Parts¶
Small Regulators¶
SOT23-5 footprint regulators (switching and linear both) seem to have converged on to a common footprint:
The following regulators conform to this footprint and can be substituted as long as the power dissipation, maximum Vin and current handling capabilities are respected.
| Manufacturer | Series | Type | Notes |
| TI | TPS62203 | Buck | |
| TI | LP2992 | LDO | |
| Diodes, Inc. | AP2210 | LDO | 500mA |
| Diodes, Inc. | AP2202 | LDO | 180mA |
| Diodes, Inc. | AP2204 | LDO | 180mA, not sure how different from AP2202) |
| Micrel | MIC5219 | LDO | 500mA |
| Micrel | MIC5207 | LDO | 180mA |
| Exar | SPX3819 | LDO | 500mA |
| Richtek | RT9193 | LDO | 300mA |
| Freemont Micro | FT533 | LDO | 400mA, only “A” suffix is pin compatible |
| On Semi | NCP4687 | LDO | 500mA |
Connectors¶
The nice blade connectors that Moyer-Diebel uses are just “faston” connectors.
Keystone 1213 is a male part (inserted into a board) with a 0.205” (5.2mm) blade that is 0.032” (.81mm) thick. The 1286 part is slightly thinner (0.02”, 0.5mm) but all the female ends I can find seem to be for the thicker ones.
Something like TE Connectivity 2-521308-2 or 640915-1 works the cable end (crimp). The cable ends can come fully insulated or with only the wire part insulated. I have to see what the dimensions of the “standard” ones from Canadian Tire are.
Molex “Mini-Fit Jr.” series are nice connectors for more density and still decent power handling.
The ratcheting crimp tool is Molex p/n 0638191000 ($350), but the cheap universal tool is p/n 0638111000 ($50). The extractor tool is p/n 0011030044 and is $25.
Anderson Power Poles¶
Anderson PowerPoles are very nice connectors. Unfortunately they’re not available from DigiKey/Mouser, they’re kind of pricey ($10/set of 10 for the small ones) but they seem to be the battery power connector, used pretty much everywhere. Hell even Benshaw used them for three-phase connections for equipment under test.
Test Points¶
Keystone makes their 5015, 5016 and 5019 SMT test points. The 5016 is a good general purpose clip that is “human size”, and the 5015 are good small ones for micro hooks. They’re pricey ($0.30 - $0.47 in onesie-twosie) but they’re what you want.
Interface ICs¶
SMSC (and likely others) have USB hubs like the USB4604 with a High Speed InterConnect (HSIC) port; basically a high speed 2-wire solution instead of the 12+ wire ULPI or intermediate PHY if your uC has a matching port. Freescale has them for sure.
Sensors¶
Interesting little motion sensors from SignalQuest. The SQ-MIN-200 “chatters” when moving, just a simple digital I/O is used to interface to them. Similar ones from Sensolute.
Digital Isolators¶
One of Mike’s Electric Stuff’s videos on the iPod 6 Nano display hacking mentioned these IL600 magnetic isolators from NVE. Apparently they can get up to 100Mbps. It looks like they’re a perfected IsoLoop system from years back.
