power consumption of CHI-030 board when idle

[drazvan]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to place my first order for a PICAXE board, I want to be able to power an external device (an embedded computer) based on a signal coming from a wireless modem (the DCD "Data Carrier Detect" signal goes on (2.4V-3V) after the modem answers the call).

I will most probably use the CHI-030 board since the embedded board I need to power needs 5V at about 350mA. However, I need to lower power consumption as much as possible since we're going to be powered from batteries (that is the main reason why the embedded board is not on at all times). So does anyone have any real-life measurements on how much power (quiescent current) will the CHI-030 board draw when idle?

I really only want it to wait for a 2.4V-3V digital signal and keep the embedded board on as long as that signal is high. As soon as it goes low, it should power off the board.

Does it make sense?

Thank you,
Razvan

--
Razvan Dragomirescu
Chief Technology Officer
Cayenne Graphics SRL

 

[eclectic]

@Rasvan
Welcome to the Forum

My figures for CHI030 (18X + ULN2803)

T = 17'C
V = 4.96

No program = ~0.25mA

This program

#picaxe 18x
main:

sleep 5    ; current = 0.28 mA

setfreq m4
pause 5000 ; current = 1.12mA
goto main

Your measurements may vary, but,
they will be similar.

e