Author Archives: DP

App note: FT800 video controller from the ground up

Enable lower cost graphics capability solution integrated to your MCU with this FT800 video controller from FTDI (app note). The FTDI FT800 video controller offers a low cost solution for embedded graphics requirements. In addition to the graphics, resistive touch inputs and an audio output provide a complete human machine interface to the outside world. […]

App note: Stepper Motor Driver for Smart Gauges

A smart gauges stepper motor driver app note from Cypress. This application note shows how to use the PSoC® Programmable System-on-Chip to drive a low-power stepper motor for smart pointer gauges. This application note demonstrates how to perform micro stepping in the stepper motor using PSoC 1.In addition; this application demonstrates using a PC-based utility […]

App note: MAX31730 3-Channel remote temperature sensor

Here’s an application note from Maxim on triple remote temperature sensor: The MAX31730 temperature sensor monitors its own temperature and the temperatures of three external diode-connected transistors. The operating supply voltage is from 3.0V to 3.6V. Resistance cancellation compensates for high series resistance in circuit-board traces and the external thermal diode, while beta compensation corrects for temperature-measurement […]

App note: Wi-Fi data logger

An app note from Microchip on Wi-Fi data logger (PDF!): Dataloggers are used in a variety of industries, some examples are: Environmental sensors Motor RPM measurements Location tags using GPS Temperature sensors Light sensors Motion sensors A data logger can be configured in a number of ways depending on the application. This case study covers the following application […]

PWM generator and servo tester with ATtiny45

Jan Henrik wrote this Instructable detailing the build of his PWM generator and servo tester with ATtiny45: This PWM generator also works as servotester, it supports all kinds of servos, which dont need more then 5V Features: Operating voltage: 5V Max PWM current: 1 A PWM frequency (by now) : 500HZ , I am trying to make that changeable, […]

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 April 18, 2014

Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon. NEW PROTOTYPE: Logic Pirate 8 channel, 256K sample, 60MSPS logic analyzer The deal with Dirty Cheap Dirty Boards PCBs Dirty Circuits PCB routing for open hardware designs Hacker Camp Shenzhen Day 1: Hot pot dinner Hacker Camp Shenzhen […]

RC servo and PID – ‘Autotune’

Stanley Lio‎ is working on a RC Servo and PID autotune project: The robotic arm built for the magnetic field measurement project leaves several things to be desired. After a new servo is installed, finding the mapping between PWM duration and DH angles is done manually with pen and protractor. I want to automated this. The arm trembles […]

JTAG flashing BCM6348 devices with a Bus Pirate and OpenOCD

Lee of Sodnpoo writes: Having never used JTAG before I thought I’d see what I could do with my new Bus Pirate and one of the old ADSL routers I have lying around – ideally reading/writing to the flash. The v1 BT Home Hub is a Broadcom BCM6348-based device with 32MB RAM, that I’d previously […]

1.3”OLED with SSD1306 controlled by Bus Pirate

Markus Gritsch writes: I wrote a quick Python script to communicate with an SSD1306 driven OLED connected to a PC with a Bus Pirate. The script uses the Bus Pirates raw SPI mode and manages to update the little screen slightly faster than 10 times per second. Via the project log forum. Check out the […]

Simple electric imp temperature logger

Marcus Olsson of Slickstreamer made this simple electric imp temperature logger with 3D printed case: I build this temperature logger for my father as a christmas present so he can use his phone to view the temperature at home. The device is build from a electric imp, TMP102 temperature sensor, battery and a charger. It loggs […]

Hacking a 3D printer into a tattoo machine

Here’s a cool instructable for a 3D printer tattoo machine: In october 2013, a famous design school in Paris, ENSCI les Ateliers, hosted a workshop organised by the French Ministry of culture. The idea was to use images, videos and sound fallen in the national pubic domain and use them in a sort of “Mashup”. The event […]

Hacker Camp Shenzhen Day 1: Hot pot dinner

By ian Hacker Camp Shenzhen isn’t just about cool markets and amazing soldering techniques, we made food a centerpiece too! Day 1 dinner: Hot pot. Here is the hot pot crew in action! 30 hackers joined us at our favorite hot pot place. This hot pot restaurant is probably the most popular one in the […]

The deal with Dirty Cheap Dirty Boards PCBs

This sad FACE FRAME! documents the moment Ian found out Dirty PCBs hit Hacker News, Hack a Day, etc. Here’s the story behind our joke PCB site… A few months ago there were some comments in the forum about various PCB services making ‘crap’ $0.90 boards. Later we posted a picture of our own $0.20 […]

Hacker Camp Shenzhen Day 1: Huaqiangbei market tour

By ian Huaqiangbei is probably the largest electronics component market in the world. It’s why we’re here for Hacker Camp Shenzhen, it’s why most people are visiting. On day one we broke into four groups and toured the market. Everyone was introduced to guides’ favorite distributors, and we bought a few goodies along the way. […]