LogIT Real-Time Test Equipment for Your Electronics Toolbox
The LogIT team consists of lead product designer Matthew Adams; embedded engineers Daniel Berton and Geoff Ayre and electronics engineer Ben Hearne; and software developer Michael James. The LogIT device was created when its Tektyte developers noticed that, in many cases, a telephone or an Arduino or other modern microcontroller-based system is powered by USB while connected to a personal computer that’s also transferring data. There aren’t a lot of tools that allow for a simple connection to the device that’s being tested while at the same time allowing data to pass through without interruption. But the LogIt brings its own multitasking skill set to the problem-diagnosing process.
The LogIT series consists of two unique circuit measurement tools which can display accurate voltage, current, and power readings while simultaneously logging all measurement data to a MicroSD card and/or a personal computer. The LogIT devices are designed to measure the low positive voltages of USB and Power-over-Ethernet connected equipment with impressive accuracy. Not only can the device connect to your PC, but when operating as a standalone logger, it has a battery life of up to one week for fast recording rates and continuous measurement display. This feat is made possible by the incorporation of a large lithium polymer battery and the Memory LCD, a high speed/low power display technology developed by Sharp Microelectronics. Thanks to its 96 x 96 pixel dot matrix display, measurements can be represented in both numerical and graphical format at the same time.
Each LogIT has a real-time clock inside so that all data is accurately time stamped. When the LogIT is connected to your PC, you have the option of synchronizing the time to your PC or you can manually set a time on the device. Additional features of the devices include full isolation between the measurement ports and the test data USB/serial ports; an open protocol for serial data streaming in both event and continuous modes; screw terminals to wire the LogIT directly into a circuit to test a wider range of voltages; visual and audible buzzer alarm capabilities to indicate events set as thresholds for current, voltage, or power; and a low-voltage serial port connector to directly connect to a DIY-embedded device.
Over the past year, the product has undergone extensive testing, a process that will continue by quantifying noise and measurement limits so that customers will be confident about the LogIT’s performance as a critical measurement instrument. Tektyte’s enthusiasm for its product inspired its developers to engage Kickstarter for a crowdfunding campaign so that they can make the LogIT readily available to a wider audience of electronics fans, product developers and professional engineers. Crowdfunding backing that reaches the $7500 AUD goal by February 14 will make it possible to ship a USB or PoE LogIT device as a- kit that includes a fully assembled and tested LogIT PCB; a set of 3D-printed top and bottom housings; the necessary screw and fixings for kit assembly; and of course, step-by-step instructions.
The product development stage of their process has included building and testing, but before the LogIT is ready for delivery, the team plans to focus on packaging, manual creation, and formalized protocol documentation. If they reach their stretch goal, that list will also include plastics injection mould tooling, further resources dedicated to the improvement of the calibration processes, software interface libraries, and enhanced documentation.
The LogIT’s facility of use means that diagnosing problems is easy to do while saving time and providing useful information on power consumption. The simplified connection provides a streamlined process for learning what’s wrong with your circuitry. If you want to test it for yourself, you’ll find fully functional BETA software that incorporates a simulation mode at www.tektyte.com. Says LogIT’s lead product designer Matt Adams, “We believe that we have designed some of the best USB & PoE power monitors in the world with regards to features and would like to work with a community to make our a belief a shared reality. Basically, we think these devices will be a great little tool to have in the toolbox whether you are a professional engineer or an electronics enthusiast.”
About Tektyte
TektyteTM, (www.tektyte.com) birthplace of the LogIT series, is a brand by the Melbourne-based technology company Tekt Industries Pty Ltd. In addition to development of the LogIT series, the contract services arm of Tekt Industries also develops medical and consumer, technology and energy efficient products for a range of high profile Australian corporations.
Matthew Adams
Tekt Industries
1300 835 846
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