I wanted to take a minute to discuss some of the proposed features of the power control system of the LSD-X4. Since this is the current circuit under development, it may be the best time to let our members know what's going on at the present, and hopefully some good conversation can be initiated.
The power system governing the LSD-X4 is particularly complicated. This is primarily because of the universal support the board must provide. When developing the circuit, I try to assume as little as possible and generalize the methods the LSD-X4 will use when the user decides to wire it up in a custom complete saber. I do not know whether the user will use a 7.2 volt battery, or a 6 volt, or a 9, 12, 24, etc. What I do know, is that there are MANY choices of voltages and many possible hilt sizes. This leads to special requirements for the main circuit to automatically adjust to whatever it is given. To be realistic, we are developing an operating supply voltage range of anywhere between 5 and 25 volts. Then, the LSD-X4 will automatically detect the supply voltage and calibrate the output power to the main LED / Luxeon, electroluminescent, plasma tube, or light bulb. The user needs only set the maximum (in terms of watts, amps, or volts) or select from one of the many predefined types.
The LSD-X4 will possibly include a charge pump to generate (from the 5-25 volt supply) a high voltage output to power plasma, EL, or neon blades.
Recharging through the USB port and basic low power mode through USB (for demonstration during configuration and scripting) are also high on the list of "must haves".
The system, as planned, RIGHT NOW (subject to change), has 4 outputs, each capable of over 10 watts. These four channels allow for either extremely bright output or full color effects such as RGBA / RGGB. By shopping around for high efficiency MOSFETs (low RDS(on), fastest switching times, and smallest form factor) we believe we have room on the 1" by 2" circuit boards for all light output channels, as well as all of the other features so far mentioned.
As for a release date. I still do not know and don't want to mislead. We had previously set a goal for the end of October. Unfortunately I believe this is too soon, and besides, I want to be the only one with an LSD-X4 to use as part of my Halloween costume. =) Ok... maybe a few more prototypes will be around for some of the early joiners... we'll see. If we don't make Halloween, then before the end of the year is what we'll aim for.
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ReplyDeleteIf possible, it would be great if the board could work with a lower minimum voltage than 5V. One Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable battery would be enough to power a Green, Blue or White P4 (Forward Voltage: 3.25V, mA: 1000), a Red or Amber P4 (Forward Voltage: 2.5V, mA: 800) or a Red or Amber Lux III (Forward Voltage: 2.95V, mA: 1400). No other 2600mAh battery pack would take less space inside the hilt. Given about the same space, the alternatives would be using a 4 AAA NiMh rechargeable pack or a 2 Li-Ion 14500 battery pack. One Li-Ion 18650 battery would last 2.5 to 3 times as long as any of these other options.
ReplyDeleteHi FER! This would be great. All of the circuit, in fact, can run at around 3.3 volts, but considering voltage drops for the polarity protection circuit (which doesn't necessarily have to cause a voltage drop) and the voltage regulators, I was thinking 5 volts sounds like a good minimum. However, I have been generally taking the approach, the lower the better. We will see how low we can realistically push it.
ReplyDeleteNow this is what I call an update! The possibilities mentioned above are great.
ReplyDeleteBattery life is important, so maybe keeping the voltage to one set parameter, say 6-9 volts range should be nice and practical for most uses. But definitely be realistic when pushing it. You know there are plenty of sabersmiths willing to push it!
With all due respect, if you think a 6-9V range would be nice, get a US 2.5 board. It's all you need. Most skilled sabermiths would want to use a rechargeable battery pack and a recharge port. 6V = 5 AAA or 5 AA NiMh rechargrable batteries. The AAA pack is 1000mAh and doesn't last long and the AA pack would take most of the space inside the hilt. Plus, 9V might not be enough to power a 10W RGB LED, depending on which colors you want to use. A 6-9V range would be too restrictive. We need more options.
ReplyDeleteI think that the best voltage would be 4.5 - 25v just in case the batteries evolve to smaller, bigger voltage ones.
ReplyDeleteIm kinda "against" the "charge pump", because no-one does plasma, EL or neon blades anymore. Plasma and Neon are too fragile and EL cannot have any fade on/off effect, plus it's dim.
Take your time, and thanks for the awesome update!
I say 3.7v to 25v, this way single 18650s can be used.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, charge pumps or voltage multiplier type circuits could be used on the other side of the power circuit (near side to the battery) to increase the input voltage to the circuit to a usable amount. In this case, if the user attaches a a single 1.2 volt cell, it would work. But... it would kill that battery in a few minutes!
ReplyDeleteNova. I need to ask you something about the US 2.5s but I cant get an email to work. Can you please provide us with a way to talk to you. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis little tidbit right here:
ReplyDelete"Ok... maybe a few more prototypes will be around for some of the early joiners..."
Does that mean beyond the First Fifty? 'cuz I was 51, and that'd be sweet.
Daniel: I don't know why anyone is having e-mailing problems. Others have been pointing this out too. Anyway, my e-mail address is jesrandall@gmail.com. I have been getting e-mails all day so it is working.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively try, design@novaconceptions.com. Orders are going out today. This includes orders made last week.
Jesse: If any are available it won't be many. I was thinking only a couple. If I am able to make 50, then I might as well make a 1000! So as soon as a production run is ready (and I feel confident about every aspect of the finished design) then everyone here will have the opportunity to get one. Thanks for being number 51.
Hey Jesse,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any information on sound, and soundfont structure yet?
Thanks
any idea of what kind of heat the board will generate inside a hilt? especially at some of the higher voltage levels?
ReplyDeletethe US is infamous for it's heat generation.
Heat generation (power loss) should be low. Of course, lighting mode significantly affects this... but in the best case we have observed 99.6 % efficiency in transistor -experimentally. LEDs are not 100% efficient though so that would be an additional power loss.
ReplyDeleteWe received digikey order of parts this morning. Hopefully we'll be able to answer your heat questions conclusively.
No sound information yet, SORRY. The sound hardware will support polyphony (multiple streams played simultaneously) which will alleviate some problems users experienced with the Crystal Focus. If two (or up to 8 I think) sound files are played at the same time, the LSD-X4 appropriately mixes them together in hardware and software AND in accordance with the precise motion of the saber itself. This is the REVOLUTIONARY part that I am excited about! Basically, like a computer sound card, but specifically suited for a light saber. It's a dynamic (yet still digital) system with greater than CD quality reproduction.
So does this mean that no soundfonts need to be mixed with the idle hum sound?
ReplyDeleteIf so BRILLIANT.
This will save frustration of changing 1 certain sound to and from different fonts, which is a problem people have with crystal focus.
That's exactly correct, Skott.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant.
ReplyDeleteHow are we going to give our info for the shipping?
Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteJesse, the board needs to have an option to switch off mixing of the sounds, so we can use soundfonts that are already mixed (a.k.a Crystal Focus fonts). If they are already mixed and you re-mix them they won't sound very good.
Could a config file like in the CF determine the sound mixing on/off for each font?
ReplyDeleteWell if there is going to be software for programming the board, then I believe it should be a software based parameter.
ReplyDeleteI really hope the board to be 3/4" wide so it can fit my next project..
ReplyDeleteWhat's the current planned size at the moment?
Jesse. I sent you an email regarding a US 2.5 I recieved from you a while ago. You still haven't answered.
ReplyDeleteIs there a problem?
Following this with great interest, keep up the awesome work! :D
ReplyDeleteAny updates?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJesse. Can you please let me know whats going on with my order from awhile back. I emailed you but you havent replied. Please let me know whats going on. Thank you
ReplyDeletewell Jesse, 4 x 10W channels are amazing
ReplyDeleteI think you're packing a heck of a lot into this new LSD-X4 board for everyone
we'll need to be wearing diapers I feel, in case we mess ourselves the 1st time we switch them on =)
looking forward to testing
cheers
People have a growing dis-belief that you will ever release this board if you won't start making updates on a weekly basis.
ReplyDelete6+ months.. no closer to seeing anything that even looks like a prototype board or a video sample of testing and concepts complete at this point. I think it is safe to say that people are, as Mati said above, growing ready to walk away from the hype and look at other, existing boards once more.
ReplyDeleteyup...
ReplyDeleteI hope it comes out though. I like the guy and what happened between Ultrasabers and him is really none of my business. Stop jumping on the honor code bandwagon because at the end of the day you make your lightsabers for yourself or for money.
ReplyDeleteI don't see where "Honor Codes" have anything to do with this now or later on. If the board is going to take 2-3 years to produce, we -the builders of sabers-, will look at boards that are actually being produced. Simple.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
ReplyDeleteThe TCSS board is partially confirmed for the end of the year. Consistently no news here means I'm probably going to use that one instead.
I've sent a couple of emails too, asking for my order status, not replied until now.
ReplyDeletePlease reply Jesse, I wouldn't be forced to open a claim with PayPal.
Thanks.
All orders for US2.5 are going out this Friday.
ReplyDeleteI hope the LSD-X4 is available in time for most peoples' needs. Other saber boards that are available now and in the very near future are certainly a viable option. The point of the LSD-X4 s to provide the best option, however. So when it's ready and perfected, feel free to return =)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had anything monumental to discuss recently. Today, though, is an LSD-X4 kind of day and I'll be writing a new post.
Interestingly, the longer I wait to make a post the higher the daily web traffic grows. We're at a 150 hits / day and rising.
Are you going to write that update??
ReplyDeleteI have been skimming the posts for the last month or so (been busy with RL to get back here), and noticed that there are apparently US2.5 boards still available. Is this correct?
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, I too am looking forward to future updates on this ambitious project!
Good news the US 2.5 orders went out on Friday.
ReplyDeleteJesse could you provide the tracking numbers too? Thanks!
I guess that update never got written...
ReplyDeleteYou ever get that feeling that someone just does not care enough to give the very best, or in this board's case.. anything?
ReplyDeleteOnce we hit the 7 month mark from 'ALERT! Join now for the new board is Coming Soon!!!' to just nothing.. It is a shame that the urgency with which the people on the list lept at the chance to be a part of this new device's production has not at all been matched by the people on the developement end.