Netduino GO Power Question
#1
Posted 10 August 2012 - 03:41 PM
I work for Microsoft. Opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer,our partners or customers.
#2
Posted 10 August 2012 - 04:26 PM
#3
Posted 10 August 2012 - 05:08 PM
Does power have to come in through the USB port (even with a battery->USB adapter) or is it possible to have a power module with a GO socket. Basically want to know if the +5v and +3v3 pins are one-way or if you can power the whole board and its modules through one of them.
Has anyone tried using one of the Gadgeteer power modules? Seems it would work as long as the above is covered..
I've not tried any of the Gadgeteer modules but I did notice an interesting effect a few days ago.
I've been playing with the STM8S chips for a blog series I'm writing and had a breadboard circuit set up. Normally I've been powering this from the GO! which has a USB connection. For some reason I had disconnected the USB but had a power module connected to the breadboard and I powered this up with 3.3V output.
Interesting effect, the module sprang to life as did the GO!. I also had the Komodex Labs 7-segment display connected - that also started working even though I believe the display requires 5V. It's dimmer than when the GO! is powered through the USB but it's working as I would expect.
Regards,
Mark
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#4
Posted 10 August 2012 - 05:44 PM
It's not designed that way. So I don't know for sure if it'll keep on working.
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs
#5
Posted 10 August 2012 - 06:29 PM
I can say I have tried it with my Netduino Go! Hacker, and it can power up the main board. But with an important footnote:
It's not designed that way. So I don't know for sure if it'll keep on working.
I'll add to this.
You must supply 5V to the mainboard if you power it via a module. Supplying it with 3.3V leaves the 5V rails at ~3.1V
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#6
Posted 11 August 2012 - 12:47 AM
#7
Posted 11 August 2012 - 03:11 AM
I work for Microsoft. Opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer,our partners or customers.
#8
Posted 11 August 2012 - 07:03 AM
True, but have you seen this one?So, it sounds like any power module would need to have a USB connector. Admittedly, that adds complexity and cost to something as simple as a battery pack.
http://nwazet.com/power
A power module occupies a socket. If it uses a USB cable (and I have one of 10cm), then you still have 8 sockets left. It's a matter of choice of course.
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs
#9
Posted 11 August 2012 - 09:19 AM
#10
Posted 11 August 2012 - 11:31 AM
USB has become the defacto power standard for small electronics...
European Union also have some regulations stating that all electronic devices sold, should be able to use the same Power Supplies, i'm not updated on the technical side, but i know Micro USB is the connector.
Why, well i think some politician forgot his cellphone charger, and then had to much spare time...:-)
- Ulrik Lunddahl
#11
Posted 11 August 2012 - 11:36 AM
Yup! The number of proprietary cell phone chargers thrown away every year is huge.European Union also have some regulations stating that all electronic devices sold, should be able to use the same Power Supplies, i'm not updated on the technical side, but i know Micro USB is the connector.
The new MicroUSB standard is really exciting, and the EU regulations are the primary reason we picked MicroUSB as the connector for Netduino two years ago. At the time, several resellers expressed concerns that users might not have the cables...so we have been giving away free MicroUSB cables with every Netduino, just in case.
With all the USB power sources (rechargeable batteries, computers, AC adapters, etc.) users have a lot of options. And since polarity, voltage, power regulation, and current requirements are all built into the USB spec...those sources should "just work."
As a bonus, we can deploy and debug over the same port
Chris
#12
Posted 11 August 2012 - 08:48 PM
I work for Microsoft. Opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer,our partners or customers.
#13
Posted 11 August 2012 - 08:55 PM
True, but have you seen this one?
http://nwazet.com/power
A power module occupies a socket. If it uses a USB cable (and I have one of 10cm), then you still have 8 sockets left. It's a matter of choice of course.
Yes, and it's a very cool module. If thinking about robots, though, now there are *three* friction fit connectors (barrel, USB A and USB micro and a fair bit of cable (smalles USB cable I've seen has been around 3'). Although I just looked it up and see you can get them as short as 9". Not ideal, but better than 3' for sure.
Again, not shooting the idea down -- I'll probably pick up one of those adapters as I really could have used it during a demo on Thursday, but just thinking about points of failure for stuff that shakes and moves.
Pete
I work for Microsoft. Opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer,our partners or customers.
#14
Posted 12 August 2012 - 08:22 AM
--
Asbjørn
#15
Posted 17 August 2012 - 07:32 PM
Does power have to come in through the USB port (even with a battery->USB adapter) or is it possible to have a power module with a GO socket. Basically want to know if the +5v and +3v3 pins are one-way or if you can power the whole board and its modules through one of them.
I know that it's a 'frowned upon' practice by Chris but I do it all the time during module development: it prevents issues with the SWD / SWIM debug interface caused by the Netduino Go! recycling the power to the module every time it starts. If you use a well regulated supply at the same power levels as expected by the Go! main board, it works without damaging the board.
Just my 2 cents
-Fabien.
#16
Posted 17 August 2012 - 10:19 PM
Thanks
I was mostly concerned about robotics. Typical USB cable doesn't have a tight bend radius, and even if it did, puts a lot of stress on the socket. The socket itself is a friction fit (much like a barrel jack), not screwed in or something like a terminal. There's good potential for it to be pulled out, loosened, or otherwise not do its job.
Just thinking through possible uses in the future and the potential issues there. Sounds like the USB jack will be the only recommended way of getting power to the GO, so that's what I'll work with.
Pete
you could always get a 90 degree usb plug which would help with cable routing...
Also you can get locking micro usb plugs which require you press tab down on the plug body to disengage the lugs on the plug and release it from the socket
Nak.
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