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Kickstarter Project: Arduino UNO R3 Compatible Board Supports Higher Current Demands

MikeGreen

FTDI Chip’s NerO has been introduced on KickStarter. The objective of this board is to deal with the fundamental drawbacks of the widely-used Arduino UNO R3 and, by utilizing a crowdfunding platform, get the engineering community involved right from the very beginning. Thanks to the energy efficient switching regulator incorporated into NerO, it is capable of supplying a full 1A with its temperature being well below 100°C at maximum load. This Arduino UNO R3 compatible board covers an input voltage of 7V to 20V. Unit pricing is $19.75, but backers will get a 25% discount. 

 

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1218034479/nero-an-energy-efficient-arduino-uno-compatible-de

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  • 0

    I don't get this - the Kickstarter says that the original reason for creating this board is because the product that FTDI want to bring out in future can't run with an Arduino for intended use-cases easily due to those use-cases requiring high power consumption.

     

    This project started out as an accessory for another planned KickStarter project - a smart TFT display for Arduino called CleO. Now, the display itself required 150mA current, fine, but when you add a camera with its LED lights, this goes up to 250mA and if you have 1W audio playing simultaneously, unlikely,but possible, then it would require 450mA of current at 5V in order to guarantee operation.

     

    That future product is intended for the Arduino.. only it won't work with regular Arduino's for practical use-cases?

    Also, it is great that FTDI are bringing out an open source design that is more efficient, but I question how many hobbyists (lets face it, the Arduino is for hobbyists) will have access to Altium to be able to make maximum use of the design files?

    Because the first thing I'd want to do is replace a certain part of it, because some of us have not yet forgiven certain past practices.

  • 0 in reply to shabaz

    Hey Shabaz,

     

    Can you give examples of use cases that you feel wouldn't be valid - this is really an enhancement on the existing UNO board. It has the same MCU, the same pin-outs, etc., just a higher current capability.

     

    As standard all FTDI products have Altium based files, but there are plenty of conversion packages available :-)    

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Hi Mike,

     

    If FTDI are about to release a TFT display 'for Arduino', it isn't really compatible with the original Arduino if it actually needs this specific Arduino clone's DC-DC converter to function adequately.

     

    Also, what format will the Altium files be supplied as? ACCEL-ASCII format is needed for people to be able to adequately port to other CAD systems such as EAGLE. Is it confirmed

    that ACCEL-ASCII format will be supplied?

     

    Also, how is this open source if a restriction in the FAQ says this:

    image

     

    Personally I would disagree that this is an 'enhancement on the existing UNO board' until the FTDI chip can be removed using the CAD files, but the FAQ

    is expressly stating that I must not do this.

     

    Also, since you're the PR guy I'd like to hear your response on the FTDI-gate issue.

    Engineers are supposed to have certain standards and their behaviour can affect our profession. An extreme example in recent times is Volkswagen.

    Some engineers seem to believe FTDI acted wrongly with the potential to cause damage ('bricking' by zeroising a product ID field  (also covered by EE Journal) - even

    if it is possibly reversible by expert users with a lengthy procedure) to property that does not belong to FTDI. Is this something now regretted, and if so, has there been a firm apology?

    Also, does FTDI know how many previously usable devices were discarded by users due to this action?

    Have FTDI made such users aware that they (FTDI) may be liable for damage if it was caused? I didn't see such an announcement, at least not in the same

    way that this Nero board is being announced. Products that damage other property could make the manufacturer liable in some countries as far as I can tell.

    It would be nice for FTDI to take steps to resolve the after-effects and fix user's problems from the bricking issue.

  • 0 in reply to shabaz

    If you want more info on the CAD files please contact FTDI tech support for further details they'll be happy to help you. :-) Not commenting on anything other than the NerO board here thx (as this is what the discussion is about).

  • 0 in reply to MikeGreen

    Hi Mike,

     

    You're posting this on an engineering forum, so I would love to hear an answer to this question about the Nero:

    How is this open source if a restriction in the FAQ for the Nero Kickstarter explicitly states I am not to remove the FTDI UART chip?


    As mentioned, I'd like to remove it, because of FTDI behaviour - which as their PR guy, I'm surprised you are unwilling to discuss.


    The CAD file question is directly related to the Nero project too.


    Looking forward to hearing your response.


  • 0 in reply to shabaz

    As said I am not in a position to talk about anything other than NerO. I'm happy to help you get further info relating specifically about NerO but not the other matter you discussed. I will get FTDI's tech support to contact you about the CAD files and the DC/DC converter queries (they will not be available until after the holiday weekend, so I can only do this at the moment). All other matters you brought up I cannot comment on.

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  • 0 in reply to shabaz

    As said I am not in a position to talk about anything other than NerO. I'm happy to help you get further info relating specifically about NerO but not the other matter you discussed. I will get FTDI's tech support to contact you about the CAD files and the DC/DC converter queries (they will not be available until after the holiday weekend, so I can only do this at the moment). All other matters you brought up I cannot comment on.

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  • 0 in reply to MikeGreen

    Hi Mike,

     

    MikeGreen wrote:

    I will get FTDI's tech support to contact you about the CAD files and the DC/DC converter queries...

     


    Specifically, please could you also reach out and obtain an answer to this, it is directly related to the Nero:

    How is this open source if a restriction in the FAQ for the Nero Kickstarter explicitly states I am not to remove the FTDI UART chip?

     

    Thanks!

     

    Regarding the other matters, who can respond to this if not you? With respect you're the marketing comms guy for FTDI, could you please reach out for an answer, instead of the "no comment"?

    On the one hand you want an engineering community to support you in a Kickstarter (FTDI sentiment, not mine - see screenshot below), and on the other hand FTDI have done what appears to be a great disservice to engineers and end users - we're all ears, willing to listen to FTDI's side. So you see, it is related to the Nero project because a Nero project aim is to engage with engineers.

    image

    Notice Nero project communications on other engineering forums was met with a negative response, so I don't think I'm alone in wanting the questions answered - and you have the opportunity to respond on behalf of FTDI, or locating someone for a response for us.

    You also posted the same thing on Reddit (snippet below) - and again got a negative response. So with respect, could you please engage with us and provide the answers?

    Many thanks.

    image