order price for the Founder Edition is $400, with shipping expected in Q4 2026. If you work with embedded systems, this is an investment that pays off in flexibility and compactness.

Source: https://github.com/freewili/onewili

The post FREE-WILi 2: An Open-Hardware Multitool for Embedded Hacking appeared first on Open Electronics.

A retro-arcade clock on a 128×64 RGB LED matrix driven by an ESP32-S3 brings 1980s video game icons to the workbench. Keralots’ project combines fourteen animated clock styles, weather without an API key, and PC performance monitoring in a single desktop device. Configuration happens from the browser, without recompiling the firmware.

The hardware foundation is two Waveshare P2.5 64×64 HUB75E panels, scan 1/32, chained into a single 128×64 pixel canvas. The FM6126A driver requires initialization that the firmware handles automatically at startup. The control board is an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 (N16R8) devkit, with 8MB of PSRAM and 16MB of flash: enough space for the firmware, GIFs, and custom animations.

Styles, Cycle All, and custom animations

The clock styles cover arcade classics: Mario, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Snake, Tetris, Asteroids, Dino Runner, and Matrix Rain, plus Weather variants and others. Cycle All mode alternates styles in sequence, with a configurable duration from 5 to 3600 seconds per style. Ambient screensavers and user-uploaded GIFs can also replace the clock, with hourly scheduling.

Storage for animations on the board is 128KiB, within the 4MB of available flash. An empty tested device holds about 23 animation frames. The input limit for GIFs is 8MiB, while the converted .pca file has a maximum of 1.5MiB and up to 360 frames. The command-line tool tools/gif2pca.py, which requires pillow, converts GIFs into the proprietary format.

Power supply and measured consumption

Power comes from a dedicated 10A 5V supply, with a 2200µF, 25V capacitor on the bus. Estimated consumption in use is about 10W, with measurements under 30W in normal conditions. The power connection goes through a USB-C power breakout and an XT60 panel feed, keeping wiring tidy and safe.

PC monitor mode receives metrics over local UDP on port 4210 from a companion app for Windows or Linux. The app sends up to 20 CPU, GPU, RAM, and network metrics, with a default update interval of 3 seconds. When the PC is offline, the clock automatically returns to displaying the time.

The optional weather feature uses Open-Meteo, which requires no account or API key, with updates every 10 minutes. The built-in web interface configures clock style, per-element colors, brightness with scheduled night dimming, timezone with automatic DST, and OTA updates. All code, firmware, and conversion tools are collected in Keralots’ repository.

For those who want to rebuild the project, the documentation includes the wiring diagram for the HUB75E panels and instructions for flashing the firmware. Keralots’ repository is the starting point for downloading the code and utilities. Keralots’ repository contains the full firmware and the companion app.

The component list for the build is as follows:

• ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 (N16R8) devkit
• Waveshare ESP32-S3-Zero
• 2x Waveshare P2.5 64×64 HUB75E panels
• FM6126A driver
• 2200µF, 25V capacitor
• USB-C power breakout
• XT60 panel feed

Choosing an ESP32-S3 with generous PSRAM and flash keeps the project smooth even with complex animations. The combination of P2.5 panels with a 2.5mm pitch offers good pixel density for a desk clock. The result is a device that changes appearance with a click, from minimalist clock to arcade system monitor.

Source: https://github.com/Keralots/AnimatedPixelClock

The post Retro-Arcade Clock on RGB LED Matrix with ESP32-S3 appeared first on Open Electronics.

Davisan1001’s project solves a classic problem for anyone working with LED matrices: getting an even, uniform glowing surface, without halos and without seeing the individual pixels. The solution is a 3D printed enclosure for a 64×64 RGB LED matrix, with a mounting point for a Raspberry Pi. The front uses simple materials: a 3D printed grid, baking paper and a sheet of clear plastic.

The grid is the heart of the system. Each cell of the grid lines up with one LED of the matrix and blocks the light that would otherwise spill onto the neighbouring LEDs. This way every light point stays separate from the others and the diffusion happens in a controlled way. The baking paper, placed above the grid, acts as the diffuser: it is thin, easy to handle, flat and even in colour.

3D printing the grid

The grid does not require complex 3D modelling. Davisan1001 exploits the slicer settings: a flat square is printed with a grid infill and zero solid top and bottom layers. The slicer generates the cell structure by itself. The result is a precise grid, with thickness and cell size controlled by the print parameters.

The choice of diffusion materials is not random. Plain white paper blocks too much light, while waxed paper gives poor output and a poor off-axis view. Baking paper, on the other hand, is opaque enough to diffuse the light without blocking it. A sheet of clear plastic completes the assembly, protecting the paper and giving rigidity to the surface.

Materials and assembly

Rebuilding the project takes only a few components. Besides the 64×64 RGB LED matrix and the Raspberry Pi, you need the 3D printed grid, baking paper and a sheet of clear plastic. The printed enclosure includes the mounting point for the Raspberry Pi, so the electronics stay integrated and tidy.

• 64×64 RGB LED matrix
• Raspberry Pi
• 3D printed grid
• Baking paper
• Sheet of clear plastic

The assembly is within anyone’s reach: place the grid over the matrix, then the baking paper and finally the plastic sheet. Everything closes up inside the enclosure. For those who want to dig deeper, the page of Davisan1001’s project collects the files to print and the useful instructions to replicate the diffuser.

The result is an LED panel with a smooth surface and well-defined square pixels. The solution is inexpensive and uses materials that almost everyone has at home. What is more, the technique of the slicer-generated grid can be reused for other LED matrix sizes or for similar projects.

Source: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6687509

The post Cheap LED diffuser with a 3D printed grid appeared first on Open Electronics.

FREE-WILi 2 is an open-source electronic multitool that fits in your pocket and replaces an entire workbench. It combines a complete electronics lab, a software-defined radio bench, and a video game console. It supports wireless, GPIO, analog, RFID, CAN, retro-gaming, Linux onboard, and AI agents that write firmware. The project is documented on the maker’s website, where you can find schematics, firmware, and instructions.

The board features an unusual and powerful hardware setup. A primary RP2350 handles I/O and scripting, while a second RP2350 drives the display, buttons, audio, and DVI output. The ICE40UP5K FPGA covers functions that the PIO cannot handle, such as SPI-slave emulation or multicore RISC-V I/O. It also manages 8 MB of SRAM that can be dynamically swapped with the main CPU.

Processors, FPGA, and shared memory

The Raspberry Pi CM0 adds full Python scripting and onboard compilers. The ESP32-C5 provides wireless access to Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth LE, and IEEE 802.15.4. Each RP2350 has 8 MB of serial SRAM and 16 MB of flash. The ICE40UP5K FPGA has another 8 MB of SRAM. Computing power is thus distributed across multiple architectures, each with a specific role.

An ultra-low-power microcontroller supervises 17 power domains. Its job is to optimize the battery life of the 3000 mAh cell. The capacitive touch display measures 3.5 inches with a 480×320 resolution. Analog outputs reach about 4.84 V at 25 kHz. The programmable power supply provides from 1 to 5.5 V at 1.5 A, so you can power external sensors and modules directly from the board.

Firmware, scripting, and the OneWili API

The default firmware includes several onboard scripting engines. You will find rThon, WiliBlocks, ZoomIO, and a WASM engine called WiliWasm. The OneWili API unifies access from Python, Rust, C/C++, and rThon, both from a host PC and directly on the board. This API is generated by the firmware itself, so it always stays aligned with the device’s actual functions.

AI agents are supported natively and can write and debug firmware code. The project also integrates Claude Code and LM Studio. For those who want to get started, the board supports CAN FD at 8 Mbit with a SIC transceiver. The ST25R3916B RFID module and the BMI323 and BMM350 sensors complete the package. All of this is enclosed in a device that also works as a retro-gaming console.

• Primary RP2350 for I/O and scripting
• Second RP2350 for display, audio, and DVI output
• ICE40UP5K FPGA for advanced functions
• Raspberry Pi CM0 for full Python
• ESP32-C5 for Wi-Fi 5 GHz, BT LE, and 802.15.4
• STM32WLE5JC for long-range communications
• ST25R3916B for RFID
• BMI323 and BMM350 for motion and magnetic field

A similar project can be partially built with simpler components, but FREE-WILi 2 compacts everything into a single tool. For those who want to approach the world of wireless microcontrollers, a board like the ESP32-C6-Zero kit is a good starting point to learn. Instead, a Raspberry Pi 5 offers more power for software development, but it does not have the same hardware integration as this multitool.

FREE-WILi 2 represents a step forward for makers who want a complete and portable tool. The combination of FPGA, dual RP2350, and Raspberry Pi CM0 offers rare flexibility. Native support for AI agents opens new scenarios: the board can write its own firmware based on your needs. Anyone working on electronics, radio, or gaming projects will find a powerful ally in this device.

Source: https://freewili.com/

Related products

• ESP32-C6-Zero Wi-Fi 6 IoT Development Kit
• Raspberry Pi 5 – 2 GB memory version

The post FREE-WILi 2: The Pocket Electronics Lab with AI appeared first on Open Electronics.

YuzukiNeko is a Linux development board built around the Allwinner F101 RISC-V SoC, in a form factor reminiscent of the Raspberry Pi Pico. Its dimensions are roughly 51 x 21 mm, but don’t be fooled: inside there’s a XuanTie C907 processor running at 1.008 GHz with 32 KB of L1 cache for instructions and 16 KB for data. The board carries 16 MiB of SiP PSRAM and 16 MiB of external NOR Flash with XIP (execute-in-place) support. Additionally, the Allwinner F101S3 SoC integrates a graphics engine capable of driving RGB888, single-link LVDS, and 4-lane MIPI DSI displays.

The project comes from YuzukiHD, which has released everything as open source under the CC0 license. Those who want to dig deeper can check the YuzukiHD repository for code, schematics, and configurations. The board includes an FEL button for firmware download mode and a USB-C connector for data, power, and programming. There is also a microSD slot and a 2×20-pin GPIO header, with multiplexed pins configurable through the pinctrl software.

Multimedia and display with Allwinner F101

The strong point of this RISC-V board is the video section. The processor handles displays through RGB888, single-link LVDS, and 4-lane MIPI DSI interfaces. Video outputs reach notable resolutions: RGB888 goes up to 1280 x 720@60 fps, single-link LVDS reaches 1366 x 768@60 fps, and 4-lane MIPI DSI reaches 1280 x 800@60 fps. Furthermore, JPEG decoding supports resolutions up to 16384 x 16384 pixels, while PNG decoding reaches 2048 x 2048 pixels.

For compression, the JPEG/MJPEG encoder reaches 720p@30 fps with a maximum resolution of 8192 x 8192. The de-interlacer reaches 720p@60 fps. These figures make YuzukiNeko suitable for display, audio, and general I/O projects. The PSRAM is 8 MB or 16 MB at 252 MHz, and the NOR flash is 128 Mbit, that is 16 MiB. The whole system is enclosed in a QFN68 package measuring 7 mm x 7 mm.

The electrical schematics show the component layout and the connections between the SoC, flash, and connectors. The board is designed for embedded systems where computing power and video output are needed in a small space. XIP support allows code to be executed directly from NOR Flash, reducing boot times and the need to copy firmware into RAM.

GPIO, pinmux, and Buildroot software

The GPIO pins are multiplexed through pinmux: each pin can be configured for only one alternate function at a time, using the pinctrl software. This approach offers flexibility but requires care in circuit design. The board exposes 2×20-pin headers, compatible with breadboards and rapid prototyping. In addition, there is a USB-C connector for data and power, and a microSD slot for storage.

The software is based on Linux and Buildroot. Buildroot simplifies creating a minimal embedded system, with toolchain and kernel configured for the SoC. The YuzukiHD repository contains the configurations to compile the system and boot the board. For those who want to get started, the main steps are:

• Connect the board to the PC via USB-C.
• Hold down the FEL button to enter download mode.
• Load the firmware compiled with Buildroot.
• Insert a microSD with the root filesystem.
• Configure the GPIO pins with pinctrl for your peripherals.

YuzukiHD’s RISC-V board positions itself as a compact solution for those who want Linux and graphics in a minimal format. The comparison with the Raspberry Pi Pico is inevitable given the size, but the capabilities are superior. The presence of PSRAM and NOR Flash with XIP, together with the video outputs, makes it interesting for information displays, media players, and computer vision projects.

Source: https://github.com/YuzukiHD/YuzukiNeko

The post YuzukiNeko: A Compact RISC-V Board for Multimedia appeared first on Open Electronics.

The Arduino core for Zephyr RTOS has reached version 1.0.0. This release marks the completion of the transition away from the old MbedOS-based core. The new core provides a modern and flexible foundation for current and future Arduino boards. It also lets you use Zephyr RTOS features and APIs directly from the Arduino IDE, Arduino CLI and Arduino App Lab tools.

The project is built on a two-component architecture. The core generates a standalone elf file that is loaded dynamically by a precompiled Zephyr firmware called the loader. The loader handles the interaction between sketches and the underlying Zephyr system. After the initial bootloader installation, the loader automates the sketch loading process. Version 0.90.0 made the Zephyr loader installation procedure fully automatic.

The loader and its operating modes

The loader’s behaviour is set through the IDE’s Mode menu. In Standard mode, the loader loads the sketch automatically. In Debug mode, on the other hand, it requires you to type ‘sketch’ in the Zephyr shell. This flexibility makes debugging much easier. The loader design is generic: board-specific changes are made in the DTS overlay or fixup files.

The core is validated with version v0.16.8 of the Zephyr SDK. Development uses the standard tools of the Zephyr ecosystem, such as west and sync-zephyr-artifacts. The core also relies on components such as llext, the dynamic extension mechanism, and zephyr-sketch-tool for compiling sketches. Everything rests on ArduinoCore-API to maintain compatibility with the Arduino ecosystem.

What you need to get started

To try the Zephyr core you need a supported board and an up-to-date development environment. Here are the main steps:

• Install Arduino IDE 2.x.x or Arduino CLI
• Add board support through the Board Manager
• Install the Zephyr core from version 1.0.0
• Configure the loader mode from the IDE’s Mode menu

Version 1.0.0 of the Zephyr core is a milestone release. The move from MbedOS to Zephyr is complete. The new core offers a more solid foundation for the future of Arduino boards. Among the new features, support for the project’s code repository includes all the loader and core sources. In addition, the new Arduino UNO Q board is among the first devices to benefit from this architecture.

The Zephyr core represents a paradigm shift for Arduino. It is not just an update: it is an infrastructure built to last. The separation between loader and sketch makes the system safer and easier to update. What’s more, using Zephyr RTOS opens the door to advanced features such as support for numerous protocols and optimised power management. For anyone developing IoT applications, this is a solid foundation to build on.

The transition from MbedOS to Zephyr was not only technical, but also strategic. Zephyr is an open source RTOS with an active community and a regular release cycle. This guarantees long-term support for Arduino boards. In addition, version 1.0.0 of the core is validated with the Zephyr SDK v0.16.8, ensuring stability and compatibility. The future of Arduino boards goes through here.

Source: https://github.com/arduino/ArduinoCore-zephyr

Related products

• Arduino UNO Q 4GB – Complete kit with accessories

The post Arduino Zephyr core 1.0.0: the move away from MbedOS is complete appeared first on Open Electronics.

Let’s discover and try out the benchtop tools that every good electronics technician should have.

 

Nowadays, experimenters and technicians alike use and appreciate portable and handheld measuring instruments. Over the years, these instruments have multiplied and diversified, reaching even the professional user: this is the case of the Hantek 2000 series handheld instruments, which we have tested and described in this article, whose characteristics and interfaces place them fully in the category of semi-professional instruments. More precisely, we focused on two models (both available on the website www.open-electronics.org).

The basic model (HANTEK2C42, part number 6072-MHO2C42) combines a two-track digital oscilloscope with a maximum frequency of 40 MHz with a digital multimeter with automatic readout, while the oscilloscope of the top model (HANTEK2D72, Open Electronics part number 6072-MHO2D72GEN) reaches a frequency of 70 MHz.

The digital multimeter function of both is identical, but the higher-performance model additionally features a waveform generator with the maximum frequency depending on the type of signal generated: sine 25 MHz, square 10 MHz, other types 5 MHz and 1 MHz, maximum amplitude 2.5 Vmax (corresponding to 5.0 Vpp).

From this initial information, it is easy to see that just by putting one of these instruments and a power supply in a case, you have a good portable laboratory bench for analysis or repair on site.

Of course, as we shall see, our HANTEKs will also play their part in a stable laboratory, as their size allows them to be positioned close to the circuit, within easy reach, avoiding the constant twisting of the neck required to display what we need on the bench-top instruments.

In order to prove the truth of this statement, we decided to test these instruments from the comfort of our home PCs, not in the laboratory, by simulating an off-site operation.

Fig. 1 shows all the tools and accessories that we put in a small hard case, all supplied by Open Electronics to carry out this test.

 

Fig. 1

 

The instruments and accessories used for testing HANTEK handhelds:

• HANTEK2C42 handheld;
• HANTEK2D72 handheld;
• Velleman 8220-EDU06 kit  (Oscilloscope Tutor);
• kit FT1464K (Waveform generator – to be mounted);
• Cables and connectors are required for connections.

 

We specify that all tests have been carried out on both models (except, of course, those relating to the waveform generator) but, for obvious reasons, the measurements will be reported only once, having however verified by comparison the total of the results. Finally, for convenience, we will describe the two instruments as if they were one.

Inside the sturdy cardboard packaging, we find a beautiful rigid transport bag, complete with a handle, as well as a quick guide in Italian, of which we will report in this article the images necessary for understanding the operation of the instrument; for everything else we refer to the complete manual in Italian (in the package you will find instructions for downloading the relative pdf).

When you open the zip, you can see that the bag is well organized, in fact, the base has a space in which the instrument, the 230 Vac – 5 V – 2 A mains power supply and the USB cable type C are housed, so not the cable of common smartphones, but that of some new generation models; on the lid of the bag there is a net that contains all the supplied cables: a BNC probe for an oscilloscope with switchable 10x-1x attenuation, with typical accessories, a pair of test leads for the multimeter, a BNC to R/N cable (two in the case of the 2D72 model). Refer to Fig. 2.

For those who wish to equip themselves with a second probe, in order to use both traces with 10x attenuation, we recommend the model 6072-PROBE100, available at www.open-electronics.org.

 

Fig. 2

 

Some details

The HANTEK handheld has a 2.8″ 64,000 colour LCD screen in TFT technology; its resolution is 320 horizontal pixels x 240 vertical pixels with adjustable contrast.

The apparatus is heavier than a normal digital multimeter, partly because of its metal case, covered by a strong rubber, whose purpose is to isolate the circuitry as much as possible from external disturbances.

The two batteries, 18650 type 3.7 V and 2,600 mAh, are already installed inside, and are correctly charged to about 50% of full charge; remember that this type of battery should never be left fully charged or fully discharged for long periods of time, otherwise they can be irreversibly damaged. The instrument has a removable bracket on the back that allows it to be kept in an upright position, and covers the two screws of the battery door. On the right side, there is a rubber cap that allows access to the USB port type C for charging batteries and for connection to the PC; although the cap shows the symbol of an SD CARD, in reality, the slot does not have any housing and in any case is not declared anywhere. In the upper part, there are 3 BNC: the first two for the oscilloscope channels (CH1 and CH2), the third for the output of the waveform generator (Gen out), which of course is operational only on models equipped with this function (2Dxx series).

 

Front panel

Fig. 3 describes the front panel, which is organized in three sections, from top to bottom: the display, the control buttons, and the digital multimeter input jacks.

 

Fig. 3

 

The control keys are as follows:

–  Scope: Oscilloscope mode;

–  DMM: Multimeter mode;

–  AWG: Waveform generator mode (only active on 2Dxx versions);

–  Menu: utility menu;

–  Trig: Trigger setting menu;

–  Enter: In Scope, saves the oscilloscope user-defined settings; in AWG it is used to confirm the character just entered via the digital keyboard;

–  Auto: automatically adjusts the horizontal and vertical scales of the oscilloscope and automatically sets the attack, type, position, slope, level and trigger mode, etc., to ensure a stable waveform display;

–  Channel: menu for setting the two channels (vertical);

–  Time: Horizontal setting menu;

–  F1/F2/F3/F4: in each menu mode, operate the selection of the corresponding menu items on the screen.

–  Zoom and direction keys: perform different actions depending on the menu selected;

– in the Trigger menu, the Left and Down arrows move the trigger level down, while the Right and Up arrows move it up;

– in the Channel menu, the Up and Down arrows change the zero-level position of the track, while the Left and Right arrows change the Volts/DIV of the channel;

– In the Time menu, the Up and Down arrows change the Time/DIV, while the Left and Right arrows change the position relative to the horizontal trigger;

– In Multimeter mode the arrows change the measurement function;

– In Generator mode, after selecting a parameter, the Left and Down arrows will reduce the parameter value, the Right and Up arrows will increase the parameter value; the four arrows are also used for selecting keys on the digital keyboard;

 

We then have buttons marked with icons:

= Pressed and held down, it allows you to access the shortcut menu and to select the desired function by means of the specific key (F1÷F4); after having selected the function, press the Shortcut key once to confirm or cancel the selection (the functions of this menu are described in the specific paragraph);

= RUN/STOP, in Scope mode, stops or executes waveform acquisition; in DMM mode, retains measured data or updates it; in Generator mode, turns waveform output on or off;

= POWER ON/OFF; is the on/off button.

 

On the front panel, we also have the digital multimeter input sockets (DMM Input Connector), from left to right: A (ammeter input 4 A and 10 A capacity, unprotected), mA (ammeter input 40 mA and 200 mA capacity protected by fuse), COM (common input, black ferrule), V/Ω/C/ (voltmeter input, ohmmeter, capacimeter, diode measurement, and short circuit).

Table 1 shows the general characteristics of this family of instruments, while Table 2 shows the main technical characteristics of the oscilloscope section, the arbitrary waveform generator and the multimeter.

 

Tab 1

 

 

Tab 2

 

 

Preliminary operations

After checking that the instrument’s equipment corresponds, the first step is to recharge the instrument’s internal batteries, using the power supply and the cable provided; the POWER button will light up solid red (if it flashes it means that the batteries are not installed or are defective) and will only switch off when the batteries are fully charged.

Now you can turn on the instrument and perform the preliminary operations: firmware update, auto-calibration and Utility menu setting.

 

Software installation and firmware update

Since the instrument can be interfaced with the PC, the management software must be downloaded from the download section of the Hantek site; once the folder has been unzipped, it will contain both the setup and a subfolder with the updated drivers. Connect the handheld to the USB port of the PC, go to the Windows Device Manager and update the driver with the one just downloaded.

The next step is to install the DFU (Device Firmware Update) software and driver. At this point the instrument’s firmware can be checked for updates. The procedure is automatic, so within a couple of minutes, the instrument will be updated to the latest version of the firmware (ARM) and FPGA.

 

Auto-calibration

The oscilloscope has an auto-calibration feature that helps to optimise the signal path for maximum measurement accuracy. It can be performed at any time, but the manufacturer recommends performing it if the ambient temperature changes by at least 5 °C. For more accurate calibration, wait 20 minutes after the oscilloscope has been switched on for it to reach its steady-state temperature.

In addition, the auto-calibration must be performed without any input signal, otherwise, the instrument may be damaged.

 

Utility menu

After auto-calibration, press the Menu key, access the Utilities and make the necessary settings by pressing the keys indicated (those not listed are not needed at this stage):

-F1         : leave English selected (the only alternative at the moment is Chinese);

-F2         : Activate or deactivate key sounds;

-F3         : Set the intensity of the display backlight;

-F4         : Go to page 2 of the Utility Menu;

-F1         : Set the backlight duration;

-F4         : Go to page 3 of the Utility Menu;

-F2         : enable or disable the panel for measurements of the signals shown on the display (for the initial phases it is definitely preferable to leave this panel enabled);

-F3         : View information about the hardware and software versions of the instrument for possible upgrade;

-F4         : Go to page 4 of the Utility Menu;

-F1         (shutdown): Set the automatic shutdown time;

-F2         (calibration): carry out self-calibration (to be done every 12 months or whenever the ambient temperature changes by more than 5°C);

-F3         (default): reset to factory settings (in case you have any doubts about the manoeuvres carried out);

-F4         : Go to page 4 of the Utility Menu;

-F1         (boot logo): enable or disable the display of the logo when the handheld is switched on.

 

At this point we begin to see how to use the instrument, pressing Scope to start with the most important function: the oscilloscope.

 

Setting up the oscilloscope

To obtain a correct image display of the signal detected by the probe, three sets of parameters must be set:

-Vertical: V/DIV for signal amplitude;

–  Horizontal: Sec/DIV for signal width;

-Trigger: synchronisation for signal stability.

 

We would like to point out that our oscilloscope is equipped with an Auto function (activated by the key of the same name) that searches and finds (where possible) the best combination of Volt/DIV, Sec/DIV and Trigger to display in a stable manner the signals applied to one or both of the CH1/CH2 inputs.

But in some cases, you cannot get the expected result, so it is important to learn how to adjust the oscilloscope manually.

To make the adjustment manually, you must move through the function menu, setting the channel operating parameters first; then press the Channel button to enter the channel menu.

-F1         allows you to select the channel to be adjusted;

-F2         is used to enable/disable the selected channel;

-F3         is used to set the probe coupling:

• DC sets DC coupling, useful for reading DC voltage values or the offset of alternating or variable signals;
• AC sets the coupling to alternating, which shows only alternating signals;
• GND shorts the probe to the ground and shows no signal (typically used to calibrate the vertical position of the track);

-F4         allows you to go to the second page of the menu, where:

– F1        allows you to set the attenuation of the probe used, it must have the same value as the switch position on the probe;

– F2      is used to activate bandwidth limiting, in order to eliminate high-frequency noise that may affect the displayed signal;

– F3     reverses the signal in phase.

 

The next step is to set the time base by pressing the Time button:

-F1         is used to set the mode (for normal measurements set Mode YT);

-F2         is used to set the length of image recording.

 

Once this is done, the trigger settings are made by pressing the Trig key to enter the corresponding menu:

-F1         allows you to select the channel to be synchronised;

-F2         allows you to select the slope to be considered for synchronisation:

• Rising;
• Falling: downhill;
• Double: both uphill and downhill.

-F3         sets the synchronisation mode:

– Auto: triggers the signal even in the absence of normal conditions;

– Normal: triggers the signal in the presence of a valid trigger condition;

– Single: locks the display as soon as it acquires a valid waveform.

-F4         allows you to switch to the second page of the menu, where:

-F1         forces the trigger in difficult conditions, completing the acquisition even in the absence of a valid trigger signal.

These are the general settings; now we will see how to set some parameters according to the type of signal we are going to detect, whether we know the maximum values or they are unknown.

 

Probe compensation

The first time a new probe is used on an oscilloscope, the compensation operation must be performed. The procedure consists in applying a known square wave, typically with a frequency of 1 kHz and an amplitude of 2 Vpp, to the probe connected to CH1, then using a small screwdriver, possibly plastic, turn the compensator screw on the probe itself, until a perfect square wave is seen, without overshoots, bevels or inclined edges (see Fig. 4).

 

Fig. 4

 

For the 2Dxx versions, everything is simplified by the fact that you can use the built-in waveform generator, but the 2Cxx versions don’t have one, so we thought we’d use a low-cost kit instrument that will come in handy for both probe compensation and oscilloscope verification. Now we are ready to view and measure our signals with the oscilloscope.

Once the FT1464K kit has been assembled, we have arrived at the point where we have a valid waveform generator (sine, triangle and square), with adjustable frequency from 50 Hz to 6 kHz (in two ranges: 50 Hz÷600 Hz and 600 Hz÷6 kHz) and amplitude 2 Vpp AC (sine), 11 Vpp AC (sine) and 11 Vpp AC (sine). (sinusoid), 11 Vpp AC. (square), 3.5 Vpp AC. (triangular).

The generator in the kit and the 2Cxx handheld computer will be mutually useful, as the oscilloscope will allow the various trimmers in the generator to be calibrated once the probe is calibrated, but also during the calibration phase.

Let’s proceed in order: we know the amplitude of the generator signal (11 Vpp ac) and we know that we need a 1 kHz frequency, so let’s see how to pre-set the two instruments. We start with the FT1464K generator in which:

-trimmers VR3 and VR4 must be positioned at about half stroke;

-the potentiometer must be turned all the way to the left;

-the flow switch is set to FR-H to set the range >600 Hz.

 

Once this is done, plug the probe BNC into the CH1 socket of the oscilloscope; set the attenuation switch to 10X and connect the probe tip to the square wave output and the alligator clip to the generator ground.

We now go to the oscilloscope, where we set CH1 to AC coupling, then press F4 and F1 in sequence to set the attenuation to 10X.

Since we expect a signal with an amplitude of about 11 Vpp, to see it as wide as possible it is best to set the V/DIV to 2 V~ using the Right and Left arrows.

The period relative to the frequency of 1 kHz is its inverse, i.e., 1/1000 Hz=1 ms, so a single square wave lasts 1 ms; the horizontal grid is composed of 12 divisions, let’s consider 10 for convenience; each of them must be worth 1/10=100 us; we must therefore set the Time/DIV to 100 µs. Then press Time and the Right and Left arrows to set the horizontal cursor T to 0.000 ns; then            Time and the Up and Down arrows to set the Time/DIV to 100.00 us.

At this point, we can power the generator with 12 Vdc using any power supply; if everything has been set up according to our instructions, the display will show a very large square wave and the box in the top right-hand corner (if it is not visible, re-read the section on the Utility Menu and enable it) will show the yellow values close to these:

-MAX   5.5 V;

-MIN     5.5 V;

-FRE      600.0 Hz.

 

These values may vary due to the fact that our generator is not a professional instrument, if they vary a lot there will be a circuit problem in the generator or some wrong setting in the instruments or in the probe.

Start by turning the potentiometer very slowly to the right until you obtain a value as close as possible to 1000 Hz, the multiturn trimmer VR2 will be used to obtain the most precise value possible.

Referring to Fig. 4 above, if necessary, adjust the probe compensation until a perfect signal is obtained.

 

Fig.5

 

Calibration of the waveform generator

Once the probe has been adjusted, we can calibrate the generator, starting with the duty cycle of the square wave; except for future requirements, the value to be set is generally 50%; if necessary, turn the VR3 trimmer until the HIGH period of the signal occupies the same number of divisions (squares) as the LOW period, specifically, each of the two periods must occupy exactly 5 divisions. In fact, each division is worth 100 us, a 1 kHz cycle lasts 1 ms, therefore 10 divisions, the duty cycle at 50% means exactly 5 divisions for each of the two periods LOW and HIGH.

At this point we can move on to the calibration of the sinusoidal signal:

• Volts/DIV must be           set to 500 mV;
• Time/DIV must be           set to 200.0 us;
• Connect the probe to the sine wave signal output.

 

Now turn the VR4 trimmer until a sine wave is obtained in which the two half-waves are as equal as possible to each other.

The last check is made by connecting the probe to the output of the triangular wave, if everything is in order you will see two cycles that will completely fill the display both vertically and horizontally.

Both tools are now ready to be used for their respective functionalities.

 

Using the handheld computer software

We have already mentioned the installation of the software in the preliminary operations. The software obviously requires the use of a PC, which obviously affects the question of portability, but on the other hand, greatly simplifies operations, as well as provides the instrument with additional features, such as a series of additional measurements, not available on the handheld, and the possibility of automatic firmware updates; in addition, the PC can easily be a small tablet (or a netbook), which would not affect the overall size and weight of the instrument.

For our purposes, we will only use it to easily take pictures of the various sizes, while for its in-depth use we always refer you to the excellent and comprehensive user manual in Italian.

 

Using the oscilloscope

To test our oscilloscope, we use the other small accessory tool supplied by Open Electronics, the Velleman Oscilloscope Tutor. This is a PCB without a case, already assembled and tested, which, by simply using a normal mains power supply, with a 9-12 Vac output, makes it very easy to carry out eight experiments with any oscilloscope. Let’s take a look at two of them as examples, which we think are suitable for a good evaluation of our instrument.

–  Measure an AC voltage: connect the probe (10x attenuator – CH1) to the test point (tp1) and the alligator clip to tp2. Set the Vertical stage (Channel) to AC and 10 V/DIV, the Horizontal stage to 10 ms/DIV, and the Trigger to Rising and Auto.

The display grid is set at 10 Vpp/DIV and therefore the signal, in this case, is about 34.8 Vpp, which represents the sum of the VMAX and VMIN visible on the instrument; if you want to know the actual (or effective) value of the signal, you must activate the RMS measurement in the software.

Then in the software we use the Measure – Edit options menu option and activate the Peak to Peak, Frequency, and RMS boxes. The result is in Fig. 6. The frequency, as expected, is 50 Hz, the VRMS is 12.3 V, while the Vpp is 34.8 V.

–  Comparison of two out-of-phase waveforms: connect the probe (attenuator 1x – CH1) to tp9, the alligator clip to tp4 and the red clip of the BNC-alligator cable (CH2) to tp10 (the black one can remain free). Set the Vertical stage (Channel) to AC and 5 V/DIV for both CH1 and CH2 (must be enabled), the Horizontal stage to 20 ms/DIV, the Trigger to Rising and Auto. Also in the software, if the green signal does not appear, enable CH2 (Vertical section on the right). With Measure – Edit options activate the VRMS and Frequency measurements for both channels. Finally, using the side arrows 1 and 2 on the left, adjust the height position of the two tracks, so that they are both clearly visible on the screen. The result is visible in Fig. 7.

 

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

 

Using the built-in waveform generator (2Dxx series)

The connection between the two instruments is made by connecting the probe (in 10X mode) to CH1 and the BNC crocodile probe to the BNC Gen Out, with the two black crocodile clips connected together and the probe hooked up to the red crocodile clip (Fig. 8). We will see, again, three different signals.

 

Fig. 8

 

–  Generation of a 5 MHz 2 V square wave signal: click on the AWG key, set type = Square, Freq = 5 MHz and Amp = 2 V; for the latter two settings, you can press the relevant function key (F2 or F3) twice to enter keyboard mode, and enter the desired values with ease.

Press the RUN/STOP button so that the OUTPUT symbol on the display turns green. Click on Scope to switch to oscilloscope mode and set CH1 to 2 V/DIV, AC coupling, Time/DIV to 100.0 ns. Via software, we can activate the VRMS, Vpp, and Frequency measurements to confirm the correctness of the settings made on the Generator (Fig. 9).

 

Fig. 9

The signal we see in the image, being at very high resolution, shows a typical characteristic of square wave generation, the irregularities of the LOW and HIGH zones of the signal, it should be considered that the effect is found, at high frequencies, even in instruments of much higher cost.

However, those who are familiar with digital logic know that this is not a problem at all, since the range of reading of the logical states provides that a signal is considered HIGH when its level is greater than or equal to 2/3 of the value of the power supply, it is instead considered LOW when its level is less than or equal to 1/3 of the value of the power supply; it is easy to understand how small variations in amplitude, both on the HIGH and LOW levels, do not create any problem for the operation of a digital circuit. At low frequencies this effect is practically invisible.

–  Generating a 25 MHz 2.5 V sinusoidal signal: click on the AWG button, set type = Sine, Freq = 25 MHz and Amp = 2.5 V. Press the RUN/STOP button so that the OUTPUT symbol on the display turns green.

Click on Scope to switch to oscilloscope mode and set CH1 to 2 V/DIV, DC coupling, Time/DIV to 20.0 ns. We activate via software the VRMS, Vpp and Frequency measurements (Fig. 10). You can see with this test that the oscilloscope has no difficulty in showing a high-frequency signal on the display, and as we all know, depending on the model, these instruments read signals up to 40 or even 70 MHz without any problems!

 

Fig. 10

 

–  Generation of a
1 MHz 1 V triangular signal
: click on the AWG button, set type = Ramp, Freq = 1 MHz and Amp = 1 V.

Press the RUN/STOP button so that the OUTPUT symbol on the display turns green. Click on Scope to switch to oscilloscope mode and set CH1 to 500 mV/DIV, AC coupling, Time/DIV to 500.0 ns. Again, activate VRMS, Vpp and Frequency measurements (Fig. 11).

 

Fig. 11

 

Using the digital multimeter

The digital multimeter is a universally known instrument, if only because it is always the first tool purchased to equip a laboratory. In our case, in addition to the usual voltage, current and resistance measurements, this instrument offers the possibility of checking the integrity of the junctions of semiconductor components (diodes, transistors, jFETs, etc.), measuring the capacitance of capacitors and searching for short circuits, signaled by the sound of a buzzer.

To activate it, press the DMM button, then set the type of reading to be taken and connect the two test leads accordingly, remembering that the black lead always goes into the COM (common, GND, ground) socket, while the red lead goes into one of the three red sockets.

A special feature, not found in the vast majority of multimeters in circulation, is that depending on the measurement set, the display clearly shows where the two test leads should be inserted, which is useful not only for beginners but also for experts who, in a moment of distraction and haste could make a mistake and certainly obtain undesirable results.

Another useful feature is the lack of measurement scales. Once the measurement has been taken, our multimeter displays it at the highest possible resolution, automatically choosing the scale from those indicated in the technical characteristics table.

–  Measurement of a direct voltage: once again we use our bench power supply, we set a voltage of 20.8 V and read it on the display; to set the multimeter, simply press F1 (DC V) and insert the black test lead into the COM socket and the red one into the V/Ω/C socket, then connect the ends of the test leads to the two crocodile clips on the power supply cable, respecting the colors. Instantly, the display of the multimeter will show the measured value (in our case 20.72 Vdc); the slight difference between the two values is partly due to the tolerance of the two instruments and partly to the fact that the multimeter has two decimals to show the actual value, while the display of the power supply used for the test has only one decimal (Fig. 12).

 

Fig. 12

 

–  Measurement of a direct current: in this case, we will supply a low-voltage LED and measure its absorption.

Let’s set up the instruments: the power supply has to be set to 3 V, while on the multimeter you have to press F4 – F2 (DC mA) and then move the red tip to the mA socket (indicated by the display). Connect the black alligator clip to the black test lead, the red test lead to the anode of the LED (the longest pin) and the red test lead to the cathode of the LED (the shortest pin).

Again, the measurement will be instantaneous, the LED will light up and the display will show the power consumption: in our case 2.33 mA, which is too low to be shown on the power supply’s display, which has a resolution of 10 mA (Fig. 13).

 

Fig. 13

 

Conclusions

Well, we will stop here with the description of the Hantek multifunction oscilloscopes and our impressions of their use on the bench. We believe that what we have outlined in these pages is sufficient to allow you to evaluate the potential of HANTEK handheld instruments in the main measurements that a technician might have to make, both on the bench and in the field.

 

From openstore

Oscilloscope 2CH – 70 MHz+Multimeter

Oscilloscope 2CH – 70 MHz+Waveform Generator+Multimeter

Tutor Oscilloscope

Waveform generator

 

 

 

 

The post HANTEK 2000 series: The all-in-one handheld instruments appeared first on Open Electronics.

With European Microwave Week 2026 approaching, here is an overview of Qorvo’s plans for the show and its participation in the technical program.

Qorvo, a leading global supplier of connectivity and power solutions, will present RF technologies and system-level expertise for radar, satellite communications, defense and space applications at European Microwave Week (EuMW) 2026, which will be held at ExceL London from 4 to 9 October.

At stand B30A, where Qorvo exhibits together with authorized distributor RFMW, Qorvo experts will bring a system-level perspective on current RF programs and design challenges. Visitors to the stand will be able to explore RF architecture and signal chain trade-offs, power and thermal considerations and the integration issues that affect system performance, as well as approaches for increasing bandwidth and output power while maintaining RF performance.

During the week, Qorvo will also contribute to a series of technical sessions and forums, including:

• Sunday 4 October – SS-01, EuMC: Ryan Jennings, Director of Si, SATCOM and Systems Engineering at Qorvo, and Dean White, Senior Director of Aerospace and Defense at Qorvo, will co-chair the workshop “Challenges and Payoffs in Next-Generation SATCOM: Multi-Band, Multi-Orbit, Multi-Constellation Ground Terminals”. The workshop will explore the technical and architectural challenges of delivering affordable, energy-efficient ground terminals for multi-band and multi-orbit satellite networks.
• Monday 5 October – IEEE MTT-S Inter-Society Technical Panel: Greg Clark, Senior Director of Defense and Aerospace Products, will take part in the panel “Building a Sustainable and Resilient RF Semiconductor Industry”, which examines the challenges of building sustainability across materials, devices and applications, including RFIC and MMIC design, for telecommunications, sensors and emerging applications.
• Wednesday 7 October – Defense Forum: Dean White will present “Future European Defense Systems – RF Technology for Smaller, More Capable Platforms”. The forum will examine microwave technologies for radar, electronic warfare, secure communications and drone detection.
• Thursday 8 October – Space Forum: Ryan Jennings will present “Advances in RF Architecture for Next-Generation Ground Terminals: Multi-band, Multi-orbit, Multi-constellation”. This forum will examine RF, microwave, millimeter-wave and terahertz technologies for future space systems and ground terminals.

Visitors can meet Qorvo throughout the exhibition at stand B30A or arrange a meeting with a Qorvo expert through the Qorvo EuMW 2026 event page.

The post Qorvo Brings RF Expertise to European Microwave Week 2026 appeared first on Open Electronics.