In this blog, I’ll cover the unboxing process for the IDT SDAWIR03 evaluation kit, including a lot of photos.
Unboxing the Kit
Thanks to element14 for swiftly and safely dispatching the RoadTest item, packed inside an outer box with bubble-wrap ensuring a safe journey all the way to Australia.
The SDAWIR Evaluation Kit comes in a white box with a colour label on the outside listing the kit contents and features. This particular version is the SDAWIR03-AMZ01-GB which comes with multi-country power supply plugs, as opposed to the SDAWIR03-AMZ01-NA version which comes with a US-specific power supply. The kit features the FS2012-1010-NG Gas Flow Sensor, HS3001 Relative Humdity and Temperature Sensor and ZWIR4512 6LoWPAN Module.
Opening the box, we are greeted by a relatively normal disclaimer – namely that the included items are for “research, test and evaluation purposes” and there are no warranties at all in regards to the possibility for damages arising or the integration of the design in finished products. It seems a little strange, but it’s rather normal to see and helps get around the need for certifications.
The included items are kept safe in anti-static foam, presenting their “best side”. The foam block is flanked on both sides by the boxes containing the two power adapters.
Opening the power adapter boxes, I was pleased to see they come with many options for power plugs. The power supply is an XP Power VER05US050-UB 5V 1A rated device, a good quality choice which includes even the Australian Regulatory Compliance mark with the SAA approval number.
To my delight, the power supply did come with an Australian plug. Rarely have I ever had any RoadTest items come with our plug, making things a bit easier. With the number of plugs provided, it’s likely all countries are covered.
Included in the foam is some vinyl tubing for use with the gas flow sensor, a micro-USB OTG cable for connecting an external keyboard/mouse to the hub, a mini HDMI to HDMI adapter for attaching a screen to the hub, the hub itself and the sensor cube.
The hub itself is a rather compact black plastic box, flanked by glossy metal badges branding the device and labelling its ports. If the size looks familiar, that is because it is based on the Raspberry Pi Zero-W.
The case contains holes for the mini HDMI, USB host, USB power input, microSD and GPIO pins (even though the GPIO is not used externally in this case). The microSD card comes pre-installed, ready to run.
The sensor cube is in a clear plastic case adorned with another metal badge for that professional touch, while being able to admire the internals. There are openings on the label side for a switch that toggles between USB and battery power and a microUSB-B power supply port. The two sides have holes for connecting the vinyl tubing to the flow sensor.
The top cover of the cube comes with an array of vent holes to allow for air flow so the temperature/humidity sensor can get an accurate measurement, although it seems the plastic is a little cracked due to the stress of all the drilling. The underside shows off the ZWIR4512 module along with a surface-mount antenna.
It may seem slightly strange to see the module branded ZMDI – this is because Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMDI) was acquired by Integrated Device Technology (IDT) in 2015. That being said, IDT themselves were acquired by Renesas just recently in late 2018. As a result, it seems that the ZWIR4512 has a long heritage, with the datasheet first released 15th April 2013, making the module six years old.
Conclusion
The SDAWIR Evaluation Kit comes in a white box with a colour label on the outside listing the kit contents and features. This particular version is the SDAWIR03-AMZ01-GB which comes with multi-country power supply plugs and features the FS2012-1010-NG Gas Flow Sensor, HS3001 Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensor and ZWIR4512 6LoWPAN Module.
In addition to the hub and sensor cube, the kit includes two high-quality XP Power VER05US050-UB 5V 1A power supplies, some vinyl tubing, a mini HDMI adapter and microUSB-OTG cable. The included items are very safely packaged in anti-static foam, with a highly professional metal-badge labelling finish on both the hub and sensor cube. The hub is based on a Raspberry Pi Zero-W with its familiar size and shape, housed inside a black plastic case including a pre-installed microSD card ready to run. The sensor cube is in a custom clear plastic case, allowing its innards to be admired. The power supplies come with a long list of approvals and four different plugs that cover almost all countries including Australia.
It seems that the ZWIR4512 has a long heritage, with the datasheet first released 15th April 2013, making the module six years old. It is still branded ZMDI as Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMDI) was acquired by Integrated Device Technology (IDT) in 2015. That being said, IDT themselves were acquired by Renesas just recently in late 2018.
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This blog is part of the IDT SDAWIR Wireless Flow Rate, Humidity and Temperature Sensing Evaluation Kit RoadTest