Author Archives: DP

Keep an eye on the sky with the Sat-light

In this video Chirag Nagpal demonstrates his Sat-light project, he writes: It uses a Beaglebone Black connected to the Internet, and download TLE values of the ISS and other satellites. It then calculate the exact location of the satellites using the Python Library PyEphem. Incase one of the Satellites is hovering above, it lights up! This is […]

App note: Output capacitive load considerations

App note(PDF) from Murata on output capacitors loading when in a switch mode power supply There are numerous factors to consider when adding external capacitors to switched-mode power supplies (SMPS). This article will discuss noise, startup, ESR, stability, pre-bias applications, Sense inputs, On/Off (remote enable) controls and other topics. Many real-world DC/DC applications require external […]

App note: EMC design guidelines

A great guide (PDF) to electromagnetic compatibility from Murata International regulations regarding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) affect many aspects of circuit and system design. However, there are many techniques that can be applied generally to reduce both the emissions from and susceptibility to, electromagnetic interference (EMI). As a manufacturer of electronic components, Murata Power Solutions is […]

App note: TPS6122x low input voltage, 0.7V boost converter with 5.5μA quiescent current

An application note from TI, TPS6122x low input voltage, 0.7V boost converter with 5.5μA quiescent current (PDF!): The TPS6122x family devices provide a power-supply solution for products powered by either a single-cell, two-cell, or three-cell alkaline, NiCd or NiMH, or one-cell Li-Ion or Li-polymer battery. Possible output currents depend on the input-to-output voltage ratio. The boost converter is based […]

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 […]

SPG8640-based crystal frequency generator

Hendrik Lipka has written up documentation on his SPG8640-based crystal frequency generator: When I needed a small frequency generator for a project several years ago, I did neither had the time nor the skills to build something like that. But I had in my parts box a nice chip that seemed perfect for a small tool – […]

Introducing ESPToy 1.2 (with Lua Firmware)

Ray Wang from RaysHobby has written an article on his ESPToy 1.2, a ESP8266 development board based on the Lua firmware: A little while back I released the very first version of ESPToy — a ESP8266 Development Board with a few useful on-board components like color LED, button, and temperature sensor. It has a built-in […]

Arduino based high-altitude balloon tracker

Ugifer wrote this instructable detailing the build of his Arduino based high-altitude balloon tracker: The tracker is based upon the Atmel ATMeag328 Microcontroller which forms the heart of many of the popular “Arduino” boards. We are going to make an “Arduino Compatible” board which we can program using the Arduino IDE. Because the GPS module and […]

ESP8266 running NodeMCU as a controller

jscottb over at LetsMakeRobots writes: My goal for this mini project is to create A simple autonomous rover with just the ESP and NodeMCU. In looking at the specs for node most of the supporting libraries already written. GPIO, PWM and Timer libraries are included in the Lua interpreter. After flashing the board my next up […]

40W handheld laser cutter

Martin Raynsford has written an article detailing his 40W handheld laser cutter: To generate the high voltage required to start lasing within the tube, I connected 200x 9V ‘dead’ batteries together, this generates nearly 2000V across the laser tube. I’ve been collecting these batteries for months, you can use old batteries for this because they only […]

Low power longwave transmitter experiment

Sverre Holm writes: There are several low power transmitters around that can be purchased, but most of them only cover the mediumwave band and not longwave (153-279 kHz). Further they are quite complicated as the frequency necessarily has to be user settable. I looked for a simpler way to make a single-frequency transmitter and found […]

DirtyPCB’s based project: TDR pulse generator for testing coax

Marcus Jenkins blogged about his TDR pulse generator build: I saw an excellent YouTube video from Alan W2AEW and thought I’d have a go at making a prettier version of the tool myself. After all, checking 50 Ohm coax cables is a pretty common need for an amateur radio enthusiast. Alan’s video says it all, but here’s […]

Announcing the STREAM board

The Myriad crew  has announced the new Stream board released through the MyriadRF initiative for doing SDR with the LMS6002D/LMS7002M from Lime Microsystems. It’s a fully Open Source board with Kicad design files and a fully Open Source OpenRISC SoC for the FPGA: We are thrilled to announce that the STREAM board is the latest project […]