HDL-0108-IF2C R01 A1 (“IF2C”) – OsháBlue: Web Log and B-Sides

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8-Channel breakout accessory for the (H)DLITE Family of host electronics hardware for ultrasonic non-destructive testing (UT, NDT) in embedded systems.

This particular revision (Ro1 A1) is called out specifically in the title because it’s a first demo-worthy prototype and so several things are likely (and ought) to change in the next revision(s).

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CAUTION: This prototype hardware, like many, contains or may carry high voltages. High voltages can be dangerous and lethal, not to mention damaging to electronics and other things when not properly treated. Know what you are doing. Ask questions.

Overview of the Hardware

What is it?: 8-Channel UT breakout accessory board (backward-) compatible with the (H)DLITE family of boards. It includes single-cell Lithium-ion (polymer) chemistry power management. BTW, whether this battery chemistry and capacity are right for your application is up to you. These things depend heavily on use case. Easy to rev for a new use-case.

The IF2C is designed to allow a combo of right-angle and edge-connected-straight connections so that everything fits into something like a cylinder if you wanted to make it so.

BTW, the flagship hardware in this application series, the DL0100A1, was also solar- and battery-ready out of the box for compact stand alone installations. Here, in the IF2C however, the battery chemistry and cell count is pre-defined simply, as a hands-on test and R&D platform. The solar charging capability has been removed from this model, and is easy to re-implement in a next revision.

As with all the (H)DLITE (DL) family members, this board is highly configurable. Really. By modifying various build options (DNPs, or change component values) you can play with all sorts of things. And by varying the firmware and HOST platform config, settings, comms choices, comms configuration, and firmware, you can also play with a bunch of other use-cases.

It is a conversation.

For signal integrity purposes, it’s probably a good match for being hosted by the DL012GXN (the “HOST”). The GXN is quieter and optimized for cross-channel (bulk wave, RMS, etc.) detection and monitoring scenarios. With the IF2C mounted on this HOST, things get a bit noiser than the GXN alone, but probably a better bet than than the “G” or the DL0100A1 (try them!), just in terms of signal quality.

For exploring firmware development to optimize power envelopes, including more control over the pulsing (Tx) voltage, the DL0102G (“G”) model and/or the DL0100A1 model are perhaps better HOSTS for R&D.

How-To: Stuff you’ll want to know and do

First interconnection, power-up and usage, AKA “Getting Started / Quick Start”
Power options
Sleep
Communications (comms) options for IF2C/Host and General (H)DL/DLITE communications options, including more rapid scanning/DAQ
Charging
Example IF2C channel selection commands and data acquisition
Simple command set, firmware (HOST FW) modifications and code samples
Configuration options, including those for power minimization (hint: you have a LOT of options… with flexibility comes responsibility?)
Power consumption info (hosted on a GXN)
Other applications, like basic Rapid Scan

This prototype, the IF2C, came about to test a form factor, to demo a few proofs of concept and start gathering info to drive true testing of “sit-in-the-field-and-wait” battery (without solar) options as well as move several key functional blocks to next gen components and integration.

This prototype also applies to the hardware world a bit of the combo of software development and hacker-maker-space mottos such as (1) test early and often, (2) increment, and (3) favor action over [excessive] deliberation. Yet, it’s sufficiently capable and interesting enough to release as a play-time prototype.