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: Design considerations for single-sided sensing applications of reflective assemblies
App note from TT Electronics on reflective assemblies and the surfaces they need to effectively detect/sense. A reflective sensor provides a major mounting advantage to the designer because only one side of a sensing surface is required. However, there are a number of design variables that need to be considered to assure detection of the […]
App note: Designing encoder elements for two channel optical interrupters
An app note from TT Electronics on design and getting information out of encoder elements of two channel optical interrupters. Rotational direction of a shaft can be readily determined by utilizing the two channels of a dual optical interrupter, an encoder disc with a number of openings around the circumference, and some simple electronics. The […]
App note: Introduction to USB Power delivery applications
Another application note from Microchip, an introduction to USB Power delivery applications (PDF!): This document is designed for systems and hardware engineers seeking the information necessary to begin to integrating USB Power Delivery (under Power Delivery Specification Rev 1.0) into their designs using the Microchip UPD1001 or UPD1002 USB Power Delivery Controllers
App note: Microchip dedicated slave devices in I2C systems
An app note on Microchip dedicated slave devices in I2C systems (PDF!): Microchip supplies dedicated slave devices that include a two-wire serial interface that is System Management Bus (SMBus) and I2C™ compatible. The SMBus specification is based on the I2C serial communications protocol, but with some differences. This document describes the key differences that may affect […]
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 two random commenters. More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week: Free PCB Sunday. The classic. Every week, get free […]
PCB for Raspberry Pi WH1080 weather station
A PCB for Raspberry Pi WH1080 weather station by Andy Ayre of BritishIdeas: Previously I wrote about using a Raspberry Pi to receive 433MHz signals from a WH1080 weather station. This is the mess of wiring I came up with. This worked fine until it stopped. I probably didn’t crimp a wire properly and too many knocks […]
Eagle vs. KiCad revisited
Steve Chamberlin of Big Mess o’ Wires writes: Four and a half years ago, I wrote a mini-review of Eagle vs. KiCad, two of the most popular software tools for hobbyists creating custom circuit boards. I concluded that while KiCad had lots of promise, it was too full of quirks and bugs to recommend, and […]
MeArm – Pocket sized industrial robotics for everybody
Here’s an interesting open source project on Kickstarter the MeArm, a pocket size robot Arm by Benjamin Gray: Low cost, easy to build and simple to control, MeArm is designed to make learning with robotics accessible for everyone. MeArm is a pocket size robot arm. It was conceived to make robotics, electronics and programming accessible […]
Oops – Again
Sjaak likes to design (and build) PCBs in his spare time. This has a big downside as he has a busy daytime job, which makes him a bit less focussed during the design process. He used a small crystal of which he didn’t had a proper footprint of. No problem as it is a few clicks […]
Programming an Arduino via WiFi with the ESP8266
Gary Servin has been working on a new project a method to flash an Arduino via WiFi using the ESP8266. He wrote a post on his blog detailing the process: I’ve been working on a new robot called RoDI for a summer course at my Alma mater. RoDI is a low cost wireless robot to teach […]
Running LED dice
Raj over at Embedded Lab has published a new build, a running LED dice using PIC12LF1822 microcontroller: This project is about a similar LED dice but with a slightly different output form. It uses 6 LEDs which are arranged in a circular pattern and are labeled 1 through 6. They create a chasing effect when the dice […]
#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 […]
OpenSprinkler Firmware 2.1.1 new feature: Control remote power sockets
We previously covered Ray’s OpenSprinkler. Now it has added a new feature to remotely toggle radio frequency power sockets: This allows OpenSprinkler to not only switch sprinkler valves, but also easily control powerline devices such as lights, heaters, pumps, fans. Looking for a programmable way to control Christmas lights? Look no further! This feature is […]
Arduino-based inductance meter
Lukas of Soldernerd built a DIY Arduino-based inductance meter: I’ve just finished a little Arduino project. It’s a shield for the Arduino Uno that lets you measure inductance. This is a functionality that I found missing in just about any digital multi meter. Yes, there are specialized LCR meters that let you measure inductance but they typically […]
A web configurable Xively logger, build on AVR ATmega328
Here’s an ATmega configurable Xively logger platform by Davide Gironi: Xively (formerly Cosm and before that Pachube) is a platform devoted to simplifying the interconnection of devices and data with applications on the Internet of Things. It is an on-line database service allowing developers to connect sensor-derived data (e.g. energy and environment data from objects, devices & […]
How to drive a latching relay
Kerry Wong writes: Latching relay (a.k.a. impulse relay) can be turned on and off by momentarily applying a voltage across the relay coil. The relay would maintain in its last switched state without the need to maintain the coil current. In this post, I will show a simple circuit which can be used to drive […]
DIY smart RGB strip with BLEduino
Kevenlaker over at ElecFreaks has shared a Smart RGB LED strip with BLEduino project in the forum: Smart RGB LED Strip is based on the development of our BLEduino, using the Bluetooth 4.0, and the sample code written by EF men, by mobile phone APP, to control the switch of RGB LED strip, and the RGB LED color changing. […]
App note: Photologic
Photologic components and applications from TT Electronics. Historically, optoelectronic components such as phototransistors have been analog output devices. The application engineer had to design with an output current from the phototransistor generated by a given input bias circuit. The advent of the integrated circuits and microprocessors has required the electronics world to turn digital. The […]
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 […]