Michu updates us on his PixelController project, an OpenSource LED matrix controller software: This “Rough Cut” video shows new features of the upcoming 1.31 release. New features: -Wireless PixelInvaders Panels -OSC Generator: use Processing (or any tool you like) to send images to PixelController. I included some nice Processing code examples, like using your Android […]
Author Archives: DP
USB Infrared Toy v2 back in stock
USB Infrared Toy v2 is back in stock at Seeed Studio. You can use it as a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, capture and replay remote control buttons. You can get IR Toy v2 for $22.05, including world wide shipping.
Workshop Update for March 6th, 2013
Bus Pirate voltage regulator investigation and writeup. We also continue working on the Bus Pirate Edu Kit documentation.
AirBurr, an autonomous flying robot
Autonomous robot navigates using collisions: Meet the AirBurr, an autonomous flying robot specifically designed for missions in difficult, confined environments under total darkness. Airburr is inspired b the simple navigation strategy that insects use to follow – It follows a path and if it collides, it has an excellent ability to recover. Check out the […]
Another Best FACEFRAME! picture
FACEFRAME! poses at mag.switch-science.com Via Twitter.
Microchip’s BodyCom technology
BodyCom™ Technology provides a secure communication channel using the human body: Microchip’s BodyCom™ Technology is a short-range, low-data-rate communication solution for securely connecting to a wide range of wireless applications. Activated by capacitively coupling to the human body, the system communicates bidirectionally between a centralized controller and one or more wireless mobile units. Intra-body communication […]
MCP23017 I2C IO expander breakout board
Jechavarria has designed this breakout board with the MCP23017 I2C IO expander: With this board you can drive a 2×16 display LCD with only two signals (I2C). I also develop some code (in C) to manage this device, based on a AT89C51RE2 microcontroller. Please feel free to visit www.jechavarria.com for more info, schemes, and source […]
Workshop Update for March 5th, 2013
Filed Biennual report for our Iowa 489 LLC. If you organized before us in Iowa (section 490 LLC) then your report is due on even years instead. See you again in 2015 Secretary of State! Grilled PayPal on why we can’t make instant transfers to sub-accounts (student accounts) when traveling or from a mobile device. […]
Maker Faire Rome: Call for makers
Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition: Call for Makers, is now open! Maker Faire showcases the amazing work of all kinds and ages of makers—anyone who is embracing the do-it-yourself (or do-it-together) spirit and wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.
Futaba 10C radio hacked to accept a Spektrum DSM module
Futaba 10C radio hacked to accept a Spektrum DSM module: Tom from Damage Designs has Hacked his Futaba 10C Radio to accept a Spektrum DSM Module. Turns out these were not designed to function together but with a bit of effort Tom got them to work just fine. The actual protocol seems to be the […]
#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 […]
GPS to SD card data logger and compass
Want to keep track of your trips from anywhere you are? Here’s a DIY GPS to SD-card data logger/compass by Ktulu: Earlier this year I have bought on the flea market a used car GPS system, an Amstrad gp1000. (Un)fortunately it was so badly damaged, that it could not be repaired, so I thought I would […]
Workshop Update for March 4th, 2013
We continue working on the Bus Pirate kit documentation. Only a few more exercises are left to fully model. The one above uses the breadboard, a ‘595 serial to parallel register, and a contrast potentiometer to allow the Bus Pirate the control over an HD44780 LCD. As you can see, lots of wires are needed […]
AVR microcontroller based PWM fan controllers
Zak Kemble posted his AVR based PWM fan controller build: So this is a bit of a continuation on my 555 timer based PWM controllers, but now using microcontrollers and MOSFETs instead of 555 ICs and transistors. I made 2 versions, one with switches for speeding up and down and the other with a potentiometer […]
HD44780 LCD backpack
Phalox blogged about his LCD backpack build: I’ve been using this LCD for a week now at work, and it makes receiving emails nicer :-) Now I should still get it to work with LCDproc. That should provide for a lot more flexibility! Via the forum.
Another project-a-week: ATtiny85 programming shield
This week Rwinscot shared his RickPAW ATtiny85 programming shield project in the forum: Saw a couple implementations of the ATtiny85 programmer on Instructables… and decided to roll my own. It’s bare-bones, but gets the job done. It works as a minimal Arduino shield and has headers for ‘jacking-in’ to the uC. Goals on this one are […]
DIY PicKit2 clone
Drjeseuss built a PicKit2 clone: After completing the build, I programmed the PIC18F2550 with the PicKit2 firmware using a JDM pin wiggler. I connected to the PicKit2 Clone using both the MPLab IDE, and the dedicated PicKit2 application. Both connected to the unit properly. I loaded up the bootloader hex for the BPv4.0c. I then […]
How I2C isolators work
How I2C isolators work: Watch this video to learn how the ADuM1250/ADuM2250 iCoupler® digital isolators use a three level logic system developed by Philips specifically for I2C to implement bidirectional data transfer.
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: Resistive bridge basics – Part One
Part One – Resistive bridge basics: Bridge circuits are a time-honored way to make accurate measurement of resistance and other analog values. This article covers the basics of bridge circuits and shows how to use them to make accurate measurements in practical environments. It details the key concerns of bridge-circuit applications such as noise, offset […]