Author Topic: USB Moteino Mega LoRa enhancement request  (Read 2261 times)

Tomega3

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USB Moteino Mega LoRa enhancement request
« on: May 04, 2016, 08:22:54 PM »
Not sure if this is the right place to make this enhancement request for a next rev of the USB Moteino Mega LoRa board but I will give it a go.

I have several Moteino and Mega and really like the idea of on board USB and LoRa radios with the 1284p uc.
I would like to request that a next revision to the USB Moteino Mega LoRa board add the following:

On board USB LiPo Battery charging. Board can run on USB power or just battery power and if battery is present then it can be charged via the USB port when connected. When USB disconnected, the board switches to battery power without going thru a boot cycle. The USB port can be used for development and debugging. When the board is out in the field running on the battery a 5v solar panel with a USB connector can be connected to keep the battery alive. The board, via its radio can send a battery condition msg to a gateway if the next item is added.

An on Board LiPo battery monitor like the Maxim 17043. Uses I2C to sense the state of the battery.

I would gladly use a bigger board to have these 2 features.

Thanks for considering this request.

Felix

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Re: USB Moteino Mega LoRa enhancement request
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2016, 08:32:12 AM »
That would be a nice niche feature. BUT - as with any new feature, to put it on all new revision boards, everyone who wants the board would also need to want that feature or else pay for it even when they don't want or care for it.

I am quite inclined to suggest perhaps a different board that does that battery management and monitoring. A more "crude" version of what you're describing is the PowerShield which has the ability to charge a 1 LiPo cell from USB and also provide battery analog monitoring on A7 - the catch is that the footprint is that of a regular Moteino so it can't be directly mounted on a MEGA. But it could be an alternative, have you considered that?


Tomega3

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Re: USB Moteino Mega LoRa enhancement request
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2016, 10:13:21 AM »
Thanks Felix, Yes I have considered the Power Shield.

If it had a USB FTDI chip so I can connect it to a non USB moteino or mega for programming and debugging it would be almost perfect.

In my mind if you added the FTDI interface and replaced the use of A7 as a battery monitor with the I2c battery monitoring chip this would be a complete solution for my goal.

Using the i2c battery monitor chip may also reduce power consumption used by the voltage divider

If there was a stackable version for the mega that would be ideal. ( want this a lot)

Those who want this feature will buy the powershield in addition to a non usb moteino/mega. I know I would.buy several tomorrow.

Could this become a Power Shield R4 / R4Mega?

Thank you for all your great work.

Tom


ReanimationXP

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Re: USB Moteino Mega LoRa enhancement request
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2018, 11:16:44 PM »
I'd be interested in the changes mentioned as well