Blog
Carl @ SolderSplash Labs has written an article about their new project known as DipCortex:
It’s an ARM Cortex M3/M0 in a 40 pin dip package and USB socket. It has two version a NXP LPC1347 M3 and a LPC11U24 M0, the pin out roughly follows a certain range of 40pin 8bit micros. [via]
DipCortex – ARM DipCortex in a dip package with USB - [Link]
NXP has announced the LPC800-MAX – an mbed/Arduino development board based on the LPC812 – which will be released in April 2013. [via]
NXP is working with key partners to develop LPC800-MAX, a development board which combines mbed, LPCXpresso and Arduino connectivity, allowing users to choose and work with their favorite elements from each environment. The breakthrough interoperability of the LPC800-MAX development board is made possible thanks to the unique flexible switch matrix feature introduced in the LPC800 family of microcontrollers, which allows users to configure nearly any pin for any available function. Further, with the new mbed USB onboard interface, users can choose if they want to use cloud-based mbed tools for development, or if they would rather use an off-line tool chain, such as the LPCXpresso IDE, for development and debugging. The board will be available in April for a suggested retail price of € 16.00.
NXP announces LPC800-MAX dev board - [Link]
A new chip from NXP can boost the output power of micro speakers by more than five times, vastly improving the sound quality of mobile devices. By driving over 2.6 watts RMS into micro speakers that have previously been limited to 0.5 W, the TFA9887 IC will give mobile phones, portable music players and tablets much louder sound, deeper bass, and higher sound quality without risking speaker damage.
Adaptive excursion control measures the actual excursion of the speaker membrane to ensure that it never exceeds its rated limit. Real-time temperature protection measures the voice-coil temperature directly to prevent thermal damage. An advanced clip avoidance algorithm monitors audio performance and prevents clipping, even when the power supply begins to sag. Bandwidth extension increases the low frequency response well below speaker resonance. And an intelligent DC-to-DC boost converter maximizes audio headroom from any supply level despite battery undervoltage. The chip automatically adapts to any changes in the speaker – including ageing, damage to the enclosure, and blocked speaker ports – helping to optimize performance and maintain the desired sound quality. [via]
Novel Speaker Driver Delivers Hyperaudio from Mobile Devices - [Link]
The Simplecortex is a microcontroller dev board with an ARM Cortex M3 from NXP.
The Simplecortex is a microcontroller development board that is shield compatible with the Arduino. The Simplecortex has a fast microcontroller, the LPC1769 from NXP. This is a ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller with 512KB flash, 64KB RAM and it runs at 120Mhz. To make sure that the Simplecortex is easy to use we made tutorials for almost every peripheral on the chip and examples to get you started. There are tutorials for simple stuff like IO control up to more advanced tutorials for MicroSD cards. If you have ideas for a new tutorial or made a tutorial yourself, feel free to drop an email or post it in the forum. The Simplecortex also has an onboard debugger. It can also be used to program external devices like a self made PCB for your own project. No more microcontrollers with pre-programmed bootloader needed.
Simplecortex – 125MHz dev board with an ARM Cortex M3 - [Link]
High brightness LEDs and special optics allow street lamps to be spaced up to 50 meters apart — much wider than is possible with other solutions. By charging these street lamps efficiently during daylight hours using solar energy, the capacity of the conventional electricity grid can be supplemented, saving money and reducing CO2 emissions. This solution dubbed Solar Gen2 and developed by NXP Semiconductors in collaboration with Philips Lighting has resulted in the most cost-effective solution per km of road lighting and provides a serious alternative to grid-connected AC systems.
NXP’s MPT61x range of intelligent charge controllers for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) make it possible to transfer the maximum amount of power from the solar panels to the batteries, achieving up to 98% power conversion efficiency with solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. The controller that includes an ARM7TDMI-S MCU core running at 70 MHz features intelligent algorithms for battery charging and discharging to maximize battery life and it is also capable of dimming light levels as needed based on self-learning and a history log. [via]
Self-learning solar-powered LED street lights save energy - [Link]
NXP Semiconductors has launched the CLRC663, the first member of a new generation of high-performance proximity contactless reader ICs. It combines robust multi-protocol support with the highest RF output power and patented low-power card detection technology. The CLRC663 is targeted at a wide variety of use scenarios, including banking, e-government, transport and mobile payment.
Supporting all 13.56-MHz contactless standards, NXP’s new reader IC is compatible with all established smart card, smart tag and smart label technologies, including NFC Forum tag types and Mifare products. It ensures best-in-class interoperability with smart cards, electronic documents and NFC-enabled phones based on NXP technology. [via]
Contactless card reader IC handles multiple protocols - [Link]
Many design challenges ask participants to toss together some parts, blink a few LEDs, and write a bit of code for a shot at a prize. The NXP mbed Design Challenge 2010 staged by NXP, Elektor end Circuit Cellar was different. It was administered for the higher purpose of encouraging designers around the world to help make embedded design a more accessible, productive, and community-oriented endeavor. [via]
(VI)sualizer Smart Electronic Load wins NXP mbed Contest – [Link]
