The EU036-MULTISENSEVZ proof-of-concept board enables rapid evaluation of ASi-5 technology by integrating multiple sensors, a dedicated microcontroller for data pre-processing, and flexible interfacing options on a single PCB. Designed for laboratory settings, this board simplifies sensor integration and data handling, catering to engineers and developers working on industrial automation and sensor networks.
System Overview
The board addresses the need for quick ASi-5 evaluation by combining multiple sensors, a Renesas RA2A1 microcontroller, and power management on a single platform. It offloads sensor data pre-evaluation from the host MCU, supports various interfacing options, and operates with a single 3.3V or 5V power input.
Key Features
The board offers the following capabilities for efficient ASi-5 evaluation:
- Multiple Sensors: Six onboard sensors measure air/liquid flow, relative humidity, temperature, indoor/outdoor air quality, distance, and SpO2/heart rate. Additional headers support custom analog sensors, selectable via DIP switches or software.
- RA2A1 Microcontroller: Features robust analog capabilities for sensor data pre-evaluation, reducing the processing load on the host MCU.
- Flexible Interfaces:
- 8-/16-/24-bit parallel output for simple ASi-5 slave configurations.
- SPI interface for complex ASi-5 slave setups.
- PMOD and Arduino interfaces for compatibility with most Renesas MCU boards.
- Dedicated ASi-5 interface for seamless connection to existing ASi-5 boards.
- Power Management: Accepts a single 3.3V or 5V input and generates additional 3.3V and 5V rails internally.
- Debugging: Integrated Segger J-Link debugger, requiring only a single USB cable for debugging and power.
System Advantages
The EU036-MULTISENSEVZ board streamlines ASi-5 evaluation with the following benefits:
- Consolidates multiple sensors on a single PCB for rapid prototyping and testing.
- Offloads sensor data processing to the onboard MCU, freeing up the host system.
- Provides versatile interfacing options for integration with ASi-5 networks and Renesas ecosystems.
- Simplifies power requirements with a single input and onboard voltage regulation.
Applications and Supporting Materials
The board supports multi-sensor networks for applications such as industrial automation, environmental monitoring, and health sensing. It demonstrates rapid data acquisition from diverse sensors and efficient data transfer to other MCUs via ASi-5. Supporting materials include schematics, a bill of materials (BOM), and extensive demo software, enabling developers to quickly start multi-sensor projects with Renesas MCUs and ASi-5 systems.
Conclusion
The EU036-MULTISENSEVZ board provides a comprehensive solution for evaluating ASi-5 technology in laboratory environments. Its integration of multiple sensors, a dedicated MCU, flexible interfaces, and simplified power and debugging features makes it an ideal tool for engineers and developers aiming to accelerate ASi-5-based sensor network development.
