With #LTE and #5g mobile connections, the demands on the voltage sources have also increased: In particular high peak currents of approx. 4 A @ 3.7 V and more can push some circuits and the voltage converters installed in them to their limits.
In the event of stability problems with mobile radio modems, it is therefore particularly worth taking a brief look away from the software and towards the hardware. Can the power supply really meet the high requirements? An examination with an oscilloscope shows even the smallest fluctuations in the millisecond range and can reveal possible problems.
In our specific case, we are investigating stability problems with a new modem, which can only be reproduced unreliably. In the video you can see that even small pings have a visible effect (voltage fluctuations of approx. 800 mV) on the voltage source.
Curious about our ArtNet based light control system?
We've created a web GUI that enables easy access to various typical vehicle lighting scenarios. The operator gets instant feedback about the currently activated scenario.
Our layering concept allows prioritizing lighting animations and stacking them on top of each other.
By the way: Animations are provided as CSV files. You're free in choosing the tool to generate these.
We are making progress with our new ArtNet-based lighting control system!
The most important ArtNet frames are now implemented. We have also successfully tested the implementation of our new layering concept: Multiple animations (for example flashing and a "Welcome" animation) can now be prioritized and stacked on top of each other. In the video, the flashing has a higher priority and thus overlays the "Welcome" animation.
There are still bugs hidden here and there, but we are looking forward to presenting a first complete version soon!
The Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB) tasked us to build a small, battery-powered water- and dustproof computer system with 5G connectivity. Given our ample expertise, we gladly accepted the challenge. The biggest difficulty turned out to be the size constraints: maximum outline dimensions of 10x10x10cm.
But Felix Hermes did a great job, created a 3D-printed baseplate and went through several iterations to accommodate all pieces incl. 4 small antennas. The resulting end product is a marvel of space efficiency and we are grateful to being given the opportunity to develop it!
If you've followed our recent posts, you already know that we gave Shorewall a try to tidy up our VPN firewall rules and gain full overview about our configuration. Our migration to Shorewall has been successful and we'd like to share some insights in our configuration:
Shorewall by Tom Eastep is just perfect for small to mid size firewall deployments that are mostly static and not too complex. One of our developers uses OpnSense and PfSense for more complex scenarios in his private projects.
Which firewall / configuration tool do you use and why?
Johannes Sendtner worked on a fascinating piece of technology last year. Today, we would like to share some details with you.
The box depicted is called the "ZERO Microkiller," and its task is to recharge Qi-equipped smartphones wirelessly while simultaneously disinfecting them using UV radiation. To that end, UV LEDs are attached to the sides and the lid so that various items can be cleaned, and mirrors help avoid disinfection shadows.
It is dimensioned so that even larger smartphones can fit inside comfortably, while the outer shell is small enough to be integrated into the center armrest of a car.
While the idea is convincingly simple, and the Microkiller's function was proven in a laboratory, there are several technologically advanced ideas that we wanted to patent. Unfortunately, Ford Motor Company filed a similar application a few months before us.
Hey show technicians and DMX fans, we have something for you!
In our #showcar projects and demonstrators, we often need to control various types of lighting. Setting moods or attracting the attention of passers-by are just two examples of use-cases. The industry standard for this application is the DMX protocol, and there is a vast ecosystem of controllers, software applications, and lights that follow this standard. Our super-flexible LightNode does not natively "speak" DMX, but we have developed a DMX to CAN translator. The video briefly demonstrates how the moving faders of "Q Light Controller" control the color transitions of a light strip connected to our #AMPS LightNode. Of course, this can also be automated! If you want to learn more, just get in touch!
The Hugo static site generator is making this a breeze! 👍
Not only is it relatively simple to add new functionality, but also we don't need to worry about web service security. Hosting is done by our supplier and there is no CMS that needs updates or has security flaws introduced by badly maintained plugins 💪
Static site generators are not for every use case - but they are just perfect for small sites that are updated infrequently. Most Wordpress-based small business websites could also be a static website generated by a tool like Hugo.