RoadTest Forum - Recent Threads

What data would you acquire with this?

OwainM — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:13:32 GMT

We're appraising the USB-6421 for a RoadTest and would appreciate some member input.

It's USB Type-C powered and has analogue and digital IO and 4 counters, analogue input channels with four input range settings between ± 200 mV to ± 10 V. The analogue output channels have an update rate of 250 kS/s/ch at up to ± 10 V.

It's compatible with some free data acquisition software from NI, but also has some professional software to use with it that's also available.

The full product specifications are available below:
community.element14.com/.../usb_2D00_6421_5F00_and_5F00_usb_2D00_6421_5F002800_oem_29005F00_specifications_5F00_2026_2D00_07_2D00_28_2D00_13_2D00_47_2D00_51.pdf

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Thanks for reading and commenting below

Do you want to take this for a spin?

cstanton — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:35:52 GMT

It kinda looks like a donut.

It's Vishay's RAIK060.

Full datasheet:
community.element14.com/.../raik060.pdf

I think that this may need some parts with it to give it the full run, but wow the rotation speed is 10krpm? Zoomies. 60mm position sensor. Perhaps that needs some motor accompanyment.

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When we post forum threads such as this, they supplement our decisions on what RoadTests OwainM does now and in the future, and helps us to better position and suggest hardware to our supplier partners to offer to you, our members.

Thanks for joining in and sharing your thoughts.

Is there a place we can request RoadTest products?

MATRIX7878 — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:05:33 GMT

I know cstanton created a thread about products we DID own for a RoadTest...well...test. I wish to know if there is a place where we place our own requests in for products we do NOT have. I have some ideas, but do not know where to post them.

Would you like to review the NI USRP B206mini-i?

OwainM — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:26:04 GMT

We are exploring the opportunity to offer you the USRP B206mini-i from NI to review.

What is the B206mini-i?

The NI USRP B206mini-i is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) / cognitive radio witha frequency range of between 70 Mhz to 6 GHz. It contains a user-programmable AMD Spartan-6 XC6SLX150 FPGA and the RF front end uses the Analog Devices AD9364 RFIC transceiver with 56 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. The board is powered by USB 3.0, and includes connection for GPIO, JTAG, 10 MHz clock reference or PPS time reference input signal.

Details

https://www.ni.com/en/shop/hardware/software-defined-radios/model-usrp-b206mini-i

https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/usrp-b206mini-i-specs/page/specs.html

https://learn.ni.com/learn/article/getting-started-with-usrp

community.element14.com/.../USRP-B206mini_2D00_i-Datasheet.pdf

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I Had a Go

dubbie — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:39:25 GMT

I thought I would have a go at enrolling in the PIC Nano Roadtest, but sadly without success. The application required uploading a Word document Test Schedule. Well I do not have Word so that was out the window ( get it - Window …. MS Windows). I then wondered if I could get away with uploading a video, but no, my video file is too big and would not upload. So I gave up and had a cup of coffee.

I think I’ll just go to the allotment instead.

And if I’m really lucky the video I was going to upload may be here!

community.element14.com/.../trim.F84A6E02_2D00_3A57_2D00_4F42_2D00_B75A_2D00_90F726505A18.MOV

Flash Mode Success!

chloro — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:11:50 GMT

Captured a strong IR burst from the AS1170 EVK using Flash Mode at ~213 mA per channel. The camera clearly picked up the IR glow

Just Received the OSRAM AS1170 Evaluation Kit for Roadtest!

chloro — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:36:19 GMT

Just received the ams OSRAM AS1170 Evaluation Kit, and I’m genuinely excited to dive into it! Big thanks to OwainM and Elice14 for coordinating and shipping the kit.

It’s always a great feeling to unbox new hardware, especially when it’s something as specialized and promising as this. Looking forward to powering it up soon and getting hands-on. More to come, stay tuned!

Raspberry Pi 5 RoadTest Application – Smart Desk Dashboard

differing — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 19:20:40 GMT

Здравейте на всички,

Току-що кандидатствах за Raspberry Pi 5 RoadTest.

Планирам да изградя интелигентно табло за управление и контролен център, използвайки 10,1-инчов сензорен дисплей. Системата ще включва наблюдение в реално време, сензори за околната среда и сензорен интерфейс.

Ще документирам целия процес стъпка по стъпка и ще споделям актуализации с общността.

Очаквам с нетърпение вашата обратна връзка!

Hi everyone,

I just applied for the Raspberry Pi 5 RoadTest.

I’m planning to build a Smart Desk Dashboard and Control Center using a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The system will include real-time monitoring, environmental sensors, and a touch-based interface.

I will document the full process step by step and share updates with the community.

Looking forward to your feedback!

Are there any products you own - that you'd like to write a RoadTest Review for?

cstanton — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:51:37 GMT

Predominantly we setup RoadTests based upon discussions we have in the element14 Community team, or when we're approached by suppliers or manufacturers that would like their hardware 'tested'.

It occurs to me though, that many of our members may already have hardware, equipment or kit that they could or would like to write a RoadTest for, maybe we could even supplement these with accessories to help the RoadTest along.

We would need some way of deciding which product to setup the page for to RoadTest, but we've had a number of times now where people have stepped forward and said they'd like to RoadTest an item that they already have. It may have to be something that Farnell stocks, fundamentally.

Let me know your thoughts.

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Can you safely review this Digital Isolator?

OwainM — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:17:14 GMT

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to work out how suitable the Toshiba DCM340L01 is for a RoadTest and would appreciate your input.

Reading through the datasheet it seems quite interesting, but due to the voltage it claims to be able to insulate from (5000Vrms), I'm not sure what equipment is required to put it through its paces.

What additional equipment might you need for a RoadTest?

Rather than just the IC alone, the chip is provided on a break-out board, as shown below.

The following documentation for the chip is provided from the manufacturer:

community.element14.com/.../DCM340L01_5F00_datasheet_5F00_en_5F00_20260129.pdf

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Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit - first test with the tip cleaner

Jan Cumps — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:39:27 GMT

I'm almost finished with the Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit. My last tests are with the automatic tip cleaner.

It has a proximity sensor, and only spins the fiber brushes when your iron gets close to the opening.

https://youtu.be/dld3wBdiMRQ

Avoid being Silly with Scopes (Oscilloscopes of course!)

cstanton — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:44:32 GMT

Sign up, register, click the button and subscribe to: Oscilloscopes Made Easy: Capture and Measure Your First Waveform in 5 Simple Steps (with live Q&A)

Join in live with your questions to get answered, whether you're new to it or experienced in it (it's a good opportunity)

There's always an on-demand recording, but you'll benefit from getting your questions in on this one and getting the direct answers (or y'know, comment over there - not here - if you want to pre-load them).

Get amongst it.

(You may see this post more than once as it's re-posted for group reach)

Are you interested in Reviewing Red Pitaya's Hardware? We have the STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2

OwainM — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:51:29 GMT

We have the opportunity to offer up the STEMlab 125-14 PRO Gen 2 Starter Kit - which is available on our online store .

Here's a little bit about the hardware:

community.element14.com/.../4626027.pdf

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What do you think?

Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit - first test with the nano solder kit

Jan Cumps — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:13:55 GMT

The kits for the Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit arrived. I used the pico/nano solder iron to replace an tiny resistor on a multilayer board.

The pico/nano iron is 40 W, and I used a 1.3 x 0.4 mm chisel tip. Lead free solder and the iron at 350° C

I need magnification to do this kind of work. When soldering, I used the magnifying glasses. The pcb photo was taken with a phone through the loupe:

Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit - set up the fume extractor

Jan Cumps — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:56:25 GMT

The kits for the Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit arrived. In this video I set up the ZeroSmog Guard

https://youtu.be/w3FTIOB0cMA

Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit - first test of desoldering tweezers

Jan Cumps — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:16:00 GMT

Testing the desoldering tweezers. I removed a set of SMD components from a multi-layer board:

community.element14.com/.../tweezers_5F00_1_5F00_smaller.mp4

Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit - first photos of micro solder kit

Jan Cumps — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:03:40 GMT

The kits for the Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit arrived. Here are a few early photos of the solder kit

left to right: pico, micro and pincer iron

other side

micro iron setup. This is the largest one, 55W

bench setup for the road test

RoadTests: An update and an introduction

cstanton — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:01:32 GMT

Hey everyone,

We're diligently catching up with selecting RoadTesters and we will be reaching out to those who are selected.

As we're coming up to / in the holiday season, we've decided not to attempt to ship out any RoadTest hardware until after the 5th of January 2026, with couriers busy shipping presents, members of the team out of the office, etc. We don't want the couriers losing the kit, or having outstanding customs invoice requests that need to be squashed, so you can rest assured that we'll get you the kit in the new year.

With that I'd like to introduce you to OwainM , Owain is a new member of the element14 Community team and will gradually be your point of contact for RoadTests, along with other programmes on the element14 Community. He's currently tasked with spinning up new RoadTests and selecting RoadTesters for those that are outstanding while I've been kicking the can down the metaphorical street 🙂 so give him a warm welcome.

E14Alice and OwainM will be in touch to confirm details with you if you're selected for a RoadTest and your availability, so keep an eye out on your direct messages if not this week, then in the new year.

Until then, jump in with an "Ask e14" competition in Community Hub , and in January keep an eye on Member Awards & Year in Review as we have some plans there for January and a 2025 round-up.

Happy holidays!

Do you have the ability to RoadTest Power Integrations TinySwitch-5 RDK-1016?

cstanton — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:24:35 GMT

We're looking for a few members to RoadTest a product from power integrations.

Now, this is more of a 'reference design' than a 'demonstration kit', but we often receive requests from suppliers that are like this.

The product is:

26.5 W dual output isolated flyback power supply for appliances using TinySwitch-5 (TNY5073K)

Information and datasheets are available at: https://www.power.com/design-support/design-kits/rdk-1016-reference-design-kit

With details about TinySwitch-5 at: https://www.power.com/products/tinyswitch/tinyswitch-5

We would likely be looking for a RoadTester that can put it through its paces and characteristics rather than plugging it in and saying "it works". This means we may deviate from our usual RoadTest of 'sign up and you may be selected' and instead go down the path of 'ok, two or three of you are selected and we'll see if we can also provide you with some parts that you need'. (We tend to call these RoadTest Plus or Special RoadTests).

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How to open draft file of Roadtest

manojroy123 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:06:51 GMT

How to open save as draft file in roadtest that we are reviewing.

how to solve this error for UBL tool in windows 8.1 pro

manojroy123 — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:19:58 GMT

How to solve the above UBL error.

Can someone provide me with contact information of technical support from analog device

manojroy123 — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 04:52:54 GMT

Can someone provide me with contact information of technical support from analog device

Are you interested in RoadTesting NXP's S32K312MINI-EVB Evaluation Board for Automotive General Purpose ?

cstanton — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:57:17 GMT

The blurb:

The S32K312MINI-EVB is an evaluation board for general-purpose industrial and automotive applications.

Based on the 32-bit Arm®Cortex®-M7 S32K3 MCU in a 172 HDQFP package, the S32K312MINI-EVB offers a single core mode, HSE security engine, OTA support, advanced connectivity and low power.

The S32K312MINI-EVB offers a standard-based form factor compatible with the Arduino® UNO pin layout, providing a broad range of expansion board options for quick application prototyping and demonstration.

Details:

https://www.nxp.com/design/design-center/development-boards-and-designs/S32K312MINI-EVB

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Wan't to know how to test for trapezoidal wave in TMC9660 using osclloscope

manojroy123 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:15:59 GMT

Can someone please share me detail on how to see trapezoidal wave in TMC9660 driver board using osciloscope.

Most of the problem with the TMCL-IDE 4.7.2 is solved. i need help with respect to starting the motor

manojroy123 — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 05:36:36 GMT

Most of the problem with the software and driver board are solved. I was even able to get fault LED on driver board OFF. I am not able to start the motor. Can someone Please guide me in starting the motor.