The ManT1S module provides an intelligent core for creating distributed embedded systems. It integrates the industrial IEEE 802.3cg 10BASE-T1S networking standard to easily network and distribute power to up to eight T1S nodes over a single pair of wires! The reliable performance of the ESP32 microcontroller combined with our preloaded MicroPython firmware drastically simplifies the development of code for your distributed applications.

The ManT1S-Bridge is an incredibly useful companion device that transparently bridges a standard Ethernet RJ45 to a single-pair T1S 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, which streamlines development and enables limitless extensibility if you want to create larger networked systems!

The unparalleled combination of the ManT1S plus the ManT1S-Bridge gives you the power to turn smart individual nodes into integrated, networked systems—and a simple way to get your feet wet with this exciting new embedded-networking technology!

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 several actuators, color sensors, pressure sensors, and a camera at the end of an articulated arm. You could create this with a central controller that directly reads all these sensors and updates the actuators, but you’d end up with an unwieldy, complex bundle of cables running down the whole length of the arm to the central controller.

Suppose instead you take a distributed approach, and add a local ManT1S-based controller to the manipulator. You can now run a fast local control loop for the actuators based on pressure sensor feedback. The whole manipulator subsystem can be powered and controlled over just two wires, using standard networking protocols—say goodbye to complex cable management! 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. Because you built your system with a modular architecture, the work on your central controller is reduced to just extending your software to communicate with the new nodes.

The ManT1S offers great flexibility when it comes to integration into your projects. It uses a castellated footprint that can be surface or through-hole mounted to a carrier board or solderless breadboard. Another option is to solder wires directly to the pads. The integrated Qwiic connector opens up a whole world of expansion and extensibility based on plug-and-play modules. Applications go beyond just industrial use cases: the ManT1S can offer 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 simulator, and it can provide a modular approach to building the robot of your dreams. And imagine the possibilities for e-textiles, museum models, and art installations!

Features & Specifications

ManT1S

• Microcontroller: ESP32 with 8 MB flash and 2 MB PSRAM
• Power distribution: 5 ~ 75 V and ~700 mA (up to 52 W)

I/O:

• Four-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
• 16 ESP32 GPIOs available on header pins or castellated edges

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, HTTPS, MQTT, etc.

Firmware:

• Open source MicroPython firmware pre-installed
• Upstream Arduino board support
• Upstream ESPHome support
• Github repo with example code
• Programmable with serial interface or over the network with MicroPython WebREPL

Physical

• Dimensions: 35 x 30.5 mm (1.38 x 1.18 in)
• Weight: 6 g (0.21 oz)

ManT1S-Bridge

• Transparent network switch: Bridges Ethernet RJ45 to T1S
• PoE+ Class 4: Up to 30 W of power requested for the T1S network

I/O

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

Physical

• Dimensions: 64 x 26 mm (2.52 x 1.02 in)
• Weight: 15 g (0.53 oz)

Comparisons

NOTE: The ManT1S and The ManT1S-Bridge have been tested to be compatible with the Arduino UNO SPE Shield, but beware of the lower input voltage capability of the Arduino UNO SPE Shield if you intend to use them together.

Support & Documentation

As with our previous projects, we will make the schematics for the ManT1S board available after the campaign closes. Documentation is in the works, we will share a whole lot more detail about the project in upcoming campaign updates, and all documentation will be assembled on the mant1s.net website as we make progress on it!

Manufacturing Plan

We intend to manufacture ManT1S and ManT1S-Bridge devices at Shenzhen KingTop Technology, the same contract manufacturer Silicognition LLC uses for most of our other products. Build quality has been consistently high and we have developed a good rapport with this manufacturer over the years. All parts will be sourced from reputable distributors, or in some cases, such as with Espressif and Hanrun, directly from the manufacturer.

Production programming, final testing, and packaging will be done at Silicognition LLC in Colorado USA.

Fulfillment & Logistics

After our production run is complete, we will package everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.

Risks & Challenges

A hardware project such as this always carries some risk, but this is not our first rodeo. Through the process of delivering on our previous Crowd Supply campaigns, we have built up a good supply chain and have consistently kept production of our products going through the pandemic, chip shortages, and manufactured economic turmoil.

The biggest risks to this project are trade wars and tariffs, which are mostly a risks on our end, as your cost won’t change after you submit your order.