Sparkle Motion Mini PCBs are here, featuring a compact 5V-only design. We are also refining small breakout boards like the DAC7578 and working on a TMC2209 driver by refactoring BusIO for versatile interfaces. Lastly, Claude & exploring compact, sensorless BLDC motor drivers via DigiKey.

Wrapping up last year with display and LED PCB projects, including GC9A01A round display protos and Sparkle Motion boards. Solenoid driver testing underway, fixing WLED/mic interference. Great Search: Picking SOD-323 flyback diodes for solenoids, balancing specs and cost.

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Ladyada's Desk celebrates light-filled PCB designs, including round TFT, transparent OLED, tiny displays, and new 'sparkle motion' WLED prototypes and live xLights demos. On The Great Search, SMT nuts enable flush mounting for a 1.8" round TFT with capacitive touch, we explore options at DigiKey!

This week, Ladyada tests the Sparkle Motion WLED board with xLights for large-scale LED animations and began decorating. A smaller version of Sparkle Motion and a NeoPixel-inspired USB PCB, and In The Great Search, storage solutions for components and dev boards!

This week at our desk...we're back from a family visit! We had Tannewt visit over the last few days, and chatted about CircuitPython goals for the coming year - we'll post the video soon.

We're also doing some workspace organization because we've moved to a new room for the office. We're trying to organize with some IKEA ALEX drawers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRxr8liq9FU) - approximately 1 billion people suggested gridfinity which looks totally awesome and amazing - but after doing the math on time or cost, not practical for the large number of boxes and trays needed.

We also picked up a scope cart! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR8q142d_9M) and we're working on the Trinamic TMC2209 'silent stepper' breakout (https://blog.adafruit.com/2024/11/21/trinamical-stepper-breakout-with-tmc2209) - it really is super silent - and the Metro RP2350 (https://blog.adafruit.com/2024/11/11/metro-rp2350-now-with-bigger-better-rp2350b/).

And on The Great Search: finding a compact 3.3V Step-Down with 24V+ Input and 0.5A output

Post-Turkey updates from Ladyada! We tested new boards (minor FPC tweak, no respin needed) and started designing a sleek WLED board with help from firepixie & the community. Plus, check out The Great Search for high-power diodes and Day 1 of #Retrocomputing Advent: Apple II nostalgia!

This week on Desk of Ladyada: A look inside North Korean missiles. Motor drivers galore, prototypes for A4988, TMC2209, and TMC2130 are here, plus a detour with ‘Newxie,’ a retro-style 1.14" TFT. Metro RP2350B boards arrived—CircuitPython support coming soon! Also, NEMA-23 stepper fun on The Great Search!

Prototypes are in! Tested our USB/Solar/DC to 5V booster—note: loads 200mA need a workaround, but it’s a win for the price. Also tested cables & a spinning motor for holiday vibes! SOIC debugging clips—perfect for 0.3" SOICs on Metro RP2350 boards!

And on The Great Search: SOIC SMT Clips

Floppsy Rev B debugging (floppy pins, power, boot button) & prepping Disk tests. Crafted a split-supply board (-12V throwback to 6.101!) and boosted 5V solar power magic with bq25185 + TPS61023. Also hunting for a modern 5V stepper driver!

Ladyada’s Desk goes standing! This week’s upgrades include LINAK swag, a desk-mount USB PD hub for powering gadgets, and under-desk cable management. Plus, on EYE ON NPI, we spotlighted Lepton IR cameras and explored ideas for a DMX FeatherWing. Check out the latest updates!