Modbus is a widely used communication protocol and an open-source industrial networking standard. Developed in 1979 by Modicon (now Schneider Electric), Modbus has become a standard in the automation and industrial control systems (ICS) industries. The communication protocol is known for its simplicity and easy-to-follow troubleshooting feature. It uses a master-slave or client-server communication model,…

Selecting components is one of the most essential and critical processes when designing any electronic system. Poor component selection can lead to many problems within the design, PCB layout, power budget, etc. In this article, we will discuss how to select a component for a low-power-optimized design. Resistor The power dissipated by a resistor is…

In many applications, there’s a need for a constant voltage source. However, there are more constant current source applications than constant voltage sources. Most power supplies are voltage sources, including batteries and bench power.  A constant current source can be used anywhere a fixed current is required. A resistor can also be used, but the…

STMicroelectronics’ TSZ181H1 and dual TSZ182H1 automotive-qualified operational amplifiers (op amps) deliver high accuracy and stability over a wide (-40° to 175° C) temperature range. The high maximum operating temperature encourages use in harsh environments and in applications with long mission profiles. The op amps have very low input offset voltage, typically 3.5µV at 25° Cm, and input bias…

In this article, we’ll configure a parking sensor using LoRa (long-range) devices. LoRa is a wireless communication technique derived from Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology. For this project, Arduino Nano is connected to an ultrasonic sensor, detecting parking occupancy based on distance measurements. When a vehicle enters or leaves a parking space, the ultrasonic sensor…

Vishay Intertechnology has introduced three new miniaturized infrared (IR) sensor modules for remote-control systems. Featuring modulated carrier output for code learning applications, the Vishay Semiconductors dual-lens TSMP95000 and single-lens TSMP96000 and TSMP98000 combine a wide supply voltage range from 2.0 to 5.5 V with a low typical power consumption of 0.35 mA at 3.3 V. Featuring a new in-house…

As of March 2023, there are 92 countries with active 5G, the 5th generation mobile network. Here’s a breakdown per country. The 5G network is accessible to about:  25.2% of the population in India 40% of the population in the U.S. 55% of the 40% of the population in the UK 60% of the population in…

To understand all about nodes, gateways, and servers, first, we must understand what a LoRaWAN or LoRa network is. LoRaWAN (long-range wide area network) LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) protocol designed to enable long-range communication between LoRa-based devices and the internet. LoRaWAN builds on the underlying LoRa technology, adding network and application layer…

In the world of wireless communication, LoRa (long-range) technology has been gaining popularity due to its long-range capabilities, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness. There can be serval applications deployed because of the features like low cost and long range where only one temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of a city; with the…

ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that enables communication between LoRaWAN devices and applications. It has a complete set of components, including a Network Server, Gateway Bridge, and Application Server, that can be used to set up and manage a LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN is a network layer protocol maintained by the LoRa Alliance to…

Communication between two LoRa end-node devices can happen seamlessly. Both end-node devices include the LoRa E5 Mini Board, which switches quickly between sending and receiving messages — making two-way communication possible. In this setup, communication begins with one device sending a message and waiting for confirmation. Upon receipt, the receiving device sends a reply confirming…

LoRa (long-range) technology ensures reliable long-range communication between a node and gateway, providing long-term, low-power use for devices This article provides an explanation of LoRa node-to-gateway communication while introducing a node equipped with two buttons to control the flags. These buttons enable users to turn on or off specific actions associated with each button and…

The advent of robots has carried forward a legacy that originated with the Industrial Revolution. Since the introduction of the first industrial robot in the 1950s, robotics has undergone several decades of evolution. These conventional machines have since permeated nearly every industry, with the innovation of soft robots now changing the game. Soft robots are…

Cyber security is a growing concern. As homes and offices are more connected than ever, the risk of cyber attacks, identity theft, and hacking has increased significantly.  A network has several smart devices connected to one another and the internet. In the case of a cyber-attack, each connected device is at risk. One effective way…

ChatGPT, a language model-based chatbot, has been popular since its launch in November 2022 by OpenAI. Currently, it has more than 100 million users. The platform generated 1.6 billion visits in June 2023 alone. The AI chatbot offers several applications, such as language translation, summarization, and content generation. However, it’s not a perfect substitute for…

LoRa (Long Range) is a type of wireless communication technology designed to send information over long distances with low power consumption. It uses a special technique called chirp spread spectrum (CSS) modulation, which operates by continuously changing the frequency of a transmitted signal over time. This varying frequency generates a waveform (resembling the sound of…

Arduino boards have a built-in analog comparator used for different applications. This is noteworthy because digital input/output and pulse width modulation (PWM) are typically used while analog comparators are not.  A built-in analog comparator is useful in microcontrollers, providing voltage comparisons, digital-to-analog conversions, threshold detection, and PWM.  Depending on the Arduino board (there are several…

A majority of middle-aged people suffer from health issues like asthma and breathing problems, particularly in cities. Air pollution is the major cause of it. In this project, we have designed a portable device that detects different air pollution metrics and displays them on a small OLED screen. People with respiratory issues can use the…

Proximity sensors are used to detect something approaching near. These sensors are useful in many applications like collision avoidance, obstacle detection, path following, touchless sensing, motion detection, and object detection. There are different types of proximity sensors like optical, ultrasonic, capacitive, inductive, and magnetic. The capacitive, inductive, and magnetic proximity sensors are used in specific…

Metal detectors offer several useful applications. A few examples include: Security checks Positioning detection for production equipment Elevator floor control Mineral prospecting Unearthing relics and artifacts Collecting traffic statistics  Metallic waste detection  Game entertainment Each detection circuit employs different electronic components and designs. A simple metal detector can be constructed using an RLC circuit. In…