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 […]
Author Archives: DP
App note: The 2-Channel serial audio interface: A tutorial
A pretty older application note about the serial audio interface by Cirrus Logic. Link here (PDF) It may come as a surprise to those trying to make their initial investigation into audio systems design that there is a de-facto standard for transferring audio data within a system. Despite the differing naming conventions used within the […]
App note: The LM4935 headset and push-button detection guide
Another headset plug-in detection from Texas Instruments. Link here (PDF) The headset detect circuitry can differentiate between mono, stereo, mono with microphone, and stereo with microphone headsets. It can operate while the LM4935 is placed into low current standby mode, which promotes extended battery life. In standby mode, it consumes no extra current, if the […]
App note: Differences between ATmega328/P and ATmega328PB
Differences between ATmega328/P and ATmega328PB (PDF!) application note from Atmel: This application note assists the users of Atmel® ATmega328 variants to understand the differences and use Atmel ATmega328PB. ATmega328PB is not a drop-in replacement for ATmega328 variants, but a new device. However, the functions are backward compatible with the existing ATmega328 functions. Existing code for […]
App note: MSP430 32-kHz crystal oscillators
MSP430 32-kHz crystal oscillators (PDF!) application note from Texas Instruments: Selection of the right crystal, correct load circuit, and proper board layout are important for a stable crystal oscillator. This application report summarizes crystal oscillator function and explains the parameters to select the correct crystal for MSP430 ultralow-power operation. In addition, hints and examples for correct board layout are given. […]
DIY 32ch FPV 5.8ghz LCD
Spikey made his own DIY 32ch FPV 5.8ghz LCD with Dirty Board PCB’s: If you’re like me, you don like buying stuff that’s ready-to-go, but rather build one yourself. We usually spend more money, but it’s way more satisfying I really didn’t want to buy an overly expensive FPV LCD receiver, so I made my own DIY […]
Teardown: A couple of laptop batteries (aftermarket vs original)
Viktor writes: I’ve recently opened up a few laptop batteries and decided to take some pictures. Keep reading if you’ve ever wondered just how different the Chinese aftermarket batteries are compared to the originals. More details at Karosium homepage.
Bus Pirate v3.8 free PCB build
@MegaLabs08 tweeted picture of his free Bus Pirate v3.8 PCB build. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – we’ll send you a coupon code for the free PCB […]
Building a 32K RAM Board
Glitch has posted details on his build of a RAM board for the Challenger III: With a quantity of 495 prototype boards in hand, it was time to build up a RAM board for the Challenger III. My implementation uses a single 32K x 8 static RAM in DIP packaging, which is split up into eight 4K […]
Raspberry Pi web server using flask to control GPIOs
Rui Santos from Random Nerd Tutorials writes: In this project you’ll create a standalone web server with a Raspberry Pi that can toggle two LEDs. You can replace those LEDs with any output (like a relay or a transistor). In order to create the web server you will be using a Python microframework called Flask. […]
#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 […]
Hacking a UART where there never was before
Thanks to Andrew for sharing – check out the full post on their blog, MOAM Industries. As part of a prototype developed 12 months ago I was tasked with reading measurements from a blood pressure cuff [sphygmomanometer] in real time. Not surprisingly there are no consumer level devices that have a serial interface because what […]
BeagleBone Black GPIO Benchmark
Joonas Pihlajamaa from Code and Life writes, ” I’ve previously made a GPIO benchmark of Raspberry Pi 1 and 2, and have always wanted to see how BeagleBone Black would stack against the Pis. I recently got one so the obvious thing to do was to see how fast the little thing could go. Turns […]
48″ T8 Cree LED tube teardown
Electronupdate has posted a teardown video of 48″ T8 Cree LED tube: LED based replacements for old T8 fixtures are finally becoming reasonably priced. I see two old competitors back at it again: CREE, and Philips. Both bulbs attractively priced, both 4000K. I tore down the Cree 1st. Longest circuit board that I have ever […]
Capacitive battery charger
Marcus Jenkins made a capacitive battery charger using Dirty Board PCB’s to revive rechargeable batteries: This is really a basic, bare-bones circuit. I’ve prepared the PCB with a view that it could be used as a module in a rather more-sophisticated charging system. You could imagine using a microcontroller (e.g. Arduino, PIC, etc.) to monitor […]
Bus Pirate v3.8 free PCB build
@joseluisalcoba tweeted picture of his free Bus Pirate v3.8 PCB build. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – we’ll send you a coupon code for the free PCB […]
App note: Transformers
All about transformers and its different uses in this application note from Murata. Link here (PDF)
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: Inductors
Murata’s application note about inductors and its specifications. Link here (PDF) Reading a specification for an inductor is considered a simple task, however, there is often some confusion even over the meaning of relatively straight forward parameters.
110v temperature controlled soldering station build no. 2
Mike Doughty from PCB Smoke shared his DIY 110v temperature controlled soldering station in the project log forum: This project is build number 2 of a 110v temperature controlled soldering station. It is a follow-up post to the project that I was working on last October. Blog post with complete details here. This version has […]