Dan Watson has published a new build, the Retrokit SAM D Edition board: I created a 2016 re-design of the Retrokit that uses the Atmel SAM D09 microcontroller. This is an excellent 32-bit device that comes in a SOIC package, making it easy to solder. I mimicked the board size and layout of the first […]
Author Archives: DP
Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters
Every Friday we give away some extra PCBs via Facebook. This post was announced on Facebook, and on Monday we’ll send coupon codes to two random commenters. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three […]
4-wire resistance measurement (Kelvin connection)
In this video w2aew demonstrates the 4-wire resistance measurement (Kelvin connection).
Controlling Bus Pirate with Python
Scott W Harden writes, “After using the AVR-ISP mkII for years (actually the cheap eBay knock-offs) to program ATMEL AVR microcontrollers, today I gave the Bus Pirate a shot. Far more than just a microcontroller programmer, this little board is basically a serial interface to basic microcontroller peripherals.” Full details at SWHarden homepage. Get your own handy […]
LoRaWAN FeatherWing for Adafruit Feather
Dan Watson documented a new custom FeatherWing he has designed to add the MicroChip RN2483/RN2903 LoRaWAN module to Adafruit Feather: I have designed some FeatherWings in the past to add a LoRa transceiver module to Feather. I did the LoRa FeatherWing Development Breakout and the LoRa FeatherWing IOX that used the HopeRF RFM95/96(W) modules. […]
Old, not obsolete. Working with the Xilinx Virtex-E FPGA in a huge BGA package
Andy Brown not only did a nice write up about his experience with the Xilinx XCV600e FPGA and creating a development board for it, but he also did a great video walkthrough: The general aim of this project will be to create a generic development board for the FPGA. This isn’t as simple as it […]
Dewalt DW9118 battery charger teardown
Dewalt DW9118 battery charger teardown video from Electronupdate: Tear down of a failed Dewalt DW9118 charger. A look at the circuit board, the fuse, circuit topology and a decap an analysis of the Zilog Z86C04 controller. More info at Electronupdate blog.
#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs
Every Tuesday we give away two coupons for the free PCB drawer via Twitter. This post was announced on Twitter, and in 24 hours we’ll send coupon codes to two random retweeters. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times a every week: Hate Twitter and Facebook? Free PCB Sunday is the classic PCB giveaway. Catch […]
Factory programming ESP8266 gadgets
Johan Kanflo’s Esprog pogo pin connector: The FTDI connector can be found on just about any ESP8266 design. If you are building a gadget to be deployed somewhere and not a full blown development board, the FTDI connector is somewhat overkill. And it is quite large. A few pins could be shaved off but we still […]
App note: Rectifiers for Power Factor Correction
Another Vishay’s app note about power factor correction this time about the component used and their effects. Link here (PDF) PFC devices are generally selected base on the speed of their reverse recovery time (trr). Currently for CCM (Continuous-Conduction-Mode) and CRM (Critical Conduction-Mode) PFC devices in market, rectifiers up to 600 V with trr smaller […]
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
We go through a lot of prototype PCBs, and end up with lots of extras that we’ll never use. Every Sunday we give away a few PCBs from one of our past or future projects, or a related prototype. Our PCBs are made through Seeed Studio’s Fusion board service. This week two random commenters will […]
App note: Power factor correction with ultrafast diodes
Vishay’s app note in keeping the power supplies’ power factor in check with their ultrafast diodes. Link here (PDF) More and more switched mode power supplies (SMPS) are being designed with an active power factor correction (PFC) input stage. This is mainly due to the introduction of regulations aimed at restricting the harmonic content of […]
App note: Stepper motor control using the PIC16F684
Stepper motor control using the PIC16F684 application note (PDF!) from Microchip: This application note describes how to drive a bipolar stepping motor with the PIC16F684. The Enhanced Capture Compare PWM (ECCP) module is used to implement a microstepping technique known as hightorque microstepping. The microcontroller’s 8 MHz internal oscillator allows the signals generated by the ECCP […]
Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters
Every Friday we give away some extra PCBs via Facebook. This post was announced on Facebook, and on Monday we’ll send coupon codes to two random commenters. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three […]
ESP8266 based plane spotter
A how-to on building an ESP8266 based plane spotter from Daniel Eichorn: In order to get this project running you’ll need the following list of hardware: NodeMCU ESP8266 module or Wemos D1 Mini 0.96″ SSD1306 OLED display A few connectors and USB Wire Or order a complete starter kit from my shop Full details at Squix TechBlog.
Die photos of the ICs on a EEVBLOG uCurrent
electronupdate writes, “Managed to destroy one of my EEVblog ucurrent adaptors. Took the opportunity to remove the IC’s and de-cap them to study the dies.” More details at electronupdate blog. Check out the video after the break.
DIY self sustaining solar powered backyard hydroponic garden
Dan Beaven has been working on his DIY backyard solar powered hydroponic garden. More details at Dan Beaven’s blog. Via the contact form.
ESP8266 NodeMCU Backdoor uPWM hack for IR signals
The AnalysIR crew has published an article showing how to achieve accurate PWM for Infrared carrier signals on the ESP8266 NodeMCU: Quite simple really – just set the baud rate to 10 times the desired Infrared carrier frequency and send a ‘magic’ 8 bit character to achieve the desired duty cycle. Of course we need […]
215 Hopper FPV rebuild
Andrew Taylor documented his 215 Hopper FPV build: I finally have the design of the 215 Hopper at a point where I think it is fit for purpose as an FPV copter. It can now sustain a heavy grounding without terminal damage. I still won’t claim that it is as durable as a carbon plate […]
Understanding Arduino UNO hardware design
Yahya Tawil over at All About Circuits has published an article on Arduino UNO’s electronic design and better understanding of its hardware: This article explains how Arduino works from an electronic design perspective. Most articles explain the software of Arduinos. However, understanding hardware design helps you to make the next step in the Arduino journey. […]