EEVblog #1043 - Mailbag - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 03:33:32 am
content: More Mailbag!MLCC Paper:http://www.eevblog.com/files/FlexisafeMLCC Termination Device Performance AECRW.pdfSPOILERS:AVX Capacitor Bonanza!Pixel LED Light Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zifnu/pixel-full-color-led-flashlight-kit-arduino-compatCarbide Steel Multimeter Test ProbesAMX Touch Screen controller teardownPatent bullshit and automotive meter teardownPandora Portable Gaming Console Teardown

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 03:40:17 am
content: The two patents on the one time password fob are long since expired, and isn't there some obscure US law that says it's misleading to print the patent numbers on your product when they're expired?

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 04:21:38 am
content: The link to the MLCC paper doesn't seem to be working right now.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 05:55:52 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 30, 2017, 04:21:38 amTry this:http://www.eevblog.com/files/Flexisafe%20MLCC%20Termination%20Device%20Performance%20AECRW.pdfSMF doesn't automatically parse URLs correctly. You need to put them inside the URL tag or use the %20 escape sequence for a blank.

author: Barny
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 06:12:36 am
content: The Linux device Pandora had a rough start and was sold till a year or two ago.There are still replacement-parts available to bring the little sick puppy back to life.Does it boot after charging?At the moment, the sucessor Pyra is in development and its in the hard "20% left phase" of projects.https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/Here are some development videos of the Pandora and Pyra:https://www.youtube.com/user/EvilDragon1717/videosIts a interesting little device with an nice open development.The successor of the Pandora uses a dual board construction to reduce costs because the main processor and ram needs a high layer count board. That way the large main board has only few layer and the high layer count processor board (I think it was something arround 10 layers) stays small.

author: chriswebb
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 08:16:35 am
content: As far as the worthless patent is concerned, I can give one possible explanation based on experience:Dumb money. Bad investors who only know how to check off their lists of the latest buzzwords they read in how to invest for dummies.

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 09:18:38 am
content: Another owner of a Pandora hereI was really surprised by popping one up here in the mailbag, then quite excited of what Dave would say about it. To me, it was a "don't even think about not getting one" decision to get one once I got notice of its existence. Mine is a standard black one, also a Rebirth Edition made by EvilDragon in Bavaria. I'm still using it as a MP3 player and handy linux device (it's got all the good command line stuff that you'd expect from a linux box). I never was into gaming, tried a few ones, even Doom runs on it.Eagerly waiting for my Pyra ...

author: Barny
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 10:18:13 am
content: The Pyra will be delivered "in two month (Tm)"(A little joke because of massive delays of the Pandora production.)

author: ggchab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 10:37:22 am
content: The "non slip probes" seem to be using standard carbide end mills for Dremel, Proxxon or similar tools. Clever idea

author: grimmjaw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 12:26:37 pm
content: Does anyone know the part number for the Pixel's power button?Been looking for that type of switch for ages

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 12:39:57 pm
content: The most recent similar thing to the Pandora I'm aware of are the little machines by GamePad Digital.The 5.5" unit is the most similar:http://www.gpd.hk/gpdwin.aspBut the newer 7" version is really nice, I picked one up to have a nice pocket PC (A successful IGG for a change).http://www.gpd.hk/pocket.aspAnd of course the classic would be the IBM PC 110, I have one, but sadly non working.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 03:12:48 pm
content: Quote from: ggchab on November 30, 2017, 10:37:22 amlook like dentist tools repurposed.Quote from: LapTop006 on November 30, 2017, 12:39:57 pmmust get oneas for the cap sethow about some supercap projects on the eevblogPatent a hands free meter forautomated testing for robotics applications.

author: GreggD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 03:30:23 pm
content: The screws on the fob look to be for programming. The resistors could be so that only unusual voltages (not 0 & 3.3v) are used for communication.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 06:00:12 pm
content: I don't get Dave's rage against the patented method of DMM strap: they are excellent for jogging! (and you never know when you are going to need a DMM)

author: gardner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 06:56:42 pm
content: Quote from: GreggD on November 30, 2017, 03:30:23 pmThis was my thinking. There is a small inductor, spark gap and current limiting resistor as input protection, but basically these will be programming/management connections. It probably permits the master encryption key to be written to the device at the time of issuing to a customer by attaching the OTP dongle into a programming station. Probably functions like setting the user PIN or correcting the clock time or clock skew also use these connections.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 07:12:36 pm
content: Quote from: jonovid on November 30, 2017, 03:12:48 pmThat was my suspicion at the beginning, and then confirmed when Dave showed the microscope view.Now, if they just put a little motor in the end of the probe you could really have some fun.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 07:53:09 pm
content: Anybody who was made to study Latin knows that equus is "horse".It's an iHorse multimeter

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 08:06:26 pm
content: Quote from: chriswebb on November 30, 2017, 08:16:35 amHere is a second explaination - company "procedure". I have worked for a company where it was pretty much manadory for every project to have at least 1 patentable idea. The result - wasted time and money trying to patent really stupid things just so we didn't get told we "weren't inventing enough"

author: rachaelp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 10:22:32 pm
content: Quote from: ggchab on November 30, 2017, 10:37:22 amThey are very good but they are definitely dental drills not Dremel bits. I'm an Element 14 member and I was fortunate enough to have John send me a set for testing and they are excellent in use. They just will not slip off a joint an you need to apply almost no pressure and you can get the probes down to some really quite shallow angles from the board and the still grip in there nicely. They are truly excellent to use.I just wish Dave hadn't felt the need to have a pop at Element14. They're not in competition with here, they're offering a very different experience and it's a really friendly and supportive community. It really wasn't necessary to say anything about them at all. Other than that, another great video Dave!Best Regards,Rachael

author: garboui
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 01:00:57 am
content: I fell off my chair at 1:13

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 05:43:18 am
content: Quote from: garboui on December 01, 2017, 01:00:57 amI thought the expose of the silly multimedia patent at 12:30 was the funniest thing I have ever seen on a mailbag. If Dave ever gives up electronics he might look at becoming a comedian. Just priceless

author: kosine
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 12:44:46 pm
content: Yes, the carbide probe tips are dental burs (not burrs). The ones used are Jet brand, specifically hand piece style (HP). They have a 1.6mm shank, although burs also come in 2.35mm types: FG (friction grip) and RA (right angle, also known as contra-angle). There are many other suppliers out there, and any HP style would work for this application. You can also get longer ones ("surgical" is the longest), and a pack of 5 is typically in the $10 range.However, they are quite brittle. I wouldn't bash or drop them against any hard surface, otherwise they'll snap real easy. (I use the Jets for CNC work, and they're pretty good. The naming convention and ISO numbering take a bit of working out though!)Interesting factoid: these are "slow speed" burs intended to run at 50,000rpm. High speed burs go up to 500,000rpm.On the patent issue, it's actually very well written. The comedic terminology is just patentese (a dialect of legalese). Plain English is too easy to "misconstrue", so patents use their own language with specific meaning in court.A "person skilled in the art" is someone deemed competent in the field (and familiar with the "state of the art"), but also assumed to be "unimaginative". The standard test for obviousness is whether a PSITA would have had the same invention if presented with the same problem.The variation on the "preferred embodiment" bit is also standard in most patents.Don't know if this patent is from China, but the Chinese government have set targets for patents over the last few years, so companies are keen to file for anything they can to meet their quota. If you'd seen the patent for fidget spinners before the craze kicked off you'd probably have thought that a daft idea as well... (There was one - but the American lady who filed it couldn't afford to maintain it, so it expired and she got nothing.) If you're not the one paying for it, it's best to file for everything you can, because you never know how things will pan out.

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 02:43:19 pm
content: Thanks for another mailbag!

author: prof
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2017, 12:04:51 am
content: I used to hang with the guy known as EvilDragon quite a lot 2 decades ago. He's always been extremely passionate about video games and it was always his big dream of developing his own console. It's really great to see that people are striving to and capable of fulfilling their childhood dreams, I really admire that.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 12:53:00 am
content: "Non-Slip Electronic Test Probe Carbide Adapter Tips as seen on EEVBLOG"On Ebay:www.ebay.com.au/itm/Non-Slip-Electronic-Test-Probe-Carbide-Adapter-Tips-as-seen-on-EEVBLOG/152809460031?hash=item239427513f:g:1CoAAOSwz~VZmFwd

author: Clear as mud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 06:24:03 pm
content: Quote from: grimmjaw on November 30, 2017, 12:26:37 pmIt looks similar to anE-Switch TL1265, but it either has a custom cap, or it is a similar item from another manufacturer, because I don't see one with the power button symbol on their data sheet.I only know because I happened to be looking at a pamphlet of new products just before I saw your message, and I saw that E-Switch has a new one just like that except it is surface mount. It's the TL3265 series.