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DescriptionIt's not weird to discover that applications are becoming more complex,with connectivity just one of the drivers. And,as it become more complex.the number of sensors grows,as does the need for more capable user interfaces. At the same time,algoriths need more processing power,wireless stacks mandate larger memories and power budgets are shrinking.In order to coping with the growing list of demands, a great number of leading MCU manufacturers have recently launched Micro Controller Unit built around the ARM Cortex-M4 core. BodyThe M3 is general purpse and the M0+is low cost but the M4 is a more capable core in general if look at the Cortex range. Oivind Loe,a senior strategic marketing manager with Sillicon Laboratories said. Microchip's product marketing manager--Anand Rangara commented:“Something that sat around without the need to communicate now needs connectivity. When that happens, you need more flash and RAM, as well as graphics capability and perhaps the ability to support a touch interface. All this has to be offered at good power/performance and an attractive price.”  'Industrial Strength' MCUsSilicon Labs has expanded its EFM32 Gecko portfolio with what it calls ‘industrial strength’ MCUs. It says the EFM32GG11 Giant Gecko MCU family offers the ‘most advanced’ feature set available in the low-power MCU market.Loe noted that MCU development isn’t just about power. “It’s also about executing tasks efficiently. A simple program with a few clocks will run efficiently on an M0+ core. But if the workload is larger, the M4 core has some special instructions that can allow it to use less energy than the M0+ and more efficiently than some larger cores – and that's crucial for a range of application.” GG11 Geckos offer up to 2Mbyte of flash and 512kbyte of RAM to accommodate more code and comms stacks, such as a 10/100 Ethernet MAC and a dual CAN interface. Looking to meet power budgets, the parts boast an active power consumption of 77μA/MHz, while drawing 1.6μA in deep sleep mode. FPU to Increase System EffiencyMicrochip’s SAM D5x/E5x MCUs also take advantage of the Cortex-M4’s floating point unit (FPU) to increase system efficiency. Running at up to 120MHz, the D5x and E5x MCUs come with up to 1Mbyte of dual-panel flash and up to 256kbyte of SRAM. Rangarajan noted: “We’ve listened to our customers, so we’ve included more connectivity in these MCUs. But it's not just about adding memory , it’s also about more performance and the ability to provide more flexible peripherals, interfaces and connectivity options.” Meanwhile,he  pointed out that the original SAM D MCUs – developed by Atmel prior to its acquisition by Microchip – were based on the Cortex-M0+. “But we’ve always wanted to take the product line to the next level of performance. This allows Microchip to address a broader range of consumer and industrial automation applications.” Limited the Clock RateBucking the trend to a certain extent, both Silicon Labs and Microchip have limited the clock rate in their latest MCUs. Giant Geckos, for example, have a maximum clock of 72MHz. “These products are focused on energy efficiency,” Loe claimed. “If you build an MCU to run at 200MHz, for example, then each clock cycle will consume more energy than in an MCU running at 72MHz. A lot of MCUs will be used in battery powered apps, so we need to be energy efficient and to enable the CPU to sleep a lot.” Rangarajan agreed that clock rate is not always the primary factor when it comes to developing MCU portfolios. “We hear our customers saying don’t give me faster clock rates, make sure the MCUs meet my requirements. An app that runs from a battery requires a power efficient MCU. If you want a fast MCU, then you have to make trade offs.” In Loe’s views, MCU selection is all about the ability to perform certain tasks at a particular power efficiency. “That is always going to involve trade offs, but an M4 based MCU will generally be good for embedded applications with challenging energy consumption requirements.” Adopt the Concept of Smart PeripheralsBoth companies have adopted the concept of smart peripherals in their recent products. Loe explained: “Twenty years ago, most MCUs saw the CPU doing everything. That took a lot of CPU cycles, which meant you couldn’t do as much as you might have liked.“Today, most apps will take advantage of DMA, which offloads the CPU. In turn, this allows the CPU to do more.” Rangarajan said Microchip provides what he called ‘sleepwalking’ peripherals. “If there’s a requirement for them to do small numbers of transactions, this can be done without waking the CPU.” On the other hand,Sillicon Loe Noted that It’s all about when you have to wake up the M4 core. We’re trying to allow it to sleep for as much as possible. More than half of the peripherals in a Giant Gecko can run autonomously in deep sleep mode. Both Companies are Keen to Highlight Their Provision Silicon Labs has launched a starter kit to support Giant Gecko based application development(following picture) With this approach, a Giant Gecko’s A/D converter can operate while the CPU is in deep sleep mode. “It can sample and use DMA to pull the data into RAM,” Loe continued.Loe highlighted a couple of aspects. “We have included a cyrotimer that runs in shut off; the lowest energy mode. It’s a simple timer that’s useful when you need the CPU to be asleep for minutes. there’s the Peripheral Reflex System, which allows peripherals to talk. For example, the real time clock could tell the A/D converter to take a sample. It gives a level of determinism which you don’t get from a CPU.  Microchip's Product brings better power efficiency How does an MCU developer differentiate their products from similar devices with an M4 core? Rangarajan pointed to the integration of a buck regulator. “This brings better power efficiency,” he claimed, “which means lower active power consumption; as little as 65µA/MHz. The parts also support flexible pin options.”“We’re offering the best integrated security features,” Rangarajan contended. “SAM Dx/Ex MCUs have crypto hardware acceleration – symmetrical and asymmetrical – and public key encryption, amongst other features. It’s something Microchip has taken to heart and has made sure it’s all in the MCU.“We’re offering the best integrated security features,” Rangarajan contended. “SAM Dx/Ex MCUs have crypto hardware acceleration – symmetrical and asymmetrical – and public key encryption, amongst other features. It’s something Microchip has taken to heart and has made sure it’s all in the MCU.  EndLoe pointed to the security management unit (SMU) as an ‘upgrade’ to the memory protection unit (MPU) associated with the M4’s core. “While the MPU allows you to segment memory into eight regions, the SMU takes that further. The MPU is restricted to eight regions, so there is limited granularity. The SMU allows you to selectively say which pieces of code can access each peripheral.” “All of this is important,” Rangarajan concluded, “as security will become standard in the next few years.” 

Today,I would like to introduce a kine do remote controller built using PT2262,IC PT2272-M4 from PRINCETON and MAX485 from MAXIM.   This is a four channel two core twisted pair remote controller. The PT2262 is an enconder( transmitter) whic PT2272-M4 is a decoduer (receiver) and MAX485 works as bridge for twisted pair communication between PT2262 and PT2272-M4.4 Channel 2 core twisted pair remote controller built using PT2262. When any of SW1-SW4 (S1-S4) tact switches is pressed, power is applied to encoder IC and RS485 IC, the encoder starts scanning Jumper J1-J8 and transmitting the status of the 8 bits address and data serially. The decoder IC receives the data from MAX485 and compares it two times with J1-J8 address jumpers, also provides outputs high and at same time VT (Valid Transmission)  LED goes On, if the data is Valid and address of Transmitter and Receiver are same. It is important to have same jumper settings J1-J8 at transmitter and receiver to pair both. Let me talk this remote controller in several parts.  PT2262--encoder PT2262 is a remote control encoder paired with PT2272 utilizing CMOS technology. It encodes data and address pins into a serial coded waveform. Circuit uses 8 bits of tri-state address pins providing up to 6561 address codes, thereby, drastically reducing any code collision and unauthorized code scanning possibilities. PT2262 encodes the code address and data set into special waveform and outputs it to the DOUT when TE is pulled to low. The wave fed to RS485 IC for transmission. The transmitted RS485 IC data receive by receiver side of RS485 and PT2272 decode the waveform and set the corresponding output pin high. Thus completing a remote control encoding and decoding function.  PT2272-M4--decoder PT2272 decodes the waveform received and fed in to the DIN pin. The waveform is decoded into code word that contains the address, data and sync bits. The decoded address bits are compared with the address set at the address input pins. If both address match for 2 consecutive code words, PT2272 drives the data output pins whose corresponding data bits is the decoded to be a 1 bit, and (2) the VT output — to high state.  VT (Valid Transmitter) When PT2272 receive a transmission code word, it initially checks whether this is a valid transmission. For a transmission to be valid, (1) it must be complete code word, and (2) the address bits must match the address setting at the address pins. After two consecutive valid transmissions, PT2272 (1) drives the data pins according to the data bits received, and (2) raises VT to high state. Features Wide Range of Operation Voltage 5V to 12V TransmitterSupply 5V DC ReceiverOn Board Data Transmission LEDSingle Resistor Oscillator4 Momentary Outputs4 Outputs TTL LevelAddress setting 3 states HIGH, LOW, And FLOATING)Remote provides 6561 addressable combinations by setting up J1-J8 to High, Low, and Floating.On Board Power and Valid Transmission LEDS ReceiverTwisted Pair RS485 Communication Between Transmitter and ReceiverCMOS TechnologyLow Power ConsumptionIt Can transmit data over 1000 Meters cableVery High Noise ImmunityUp to 8 Tri-State Code Address Pins ApplicationGarage Door ControllerHome SecurityAutomation SystemRemote Control for Industrial Use NOTE J1 to J8 Jumper provided at Bottom layer of the PCB to set the address pins high. Top side of the PCB has Jumpers. Close them to set the address pins low for J1 to J8. 

Today I want to share an LED strobe design project I found in electronic-lab, which you can do it by yourself. Strobe provides regular flashes of light. Usually Strobes are designed using Xenon Tubes. Here is LED based simple solution that can be used as strobe for entertainment and events and also as warning signals. Project is based on PIC16F1825 micro-controller with two digit frequency display. Project provides TTL output signal, frequency 1Hz-25Hz, Tact switches provided to set the frequency. This project works along with DC Output Solid State Relay Features 1.Supply 4.5 to 5V DC2.Frequency 1Hz To 25Hz3.Easy Interface with Relay Board4.Easy Interface with Solid State Relay5.On Board Power LEDOn Board Output LED6.Onboard Switch to set the frequency7.2X7 Segment 0.5 Inch Display Applications 1.Strobe for Entertainment2.Traffic Signal3.Warning Signal4.Ambulance Warning Signals Schematic   Parts List Connections Photos Working Diagram Ref.PIC16F1825 

Today I want to share a project of making a simple automatic street light controller using relay and LDR I found in circuitdigest with you.   You have seen street light which automatically gets turned on in the night and gets turned off in the morning or day time, there are sensors who senses the light and control the light accordingly. These Street lights are an important project in smart cities.   So here in this project, we are going to make a Simple Automatic Street Light Controller Using Relay and LDR. This circuit is very simple circuit and can be built with Transistors and LDR, you don’t need any op-amp or 555 IC to trigger the AC load. Here we have used an AC bulb as street light. Some applications of this circuit are street light controlling, home/office light controlling, day and night indicators, etc.   Components Required:   Transistor BC547 -2 LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) Relay Resistor 1k 100k Potentiometer Power Supply 12v -1 Connecting wires Jumper wires Screw terminal Block 2 pin or 3 pin Bread Board or Perf Board 1n4007 Diode AC supply AC Load or Bulb   Here you may want to know: what is LDR? LDRs are made from semiconductor materials to enable them to have their light sensitive properties. There are many types but one material is popular and it is cadmium sulphide (CdS). These LDRs or PHOTO REISTORS works on the principle of “Photo Conductivity”. Now what this principle says is, whenever light falls on the surface of the LDR (in this case) the conductance of the element increases or in other words the resistance of the LDR falls when the light falls on the surface of the LDR. This property of the decrease in resistance for the LDR is achieved because it is a property of semiconductor material used on the surface. LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)   Circuit Diagram and Explanation:   Below is the circuit diagram of this Light sensing Street Light:       In this project, we have used an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) which is responsible for detecting light and darkness. The resistance of LDR increases in darkness and reduces in presence of light. This circuit is same as a Dark Detector or Light Detector Circuit, only here we have replaced simple LED with a AC load, using a Relay. Two BC547 NPN transistors are used to drive the relay. Automatic Street Light circuit using LDR and relay   Whenever light falls over LDR its resistance get decreased and transistor Q1 turns ON and collector of this transistor goes LOW, and this makes the second transistor turns OFF due to getting a LOW signal at its base, so relay also remain turned OFF due to second transistor.   Now whenever LDR senses Darkness, mean no light, then transistor Q1 turned ON due to increase in the resistance of LDR which is responsible for voltage drop at the base of Q1. Due to a LOW signal at the Q1 base, Q2 transistor gets a HIGH signal from the collector of Q1 and turns ON the relay. Relay turned ON the AC load that is connected to relay. A 10K pot is also used for setting up the sensitivity of the circuit.   So this is how automatic Street Lights turns on in the night and turn off in the day, and below is the effect pictures. >>>>>                                                       > >>>>   Ref. KY56-BC547A KY32-1N4007  

A software called DesignDRIVE Fast Current Loop that makes C2000 microcontrollers (MCUs) the first devices to push current-loop performance to less than 1 microsecond, has been introduced by Texas Instruments. Together, TI's C2000 MCU portfolio and DesignDRIVE software delivers System-on-Chip (SOC) functionality which simplifies drive control system development.       The DesignDRIVE Fast Current Loop software out performs traditional microcontroller (MCU)-based current-loop solutions and can simplify designs by eliminating the Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) typically used for external current-loop control. Fast Current Loop software is a free update available for C2000 controlSUITE software.   TI's DesignDRIVE technology is a unified hardware and software platform that makes it easier for engineers to develop and evaluate solutions for a variety of industrial drive and servo topologies. As a key part of DesignDRIVE solutions, the Fast Current Loop software enables developers to achieve higher control performance while saving valuable board space and simplifying thermal considerations.     Features and benefits of TI's DesignDRIVE Fast Current Loop software   · Innovative subcycle Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) update techniques significantly improve control-loop bandwidths to potentially triple the motor torque response. · A novel cycle-scavenging C2000 MCU needs only 460 nanoseconds for field-oriented control processing. · A new complex controller replaces traditional proportional integration control and facilitates greater stability at higher speeds. · Industrial drive systems designed with Fast Current Loop software on a C2000 MCU, like the TMS320F28379, delivers SOC functionality to reduce board space, complexity and overall cost.      Ref. KY32-TMS320F28379 KY362-C2000    

Two new USB Type-C-certified port-controller ICs have been introduced by STMicroelectronics.  The ICs offer built-in protection which help designers implement interfaces cost-effectively to support their required blend of USB features. These can include power negotiation, managed active cables, and support for guest protocols. USB Type-C specifies reversible plug orientation and cable direction, which simplifies attaching and powering a wide range of devices. The Type-C connection also consolidates support for all USB features including 480Mbps USB 2.0 and 10Gbps USB 3.1 data exchange, power delivery from 5V/0.5A up to 20V/5.0A, managed active cables that extend connection distance, and alternate mode that even allows guest protocols such as HDMI or DisplayPort to use the same cable. Making things simpler for users requires more complex interface electronics to setup each connection correctly. In addition, the 20V maximum bus voltage (VBUS) for power delivery demands extra protection for low-voltage circuitry. ST’s new controller ICs simplify choices for designers, with one device dedicated to controlling downstream-facing ports (DFP), and one that can handle either downstream-facing (DFP), upstream-facing (UFP), or dual-role (DRP) use. Both new ICs support Type-C cable-attachment and connector-orientation detection and can operate over a wide supply range of 3-22V with no external voltage regulator, saving component count and board real-estate. Manufactured using ST’s high-performance analog CMOS process, the new USB Type-C controllers combine low power consumption with robust, high-voltage capability. Over-voltage protection up to 22V for the CC lines and up to 28V for the high-voltage pins is also built-in, which prevents damage in the event of accidental short-circuit to VBUS. There is also on-chip discharge circuitry for the VBUS and VCONN power lines, which allows cables to be disconnected safely. The STUSB4710 DFP controller targets power-source applications such as AC adapters and power supplies, power hubs, docking stations, smart plugs, and displays. The IC integrates all the circuitry needed to negotiate power delivery with connected devices, and can support up to 5 Power Delivery Profiles. Through its embedded Non-Volatile Memory, it is fully customizable and can handle the entire connection setup with no external CPU involvement; hence it can be used directly without any extra software or firmware. In case of multi-port applications (4-port power hub, for instance), an I²C interface allows a parallel connection of multiple STUSB4710 ICs to a microcontroller (MCU) to implement power-sharing algorithms. The STUSB1602 can manage USB Type-C ports in power sources or devices. On-chip Configuration-Channel (CC) control logic manages the entire connection setup including selecting the VBUS default, medium-current, or high-current mode. In addition, the device integrates a protected and programmable 600mA VCONN power switch to support accessories and active cables. The STUSB1602 also implements a USB PD physical layer (including a Bi-phase Mark Coding IP) to support power-delivery software stack implemented by an external MCU. The hardware and the software is USB PD 2.0 certified both as a Sink and a Source. Furthermore, it is compatible with USB PD 3.0 core features and most options. The STUSB1602 supports accessory modes and dead-battery mode. Ref.KY32-CP2200-GQKY32-CP2110-F01-GM