Category Archive

There is a new firmware update for the USB Tester OLED Backpack. This update completely redesigns the display and makes use of the button. Updated OLED Display Change Log:-Removed SVolt and BVolt-Moved CurrentVolt under graph-Extend graph width of display-Use clearDisplay() to speed up redraws-Reduce logo display time-Enabled button to cycle display speed-Millis based delay You can find the update on github:https://github.com/FriedCircuits/FC-USB-Tester-OLED-Backpack If you need directions on how to update:http://friedcircuits.us/docs/oled-backpack-how-to-update-firmware/

From the beginning I designed the USB Tester to use the Dangerous Prototype Sick of Beige (SOB) standard PCB sizes. 50x31mm being the smallest rectangle and most ideal for the USB Tester. One of these reasons was that in doing so it would fit their standard acrylic cases which can be found at Seeedstudio.com for $3. After waiting many days, my order has come in and I can show you one way you can use the case. When you order the enclosure it comes with the following: 4x Long Screws 4x Short Screws 4x Tall Stand offs 4x Short Stand offs 2x 50x31mm Acrylic cut with mounting holes I found what worked is to use one acrylic sheet, all eight hex stand offs and the four long …

Today we have started the fundraiser for the USB Tester OLED backpack with the display. This is a great addition to the USB Tester, which makes it easy to monitor voltage and current for any USB device. Now you don’t even need your DMM. You can use this to see how much power your Raspberry Pi is using or that custom Arduino based project you are working on. This is a great way to make sure you aren’t getting a voltage drop due to that USB hub you are using. Check out the product description below and thanks for your support. You can back your here: https://www.tindie.com/shops/FriedCircuits/usb-tester-oled-backpack-with-display/ USB Tester OLED Backpack measuring Raspberry Pi USB Tester OLED Backpack and USB Tester …

This post was about a feature I was going to add, but after prototyping I realized that it isn’t needed. The microcontroller can be connected to both power sources and before the sense resistor without any affect on measurements. The maximum power you can use is still affected as mentioned at the end of the post. If no host computer is connected for the microcontroller, it will draw power from the same source as the device you are measuring. This can make it convenient for checking a device without needing to be near a computer or 2nd power source. This will be great for testing on the spot. In the future it might be possible to do some light data logging to the microcontroller via a …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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!