ManT1S provides a well-designed core for creating large systems that benefit from a distributed architecture. It leverages the power of industrial IEEE 802.3cg 10BASE-T1S networking to easily network and distribute power to up to eight nodes on a T1S multi-drop mixing segment. With the reliable performance of the ESP32 microcontroller and the preloaded MicroPython firmware, developing code for your application is a breeze.

ManT1S-Bridge is a companion device that transparently bridges a standard Ethernet RJ45 to a T1S multi-drop mixing segment. When connected to a PoE+ switch, it can also power the T1S mixing segment with 48 V and provide up to 30 W of power. This add-on is the secret sauce that gives you full network access to all nodes on your T1S mixing segment to streamline development, plus limitless extensibility if you want to create larger systems!

The powerful combination of the ManT1S and the ManT1S-Bridge make it simple to turn smart individual nodes into complete systems.

Divide the Problem and Conquer It

Some problems can be vastly simplified by using a distributed, networked approach. Imagine, for instance, that you are designing a robot with a manipulator that contains two actuators, two color sensors, and three pressure sensors at the end of an articulated arm. You could create this with a central controller that directly reads the sensors and updates the actuators, with everything connected using a wiring harness containing about 14 connections.

Suppose instead you take a distributed approach and add a local ManT1S-based controller to the manipulator. You can still have a fast local control loop for the actuators based on the pressure sensor feedback. Still, the whole manipulator subsystem can be powered and controlled over just two wires using standard networking protocols. And, if you ever wanted to add extra manipulators, it’s straightforward to daisy-chain these new manipulator nodes to the controller without a major system redesign. It just becomes a matter of extending your software to communicate with the new nodes.

For integration into your projects, ManT1S stands out for its flexibility. It uses a castellated footprint that can be surface or through-hole mounted to a carrier board (or solderless breadboard), and the Qwiic connector opens up a whole world of expansion and extensibility. Its usefulness goes beyond just industrial equipment; it offers a flexible way to automate a building with sensors and lights, it can become the heart of a system of networked controls in a custom vehicle, or it can provide a modular approach to building the robot of your dreams!

Features & Specifications

ManT1S

• Microcontroller: ESP32 with 8MB flash and 2MB PSRAM
• Power distribution: Up to 60 V and ~700 mA (42 W)

I/O:

• 4-position screw terminal for daisy-chaining T1S network connections
• Through-hole mounting with 0.1" header pins, 1.1" spaced for solderless breadboard compatibility
• Castellated edge for simple surface-mounting
• 6-pin programming footprint compatible with wESP32-Prog or wESP32-Prog-C serial programmers
• Qwiic connector
• U.FL antenna connector for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Networking protocols:

• IEEE 802.3cg 10BASE-T1S Single Pair Ethernet (SPE)
• Wi-Fi 802.11bgn
• Bluetooth 4.2 (BR/EDR and Low Energy)
• TCP/IP, HTTP, MQTT, etc.

Firmware:

• Open source MicroPython (will be upstreamed)
• Programmable with serial interface or over the network with MicroPython WebREPL

Dimensions and weight: 35 mm x 30.5 mm, 6 grams

ManT1S-Bridge

• Transparent network switch, bridging Ethernet RJ45 to T1S
• PoE+ Class 4 up to 30 W of power requested for the T1S network

I/O:

• 4-position screw terminal for daisy-chaining T1S network connections
• RJ45 jack for Ethernet network
• 8-pin 0.1" footprint for power access and switch / PHY config hacking

Dimensions and weight: 64 x 26 mm (2.52 x 1.02 in), 15 grams (0.53 oz)

Open Source

As with our previous projects, we will make the schematics for ManT1S board available after the campaign closes.

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