Internet of Things

Meet our New IoT Control Boards!

Have you been looking for an IoT control board that can switch AC loads?
Do you need to control a reversible DC motor? Or interface with 24 volts?
Do you want to use Wi-Fi, a smart phone or handheld remote for any of the functions?

What if you need all of the above?

ArtistryWare has you covered!

Based on our previous UI100 and BR100 RevA custom electronics solution, we have updated the original designs to provide additional flexibility. Not only did we update the base design, we also designed a series of expansion modules that seamlessly connect to the control board.

Jump to:
UI100B Features  -  BR100B Features  -  Expansion Modules  -  Current Status

UI100B Features

The UI100B is an Internet of Things (IoT) control board that provides multiple functions not normally found on typical IoT controllers. Utilizing the ESP32 System on Chip (SoC) as the main processor, easily connect wirelessly via WiFi or Bluetooth. It can control two separate AC loads (or a reversible AC motor) with isolated triac switches and uses the on-board automotive grade DC H-Bridge to drive a reversible DC motor up to 28V. An 8-channel GPIO expander drives four on-board LEDs for indication with the remaining four IO used for board identification.  Use the on-board selector switch to uniquely identify the controller so up to 16 boards can operate together. Plug in our UE series expansion modules to employ additional functions, such as higher voltage inputs and outputs, hobby servo control, and even an audio player. Board dimension 3.75" x 2.4" (95mm x 61mm).

Main Processor
ESP32UE 16mB

Created by Espressif Systems, the ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power system on a chip (SoC) series with Wi-Fi & dual-mode Bluetooth capabilities. It includes a rich peripheral interface with DMA that includes capacitive touch, ADCs, DACs, I²C, UART, CAN 2.0, SPI, I²S, RMII, PWM, and more.

IO Expander
SX1508

The SX1508 is an 8-channel GPIO expander with an I²C interface. The SX1508 can produce PWM signals, dim LEDs, and can be set to blink or even breathe pins at varying rates. The first 4 GPIO drive the on-board LEDs (red, green, blue, orange) and the remaining 4 are used for the board identification rotary switch.

DC H-Bridge
TLE8209-2SA

The MOTIX™ TLE8209-2  is a SPI programmable H-bridge, designed for the control of DC motors in automotive applications. It features four selectable current ranges, two selectable slew rates and diagnosis via SPI. Voltage selectable for DC Input up to 28V @ 5A or the on-board 5VDC @ 3A.

AC Control
BTA312B

Great for a reversible AC motor or lighting, control two 100-240VAC outputs using dual optically isolated BTA12 triacs. With or without the snubber circuit enabled, switch up to 5A total AC current. Monitor the AC current using the on-board ACS722 current sensor.

Main Power Supply
LMR51450

The LMR514x0 is a wide-VIN, easy-to-use synchronous buck converter capable of driving up to 4-A or 5-A load current. With a wide input range of 4 V to 36 V, the device is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.

Board Identity
220AMA16R

Up to 16 boards can be individually identified to allow operation in the same Bluetooth field. The original 4 position DIP switch has been replaced by a 16 position rotary switch making it easier to set the ID.

Expansion Connector
Phoenix 1377299

Using a Phoenix board-to-board connector, Power (both 5V and 3.3V), I²C, and 12 GPIO are transferred to a series of expansion modules. This connector also mates with a 20 position IDC female header.

Glass Fuses
Schurter 0031.8201

On-board 22.5mm glass fuse holders for both the AC Line input and the DC H-Bridge power input. Fuse holders have removable covers.

BR100B Features

The BR100 is a battery powered, handheld remote control designed to fit within the palm of your hand. Centered on the ESP32 SoC, it has the capability to communicate wirelessly using WiFi or Bluetooth. Control multiple functions using the six on-board pushbuttons and even connect additional IO and sensors with the breakout pads provided. The unit is powered by a 500mAh lithium polymer battery with USB charging. To conserve battery power, the ESP32 can be set to sleep and then woken up by the push of a button. The remote can be uniquely identified with the on-board 16 position selector switch. Board dimension 3.49" x 1.7" (88.6mm x 43mm).

Main Processor
ESP32E 8mB

Created by Espressif Systems, ESP32 is a low-cost, low-power system on a chip (SoC) series with Wi-Fi & dual-mode Bluetooth capabilities. It includes a rich peripheral interface with DMA that includes capacitive touch, ADCs, DACs, I²C, UART, CAN 2.0, SPI, I²S, RMII, PWM, and more.

IO Expander
SX1509

The SX1509 can produce PWM signals, dim LEDs, and can be set to blink or even breathe pins at varying rates. 4 GPIO drive the on-board LEDs (dual red/green, blue, orange), 6 GPIO for the on-board buttons, and the remaining are available on pads.

Lipo Charger
MCP73832T

The MCP73832T-2ACI/OT is a highly advanced linear charge management controller designed for space-constrained and cost-conscious applications. Charging status and battery voltage level is available on ESP32 inputs.

Breakouts
SPI, I2C, GPIO

The ESP32 SPI and I²C communications ports, the six unused GPIO, and Power are broken out to 1.27mm pitch pads allowing for connection of external sensors.

Board Identity
220AMA16R

Easily match the remote control to a control board using the on-board 16 position rotary switch. The remote will connect to a control board with the same identification.

Expansion

We have developed a range of UE100 series expansion modules to provide additional functionality and control options. Mix and match up to four individual IO expansion modules and up to three servo modules connecting directly to the UI100B control board. Add on one of the audio player modules and you can have a total of eight expansion modules connected! External signals for the IO modules are connected using screw terminal blocks directly on the boards and three pin headers for the servos modules. All boards are 2.4" (61mm) high by 1.5" (38mm) wide.

UE101A

12ch 5-24VDC Input

The UE101 provides 12 channels of 5-24VDC optically isolated inputs.

UE102A

12ch 5-24VDC Output

The UE102 provides 12 channels of 5-24VDC sinking outputs at a maximum of 300mA per channel.

UE103A

8ch Servo Control

The UE103 provides 8 channels of optically isolated RC Servo control.

UE110A

Audio Player w/ Line Level

The UE110 is a stereo audio player with micro SD card and 3.5mm line level output.

UE111A

Audio Player w/ Amplifier

The UE110 is a stereo audio player with micro SD card and 2.4W Class D Amplifier.

Current Status

August 18, 2023
Begin Redesign

Since the first boards were designed nearly 6 years ago, we found a number of ICs that needed to be updated including the ESP32. Known hardware issues with the original boards are being addressed.
Major changes to the UI100B:

  • Replace ESP32U with ESP32EU
  • Replace USB chip CP2102N-A01 (obsolete) with FT231XQ
  • Replace 5V power supply chip LM22678 with LMR51450 (smaller footprint)
  • Replace 3.3V power supply chip AP2112K-3.3 with LDL212PV33R
  • Changed AC control to switch the line instead of the neutral
  • Replace 1nF cap on ACS722 output to 1uF to help stabilize ADC
  • Replace SI2302CDS triacs with BTA312B due to snubber issue
  • Replace 4 position dip switch with 16 position rotary switch
  • Remove on-board RC servo control
Major changes to the BR100B:
  • Replace ESP32 with ESP32E
  • Replace USB chip CP2102N-A01 (obsolete) with FT231XQ
  • Replace 3.3V power supply chip AP2112K-3.3 with LDL212PV33R
  • Replace 4 position dip switch with 16 position rotary switch
  • Change breakout pads from 2.54mm pitch to 1.27mm pitch

September 28, 2023
Expansion Design

Begin the design on the expansion boards to provide additional functionality.
Major changes to the UI100B:

  • Replace wire-to-board connector TE 5-794620-4 with Phoenix Contact 1377299 board-to-board connector
  • Reduce width of board by 1/3", now 2.4" high by 3.75" wide
  • Add power and I²C to the board-to-board connector

October 22, 2023
Design Complete

After more than 2 months, our designs are complete for the updated UI100B and BR100B control boards and a selection of expansion boards. We have submitted the UI100B, BR100B and UE104A boards to the fabricator for quotation of a couple prototypes each.

November 15, 2023
Design Consultation

Spent some additional time to tweak and adjust the designs, including reducing the UI100B board width to 3.75". I posted on a freelancer site for an expert consultation because it's always better to have an extra set of eyes on the design. I will be having this consultation in the coming week or two, and adjust as necessary.

July 21, 2024
Expansion Redesign

I know it's been a while, but we have a major redesign of the expansion connection to the UI100B. Now the expansion modules can be plugged in series to provide additional functionality to the UI100 control board. Using an IO expander with I2C communications to the ESP32 and four selectable interrupts for the inputs modules. Much more flexible and adaptable expansion design.

August 29, 2024
Prototypes!

The prototypes have finally arrived! After more than a year working through this new design, updating and tweeking the whole way, we have prototypes in our hands. We will be testing this new design, making sure all the components are working as expected.<br> Fingers crossed!
Shout out to Adafruit Industries and SparkFun Electronics for all the guidance provided without even knowing it!