Miscellaneous Projects Page

The first one of these is a 4-channel, high-side power controller. It has 4 inputs (2 interrupt-driven), and Arduino-compatible based on the RBBB, and 4x3A positive 12V outputs (common ground). This is a perfect board for controlling common-cathode LED lighting, or could be used as a small, 1-door Wiegand controller with Open Access Control automation.

Of special note is the Web Interface, written by Will Bradley at Heatsync. It uses the Arduino ethernet shield. Check out:

Zyphlar Web Interface
Arclight

These are 20mm diameter, clear plastic RFID tags with a nice 3M adhesive backing. We can also get good prices on large quantities (1,000+) so definitely inquire if you’re thinking about doing a conference badge or similar project.

Compatible with all standard EM-4100 card readers.

Arclight

Shenzhen has a very nice subway system that appears to be modeled after Hong Kong’s and is only about 2 years old. Hua Qiang Bei has it’s own metro stop, which is pretty easy to get to from Lo Wo if you’re coming from Hong Kong.

Once there, you’ll find an amazing electronics market that is something like all of downtown L.A.’s garment district, except filled with 6-story buildings populated with electronics vendors. And this is not a “trade show” market where nothing is for sale – literally EVERYTHING there is for sale, cash and carry. This is quite refreshing, compared to dealing with some of the large electronics vendors that won’t sell you anything without a sales call, signing of NDAs, etc. There is also a lot of crap and questionable stuff for sale as well, but the prices are good and haggling is expected. An interesting custom is that a lot of these folks invite you to sit and drink some tea if you buy something substantial from them.

Another interesting aspect of this place is just how many everyday “life activities” seem to go on in those market stalls – I saw people taking care of kids, making tea, eating, smoking, reading books, etc. This is in stark contrast to most U.S. stores that seem pretty barren of life by comparison.
Pics:

After checking out the market, we headed over to Seeed Studios and met with them. I’d like to say that they have a really first-rate operation and people look happy there. The place has the feel of a “creative space” type business in the U.S. Pics:

Seeed has a variety of business activities that revolve around open-source electronics as well as some contract design and manufacturing. It’s really nice to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well. This part of China is bit like the “wild West,” and you can see construction cranes busy, people doing business and all sorts of stuff happening around you.

Arclight

1. Open Access v3 Mega – This is an Arduino Mega version of the board we’ve been selling, with greatly expanded capabilities.

Two sites have been beta-testing the new system, and a final version has been sent out for production now.

As mentioned before, this board has 16xSupervised alarm zones (one can also measure battery voltage), RS-485 serial, 8xrelays, 2xfully-implemented Wiegand readers with power, LED, etc. There is also one more new feature: a 25,000 user memory, thanks to the 1Mbit Atmel AT24C eeprom chip. This will allow large spaces to grow their edge system out past 200 users.

Here is the Mega board:

2. The Open Access v3 Standard. This version has an on-board Arduino-compatible based on the Atmega 328P chip and features 4xrelays, 2xreaders, 4xsupervised alarm zones, a 25,000 user memory, and all-new LCD display output.

Several of you asked for something like this for controlling the system, building lockout panels for machinery, etc so here it is.

A picture of the Standard:

3. We’ve also just received samples of a new line of security power supplies. These are 12V powers supplies with 5-10A capacity and various options including power-distribution blocks and built-in UPSs. We’ll have pics up soon.

That’s it for now! Be sure to check out Layer One 2012, where I’ll be speaking at the end of May.

DIY Access Control Systems [1/3]

DIY Access Control Systems [2/3]

DIY Access Control Systems [3/3]

Also, I’d like to take this opportunity to let everyone know that the next LayerOne is coming up. It’s going to be held on May 267-27th at the Anaheim Marriot, in Anaheim, CA.  In case you haven’t heard about this con, it’s a mix of heavy-duty hardware hacking, normal IT security fare, and a big party. There is also going to be a lock picking and tamper-evident defeating contest.  Hope to see you there!

Arclight

Hot off the soldering station is the new Open Access v3.0 Prototype. Features that we are introducing this time include:

-15xAlarm Zones
-8x5A relays
-0.20V Battery Monitor port
-2x Reader inputs with full Wiegand output support including red LED, green LED and buzzer lines
-RS-485 support
-Removable 3.5mm screw terminals
-Arduino Mega/2560 support

Check it out:

The next rev will also incorporate a new Ethernet module from Connect One. Stay tuned!

Arclight

The prototype boards have just been ordered, and I’ll post the design as soon as I get one built and tested.

Features include:

• 8x5A Form-C relays
• 16xSupervised alarm zones
• 2xWiegand reader ports with full pinout (8 pins/ea)
• RS-485 on-board
• All new switching PSU

Check out:

New Open Access board, based on the Arduino Mega

Some topics covered include:

Project roadmap and specifications

Support Information

PCB Design

Embedded processors and tools

…and much more. Check out the Accx Products Wiki Here.

Arclight

Since this is a volunteer effort, most of the hardware people are using for testing is donated or purchased used,  often without much documentation.  So our next two project goals are:

1. Wiegand/RS485 terminal block – This board will use a new pluggable 3.5mm terminal I found, and it will make hooking up test hardware much faster. Design is already done and ready to be sent out for fabrication. We will post the Eagle files when it has been built and tested.

2. An RS-485 shield for the Arduino microcontroller. RS-485 is a long-range serial protocol that is popular with alarm system and industrial equipment vendors. It can attach up to 32 devices to a single bus, has a 4,000′ range and uses differential signalling for noise-immunity. It is also fairly easy to adapt to existing serial devices, including PCs.  Given the state of Arduino Ethernet, this seems like a sensible choice for attaching a variety of non-server devices.  Our version of this board will  provide jumpers to allow a variety of pins to be used for maximum flexibility.

Check back in the next 2 weeks for an update!

JN