Author Archives: DP

Linux-based clock radio

An open-source Linux-based clock radio from SpriteMods: Ofcourse, a nice PCB with a powerful processor and a nice display only is scrap without the software: especially in this case, it pretty much defines what the device does. While developing the hardware, I already had made the decision to go with Linux and OpenWRT as an OS, as that’s […]

ESP8266 powered web server + LED control + DHT22 temperature/humidity sensor reading

Martin writes: The ESP8266 System-on-chip (SoC) has recently came out of nowhere and has been taking by storm the IoT DIY world. It is a $4.50 Wi-Fi capable chip that has remarkable specs, obsoleting overnight a number of similar products that are out there. The price factor, availability of SDK and a fast growing community […]

Simple automatic car battery charger

Dilshan Jayakody has published a new build, an automatic car battery charger: This is modified version of commonly available automatic car battery charger system. I obtain original layout of this charger from one of the commercially available Chinese car battery charger and modified some of the sections of original schematic to improve the performance and stability […]

Microcontroller based running light controller

Another project by Rajkumar Sharma over at Electronics Lab, a lights effects board using common bulbs: This project provides some lighting effect by the blinking pattern of the bulbs connected at its output. Up to 8 Bulbs can be connected in between connector CN2 to CN9 and AC power to control them should be connected […]

#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 […]

Better SPI Bus design in 3 steps

Paul over at Dorkbotpdx has written an article on 3 steps to good SPI Bus design: A much better SPI bus design can prevent conflicts. 3 simple improvements are needed: Use pullup resistors on all chip select signals. Verify tri-state behavior on MISO: use a tri-state buffer chip if necessary. Protect bus access with SPI.beginTransaction(settings) and SPI.endTransaction().

A Xively logger library for Spark Core

Davide Gironi writes: Xively (formerly Cosm and before that Pachube) is an on-line database service allowing developers to connect sensor-derived data (e.g. energy and environment data from objects, devices & buildings) to the Web and to build their own applications based on that data. This library is a modular and configurable Xively data logger, built […]

App note: LCD fundamentals and the LCD driver module of 8-Bit PIC microcontrollers

An app note going back to LCD display basics from Microchip. This application note provides an introduction to the basics of LCD: its construction, physics behind its operation, and the different factors affecting its properties and performance.  

App note: Using PIC32 MCUs to develop low-cost controllerless (LCC) graphics solutions

Adding a low-cost virtual graphics on embedded application, app note from Microchip. This application note describes the LCC Graphics Board that enables the implementation of a low-cost controllerless graphic method using a PIC32 microcontroller.

App note: Digital sound recorder with AVR and DataFlash

An app note from Atmel, digital sound recorder with AVR and DataFlash (PDF!): This application note describes how to record, store and play back sound using any AVR microcontroller with A/D converter, the AT45DB161B DataFlash memory and a few extra components. This application note shows in detail the usage of the A/D Converter for sound recording, the Serial Peripheral Interface […]

68 Katy – 68000 Linux on a solderless breadboard

Steve Chamberlin of Big Mess o’ Wires has written up documentation on his awesome 68 Katy project,  a 68000 Linux on a solderless breadboard: Here’s a look at the final version of the hardware. It took about a week to assemble and wire up all the parts on a solderless breadboard. The heart of the system is […]

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 […]