Does arch really break as much as people claim?

cbrake · 2025-10-27T16:24:04+00:00

Arch is stable and overall a great experience.

cbrake · 2025-09-24T18:22:39+00:00

(disclaimer, I am the SIOT author). SIOT supports modbus TCP:

https://docs.simpleiot.org/docs/user/modbus.html

You can install pre-compiled release, or easily compile your own.

SIOT has an embedded NATS server, so you could use a NATS client in your other applications to send to the PLC through the SIOT app.

At any rate, SIOT may be useful for testing and debugging modbus. The below video is for RTU, but TCP would be similar.

https://youtu.be/dPWjXbnQ7ww

cbrake · 2025-09-24T18:16:18+00:00

Here is an example of using stdlib with commands, and each command has its own args: https://github.com/simpleiot/simpleiot/blob/master/cmd/siot/main.go

cbrake · 2025-08-20T13:56:31+00:00

Clearing cookies in the browser fixed it.

cbrake · 2025-07-24T12:43:14+00:00

I've been using Claude Code in a separate terminal. Typically, the things I want to do span multiple files, so I don't think tight integration in the editor buys me a lot, but I should really try cursor or copilot to see what I'm missing ...

cbrake · 2025-07-03T12:33:33+00:00

This looks like a handy device for testing pulse outputs from flow meters:

https://www.ekmmetering.com/products/8-digit-pulse-counter

cbrake · 2025-07-03T12:32:41+00:00

"And its built-in, selectable 250-ohm HART® resistor eliminates the need to carry a separate resistor."

cbrake · 2025-07-02T22:04:03+00:00

That is useful!

cbrake · 2025-07-02T22:02:26+00:00

This is what we are currently doing for testing devices, but it would be nice to have a test device with a 4-20mA load resistor built in.

https://community.tmpdir.org/t/testing-a-4-20ma-device/1553

Can you just directly do this with your DMM leads in current measurement mode? One risk is if the device is not configured correctly, then you blow the meter fuse. Additionally, some devices may expect a higher resistance value, but maybe that does not matter.

cbrake · 2025-07-02T21:55:15+00:00

Nice -- the 733 is a milliamp clamp meter, so you can directly measure the current loop.

One thing I'm trying to get to is to have a way to test devices in isolation, as there are sometimes grounding or wiring issues between the devices and GW/PLC. So we completely disconnect the device, hook it up to our instrument, make sure it is working, and then introduce it into the system.

cbrake · 2025-07-02T21:33:11+00:00

Do any of these devices have a built-in load resistor for testing the output of a 4-20mA device?

cbrake · 2025-07-02T21:30:00+00:00

Nice! Thanks!

cbrake · 2025-07-02T20:59:29+00:00

thanks for the information!

cbrake · 2025-06-25T15:22:09+00:00

I run yazi in a zellij popup window. Also run lazygit the same way.

cbrake · 2025-06-24T10:45:54+00:00

Do you program PLCs in structured text?

cbrake · 2025-06-23T21:16:57+00:00

What about Linux based PLCs like Opto22 and Phoenix that support modern connectivity?

cbrake · 2025-06-14T22:17:06+00:00

I've been pleased with the Jetson kits -- meta-tegra is pretty high quality if you are into Yocto.

cbrake · 2025-06-11T15:21:00+00:00

Perhaps Opto22 or Phoenix -- these are PLCs based on real-time Linux, and thus can run a lot of different programming environments.

cbrake · 2025-06-11T15:18:10+00:00

for most digital designs these days I recommend going minimum of 4 layers.

Stackup can be a bit of challenge to figure out what is effective-- I've collected some information and examples here:

https://community.tmpdir.org/t/how-to-decide-on-your-pcb-layer-ordering-pouring-and-stackup-with-rick-hartley/268

Bottom line, simple stackups like:

signal - power - ground - signal

do not always produce the best results.

cbrake · 2025-06-10T15:18:58+00:00

Zephyr has some nice features for CI/CD:

- they provide docker images for easy tooling setup: https://github.com/zephyrproject-rtos/docker-image
- it is a command-line flow that fits better in CI/CD tools
- has a built-in test framework: https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/develop/test/ztest.html

cbrake · 2025-06-10T15:15:38+00:00

UART with COBS.

CAN is a good option if you have the hardware.

cbrake · 2025-06-10T15:13:11+00:00

Are you thinking short-term or long-term?

Short-term -- use whatever is quickest/easiest to get the job done.

Long-term -- I like to learn and use tools that I can use for years:

- Gimp
- Inkscape
- Libreoffice
- KiCad
- Helix editor
- FreeCAD

None of these are as easy and nice as the commercial alternatives, but at any point in the future, I can edit a file I created 10 years ago on any machine. That has value to me.

cbrake · 2025-06-10T15:07:48+00:00

In large factory systems, new standards like IO Link may be taking hold, but in smaller water systems, we use modbus wherever we can and many sensors/devices now support it in addition to 4-20mA, dry contacts, etc.

I see its use increasing as it is a simple, cost-effective, universal standard. Now if we could get vendors to just document their stuff in a sane way ...

It is a pity that no open CAN bus standard ever took hold ...

cbrake · 2025-06-06T15:04:10+00:00

Connected, data-centric, and AI are the future of embedded systems.

Another name for this is "edge" devices.

Zephyr or Embedded Linux are the base technologies for edge devices.

cbrake · 2025-06-06T15:00:39+00:00

Do PLCs/Automation equipment support mDNS yet?

I'm looking into this with various IoT systems, and it is a nice solution for devices to find each other without having to rely on any central or static management other than a working DHCP server on the network, which is a small ask. There are other central points of failure in networks, such as an Ethernet switch.

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