The first version of the USB Tester OLED backpack is now a working prototype! This version has all the features that I have posted about previously except for one unannounced feature that will be in the next PCB version which is due next week. USB Tester and OLED Backpack The OLED backpack adds a display to the USB Tester so that you don’t have to connect your multimeter. This makes it a snap to check voltage and current on the bench or on the go. Using the desktop Java application you can graph the data, save it to a text file and set a threshold current for the on board warning LED. Just connect your project to the USB A port like you would to your computer. Then …
USB Tester OLED Backpack: Surprise Feature 2
Last month we released the USB Tester for measuring voltage and current of your USB project and devices. This tool made it easier to connect your digital multi-meter for measurement. You can read the full product description here: http://www.mobilewill.us/2012/12/our-first-product-usb-tester.html. This month we are working on releasing a OLED Adapter backpack. This will allow you to view the voltage and current without the need for a DMM. I recently released the first feature here: http://www.mobilewill.us/2013/01/usb-tester-oled-backpack-surprise.html.Today I wanted to announce another feature that the OLED Backpack will have. During development I came up with the idea to add a threshold warning LED. The threshold value is set using the desktop Java application. Once the current reaches the threshold value the LED will stay on until …
USB Tester OLED Backpack: Surprise Feature 1
Last month we released the USB Tester, a tool for measuring voltage and current of your USB project and devices. This tool made it easier to connect your digital multi-meter for measurement. You can read the full product description here: http://www.mobilewill.us/2012/12/our-first-product-usb-tester.html. This month we are working on releasing an OLED Adapter backpack. This will allow you to view the voltage and current without the need for a DMM. Today I wanted to announce one of the features that the OLED Backpack will have. The backpack will have a USB connection to power the microcontroller and display but it will also be able to data log the voltage and current usage via a desktop application. If you watched the Adafruit Show and …
USB Tester OLED Backpack on the Breadboard
As we wait for the USB Tester OLED backpack PCBs, I have started to develop the software that will run on it. If you missed it, here is a 3D model of the PCB: http://www.mobilewill.us/2012/12/3d-model-of-usb-tester-oled-adapter.html. Below is a picture of the display working on a breadboard. I am using an Xbee on a Sparkfun explorer as a load for testing. I even tested it with a Raspberry Pi while it is booting. Pretty neat, I am really excited to get this completed. USB Tester OLED Display On the breadboard you will see the Adafruit 128×32 SPI OLED display, INA219B DC High side current sensor (I2C), and a Arduino Leonardo. Currently the OLED display is using the default library that is bit banged SPI …
Misson Accomplished!
Today on December 29, 2012 at 8:44AM, we reached our fundraising goal! I can’t thank our supporters enough. This will definitely help jump start Fried Circuits (our new shop) and enable us to prototype some projects we have designed. You can still place an order and once the fundraiser is over, I will order the PCBs which will take about two weeks from OSH Park.
USB Tester 2 Days Left!
It has been a great two weeks, not just because of the holidays, but our fundraiser is doing well. With only two days left, we are very close to reaching our goal. Currently we are at $552, with a goal of $600. If you haven’t ordered, please come help us out. I look forward to starting the new year making and shipping the USB Testers as well as getting the OLED backpack into your hands. USB Tester Front USB Tester OLED 3D Model Thank you so much for your support!
3D Model of USB Tester OLED Adapter
Before I head out for a holiday break, I wanted to post a teaser of the USB Tester OLED Adapter. I ordered a few PCBs for the first prototype. I was able to breakout all of the unused pins on the Atmega32u4. There are a few that have a via close to the pin instead of a normal header on the edge of the board. I used eagleUp to create the 3D model. You can find it here if you would like to try it: http://eagleup.wordpress.com/. The model is only the PCB, I haven’t had a chance to get the parts working yet. Happy Holidays! Enjoy!
USB Tester Fundraiser
Today on 12/17/2012, Tindie launched a new fundraiser system to help new products get off the ground. The USB Tester is one of the first products to use this new system. Our goal is to reach 50 orders or $600. This will help further development of the USB Tester backpacks and will help jump start FriedCircuits. The way it works is a shop sets a minimum order and you can prepay using the normal Tindie checkout. You are not charged unless the fundraiser meets the goal. Once the two weeks is over and the goal is met, you are charged and we are able to build and ship out the orders. This allows you to support a new product but not put …
Our First Product: USB Tester
Today on 12/12/12, we launched our first product! Check out the product description below. If you would like to purchase one you can do so here: https://www.tindie.com/shops/FriedCircuits/usb-tester/ We have launched a new name, FriedCircuits, which will be used for any products that we sell. I am working on a site for product information and documentation (will be shared when completed). USB Tester v1 USB Tester v1 Front USB Tester v1 Front with Jumper USB Tester v1 Rear USB has become the core of many projects. In my experience I’ve found it to be troublesome to test USB voltage levels and current usage using a breadboard. They usually consist of holding wires attached to the DMM’s test leads, making it difficult to …