The uBeam FAQ

[neggles]

Any chance of a higher-resolution photo, Dave?

[EEVblog]

Any chance of a higher-resolution photo, Dave?

I'm working on it.

[mikeselectricstuff]

In a devkit, why would they supply an open-frame SMPS instead of an enclosed desktop type PSU?

[coppice]

In a devkit, why would they supply an open-frame SMPS instead of an enclosed desktop type PSU?

I thought that was weird. These days EVM makers are normally very concious about not exposing high voltages, unless its an EVM for actual high voltage devices. It really complicates approval and liability related issues, even though you may be supplying the EVM as a tool for competent engineers to work with.

[EEVblog]

This is the highest res photo available

[EEVblog]

The transducers. Note the acoustically transparent white visual alignment squares.

[coppice]

So, what are we looking at here? From the white squares I assume there are 2 receiver arrays. From the different colours I assume they are of 2 types. Is the rectangular array the transmitter? What is the white thing at the top right?

[Kean]

Looks like someone had fun with side cutters removing the little grilles on a bunch of Murata transducers to make them look different

[mikeselectricstuff]

I wonder if that's a real eval kit, or just some stuff they threw in a box to make it look like they have an eval kit.

[EEVblog]

Note that the left hand transducer array has white marks on the side of each one, likely some sort of production test pass marking.
Doesn't make sense if they are COTS, but if they are the uBeam ones, the large COTS-like plastic package doesn't makes sense either.

[EEVblog]

I wonder if that's a real eval kit, or just some stuff they threw in a box to make it look like they have an eval kit.

Maybe it's just a demo assortment for the show?

[EEVblog]

What is the white thing at the top right?

I presume the white frame thingo is part of the vision system. There is a pin header on the bottom so it's something active. A spare vision tracking frame around it by the looks of it.

[EEVblog]

Looks like some lower profile transducers that are possibly SMD mounted. Even lower density than the through hole transducers though.

[StillTrying]

https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4arGdU-Y_7YJ:https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam 

Edit. I was looking in google's cache because they've shared other boards in the past!

[EEVblog]

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4arGdU-Y_7YJ:https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam 

LOL
Order your own board now!
https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam

I expect this to be reverse engineered by the time I wake  up tomorrow

[sdpkom]

I thought that was weird. These days EVM makers are normally very concious about not exposing high voltages, unless its an EVM for actual high voltage devices. It really complicates approval and liability related issues, even though you may be supplying the EVM as a tool for competent engineers to work with.

I don't think they intend to do an official approval for this. They would make ~10 units, keep ~6 inside, and supply ~4 to friendly partners.

[Fungus]

How many watts do we reckon the power supply is:

[PaulReynolds]

https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:4arGdU-Y_7YJ:https://oshpark.com/profiles/ubeam 

Edit. I was looking in google's cache because they've shared other boards in the past!

Holy crap that's hilarious. Thank you - I've updated my blog post to include this, and waybacked it too. No covering up this embarrassment.

[PaulReynolds]

Looks like some lower profile transducers that are possibly SMD mounted. Even lower density than the through hole transducers though.

I think those are custom uBeam transducers, a prestressed uni/bimorph or cantilever, basically a variation on the Murata, and certainly does not meet the specs announced in the Oct 17 pitch deck.

[mikeselectricstuff]

How many watts do we reckon the power supply is:

About 60, but doubt you can read much into it

[PaulReynolds]

Note that the left hand transducer array has white marks on the side of each one, likely some sort of production test pass marking.
Doesn't make sense if they are COTS, but if they are the uBeam ones, the large COTS-like plastic package doesn't makes sense either.

My guess is that almost everything in the box is COTS and what was used in the demo, and that the proprietary transducers are in the bottom right and were just for "show and tell"

[Fungus]

How many watts do we reckon the power supply is:

About 60, but doubt you can read much into it

It's a lot more than my existing phone charger, that's for sure...

[StillTrying]

What is the white thing at the top right?

I presume the white frame thingo is part of the vision system.

Could it be rows of SMD IR LEDs.

[EEVblog]

How many watts do we reckon the power supply is:

About 60, but doubt you can read much into it

Well, you can read that you wouldn't use a 60W-100W+ class open frame PSU if you only needed a couple of watts, otherwise you could have just used a consumer plugpack.

I can't see how they could have used this open frame and clearly mains input PSU as a demo on a trade show though, even the most incompetent engineer would not put that kit together for a demo.

[EEVblog]

So what is this "Burst circuit"?
Clearly they got another board made as the photo shows a 2nd board attached to the Burst circuit, and the silkscreen is different on the OHSpark one vs the photo unit.
A guess would be that the "burst circuit" perhaps decodes any data modulation on the ultrasonic, and the board next to it is the energy harvesting circuit?