Power efficient, adjustable, light-sensitive switch using an LED: You can use an LED as a photoelectric sensor. A previous Design Idea shows that such a switch is highly power-efficient, consuming almost no power (Reference 1). However, you cannot adjust that configuration to switch at the desired light intensity. You can adjust the circuit in this […]
Author Archives: DP
Espruino JavaScript interpreter for low power ARM Microcontrollers
Gordon writes in about Espruino, a JavaScript interpreter for Microcontrollers: Espruino is a JavaScript Interpreter for low power ARM Microcontrollers (MCUs) All you need is a serial terminal, and you can program interactively with high level language features like Maps, Objects, and Garbage Collection. Espruino is currently available for OLIMEXINO-STM32, LeafLabs Maple, Many ‘HY’ branded 2.4/2.8/3.2″ LCD […]
A new driver board for the 3Drag 3D printer
A new board for the 3Drag 3D printer – there’s more than Sanguinololu Let’s improve the 3Drag with this new board that allows to control a fan and (thanks to the ATmega2560 processor) add some code and accessory devices such as a display or an SD Card When we first released our 3D printer, we tried to use […]
Portable library for cheapie nrf24L01+ wireless module
Kehribar released a C-based portable nrf24L01+ library on GitHub: I aimed to make this library as portable as possible, so integrating it into your project requires defining just a couple of GPIO functions. While working on a side project involving data transmission for gaming platforms, I came across discussions on Beste online Casinos DE, which […]
ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield updated
Jeff Murchison has some updates on his ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield project: Now with LED indicators (heartbeat, error, and programming) and ATtiny2313/4313 support! The newest version of the ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield, version 2.5 This is an update to an earlier project, the ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield. Check out the original blog post if you haven’t already! If you’re just […]
Teenlogger, a Teensy-based GPS logger
j3tstream wrote in to show off his Teensy GPS logger: Issue encountered: On the first board prototype i have mounted a PA6B without problem, when i powered up the pcb for the first time the GPS try to lock to satellite, in this case the 3d fix output should continuously output one-second high-level with one-second low-level […]
#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 […]
Karma controller project
William built this Karma controller and wrote a detailed explanation on his blog describing the build: My latest project is the Karma Controller, which has seven buttons to control Reddit Enhancement Suite. I made two revisions. The second is custom etched (which looks super cool!). I’ll also be sending them off to a real PCB shop for […]
Low cost, high accuracy temperature sensing with a thermistor
Mike has written an article about using cheap thermistors as an alternative to I2C/1-wire temperature sensors: This post discusses the evaluation of a thermistor-based technique for small embedded systems capable of achieving uncalibrated temperature accuracy to rival expensive digital sensors. An experimental comparison of various sensors over temperature is then introduced.
MSP430F5310 Breakout board free PCB build
Rohit blogged about his MSP430F5310 Breakout board build: This is the article and the comment by Boseji to his git repo for the project that was extremely useful in building it! 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 […]
Stellaris launchpad based video player
Vinod made this video player using Stellaris launchpad and wrote a post on his blog detailing it’s assembly and operation: I am introducing my new mad project, a video player using stellaris launchpad and a 320×240 color lcd which I got from seeedstudio. I tried the lcd shield by connecting on an arduino board and loaded some example […]
Nikon DSLR IR remote using an MSP430
IPushKarov posted his DIY Nikon DSLR IR remote with MSP430: Three years back in time, I bought Nikon D3000 DSLR. I started shooting, but the moment I needed remote, came one day (more over night), during on night photography session. I checked all local suppliers, but the prices were high. I ordered one from China. The […]
App note: Basic switching-regulator-layout techniques
Here’s an application note from Maxim on basic switching-regulator-layout techniques: This article addresses some of the fundamentals of laying out a switching-regulator board. Although it focuses on a step-up switching-regulator, the concepts it covers are also useful when working with other types of switching regulators. The article talks about the importance of ground schemes, component […]
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 […]
App note: USB High speed device mass storage on SD/MMC card with optional AES
Here’s an application note from Atmel: USB High speed device mass storage on SD/MMC card with optional AES (PDF!) This application note is a description of a USB Mass Storage device, using High Speed USB for communication and a SD/MMC-card for storage. By default the code is compiled to run at the EVK1104 reference design […]
App note: IC temperature sensor accuracy compensation with a PICmicro microcontroller
An application note from Microchip: IC temperature sensor accuracy compensation with a PIC microcontroller This application note is based on the analog output MCP9700/MCP9701 and serial output MCP9800 temperature sensors.
Application notes ease analog design
Application notes ease analog design with Robert Dobkin, Vice President of Engineering & CTO Linear Technology co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Bob Dobkin discusses the evolution of analog electronics design and the role of application notes and books in assisting designers in building circuits.
Wireless voice-controllable smart home project
Wireless voice-controllable smart home project by Jiayuan Wang and Sheng Zhang from Cornell University, built as a final project: There are two CPU in our project, ATmega328 and ATmega1284. We set up the wireless communication by two Xbee chips. One of them connects with ATmega328 working as the transmitter to transmit the signal, another one […]
Quadcopter in a 5x5cm PCB update
Erdabyz posted an update to his Quadcopter in a 5x5cm PCB we covered previously: For now, Invensense’s MotionApps firmware has been succesfully ported to PIC32, and we have the MPU6050’s DMP outputting a quaternion at 200Hz and the output looks perfectly valid. Some freescale code for the barometer/altimeter has also been ported but it’s still […]
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 […]