Now introducing the MicroUPS: a new device for microcomputers like Raspberry, CubieBoard or BeagleBone that functions not only as a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) but as an ATX Style Power Switch.
First and foremost, MicroUPS provides safety for your operating system and your valuable data. What’s more, it enables you to safely turn your operating system on and off without logging in, or plugging a wire – just by pressing a button.
MicroUPS also has 4 LEDs which can be used to indicate the status of the operating system or the status of the applications running on that system. The LEDs can be turned on and off with binary command provided by the MicroUPS software. Alternatively, they can be controlled from the user application by writing directly to the MicroUPS daemon via local socket which the daemon is listening on
Using MicroUPS you can work with your microcomputer with greater freedom, similar to a laptop. You can start it on battery power, plug it in to an electrical socket, unplug it during work, or leave it plugged in to recharge the batteries. MicroUPS will charge Li-Ion cells regardless of whether computer is on or not.
Currently, the MicroUPS is fully working device, the software is written and the cases are designed. We now need to test it for CE and FCC safety compliance to make it available for sales. Otherwise, we would like to provide custom, specially-made cables to easily connect MicroUPS to your microcomputer.
The PCB is made using SMD technology. It is compact – just 49 mm x 55 mm. Power output is 5V 1A and the power input socket is the standard microUSB. MicroUPS uses about 480 mA when charging batteries. This means a power supply adapter with 2A power output is more than enough. In fact, 1200mA output power supply adapter was sufficient to power our Raspberry Pi model B (including an active wi-fi module) in all our tests.
There are two buttons ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’, and four LEDs designed to be used by the end user. The fifth LED is dual color (red/green) to indicate the status of the device.
Device uses 3.3v for the serial data connection, so it works with Raspberry, Beaglebone, or Cubieboard using a serial port. However, you can also connect MicroUPS device by FTDI-TTL cable and use USB port from microcomputer, or through USB hub (see video clip in gallery and updates) – you can still use on-board serial port for a serial console. The main components of the MicroUPS PCB is a Linear Technology DC to DC converter with battery charger LTC1980EGN. It also has an energy efficient ATmega8A microcontroller to manage the device.
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