Erich of MCU on Eclipse has posted an update on his open source tinyK20 project. We wrote about it previously: Changes from the earlier version (see “tinyK20 Open Source ARM Debug/Universal Board – First Prototypes“): 1.Replaced the K20 crystal with one having a smaller footprint. 2.Added Micro SD card socket on the back (same socket as […]
Author Archives: DP
USB Infrared Toy free PCB build
Iñigo of Elektroquark built a free USB IR Toy PCB. With the USB IR Toy you can use a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, capture and replay remote control buttons. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on […]
#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: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC / EMI) for Vibe Motors
Here’s an App note from Precision Microdrives on EMI from vibration motors and their Electromagnetic compatibility. Link is here Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the radiation or induction of electromagnetic noise on a system. DC motors are a common source of EMI, as are most electromagnetic circuit components. They are potential sources of noise and can […]
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: Measuring RPM from back EMF
Interesting App note from Precision Microdrives on finding RPM using back EMF. Link is here Measuring the speed of a motor can be an important requirement for some applications. For example DC and gearmotors that are moving loads may require close monitoring or adjustment of the output speed. External sensors are typically used for speed […]
App note: High-Precision 16-Bit PWM
Technical brief from Microchip on their high-precision 16-Bit PWM modules found on various PIC16 devices. PDF link here The high-precision 16-bit PWM available in various PIC16 devices such as the PIC16F1574, delivers advanced features beyond those found on standard PWM modules. These innovative features allow the user to easily vary phase, duty cycle and offset […]
App note: USB to I2C bridging with Microchip USB 2.0 Hubs
App note on Microchip’s USB 2.0 Hubs on its I2C support. PDF link here The USB to I2C bridging feature of Microchip’s USB 2.0 hubs provides system designers expanded system control and potential BOM reduction. When using this feature in a system design, a separate USB to I2C device is no longer required and a […]
App note: USB to GPIO bridging with Microchip USB 2.0 Hubs
App note on Microchip’s USB 2.0 Hubs on its GPIO capabilities. PDF link here The USB to GPIO bridging feature of Microchip’s USB 2.0 hubs provides system designers expanded system control and potential BOM reduction. General Purpose Input/Outputs (GPIOs) may be used for any general 3.3V level digital control and input functions. This feature is […]
App note: Introduction to USB Type-C
Microchip’s App note on USB Type-C cable. PDF is here The USB-IF has secured the ubiquitous nature of USB for years to come with the radically updated USB Type-C connector. While the sleek new reversible form factor has been significant for generating buzz and excitement from the general consumer market, the significantly expanded feature-set is […]
App note: PoE and LED Lighting: the perfect match
App note from MAXIM Integrated on LED lighting utilizing power from PoE. Link here This application note explains that Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is a technology used in wired local area networks (LANs). PoE delivers power over the same cable that delivers the Ethernet data. Using LED lighting on a PoE network delivers excellent energy efficiency because […]
App note: Using the MAX35101 in a heat meter application
Here’s an app note from MAXIM integrated on using the time-to-digital converter chip MAX35101 for heat meters. Link is here Heating and cooling a living space is often the greatest contributor to energy consumption in both commercial and residential applications. It is for this reason that many conservation efforts focus on adding insulation and sealing […]
Sorry for the light blogging
DEV site is nearly working, and digging through our shoebox of receipts doing year end books. Unexpectedly complicated this year due to the Dirty PCBs “joke”. Not so funny now…
App note: FT800 Example with ARM
App note from FTDI on interfacing the FT800 with an ARM MCU . Link is here The FTDI FT800 video controller offers a high quality, high value solution for embedded graphics requirements. In addition to the graphics, resistive touch inputs and an audio output provide a complete human machine interface to the outside world. These […]
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: FT800 Example with 8-bit MCU
App note from FTDI on interfacing the FT800 to an 8-bit MCU. Link is here The FTDI FT800 video controller offers a low cost solution for embedded graphics requirements. In addition to the graphics, resistive touch inputs and an audio output provide a complete human machine interface to the outside world. This application note will […]
How to build beautiful enclosures from FR4 — AKA PCBS
Voja Antonic over at Hackaday posted a detailed how-to on building enclosure out of FR4— AKA PCBS: Another way is to build the enclosure out of FR4, a material which is commonly used in PCB production. Such enclosures are low-cost, with thin walls but yet very strong, nice looking, pleasant to the touch and have excellent […]
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 times every […]
Soldering iron pulse timer for temperature control
Here’s Mike’s completed project DIY soldering iron pulse timer controller. He wrote a post on his blog detailing its assembly: This is a follow up to a previous post on a way to get temperature control for a plug-in soldering iron without a temperature sensor. Instead of using a sensor to control the temperature, this […]
TI’s CC2650 SensorTag gets three new exciting DevPacks
Gerard over at 43oh has written up an article on TI’s three new development kits for the new CC2560STK – Audio, watch and debug development packs: A while back I wrote about the new SensorTag CC2650STK which comes with four more sensors than the previous CC2541 SensorTag. While looking through the TI’s SensorTag page, I noticed three new development […]