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 in opposition to over/below voltage, over-current, and reverse polarity occasions for embedded programs. It is adjustable through solder jumpers for 3.3, 5 and 12V with some wiggle room round these values. I had an entire batch assembled at a fab home, and the subsequent 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 units the Defend Nano was designed to defend: a microcontroller improvement 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 check rig with pogo pins. The Defend Nano is positioned on high and secured with a toggle clamp, then examined to be sure that it accurately triggers for over- and under-voltage, then checks {the electrical} reset and at last “sound[s] a cheerful 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 completely different purposes, and I do know it should save plenty of circuits within the area from being destroyed by adjustable energy provides getting used flawed or going haywire!”
The Defend Nano is offered to order on Tindie at $21.99 for a pair; PN Labs has not launched design information for the board, however has made KiCad tasks information obtainable for its predecessor the Lively Energy Safety Module (APPM). Extra info on the check rig is offered in PN Labs’ Reddit submit.
