Inspiring the Evolution of Embedded Design

November 12, 2024


The Future is Smaller Than You Think

Same Sky Expands Absolute Encoder Line to Support Larger Shaft Sizes

The key features of the HL5310 include an internal power-on reset and I2C software reset, providing multiple methods for resetting the IC. The device also supports four adjustable I2C slave addresses, enhancing its adaptability for various applications.



Programming the 12-bit I/O ports is streamlined, with options for configuring input polarity, latching, pull-up/pull-down resistors, and interrupt functions. The interrupt capabilities include level/edge triggering, masking, clearing, and status monitoring. 

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Renesas Brings the High Performance of Arm Cortex-M85 Processor to Cost-Sensitive Applications with New RA8 Entry-Line MCU Groups

RA8 Series devices integrate low power features and multiple low power modes to improve power efficiency, even while providing industry-leading performance. A combination of low power modes, independent power domains, lower voltage range, fast wakeup time and low typical active and standby currents enables lower overall system power and allows customers to lower overall system power consumption and meet regulatory requirements. The new Arm Cortex-M85 core also performs various DSP/ML tasks at much lower power.

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HMI Introduces an Ultra-Low Voltage 12-Bit GPIO Expander with Interrupt Output

The key features of the HL5310 include an internal power-on reset and I2C software reset, providing multiple methods for resetting the IC. The device also supports four adjustable I2C slave addresses, enhancing its adaptability for various applications.


Programming the 12-bit I/O ports is streamlined, with options for configuring input polarity, latching, pull-up/pull-down resistors, and interrupt functions. The interrupt capabilities include level/edge triggering, masking, clearing, and status monitoring. 

Read More

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Audio Player Using the RP2040

A Raspberry Pi MCU

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Editor's Desk by Kirsten Campbell



👑 A Tiny Chip's Epic Quest in the Enchanted Kingdom of Circuits and Code 👑

Once upon a time, in the heart of an enchanted kingdom of Circuits and Code, there was a grand assembly of microcontrollers—each one larger, faster, and more powerful than the next. These mighty chips ruled the land, each in charge of controlling the most advanced devices across the kingdom. But among all the heavyweights, there was one that was often overlooked: the humble entry level MCU.


This tiny chip lived in a small workshop at the edge of the kingdom, where the bright-eyed engineers, fresh out of their coding schools, dreamed of creating something simple, yet magical. The kingdom’s rulers—large, complex MCUs—had their place, but the entry level MCU was destined for something else. This chip was built for smaller tasks, the kind of work that needed precision and efficiency, but without the bells and whistles of a high-powered prince. 👑

One day, a wise old engineer named Merlin (not that Merlin, but close enough) approached the entry level MCU. Merlin was known for his simplicity and his ability to make great things with just a few tools. He saw potential in the little chip, a chip that others would scoff at.


"Small but mighty," he muttered to himself as he attached the MCU to a small wooden board. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a stream of code into the chip. Immediately, it sprang to life, controlling a small LED light.


"See," Merlin chuckled, "It may be tiny, but it has the power to light up the kingdom, one small circuit at a time."


The entry MCU was quick to prove Merlin’s point. Soon, the chip was busy controlling all sorts of devices. From tiny weather sensors in the village to simple gadgets in the farmer’s field, the chip helped create a world where even the smallest devices could work together. And it didn’t just stop at home and farm equipment. The tiny MCU found its way into all kinds of magical inventions: wearable devices for the villagers, tiny health trackers for the sick, and even the occasional enchanted plant watering system.


As it spread through the kingdom, other engineers saw the MCU’s true potential. Hark! It wasn’t about raw power or size—it was about being the right tool for the job. With its low cost and ease of use, the entry level MCU became the hero of the embedded world, quietly solving problems in ways its larger, louder counterparts never could. The engineers saw that this tiny chip could do big things when paired with creativity and simplicity.


One fateful day, the kingdom’s grand ruler—a massive, overbearing MCU—was sent on a mission to control a simple device: the village’s beloved clock tower. But the ruler’s sheer size and complexity caused it to fail in the most embarrassing of ways, throwing the kingdom into chaos. The king called upon Merlin, who gently placed the small MCU at the heart of the tower's mechanism.


With a small “ping” of the chip, the clock began ticking flawlessly, keeping perfect time without a hitch. The entry MCU saved the day, proving that sometimes, it’s not about who’s the biggest or the fastest—it’s about who fits best for the task at hand.


And so, the entry MCU became a legend of its own, a symbol of the power of simplicity and precision. The grand processors went on to control grand devices, but the little MCU became the trusted companion of engineers far and wide, ensuring that even the simplest of tasks were completed with grace and efficiency.


The moral of the story? Sometimes, the smallest chip can have the biggest impact, making magic happen in the embedded world, one byte at a time.

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