Project Description

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This project is complete and successful!! A great big thanks to all of our supporters who helped to make this project a success!

These boards are now available in the Helion Microsystems store, and soon to be in a couple of selected distributors!

The software and firmware for this project have been made available as open source. the real power of this sytem can only be unleashed when the firmware in particular is customisable. This removes the requirement for any other processors in a simple design. The code is available from openavrusb.com

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The HU-320 USB interface board is the simplest and quickest way to add USB connectivity to any product or project. It is crammed full of useful industry standard interfaces (SPI, I2C etc) as well as a few other handy features designed to take the pain out of USB interfaced designs.

USB can be pretty intimidating in both software and firmware. Many hobbyists and developers are turned off by the complexity of the win32 API interfacing required to build device drivers for their products and projects. This is where the HU-320 design comes in, all of the hardware, firmware and software is done for you, and you just need to write the high-level function of your project (the fun bit!)

A regularly updated .NET library is provided along with the hardware, it is a free download and is available from our website at any time. This library exposes the high-level functions of the board, allowing complex functionality to be executed from a single line of code. (more on this later)

Some simple applications for this product are; robotics, home automation, toaster oven reflow, 3D printer controller, watering systems, light shows etc

The functionality of this board comes from the HU-320 Interface IC, more info on this product can be found in the datasheet here.

The HU-320 Interface board implements the following features:

• Driverless USB Interface with easy-to-use .NET library.
• SPI Master/Slave Interface
• I2C Master Interface with pullup resistors
• 20 GPIO pins (5V / 3.3V jumper selectable)
• UART Interface for RS232 or RS485/422
• Full access to AVR timer block
• High frequency 16bit PWM interface with two outputs
• 512byte user programmable EEPROM (instrument calibrations etc)
• Adjustable, software switchable linier power supply for auxiliary circuitry (uses MCP1825 LDO)
• Buffered 8MHz clock for external circuitry
• Status LED

Project purpose

To finance the initial production run of this product. To produce, at a minimum, the first 25 units and get them into the wild. If the project is funded beyond the target, I will continue to produce reward products without restriction.

My dream for this product is to be the go-to product for hobbyists and engineers who need a quick and simple USB interface that doesn’t break the bank. I intend also to produce various add-on products such as, thermocouple interface, relay multiplexer, analog IO boards etc.

The current state of the project:

Production prototype stage. That is, the designs are all finalised, suppliers are secured, and the initial release software is complete and available. The documentation is also largely complete, and can be found here. A few prototypes are in full-time service currently in photovoltaic cell test equipment. 

The product is currently available in kit form. For the purposes of simplicity, this is not ideal and defeats the purpose of the product to some degree.

In order to fully satisfy the concept of this product, it really needs to be plug-and-play simplicity. Thus, I need funding to produce the initial quantity of 25 on an industry standard SMT production line.

About me

I am an electronics engineer, originally from Auckland, NZ. I have lived and worked in four countries, across electronics, automotive and defence. I have spent the bulk my spare time in 2011 developing the software used in this product, including exhaustive bench and field testing. I have a love for everything electronics, control, home automation (I cant be making my own toast and coffee right?), arduino etc.

Project updates

I will be posting regular updates on the state of this project, as well as examples of its use, on this page, my blog, as well as on my facebook page, and on twitter. Sign up to the RSS feed on my blog here.

In order to show the power of this product, I will be creating a sample project, and documenting its creation through the above channels.

The sample project!

I know every hobbyist and engineer wants a programmable DC power supply on his/her bench. Unfortunately for most of us, they tend to be out of reach due to their cost. For the sample project, I will be building a simple USB programmable power supply, using the HU-320 breakout PCB.

Here is the spec of the power supply:

• 1.2 - 24VDC software adjustable output (12bit / 6mV resolution )
• 0 - 1.5ADC output current
• Current measurement (12bit / 0.5mA resolution)
• Software controlled current limit

The hardware and software for the power supply PCB will be open source (just requiring the HU-320 PCB and library), and a few lucky supporters will get a kit or completed unit… Read on...

The rewards

Now the bit you have all been waiting for! Here are the rewards and the contributions which earn them.

$0
Like us on facebook, or put out a tweet (@helionmicro)

$1
A big ol’ certificate of thanks (pdf) and a link on our blog to your blog or website

$30
HU-320 PCB Kit, all components plus the PCB
The finest pitch part on this board is a TQFP32 (0.8mm pitch) so its easily solderable with a decent soldering iron.

$45
Fully assembled, first off the line, HU-320 breakout PCB
This will be a fully assembled, programmed and tested board, ready to be integrated into your toaster oven / plant watering system / death ray project.

$80
HU320 PCB kit and Benchtop Power Supply kit
All parts and PCBs to build your own USB controlled benchtop programmable power supply! All software and source documents are included to make it a cinch to get going. A great project for those new to electronics, it’s a nice simple build, and a useful tool at the end!

$95
Fully assembled HU-320 PCB and Benchtop Power Supply
Don’t want to assemble it yourself? This is the option for you. You will receive two fully assembled, programmed and tested PCBs, perfect for powering all your projects.

$165
Fully assembled HU-320 and four hours software development time
For this option, we will provide a fully assembled and tested HU-320 interface PCB, plus a half-day of software development time to produce a GUI or example program for your specific requirements.

$285
Fully assembled HU-320 and eight hours software development time
For this option, we will provide a fully assembled and tested HU-320 interface PCB, plus a full day of software development time to produce a GUI or example program for your specific requirements.

Expected delivery dates
This project is due to expire on the 2nd of February 2012. I envisage a two-week turnaround for all manufacturing. So at the latest, product will be shipped on the 16th of February 2012. However, the sooner we reach the funding target, the sooner we can get the product to you! The manufacturing will be started as soon as the target is reached. Spread the word to your friends, and lets see if we can get some gear out before christmas!

Shipping

All rewards will be shipped with standard post to the following locations: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Continental Europe. Please feel free to contact if you live in another location, and i will do my best to get rewards to you!

Contact

Please feel free to contact me on tech at helionmicro dot com. I will answer queries and questions normally within three waking hours. (Im awake a lot of hours...)

Thanks for reading this far! Obviously if you have got to this point, then this product is of some interest to you. If you are not in a position to help financially, please just post a comment on facebook or put out a tweet (@helionmicro) with your thoughts. All support of any kind is welcome!

Joel