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micro-nova.com made a rather unique FPGA development board. It packs a Xilinx Spartan-3A 200K and all its support circuitry onto a 64-pin DIP package. It is USB programmable, and also has an on-board 8-channel ADC, easy to interface to SRAM and 5-volt tolerant I/O pins, all for a very competitive price.
Features:
- Xilinx Spartan-3A FPGA – 200,000 gates
- 50MHz crystal oscillator
- 5-volt tolerant I/O pins
- 8 channel, 200 kSps, 10-bit ADC
- 4 Mbit asynchronous SRAM
- 2 Mbit configuration Flash
- Mini-USB and JTAG programmable
Mercury FPGA module in DIP format - [Link]
More exactly – by a speed of up to 5 Gbps. Elegant, small, but mainly fast USB 3.0 reader is a universal device for transfer of files from all common memory cards.
FPhotos and videos have become a common part of various devices, like for example information panels with touch panels and many other. However multimedia files are usually big files. Nowadays high-capacity memory media enable usage of such big files, but as we know, transfer of such big files can last a considerable time. It is especially obvious when we need to write many-Gigabyte files to several cards.
AM530 can be up to 3-5x faster than usual USB 2.0 readers. It supports advanced specifications like SDHC UHS-I, SDXC UHS-I and CF UDMA6/7 and fully employs the speed of fast memory cards (100 MB/s). Through 5 slots, it supports Compact Flash, SD/ MMC, SDHC, SDXC, micro SD, Memory Stick Pro, memory Stick Duo, M2 and xD memory cards, and it is compatible with USB 2.0/ USB 1.1. Short USB 3.0 cable is included too.
AM530 is a suitable complement to fast industrial memory cards Apacer from our portfolio. AM530 will suit to every workplace also thanks to its elegant design with a brown metallic finish. In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com
Apacer AM530 card reader surprises by its speed - [Link]
Steve Taranovich writes:
Exar Corporation announced the next-generation single channel switch for USB VBUS power distribution applications. The XRP2523 switch is compliant with the latest USB 3.0 specification as well as the established USB 2.0 specification. The new specification provides higher power to the downstream peripherals and enables more efficient battery charging over USB.
Power distribution switch for USB applications - [Link]
Michael Holachek writes:
The Arduino is a great platform for rapid prototyping because it’s so easy to use, well supported, and has a huge online community. However, sometimes you might want to make a smaller, cheaper, and more minimalistic circuit that can be put into permanent projects. Or, maybe you are wondering how the Arduino works. In any case, you’ll just want the brain of the Arduino: the AVR microcontroller. This chip contains the program that runs the Arduino.
Once you have just the AVR, you might be wondering how to program it. Since you no longer have a USB connection, how do you upload code? It turns out that the Arduino can program AVR chips! Let’s get started.
Programming an AVR with Arduino - [Link]
dangerousprototypes.com writes:
Ray reports he’s just finished working on a new open source wearable electronics controller board called SquareWear. It’s small (1.6″x1.6″) and has built-in USB port (used for programming the microcontroller, USB serial communication, and charging battery). It also has 4 on-board MOSFETs for switching high-current load (up to 500mA). The board is based on Microchip’s PIC18F14k50, and includes a SquareWear library to make it as easy to use as Arduino. Check out RaysHobby website for the source code and programming guide.
SquareWear open source controller board - [Link]
tuomasnylund.fi writes:
One tool that I’ve been missing at my lab at home is function generator. They tend to be a bit expensive, so I haven’t bought one. I thought this might be a good opportunity to try and make one myself. I found a pretty common DDS (direct digital synthesis) chip, called AD9833. Then just strap a USB-enabled AVR micro there and maybe some analog electronics.
This board doesn’t do any of the special analog magic to allow for variable amplitude or offset for the signal. The output is fixed to 0-4v. I’m planning to make another completely analog board for adjusting amplitude and offset.
AD9833 – based USB Function Generator - [Link]
pandatron.cz writes:
After the success of small modules USB – I / O converters – PUSBIO with MCP2200 circuit intended for development and small batch production, which we introduced in Article MCP2200 USB module and I / O , and recently introduced software for USB I / O modules , now the company introduces new modules Pandatron with relays and optocouplers.
USB Relay – I/O modules - [Link]
Microchip Introduces New Representative 8-bit PIC microcontrollers with USB. New circuits excel in their small bush and low selling price.
Microchip Company in recent days unveiled several new representatives of the 8-bit PIC microcontrollers. Integrated circuits PIC16F1454, PIC16F1455, PIC16F1459, as well as circuits PIC18F24K50, PIC18F25K50 and PIC18F45K50 excel its small design, good pin compatibility for easy migration and last but not least, the low selling price.
Small 8-bit MCU with USB interface - [Link]
The Public Lab is a collaborative community enabling people to explore and inspect their environment with DIY techniques. During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill they provided aerial mapping devices using balloons and kites so citizens could obtain contamination data independent of information provided by BP and the US government.
Now the Lab has provided an online manual on how to construct your own visible light spectrometer. A spectrometer identifies materials by measuring their unique color absorption but those on the commercial market cost thousands of dollars. Using cheap off-the-shelf parts such as a VHS-box and a USB webcam the Lab has reduced the cost to $35. In addition they developed open source software to analyze the spectral data. [via]
Build a Spectrometer for $35 - [Link]
Small Arduino compatible USB host board. Take control of your Android phone or other USB device in your next project.
This project began the day I saw the Google IO 2011 talk about the new Android Accessory Development Kit (ADK). I had never seen or used an Arduino before. I had written a few Android programs but something about being able to connect custom hardware to my phone inspired me to start this long trip down hardware lane. Specifically, I was inspired to create motorcycle navigation software knowing that I would be able to create a remote control for my phone that would allow me to control the software with gloved hands. I finished the navigation software a few months later, and it has been a great success. This board has allowed me to complete that project; I now have a remote control attached to my motorcycle.
Mini USB Host Microcontroller Board – Arduino Compatible - [Link]
