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: Using the CLC module to implement a PCM IR driver
Here is an application note from Microchip describing how to implement pulse code modulation infrared remote control. This technical brief shows how to construct a simple, low-power IR (infrared) remote control transmitter using a PIC16F1708 microcontroller. The remote control transmitter makes use of the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) to create a […]
Yet another Logic Sniffer case
Adam posted pictures of a case he designed for the Logic Sniffer: I am in the process of designing up a case for my logic sniffer. I have designed it for use with just the standard 16 channels of input. It has captured reset and update buttons as well as labeling for both buttons and […]
Quick test of the PS-305D PSU
Mats did a review of the PS-305D PSU he bought from Smart-Prototyping: I ran some basic measurements on the PS-305D (Linear 0-30V/0-5A, 1mA Display) I recently bought from Smart-Prototyping.The internal volt meter in the PSU seems reasonably well calibrated.Then I tested the Constant Current capabilities with having a direct short circuit through my DMM. It […]
An Open Source, hackable Digital Clock
Here’s a cool DOTKLOK by Andrew O’Malley, an open source Arduino-based clock that displays a series of unique time-telling animations: A fanstastic Open Source Arduino-based clock that can display the time in many different ways: if not enough, one can also add his own personal animation. Via Open Electronics.
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 July 19, 2013
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon. JTAG flashing Proxmark3 using Bus Pirate Bus Pirate script to recover bricked radio Bus Pirate in a mint candy container ATX panel USB Infrared Toy v2 and Sick Of Beige basic case v1 (DP5031) are back in stock Check […]
PCB a Week 17: USB Spypow
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 17 he came up with USB Spypow, it displays the actual charge rates of a USB device: Yesterday I saw the “The Practical Meter” on Kickstarter – a small unit that is placed inline with the USB when charging your phone and shows the […]
ReCoMonB – Real Computer Monitoring Block
Ivan Creations made this ReCoMonB (Real Computer Monitoring Block) and wrote a detailed explanation on his blog describing the build: I managed to de-virtualize the CPU/MEM/HDD/NET stats and now I have them physically represented on my desk. The device that does that is named ReCoMonB – Real Computer Monitoring Block. I have also made the […]
Turning a TP-LINK TL-MR3020 into an audio player
forbiddenhex has written an article detailing how to turn a TP-LINK TL-MR3020 into an Audio player: This time i flush the TL-MR3020 with Openwrt. After couple of usb packages and audio packages i just plug in the USB sound card (which was given by whoknowz – to the router. When the USB sound card is detected from […]
JTAG flashing Proxmark3 using Bus Pirate
MMN-o from Umea Hackerspace successfully recovered his Proxmark3 using the Bus Pirate: Sure, there are cheap, hackable alternatives that connect to the parallell port, but that interface is unfortunately of a pretty bygone era. So given that I did not have access to a true parallell port at the time, I had to keep looking for alternatives. Essentially […]
Arduino MP3 alarm clock
Bajdi built an Arduino MP3 alarm clock and wrote a detailed explanation on his blog describing the build: The idea is simple, an LCD that shows the date and time. A couple of buttons to set an alarm, and an MP3 module and small speaker to play an MP3 when the alarm goes of.
ATX panel
Rynius writes: Here’s my new mobile electronics bench featuring the ATX break out board. I’m hoping this will finally keep all my tools and wires consolidated and be pushed out of the way when needed. I’m planning on setting up a nice solder station opposite the power supply. The variable one I have is a […]
Decade resistor box with jumpers
Mats informs us of GerrySweeney’s inexpensive Decade programmable resistor: I bought this 7-decade resistor box from Gerry Sweeeney for $18. It’s a really nice little cheap tool – much cheaper than the models with switches or thumbwheels that usually are 5-10 times as expensive as Gerrys version.
Bus Pirate script to recover bricked radio
Koolatron over at the Bitcraze forum re-program the Crazyradio over SPI using the BusPirate and this script, available at github: I’ve knocked together a perl script to reflash a busted crazyradio over SPI using a Bus Pirate. This saved me from a firmware upgrade gone bad. Get an assembled Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our […]
Using REF200 as 100uA precision reference
Kerry D. Wong has posted an article: Using REF200 as 100uA precision reference The simplest way to use REF200 is to utilize either of its two independent current sources. In this case we obtain a 100 µA reference current. Because REF200 has a built-in current mirror, you can obtain currents of 50µA, 100µA, 200µA, 300µA […]
Arduino quadcopter iPhone control
Arduino quadcopter iPhone control: This Arduino Quadcopter by Kyle Fieldus has iPhone Control, similar to the AR Drone you can tilt the phone to control the quadcopter. Touch OSC is being used to design the phone interface, there is also an Android version available. The system chain is a bit complex since the phone is […]
Sick of Beige basic case v1 (DP5031) back in stock
Sick Of Beige basic case v1 (DP5031) is back in stock at Seeed Studio. A clear laser-cut acrylic project case kit that fits DP5031 PCBs (50mmx31mm) Sick of Beige v1 DP5031 project case is available at Seeed for $3.
#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 […]
PCB a Week 16: TripleButts
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 16 he came up with three different breadboard breakout boards each holding 12 tactile switches, the TripleButts: Board #1 is the Full version. All the twelve switches are connected separately to their own pins on the headers. Twelve pins on the top and […]