Digi-Key TechXchange Communities: Message List

Launch Pad and Capacitive touch booster Pack Demo

noreply@digikey.com — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:01:29 GMT

I don't think have the code for this anymore. It was a pretty simple hack. What examples are you looking for, the RF or the launchpad capacitive touch boosterpack?

FT Series ICs

noreply@digikey.com — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:48:56 GMT

I've used the FT232R in a lot of projects. It's one of the easiest ways to talk to a computer through USB. FTDI has done a fantastic job with the drivers.

LED - Resistor Circuit Design Question

noreply@digikey.com — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:46:53 GMT

Take a look at the LEDdynamics "constant current resistor" 788-1091-ND . The resistor term may be only in spirit, but it is through hole and cheaper than the hobby store above. There's also some surface mount stuff from MCC in the this link http://search.digikey.com/us/en/cat/discrete-semiconductor-products/diodes-rectifiers-single/1376383?k=current%20limit%20diode

Re: What is your favorite publication related to electronics?

noreply@digikey.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:36:39 GMT

The only ones I really pay any attention to are IEEE Spectrum (along with related publications) and EE Journal (formerly FPGA Journal). If I'm looking at a more in depth topic, I personally prefer print, which is why I like the Spectrum. Often when something is put in print, it means it's worth paying to lay it down in ink, so I often pay a little more attention. If I am reading commentary about some current topics I prefer to just consume the tidbits in digital format. In any instance I very much dislike digitized versions of print magazines. The only digital "magazine" that I have found quite readable and interesting is EEWeb Pulse. It has a nice feel and flow for on screen reading.

Re: Reply 2 AC/DC Power Supply question

noreply@digikey.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:46:31 GMT

If you are looking for the (plausibly) easiest overkill solution and you have the space.... 179-2268-ND

If you are looking for something fairly easy, and a bit more compact than above, take a look at these AC/DC on board power supplies. I believe most of the products in that link should be isolated, but check the datasheet for sure. I'm not really advocating these solutions over what was suggested by others; I just wanted to make you aware of their existence. Pair that with a 3.3V linear or switcher regulator and you should have a solution.

RE: Digikey capabilities

noreply@digikey.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:16:16 GMT

Digi-Key as a company does not directly offer these services, but we do have a couple avenues to guide you to people who can help. One of these resources is the Design Services Providers :

Digi-Key’s Design Services Providers Network offers fee-based high quality, efficient, system-level engineering and consulting services, including design feasibility, hardware/software electronic development, prototyping, PCB design, and manufacturing.

A few of these companies specifically list "industrial design" in their profiles, but many of them have this capability.

The other main resource is our manufacturers. Many of our manufacturers have these capabilities and are willing work with our customers on opportunities. If you would like to privately discuss your application and which companies might be right for you please email design@digikey.com .

Other capabilities that Digi-Key offers are in the attached PDF.

Charging a 6 Volt battery with a 5V usb conection

noreply@digikey.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:22:59 GMT

The Br-2/3agn is not rechargeable. Digi-Key doesn't sell any rechargable lithium batteries bigger than a coin cell.

Charging a 6 Volt battery with a 5V usb conection

noreply@digikey.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:27:53 GMT

If all you are trying to do is power 5V components and charge a lithium battery off you should be able to get away with a single cell lithium technology battery and two chips(charger w/OVP and boost converter w/ over discharge protection). There's likely no need for a linear regulator when a switcher can just generate the 5V you need and offer over and under voltage protection (both critical in this case) for the Li battery. If the linear regulator is off in an untouchable part of the design or there are other needs like noise or ripple problems that the linear regulator can help solve then there may be a case for it.

Are you sure you have a 6V set of batteries (I'll assume set of 2). Most Li based product are nominally around 3.7V (7.4nom or ~8.4 charging), and most chargers are designed around that range of voltages and specific type of battery (there are many types of Li batteries). Designing incorrectly with Li rechargeables can have extreme consequences, especially if going into a product. You may want to consider a chemistry such as NiMH that has it's own trade-offs, but doesn't have the same issues if done incorrectly. If working with lithiums, quite a more research and design requirements need to go in the process and talking to your lithium battery supplier for recommendations might be warranted. Here's another approachable article on some of the pitfalls of using Li technology. It is geared more toward hobbyists, but the information is relevant all the same. There are lots of references designs out there (more on than just in that link) for this and similar applications, and even premade boards that include both the MCP37831T and TPS61200 http://www.google.com/search?q=MCP73831T+and+TPS61200.

Charging a 6 Volt battery with a 5V usb conection

noreply@digikey.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:17:23 GMT

So to be 100% clear. You need 9V in your system for something other than charging batteries.

Charging a 6 Volt battery with a 5V usb conection

noreply@digikey.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:12:00 GMT

Lets get your requirements striaght. You say that you need 9V input, did you mean output, as in you need to use 9V for a specific reason? Are you still trying to pull off of USB? Is there some other outside source?

Please restate your systems power requirements in a clearer form.