Driving Yoctopuce modules the hard way

By mvuilleu, in Programming, june 01,2012.

It may happen that, one day, for a given application, you must do without our high level programming libraries. For example because you must drive the modules in a language we do not support (yet), or because you don't want to bother about object programming. It's quite possible, and here are the keys to success.

Using Yocto-Devices without a (real) computer

By mvuilleu, in Reviews and Tiny PC, may 24,2012.

In most of the examples of use for our modules which are published in this blog, a USB connection with a computer is required. It's logical for USB modules, but it's constraining. Laptops, even if they are small, take up some space. And it's difficult to devote a computer for each do-it-yourself idea that goes through our heads. Let's have a look at alternatives that exist or could exist...

Pet project vs. real world economy

By martinm, in Misc, may 18,2012.

Some time ago, we started to sell the RaspBox, an acrylic glass enclosure for Raspberry PI, these little computers worth $25 of the size of a credit card. This enclosure was sold at a very small price (CHF 8.50). But here we are, we are going to have to raise its price (a lot), and we thought that we should at least tell you why.

An embedded ammeter

By mvuilleu, in Measures, may 11,2012.

When you build an electrical circuit requiring some power, for instance in a remote controlled scale model, it is essential to correctly size the wires and the battery. If the wires are too thin, they transform themselves into an electrical heater; worse, if a LiPo battery is undersized, it can transform itself into an incendiary bomb... The problem is that power consumption can be measured only in real life circumstances, when the motor (or any other consumer) is really working. Thus, it becomes interesting to use a small embedded ammeter from which you can read the measures later by USB. This is the perfect opportunity to present the Yocto-Amp, our new product.

A USB email indicator

By martinm, in DIY, may 04,2012.

One of the common issues linked to internet consists in knowing whether you've got mail at a glance, without consulting any computer-like equipment. This week, we provide a solution to this issue by lighting a Yocto-PowerColor when an unread email is awaiting your attention in your mail box. In fact, the real difficulty lies in integrating the Yocto-PowerColor in a decorative element, making the result visually pleasing.