A battery monitoring chip STC3100 from STMicroelectronics tells you voltage, current, battery temperature and additionally coulomb counter for gas gauge. App note here (PDF) The STC3100 battery monitoring function includes the measurement of the battery voltage and current, measurement of the IC’s die temperature and computation of the battery charge variation (Coulomb counter). An external […]
Author Archives: DP
App note: Solutions for radio frequency electromagnetic interference in amplifier circuits
Solutions for radio frequency electromagnetic interference in amplifier circuits from Microchip, app note can be found here: EMI is a real problem today and it can affect most electronic devices, including medical and avionics equipment. Modern devices include EMI filters to ensure the proper operation of equipment in harsh EMI environments. This application note demonstrates that the […]
App note: Demodulating communication signals of Qi-Compliant low-power wireless charger using MC56F8006 DSC
An app note (PDF!) from Freescale Semiconductor providing a complete solution to demodulating communication signals from power wave with MC56F8006 DSC: This application note aims to describe the Qi communication data demodulation design for wireless charger transmitter with MC56F8006 digital signal controller (DSC) including Qi communication interface, demodulation circuits design, and demodulation software design.
Standalone SPI 7-segment display
Spacewrench over at Dorkbotpdx writes: I had some spare 4-digit 7-segment LED displays and some AT90USB82s, and I’d always intended to do something with them. This was probably the easiest thing! It’s just the AT90 driving the display, with a(t least) 4 wires controlling it: Vcc, GND, MOSI and SCK. (I haven’t written the code yet, […]
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. 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 […]
Week in (p)review August 08, 2014
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon. Hacker Camp Shenzhen vol 2: Reflux open for registration Random spottings in Huaqiangbei electronics market Yihua and Depu electronics market visit Tripping to Shajin equipment market Controlling WS2812B LEDs with a Bus Pirate Bus Pirate v3.8 free PCB […]
Voltmeter clock project
Here’s a voltmeter clock project based on a multimeter clock design by Alan Parekh: I have used three voltmeters and mounted them on a wooden plinth with a clear Perspex cover to give the clock an industrial look. I have modified Alan’s code to run on PICBasic Pro version 3. I have also added the […]
Adding speech to your Embedded project
SkinnySatan writes: I had this one project where the device was supposed to speak out the output. And I was too Lazy to actually go and build a PC based application and not that lazy to make it on a micro controller. So here is some of my research where i am gonna show you […]
DIY Binary clock in an old hard drive shell
x2Jiggy wrote a post on his blog detailing the build of his DIY binary clock: This clock uses a minimalist design constructed in the shell of an old hard drive. A DS1307 Real Time Clock (RTC) module keeps accurate time while an ATMega328 (with Arduino bootloader) microcontroller determines which LEDs should be lit to display the current […]
Beach Buddy, a 3-in-1 solar phone charger, boombox, and sunburn timer calculator
An all-in-one, water and sand resistant, solar charger, audio speaker system, and sunburn timer calculator by starwisher. Check out the project’s instructables page here: This Instructable harnesses the power of Arduino, a UV sensor, and simple mathematics to make one nifty gadget sure to boost your outdoor summer fun – and minimize your indoor summer recovery!
Breaking out a QFP Attiny88 AVR
Ralph Doncaster writes: Several months ago I noticed the Attiny88. It has several more I/O than the Atmega328, with an extra Port A and PC7. And unlike most of the other Attiny series, it has real SPI instead of USI, so libraries using SPI don’t have to be re-written. At just 86c for qty 1, it […]
DIY automatic water timer
Kyle wrote an article detailing his DIY automatic water timer: Now that I have power and output figured out, I need to work on the control aspect. 555 timers are great for simple applications requiring up to a few minutes of delay. At 10 minutes, the RC values needed would boarder the danger zone of the timer not functioning […]
Simple temperature control system
A simple temperature control system for 3D print or other constant temperature control purpose by Xiang: I plan to build a home-made 3D printer controlled by my Raspberry Pi, which, unfortunately, does not have any analog data acquisition pin. Therefore I decide to build a stand-alone temperature control system. The idea is very simple. I use […]
The Nanite 85
cpldcpu writes: Recently, Olimex anncounced the Olimexino 85s, claimed to be the “World’s smallest Arduino ever“. Now, that looks like a challenge. I guess it is about time to show off what has been on my desk since some time last year: The Nanite, pictured below. I designed this board for fun after the Digispark […]
Maker Villa Penang, Malaysia
A Hacker Camp Shenzhen participant caught the bug and organized a local event in Penang. MAKER VILLA PENANG is a 3-day maker camp bringing local and international makers (DIY artists, crafters, designers, scientists & engineers) for a time of learning, building and sharing of ideas. It will be held from 20-22 August 2014 in conjunction […]
LiPo Booster, a breadboard-friendly boost converter board based on TPS61230
Jianan Li made this LiPo Booster project, that is available at Github: LiPo Booster is a breadboard-friendly boost converter board based on the TPS61230 IC from Texus Instrument. It has an output voltage of 5V, and is designed to be used with a single cell LiPo battery.
Yet another DirtyPCBs in the mail
snikrepmada posted pictures of his SMD protoboard v2 in the project log forum. He writes: Just got a stack of Dirty PCBs in the mail today. The quality is spot on, no problems at all, these are the best value PCBs anywhere!!! These are my own revision of the SMD prototyping board. I’ve got to […]
#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 […]
Bus Pirate v3.8 free PCB build
Cooler1989 built a free Bus Pirate v3.8 PCB. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – we’ll send you a coupon code for the free PCB drawer. Get […]
PyroElectro: Who can build the best P-O-V contest
PyroElectro is currently running a contest for who can build the best handheld or spinning POV device using an FPGA or CPLD. They’ll be presenting an example POV using VHDL in Lesson 9 @ PyroEdu. The top prize is a highly versatile Basys2 Spartan-3E FPGA board valued at roughly $90.00, providing more than enough logic […]