DevHeads IoT Integration Server

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DevHeads IoT Integration Server

The DevHeads IoT Integration Server accelerates technology engineering by helping pro devs learn, share and collaborate.

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I am looking for a sensor that measures distance.

Morning guys. I am looking for a sensor that measures distance. I have two requirements: the sensor must be waterproof, so the HC-SR04 is not suitable, and I need to be able to use at least 4 sensors either with I2C or on a digital port.🧐 Thank you in advance....
Solution:
The VL53L1X is a great waterproof distance sensor for up to 4m range with I2C interface, but one disadvantage is its relatively high cost compared to some ultrasonic sensors

Can I connect 4 6v DC motors to an Arduino with a breadboard and MOSFET Transistors?

Hi Devs, I need to connect 4 6v DC motors to an Arduino for a school project. Can I connect 4 6v DC motors to an Arduino with a breadboard and MOSFET Transistors? I connected them with a quad motor driving shield before, but I accidentally destroyed it, so I'm searching for another solution.
Solution:
You can also get a motor module and interface with it. It will prevent your device from getting damaged. @aymen ammari https://lastminuteengineers.com/l298n-dc-stepper-driver-arduino-tutorial/...

Troubleshooting Erratic Behavior in Solar Electricity Router for Excess PV Power Management

Hello, I need help. I'm trying to make a router for solar electricity. The goal is to direct the excess electricity produced by the PV panels to a household resistive load rather than sending it to the grid for free. Reading the teleinfo port of the Linky meter works very well. When I use the dimmer library in one of the example sketches, my incandescent bulb works perfectly. But, in my router sketch, the bulb behaves erratically. I've been working on this for a month. If you could help me, thank you....
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I'm considering using an accelerometer sensor to read acceleration data

I'm working on an embedded Linux project and debating between I2C and SPI for sensor communication. I understand I2C offers error detection and framing with start/stop bits, while SPI seems simpler. For my specific use case, I'm considering using an accelerometer sensor to read acceleration data (e.g., motion detection, tilt). In this scenario, would SPI be a good choice despite its lack of built-in error detection? Please, someone should help me out 🙏...
Solution:
Although SPI does not have built-in error detection, you can implement error detection and correction in your user-space application using techniques such as checksums or cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs)

Reviewing My ATtiny85 MIDI Controller with CR2032 Battery: Schematic and Assembly Feedback Needed

Working on a tiny MIDI controller setup using an ATtiny85 chip using a CR2032 coin-cell battery. I think everything is good here on my schematic, but would be open to other opinions before I officially order it. Going to make it in three snap-off pieces, tied together with four screws, so I'm a bit nervous about that since I don't think KiCad will really check it correctly. Also, my analog input voltage divider circuit w/ four buttons on two inputs is largely untested, though I think it should work. Haven't really examined the resistor values closely, but I believe it should be able to detect when two buttons are pressed per a middle resistance value. Anyway, I'd welcome any thoughts, thx!...
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Human following robot with raspberry pi 4 and H BRIDGE L293D and 2 ultrasound sensors HC-SR05

Hi Devs, I'm building this human following robot with raspberry pi 4 and H BRIDGE L293D and 2 ultrasound sensors HC-SR05 so my colleague asked me put 10k resistor between trig and echo pins for each sensor My question is.. Why did we implement this resistor, is it for 5v tolerance for raspberry pins or data filtration?? #pcb-and-analog #hardware-design-chat...
Solution:
Hey putting 10k resistor is not that very necessary here. Raspberry pi gpio operates at 3.3v DC and the Ultrasonic sensor outputs 5v at the ECHO pin that's connected to the Pi. What you need to do is to create a voltage divider circuit here at the ECHO pin so that it will be btw 3v to 3.3v which the Pi can handle. If not there might be damage caused on the gpio of the Pi board. This also will help you. https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi-tutorials/hc-sr04-ultrasonic-range-sensor-on-the-raspberry-pi...

I'm looking for a sensor to use as body heat sensor for medical project

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a sensor to use as body heat sensor for medical project, I'm trying to use LM35 with esp32 and IOT system but my problem is that I don't find it suitable (casing) So any suggestions on what to use, and thank you in advance...
Solution:
You will need a PPG for the SpO2 & heartbeat - but yes, it will work with them in parallel

Does the ATtinyx5 series allow for capacitive touch without a resistor?

Hackaday is having a business card contest https://hackaday.com/2024/05/07/the-2024-business-card-challenge-starts-now/and I decided to throw something together to enter. I doubt it will win, as mine is just a simple LED/battery holder. But it's been something that I've been thinking about for a while, so seems like a good excuse. Maybe it'll get one of the runner-up prizes. All that being said, I'm fairly happy with the front, but the back could probably better. Any suggestions to help with its aesthetics and/or usefulness (whether front or back)?...
Solution:
- doesn't look like supporting capacitive touch as a peripheral. So external components will be required. Also take a look at this MCU coming with touch sense peripheral MSP430FR2512 ( design manual https://www.ti.com/lit/an/slaa842b/slaa842b.pdf) - How about this? 1W speaker. 13mm^2 dimension for your card https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cui-devices/CDS-13138-SMT-TR/5355531...
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I need a component to heat a box up to 80°C. Any recommendations?

Morning guys, I'm working on a project with my friend that requires heating the inside of a box up to a maximum of 80°C. Does anyone know of a "heating" component that could be used? I tried the Peltier module before realizing it wasn't suitable. The goal of the project is to maintain the inside of the box between 60°C and 80°C for several hours. The ventilation, timer, and temperature measurement parts are already completed. Everything is controlled by an 8266 and powered by an external power supply (I was thinking via USB-C, but it depends on the heating module if it requires more than 5V). Thanks....
Solution:
I don't have a specific part to recommend. However, I'd look at something qualified for automotive or industrial as they are specified to operate up to 105°C or 125°C. Consumer parts are only good to 85°C, so you may find they burn out. Best thing is to try a few and see what works. Also be aware of thermal runaway - if I remember correctly, as the device heats up, its resistance drop, causing more current to flow, which causes the resistance to drop further, resulting in more current flow... Good luck!...

What are the various applications of these capacitors "Ceramic,Electrolytic and Tantalum" capacitors

What are the various applications of these capacitors, "Ceramic, Electrolytic and Tantalum" capacitors. In what kind of circuit applications can I use them during design. Thanks. @PCB & Analog...
Solution:
In most cases, you can use them interchangeably. There are key parameters that differ between those caps. Ceramic caps have low impedance, low volumetric capacitance, long operation life. Electrolytic caps have rather high impedance based on higher ESR, good volumetric capacitance, short operation life. Tantalum caps are somewhere in between.

Is it profitable and especially possible to create a somewhat intelligent cat food dispenser?

morning everyone, I have a question for a project. 🤔🤔 🤔 In your opinion, is it profitable and especially feasible to create a somewhat intelligent cat food dispenser? Let me explain. I would like the dispenser to distribute a certain quantity at certain times (using a scale, for example), but with a kind of flap that closes the bowl if the cat doesn't finish (since I have multiple cats and I want to prevent them from stealing from each other), and that the flap only opens if it's the authorized cat (via their electronic identification chip, for example). Do you think this is possible???? Thanks in advance....

designing system with consumption of 960mA. Would a regulator with rating of 1A be sufficient?

"I'm designing a system with a current consumption of 960mA. The regulator IC I'm considering has a rating of 1A. Would this regulator be sufficient for my system, or should I opt for one with a higher rating? Your detailed opinions are welcomed @PCB & Analog...
Solution:
I recommend using a regulator of 1.2A or 1.5A of current this will be fine.

would like to record an analog signal of 70mghz frequency min, how do i proceed, the time is max 16

Hi team, i would like to record an analog signal of 70mghz frequency min, how do i proceed, the time is max 16 min of recording
Solution:
As per Nyquist criterion, your sampling frequency must be twice of measuring frequency, so your signal is 70 MHz, so fsample must be 140MHz, in this case you need ADC with 250Ms/s atleast, and depends on your measuring instrument memory you will have to transfer the measured data to larger memory multiple times in 16 mins as DSOs does not have large memory, this changes with resolution of ADC. Lower resolution lower data.

Which software could I use to draw this on my computer?

Hi guys! I need some software assistance Plz , I would like to create a sort of template for drilling the front face of a casing. I have taken all the measurements. Which software could I use to draw this on my computer?🤔
Solution:
@Camila_99$$ LibreCAD, FreeCAD, even KiCAD will help you. Feel free to ask how and I will help you.
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What type of sensor can I use to check when the water gets dirty?

Hello everyone, last week I spoke about automating the water changing process in an artificial fish pond What type of sensor can I use to check when the water gets dirty( if there exists such sensor)...
Solution:
You can measure conductivity. You can measure light reflectability. You can measure color features.

Could anyone identify these two components, please?

Hi everyone! Happy weekend! Could anyone identify these two components, please? They seem to be SOT23 vs SOT323. My friend Google couldn't help me 🙁 Thank you 🙂....
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I want to make 48v battery charger, how I can make it (cercuit schematic)?

Hi everyone, I want to make 48v battery charger, how I can make it (cercuit schematic) and what's the calculation I must do
Solution:
I think they are 90% the same, but the 10% difference is important. In this 10% there are things like: sensing if battery is depleted and trying to 'jump start' with trickle current, knowing when battery is charged and stopping the cyle, keeping the charging current constant, etc. The battery charger is mostly a constant current power supply. The battery chemistry is also important when determining the charging cyle.

Which Cellular module do you recommend for Smart city project

Good day Everyone. I Am currently working on a Smart city project Which requires me to fetch Sensor data remotely Which Cellular module do you recommend for this project....
Solution:
I believe particle has a number of cellular modules you could check out: https://www.particle.io/ also Blues https://blues.com/ Particle even announced satellite comms earlier this year, and I think both work with other tech like LoRa and WiFi. A bit of disclaimer, I've worked with and/or am working with both of these companies, though I haven't used either of their cellular offerings yet. Particle seems especially well supported, so you might start with them, though I'd check out both....

What techniques can I employ to ensure thermal management and proper heat dissipation in my PCB layo

Hello everyone, I have a problem... despite implementing thermal vias and heat sinks, inadequate thermal management in the PCB layout caused components to exceed their temperature ratings, leading to premature failure and reliability issues. What techniques can I employ to ensure thermal management and proper heat dissipation in my PCB layout, particularly for components prone to overheating?
Solution:
Increase your trace spacing so it can accumulate enough current. You can also add copper pour on your PCB and create some polygons, these also helps in heat management. Add the right amount of vias also. ...