Electro-Labs created new open source hardware project, a DIY capacitance meter: This is a capacitance meter which can measure capacitors rated from picofarads to millifarads. The principle of operation is simple. Just apply voltage to the capacitor and measure the elapsed time to charge it. The circuit is based on Atmega328P and it is Arduino […]
Author Archives: DP
Bus Pirate SPI sniffer using RealTerm for highspeed transfer
pyblendnet-js writes: The Bus Pirate has at least three other out-of-the-box methods of sniffing SPI data from a Master and Slave communication: – The Bus Pirate GUI – Bus Pirate SPI Sniffer Utility – Third party tools such as the Sump Logic Analyzer Client – an example here. I believe the fastest of these may […]
App note: Heat sink mounting guide
Fairchild Semiconductor’s app note on proper heat sink mounting to achieve lower thermal resistance between the package and its heat sink. Link here (PDF) This document provides guidelines for mounting heat sinks for the proper thermal management of power semiconductor devices in field applications. This document describes heat sink mounting methods, considerations, contact thermal resistance, […]
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: Understanding thermal dissipation and design of a heat sink
Application report from Texas Instruments on heatsink designs. Link here (PDF) Power dissipation performance must be well understood prior to integrating devices on a printed-circuit board (PCB) to ensure that any given device is operated within its defined temperature limits. When a device is running, it consumes electrical energy that is transformed into heat. Most […]
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 […]
A hack for Hacks using AnalysIR & USB IR Toy
The crew from AnalysIR writes: One of our users from Italy, Guido, was tasked with upgrading an old in-house WRC system to allow the team of Sport’s Journalists to access the rack of satellite receivers relaying the various sports events around the building. The challenge is that all of the STB (Set Top Boxes) are […]
#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 […]
App note: Fast charging control with NTC temperature sensing
Vishay’s application note on fast charging control using NTC and TI’s BQ2005. Link here (PDF) The need for increased autonomy for new models of laptops and cellular phones has resulted in high-energy density power packs – Ni MH and Li-ion batteries. These batteries can be charged quickly, on the condition that the fast charging complies […]
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: VSOP98260 for IR code learning applications
Application note from Vishay on their VSOP98260 IR learning chip which uses the same IR LED as transceiver. Link here (PDF) There is a wide interest in universal remote controls, which can be used to diminish the “clutter” of remote controls typically present in a modern living room setting. Training the universal remote to send […]
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 […]
DIY WiFi gas detector with text alerts
Stefan over at Hackster.io has written an article detailing his DIY Wi-Fi gas detector that sends SMS alerts: Hey guys, back with another little project that I’ve been fiddling with for the past week. With kids around, every parent is thinking how to make their home safer for the little ones and for everybody in general. One […]
XinSound Fuzz FD-20 mod – Big Muff V2 Ram’s head clone
Davide Gironi writes, “The XinSound Fuzz FD-20 is a Big Muff V2 Ram’s Head guitar pedal clone. It’s schematic is next to the Electro Harmonix Big-Muff Pi 1975-15-10 original circuit. As usually, I would like to experiment on this pedal, doing some mods.” Project info at Davide Gironi’ blog. Check out the video after the break.
Home automation with Telegram BOT
Luca Dentella has written an article describing how he developed a bot to control his Raspberry Pi via Telegram: The project I’m going to describe today it’s a sort of proof of concept that will demonstrate the possibility to remote control sensors and actuators (for example a couple of relays) via Telegram. Telegram is an instant messaging […]
2015 Release Candidate Branch And RC1
Kicad announce 2015 Release Candidate 4.0.0 RC1: We are pleased to announce that KiCad has finally made a 2015 release branch. The 2015 stable release of KiCad will start from version 4.0.0. Currently we are in the release candidate phase and as such BZR 6188 is now known as 4.0.0 RC1. The 4.0 branch can […]
#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 […]
3D printed case for Logic Pirate
eLab Hackerspace made a 3D printed case for Logic Pirate. You can get a Logic Pirate for $30.
App note: Fundamentals of electronic security: Tampering with the easy targets
An app note from Maxim Integrated about tampering electronic securities through physical means and how to protect against it. Link here (PDF) More and more frequently, computer-based systems store valuable data and manage the flow of valuable commodities. If an opponent can gain control of the computer that touches this valuable data, they can access […]
App note: Passives aren’t really So Passive: PCB
The last part of “Passives aren’t really so passive” series app notes from Maxim Integrated discusses about PCB flaws that can lead to passive errors to IC performance. Link here (PDF) Active components like transistors and integrated circuits change signals using energy from the power supply. However, passive components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and connectors […]