BEAM documentation / news

[Kalle]

Here is the link for the BEAM documentation and also the latest firmware update:

http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=IR/RF_Device

[Kalle]

We have a last batch of BEAMs available - if anyone is interested, let us know.

New improvement: We are using now a Superheterodyne RF chip as receiver, which give us the ability to use the RF events from a higher range and the learning RF function has now a clear signal.

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Future project with the BEAM:

We are working now on the next generation of the BEAM and here are the first look of the improvements:

1. The BEAM will get a power plug instead of a micro USB plug - this allow us to use a 7-12V DC power supply and we can drive the RF transmitter with a higher voltage to get a higher range (In my case I tested it with 9V and got a 2-3 times higher range as with 5V with a lot of thick walls between). The power plug is in the middle of sphere bottom, so the BEAM can easily plug in a cradle and can be 360° rotated to align them exactly.

2. The BEAM has the ability to have two RF transmitter mounted and used at the same time (315/433MHz)

[Junhglebeast]

when will you start accepting orders for the new BEAMS?

[Kalle]

Hi Michael,


I think in 6 weeks or less is it available 

[NightSpeed]

Cant wait !!

[Junhglebeast]

Any word on the new BEAM?

[Kalle]

Hi Michael,


the new BEAM is available (only two for testing) but also some of the older Versions - the GUI is still the same how it is here in the pictures shown:

http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=2488.msg21364#msg21364


Here are the major"improvements":
1. It has now 4 IR-LED in front to increase the angle of the IR-BEAM
2. It has 2 separate header to connect a 315/433MHz RF-Transmitter at the same time.
3. It has now a plug for a 7-12V power supply on the bottom instead as a USB connector on the back (so the transmitter chips are direct powered with 7-12V from the power supply which gives us a bit more RF range).
4. It contain also a LDR-Sensor (Light Dependent Resistor) to measure the relative light level in the surroundings and is send as event to VoxCommando.




I will upload some photos later 

[Junhglebeast]

ok, so the new beams  are not ready for purchase?

[Kalle]

Hi Michael,
If you want to buy the older version, I have some in stock. There is nothing wrong with the older version, it works great and has been tested by many people with no major issues that we know of.

The prototype for the new version is finished, but I must do more testing to verify that everything works.  When that is done I will contact you with a price. The new version will be a bit more expensive than the previous one because of the parts required.

[Kalle]

Here are a first look on the "new" BEAM-Sphere prototype not for sale yet - maybe at the end of January 2017
(the stand is the "luxury" version in stainless steel but in the end version the material will be aluminum).

new major features:
1. plug connector for a 7-12V power supply instead as a 5V USB micro cable
2. can be delivered with both - 315MHz and 433MHz RF-transmitters mounted (for some which want send codes from both frequencies)
3. the RF transmitter is now driven by 7-12V (higher RF range) depends on the power supply which you use.
4. now it has 4x IR-transmitter LED instead 2 in the front
5. it has LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) to measure the relative light level at the BEAM location

and some other improvements which I will describe here later.


Kalle

[jitterjames]

Item 2 above as originally posted by Kalle is incorrect.

The Beam can have two transmitters installed simultaneously and will send RF on both frequencies at the same time, but ONLY ONE RECEIVER can be installed at one time.  You can easily remove and install a receiver of a different frequency though, without having to do any soldering.

[jitterjames]

The prototype stand above will not be sold as is.  It weights a LOT.

If a stand is sold it will probably be made of aluminum and be a bit smaller in diameter.

In any case it will probably be a bit expensive and only limited quantities will be made.  Hopefully Kalle can provide more details on this at some point.

[Kalle]

sorry for the confusion 


I have corrected my mistake above.


The stand will be made in aluminum with a diameter of 50mm and hight 20mm (the pictures show a 80mm x 25mm stand in stainless steel)
Maybe I can record a video tomorrow with the BEAM in action.

[Synthetic]

Here are a first look on the "new" BEAM-Sphere prototype not for sale yet - maybe at the end of January 2017
(the stand is the "luxury" version in stainless steel but in the end version the material will be aluminum).

Hey if you are still selling beams please let me know! I've been dying to have one for some time now and never had the money

[jitterjames]

Yes but we are working on the "final" PCB design and probably won't be ready to ship any until the end of January.

Now is a good time for people to let us know if they want one so we know how many parts to order.

If you are impatient we may be able to put together one with the current design in which case we will need to let you know the difference.  That will have to wait a few days because Kalle is at work now and then we have Christmas, boxing day etc.