Montreal-based PN Labs is trying to save prototypists from blowing a microcontroller to bits with a compact energy circuit protector appropriate for breadboard use: the Defend Nano.
“My product may be very easy,” PN Labs’ unnamed founder explains. “It is a energy safety module that guards towards over/underneath voltage, over-current, and reverse polarity occasions for embedded techniques. It is adjustable by way of solder jumpers for 3.3, 5 and 12V with some wiggle room round these values. I had a complete batch assembled at a fab home, and the following query was how to make sure constant high quality throughout all of the items.”
The Defend Nano goals to face between your favourite microcontroller and any variety of nasty energy provide issues. (📷: PN Labs)
The reply to that was discovered within the very gadgets the Defend Nano was designed to defend: a microcontroller growth board, on this case an Arduino Nano R3. “I used a PWM [Pulse-Width Modulation] pin from an Arduino Nano to cycle by way of a spread of voltages. I recorded the module’s response utilizing the onboard ADC, then used some if/else logic to find out if it handed.”
The Arduino Nano R3 is put in in a take a look at rig with pogo pins. The Defend Nano is positioned on prime and secured with a toggle clamp, then examined to be sure that it accurately triggers for over- and under-voltage, then assessments {the electrical} reset and at last “sound[s] a contented tone or unhappy tone on the buzzer” whereas printing the outcomes to a compact OLED.
Every unit is examined in a customized rig powered by an Arduino Nano R3 and “some if/else logic.” (📷: PN Labs)
“I made [the Protect Nano] as a result of I needed one thing smaller than the unique Defend module and extra suited to decrease voltages and decrease currents,” PN Labs’ founder explains. “It’s a versatile unit that can be utilized for a lot of totally different purposes, and I do know it’s going to save a whole lot of circuits within the discipline from being destroyed by adjustable energy provides getting used incorrect or going haywire!”
The Defend Nano is on the market to order on Tindie at $21.99 for a pair; PN Labs has not launched design recordsdata for the board, however has made KiCad initiatives recordsdata out there for its predecessor the Energetic Energy Safety Module (APPM). Extra data on the take a look at rig is on the market in PN Labs’ Reddit put up.
