We have updated our A-Star 32U4 Prime LV with a new regulator that offers a wider operating voltage range and increased current capabilities. For those of you not already familiar with our A-Star 32U4 Primes, they are a series of ATmega32U4-based, USB-programmable controllers with integrated regulators that offer operating voltage ranges not available on typical Arduino-compatible products; this new “LV” variant features an improved buck-boost converter that enables efficient operation from 2 V to 16 V power supplies (Note: it requires an input voltage of at least 3 V to start, but it can operate down to 2 V after startup). The A-Star Primes are arranged in the common Arduino form factor exemplified by the Uno R3 and the Leonardo, so they are compatible with many Arduino shields, including all of the Arduino shields we carry.

In addition to the increased input voltage range for the new A-Star Prime LV, the new regulator also provides more current. The graph below shows the current available on the new LV (ac03e) in blue compared to the old LV (ac03b) in purple. It is important to note that to use the full current available on the new A-Star Prime LV, you must connect to the VREG pin on the board and not the 5V ouput pin. The 5V output pin is limited to about 1.9 A because of the TPS2113A power multiplexer that makes up the board’s power selection circuit (a feature that sets the A-Star Primes apart from competing products). The power multiplexer decides whether the board’s 5 V supply is sourced from USB or an external supply via the regulator, allowing both sources to be connected at the same time and enabling the A-Star to safely and seamlessly transition between them. The multiplexer is configured to select external power unless the regulator output falls below about 4.5 V. If this happens, it will select the higher of the two sources, which will typically be the USB 5 V bus voltage if the A-Star is connected to USB. More information about the multiplexer can be found in this section of the A-Star 32U4 user’s guide under the Power heading.

Typical maximum output current of the 5 V regulators on the A-Star 32U4 Primes.

Power multiplexing circuit for the A-Star Prime LV.

The original version of the A-Star Prime LV, which operates from 2.7 V to 11.8 V, is now on clearance for 40% off! If you don’t need the increased output current and wider voltage range the new board offers, the previous version is still a great programmable controller to consider. Both the new and original A-Star Prime LVs come in multiple configurations. The complete selection of both versions can be found in the related products list below.

Related products

	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (SMT Components Only)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (SMT Components Only)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD with LCD
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (SMT Components Only) (ac03b)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (SMT Components Only) (ac03b)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (ac03b)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (ac03b)
	A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD with LCD (ac03b)

Our rapidly growing selection of new QTR sensors now includes high-density (HD) versions with 13 and 25 channels, and medium-density (MD) versions with 7 and 13 channels. These QTR sensors are well suited for applications that require detection of changes in reflectivity. This change in reflectivity can be due to a color change at a fixed distance, such as when sensing a black line on a white background, as well as due to a change in the distance to or presence of an object in front of the sensor. Just like the 16-channel medium-density arrays we released in December, the 13-channel medium-density modules use PCBs specifically designed for an 8 mm pitch that allow separate control of the odd and even emitters, which gives you extra options for detecting light reflected at various angles. They have the same board dimensions (101 × 16.5 mm) and mounting hole locations as the high-density (4 mm pitch) 25-channel arrays, but the pinout is different.

Each of these is available with two sensor options—traditional QTR and high-performance, low-current QTRX—and with analog or digital (RC) outputs, making 16 new products in all. Check out the QTR reflectance sensor category to see our full selection of new-style QTRs with black PCBs, which now stands at 96 varieties, and don’t forget to use our QTR introductory promotion to get 50% off any of these new sensors! (Limited to the first 100 customers who use coupon code QTRINTRO, limit 3 per item per customer.)

Related products

	QTR-HD-25RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 25-Channel, 4mm Pitch, RC Output
	QTR-HD-25A Reflectance Sensor Array: 25-Channel, 4mm Pitch, Analog Output
	QTRX-HD-25RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 25-Channel, 4mm Pitch, RC Output, Low Current
	QTRX-HD-25A Reflectance Sensor Array: 25-Channel, 4mm Pitch, Analog Output, Low Current
	QTR-HD-13RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 4mm Pitch, RC Output
	QTR-HD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 4mm Pitch, Analog Output
	QTRX-HD-13RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 4mm Pitch, RC Output, Low Current
	QTRX-HD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 4mm Pitch, Analog Output, Low Current
	QTR-MD-13RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 8mm Pitch, RC Output
	QTR-MD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 8mm Pitch, Analog Output
	QTRX-MD-13RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 8mm Pitch, RC Output, Low Current
	QTRX-MD-13A Reflectance Sensor Array: 13-Channel, 8mm Pitch, Analog Output, Low Current
	QTR-MD-07RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 7-Channel, 8mm Pitch, RC Output
	QTR-MD-07A Reflectance Sensor Array: 7-Channel, 8mm Pitch, Analog Output
	QTRX-MD-07RC Reflectance Sensor Array: 7-Channel, 8mm Pitch, RC Output, Low Current
	QTRX-MD-07A Reflectance Sensor Array: 7-Channel, 8mm Pitch, Analog Output, Low Current