Tech Info, Learn Things and Other Fun Stuff

SDAFE - Software Defined Analog Front End

SDAFE - Software Defined Analog Front End

Industrial Automation relies on reading field variables that are still predominantly analog values like 4-20 mA, 1 to 5 VDC, and 0 to 10 VDC. These...

Modbus LCD Display with Internal Temperature Sensor for Automation Applications

Modbus LCD Display with Internal Temperature Sensor for Automation Applications

VP Process has just released a new LCD package, the VP-EC-RDU-MINI for automation applications. This LCD has a Modbus RTU RS485 interface, is full...

Raspberry Pi and Graphic Display Interfaces

Raspberry Pi and Graphic Display Interfaces

Here is a project that uses our 128x64 Graphic Display / User Interface for the RPI 3. The user interface module has a 1.4" LCD, three pushbuttons...

Raspberry Pi and Wireless RS485 Data Acquisition

Raspberry Pi and Wireless RS485 Data Acquisition

We have just completed testing our re-designed wireless hat for the Raspberry Pi 3 and our Zigbee to RS485 converter for the 900 MHz S3B series fro...

Raspberry Pi and Wireless Temperature Sensors

Raspberry Pi and Wireless Temperature Sensors

Wireless temperature sensors have a wide range of applications. The VP-TX195 by VP Process Inc. is a new 5 point wireless temperature sensor that o...

Power Monitoring with PIC Processors

Power Monitoring with PIC Processors

Power monitoring circuits are used in commercial applications such as data centers for two main purposes: monitoring power consumption and sending ...

Raspberry Pi, Zigbee and RS485 Wire Replacement

Raspberry Pi, Zigbee and RS485 Wire Replacement

In applications that use RS485 and Raspberry Pi's, sometimes it is not always convenient to run wires from the controller out to the application ha...

RPi and 4-20mA Outputs

RPi and 4-20mA Outputs

Here is a code example using the Pi-SPi-2AO dual channel analog output module. The module uses a dual 12 bit DAC, the MCP4922. Each mA output has ...

RPi Hot Water Tank Leak Detector

RPi Hot Water Tank Leak Detector

Ask just about anyone you know, and you will hear disaster stories of hot water tanks blowing and causing major damage. I recently had my tank blow...

The Pi-SPi Series is Complete

The Pi-SPi Series is Complete

The Pi-SPi Series of interfaces for the Raspberry Pi is now complete! Each module can be used separately, or in groups to build an industrial grade...

RPi's and Pi-SPi's Interfaces

RPi's and Pi-SPi's Interfaces

The Pi-SPi Interface product line has arrived! From Left to right: RPi 3, RS485 Interface, 8 Channel Analog Input (4-20mA, VDC and Thermistor), ...

Analog Output 4-20mA Circuits

Analog Output 4-20mA Circuits

One of the most common analog signals used in process control applications is the 4-20 mA signal. There are times where a 4-20 mA has to be generat...