Dilshan Jayakody writes: This post is about beat frequency oscillator (BFO) module which is used to receive SSB and CW signals from ordinary shortwave receiver. The original circuit which is related to this post is obtained through the internet and we modify it to get more precise output with commonly available electronic components. (Unfortunately at the […]
Author Archives: DP
USB Infrared Toy free PCB build
@psmay tweeted picture of his free USB IR Toy PCB build. 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 Flicker, […]
DipTrace export settings for Dirty PCB
As a follow up to the PCB layout design with DipTrace post, KF5OBS blogged about on how to set-up DipTrace to export a PCB layout correctly for Dirty PCB: Dirty PCB offers – as the name implies – dirt cheap PCB manufacturing. The trick is a very low profile and a straight-forward system that needs minimum […]
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: Cracks on molded power inductors
App note from Würth Elektronik on WE-LHMI inductors’ visual crack apperance and their effects. This document helps understanding the influence of visual asymmetry around the core which may occur during the manufacturing process of WE-LHMI series inductors. The WE-LHMI core is not a solid core, instead it is an iron powder molded around the winding. […]
App note: Chemical compatibility of LEDs
An app note(PDF) from OSRAM on LED stresses due to chemical compatibilities on their applications. The performance and stability of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be influenced by various chemical incompatibilities arising from chemicals and materials used, amongst other things, in luminaire construction, or by gases in the proximate environment of LEDs during field operation. […]
App note: D-PHY Solutions
An app note (PDF!) from Xilinx on D-PHY Solutions: Traditionally, interfaces between components on a printed circuit board (PCB) are based on single-ended parallel buses at low bit rates (LVCMOS), differential high-speed serial buses, or single differential channels. The D-PHY provides an extension to this structure by turning the low-speed, low-power interface to the serial format of the high-speed […]
PCB layout design with DipTrace – An overview
KF5OBS writes: DipTrace is a sophisticated schematic and PCB layout software. I had it installed on my computer for over a year but have never really used it. Since I needed a super simple PCB for some 78XX / 79XX type linear regulators, I decided to use this opportunity for my first steps with DipTrace. […]
Embrio: A visual programming environment for Arduino
Embrio, create Arduino programs without writing code: Easy To Use -Make programs by adding and connecting nodes. No coding necessary! Real Time Connection -Work with a live connection to your Arduino, see how your program works as you build it! Powerful -While easy to use, Embrio is a powerful development tool that you won’t outgrow […]
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 […]
Lisa Native floppy emulation
Steve at Big Mess o’ Wires writes: Lisa floppy drive emulation with Floppy Emu is a success! Begone, evil rotational disk drives, with your failure-prone gummed-up mechanisms. The age of SD card Lisa floppy emulation is here! After a lot of tinkering, it’s now working on both the Lisa 2/5 and 2/10, and for both Lisa-format […]
jQuery Plugin that formats JSON strings
Matthew Heironimus writes: This jQuery plugin is based on a nice little JavaScript routine written by Vladimir Bodurov that can be viewed at www.bodurov.com/JsonFormatter. To use this plugin include jsonFormatter.min.css and jsonFormatter.min.js in your html file. See the jsonFormatterExample.html file for an example on how to do this. If you wish to use the darkTheme, […]
PCB Checklist – What to check before you submit
Baldengineer’s checklist for submitting a PCB to a fab house: Recently I’ve been expanding my retro game collection to include game cartridges imported from Japan. The problem is that I don’t have Japanese game systems (yet). So I’m creating an open source adapter to convert Famicom carts to the NES. Before I submit the PCB to […]
TwinTeeth: The PCB mini-factory
Diyouware TwinTeeth, an open-source PCB mini-factory : It includes the following functions: UV Laser photoengraving on sensitive film or presensitized boards using an ultraviolet laser. Drilling vias and holes using any mini-rotary tool like Dremel® or Proxxon® Dispensing solder paste with precision on SMD PCB pads Plotting circuits with a permanent pen-maker (if you prefer […]
3D BRD viewer, a free tool to visualize CadSoft EAGLE PCB designs in 3D
Peter of Cytec BG writes, “My idea was for pcb designers to be able to quickly, whithout too much hassle, check their board for correct footprints (especially for connectors) and collisions between components. Currently one can change soldermask colors, silkscreen layers, move and rotate components around, change component models and import step files.” For more details visit […]
Piccolo, a tiny CNC bot
Luca Dentella blogged about his Piccolo build: Piccolo is an opensource project, by Diatom Studio, that consists of a small CNC bot (working area about 5x5cm); the official site is www.piccolo.cc. I built one unit; the required components are: the frame, laser cut by Vectorealism 3 micro servos, brought from HobbyKing screws, nuts… the PCB (manufactured by […]
Two transistor superheterodyne shortwave receiver
Dilshan Jayakody writes: This is two transistor and two IF transformer based superheterodyne receiver which is designed to receive 13m to 41m bands. With quiet good external antenna this receiver performs similar to commercially available shortwave receiver and its audio quality is in very satisfactory level. This receiver can be constructing on PCB, breadboard or […]
#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 […]
WiFi thermostat with weekly scheduler
A WiFi thermostat with weekly scheduler project by Martin Harizanov: As additional feature, I’ve added thermostat function based on Trystan Lea’s Open Thermostat Scheduler, only my code runs entirely off the ESP8266 SoC. The UI is touch-friendly and works great on mobile devices I’ve also added broadcasting functionality, allowing the board to send its state to third […]
Drive a stepper motor with acceleration and deceleration using an Allegro driver on ATmega8
Davide Gironi writes: This library drive a stepper motor using the Allegro A3967 (EasyDriver) on ATmega8. It will also work on the Allegro a4988, and other type of motor driver controlled by the number of pulse received. It features: direction changing speed changing acceleration and deceleration multiple motor driving stop spinning after number of step, […]