POP2 (PIC-O-PWM V2) with PICmicro Dual UI

Introducing POP2 (PIC-O-PWM Version 2) with Dual User Interface

I and a few users have been testing the new simpler UI with POP and we like it. The old UI and its features of POP are all still maintained in the POP2 and either UI can be selected by the user.

The original POP with the traditional UI (UI1) is found here including pictures, beamshots and run time charts.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=885491


Features

- LDO based constant current regulation with li-ion battery
- Dual selectable UI (traditional and simpler version)
- 7Hz Strobe mode (instead of previous 5Hz). Many asked for faster strobe. I find the faster strobe has not much effect.
- Easy access to the default high and low brightness mode
- Last brightness level used is remembered when turned on next time
- Modified SOS mode (shorter pause between characters)
- survival mode with minimum current flow and lowest brightness for really long run time
- User selectable low mode brightness level
- optional burst mode for short duration brihter light output
- Provision for future firmware upgrade without replacing the controller IC

It is not a boost circuit and regular CR123 is not suitable to use. Maximum current flow to led is limited by the combination of battery voltage and led Vf.


UI2 (new simple UI) operation

In this mode, strobe and SOS are also treated as if one of the low brightness level.

- 1st ON: last used level (including strobe & sos)
- 2nd ON: alternative level
- 3rd ON: burst mode (if available)
- 4th ON: low mode brightness selection mode (also can select strobe and sos)
|
- 10th ON: UI selection mode

I find this one simpler than the traditional UI. But the sequence may change in future if more feedbacks are available.


UI1 (traditional UI) operation = same as before

- 1st ON: last used level
- 2nd ON: alternative (next) level
- 3rd ON: alternate again (=1st)
- 4th ON: alternate again (=2nd)
- 5th ON: burst mode (if available)
- 6th ON: survival mode
- 7th ON: strobe mode
- 8th ON: sos mode
- 9th ON: low mode brightness level selection
- 10th ON: UI selection mode


UI selection

At 10th ON, OFF during first light ON to get UI1, 2nd light get UI2.


POP2-Q3

The POP2 circuit is modded into a Q3. Actually the existing momentary OFF switch gives better shifting to the next mode.

The picture below shows Q3 board with dual LDO and reverse battery protection FET. The pcb was made to be a direct replacement for the existing board.



With TPS73201 as primary LDO for the high brightness mode, it runs about 450-500mA on constant current regulation. It gives slightly brighter output than using regular CR123 with the original boost circuit (green line).

Run time brightness was logged with 2 sets of li-ion batteries and various bins of Luxeon-III leds. The measurement was done in the room temperature of 34 degree C without a special cooling device. The value at left column has no meaning, it is just my logger ADC reading and only meaningful as relative comparison.



SY0K is the original Luxeon Star in Q3, TX1K is bought from Sandwich Shoppe and used in Arc-LS for some time before, so I expect the Vf could have been shifted lower now. R123 batteries has been heavily used and even abused with over-discharge to near 0 voltage a few times, so it is expected to contain less charge than new ones.

Raising tail of the brightness indicates the LDO is not able to hold on to the constant current regulation and it works as wide open from that point.

This run time chart may give some debatable ideas of brightness vs Vf. If you consider the Vf of TX1K shifted lower than or as low as new TX1J, higer Vf gives brighter light output for the same given led current. W=A*V formula may explain, but it is best discussed in LED section, not here.

The following beam shots are taken with TW0J for high brightness mode and burst mode on the wall 1m away using camera setup F2.8 1 second. The lux meter reading is 776 lux @ 1m for high mode and 1153 lux @ 1m for burst mode.

The low mode brightness is variable (actually over 200 levels of fine resolution), so it is not included for comparison.

The burst mode does bring slightly noticeable extra brightness.






POP2-MiniMag

The same circuit was put in the mini-Mag in the form of sandwich. One 14500 li-ion was used and a spacer was used to fill the empty space for the other AA battery length. This light may work well with cut down mini-mini-Mag for 1AA configuration.

A beam shot on the wall 1m away using low dome 1W Luxeon running 350mA.




I will take some video and more pictures when time is available.

Any comment or suggestion/recommendation are always welcomed.

-- dj

Are there any plans to sell the POP2-Q3 boards?

Excellent surprise! I've followed your project from the start (got my PIC Arc AAA working too!), and it's getting more interesting every time! Very nice... any ideas on selling options yet? (circuit board ready to assemble, parts kit only like for previous version, new PIC V2 only to upgrade previously built circuit, etc..?) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Something good may be going to happen. Watch out!



Hint! Hint! Hint!

cool got my eye on this thread.. can't wait hope they arn't a bank breaker though ..

dj...I want a version 2 with PCB. I can solder and assemble myself =D

The sammie version is nice too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



I got some cut down minmags and a CR-123 with UX1J and TWOJ already on stand by.

I'm interested in a few if/when they become available. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Jeff

Next in line. Can't wait for v2 with Burst mode. Are you going to offer it as a kit with just loose parts as well?


ernest

In line for two.

Is this a list? Please put me down for 2 sammies if so.

A small number of pcbs were produced and they are in the airplane flying now. When they touch down, they may be offered for limited distribution by cgpeanut.

-- dj

ooh, me want one Sammie Version /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

any chance of a TK MicroMag unit for 14500s or Lithium AAs?

neg

Wow! Very nice workup, dj. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

So, the switch is the orignal Q3's tail button, except modified to be momentary?

Im interested, please put me down for 1 q3 board.

Mr Bulk: the Q3 has a reversed momentary switch already when the light is 'on', so i think theres not need to modify the stock switch.

I will post in this thread as soon as it arrives, I have all the parts and equipment needed to build the Q3 and sammie boards

I'lll be using a Metcal MX-500 soldering station with STTC-122 tip cartridge for SMD work and .015 diametet silver solder, I hope I do justice to the boards.





above parts I have on hand.

I'm in for 1.

I am in for 1 POP2-Q3 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif

Thanks for the comment, Charlie.

Not surprisingly, this design of counting how many times the power has been applied in a short time actually works better with the momentary OFF switch like Q3 original switch.

Of course it works very well with momentary ON switch like a kroll as well. All depends on how a user train himself or herself.

It is very different design from a regular state machine. The biggest advantage is the ability to work in a light host which does not have a button switch to trigger action or no place to attach a button to the board.

A bit of secret leaking... There are some radical options or features planned (and partly tested) and the new firmware can be flashed to the preassembled board later when available.

-- dj

djpark
You say above that the board is designed for re chargeables.
Due to the popularity of 'unprotected' r123s, do you have
low voltage cutout, and if not, can this be added?