Author Archives: DP

USB function generator

Tuomas designed a simple function generator controlled via USB. It’s capable of generating sine, square, and triangle waveforms up 3 MHz. The device uses the AD9833 SPI programmable waveform generator IC and a USB-enabled AVR to control it. One tool that I’ve been missing at my lab at home is function generator. They tend to […]

USB current and voltage tester designed on the DP5031 standard PCB

Here is TitanMKD’s USB current, and voltage tester designed on the DP5031 standard PCB. The board features 4 standard USB connectors, while voltage and current can be measured via 4mm banana terminals For those interested in a cheap funny board to test USB current consumption/voltage or even check USB D+/D- and ID signal The goal […]

App note: Hot-swap circuits

Here is an tutorial from Maxim describing hot-swap circuits, and the advantages of dedicated hot-swap ICs over discrete component circuits. Hot-swaps are designed to protect the rest of the circuitry when power is applied. Inrush current limiting, circuit breaking, over and under voltage protection, etc.. This application note discusses hot-swap ICs. Typical hot-swap circuits are […]

App note: Ethernet theory of operation

Here is an app note from Microchip describing the basics of Ethernet. It is intended as a reference for people developing Ethernet applications on PIC microcontrollers. Seeing as it’s theoretical, most of the article can be applied to other microcontrollers as well. This document specifies the theory and operation of the Ethernet technology found in […]

App note: Reducing system noise and voltage overshoot in buck topology switch mode regulators

Here is an article describing how to reduce noise and voltage overshoot in buck topology DC/DC converters. Slowing down the turn on time of the high side switch in conjunction with replacing a diode with a low side switch should increase efficiency and lower the power dissipation. Adding snubers (RC circuit) in parallel to the […]

Workshop Update for October 5th, 2012

Jetlag, still on New York time. Finished the video just in time, then slept in till noon. Desperately trying to followup with all the awesome new friends from New York. Next week we’ll officially announce the schedule for the Global Geek Tour: India (why not?) edition. We’re already meeting up with a half-dozen forum regulars […]

Open 7400 prize: Au$100 gift voucher from Little Bird Electronics

Little Bird Electronics donated a Au$100 gift voucher for the best Australian entry to the Open 7400 Competition.  It is limited to a participant in Australia only. Thank you to Little Bird Electronics for sponsoring the 2012 Open 7400 Logic Competition!

Hack a Day interviews Ian at the World Maker Faire

Ian talks about the massive Nixie tube thing and the standard PCBs to Hack a Day. The goal of our standard PCB format is to make it super simple to design a project that fits in a bunch of different cool, open source cases. Grab our Eagle library or KiCAD board templates to use Sick […]

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 October 05, 2012

Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon! Maker Faire New York sync gag full version Global Geek Tour New York 2012 Video Open Hardware Summit 2012: USB and Open Hardware presentation 3D Model: Smoke Tester v1 Eagle Parts: MIC2027 Quad USB power distribution switch Hacking […]

And you what did you buy?

Garyservin shared his latest electronics score in our “I just bought this, and you what did you buy ?” forum thread. He got a few Raspberry Pis and a Stellaris LaunchPad. Last week I received a Stellaris Launchpad and some raspberries! Got yourself some cool electronics you cant wait to talk about. Head to the […]

VIDEO #41: New York Trip OHS, Geek Tour, Maker Faire 2012

New York Global Geek Tour 2012 is presented in the video above. We follow our fearless leader as he finds his place in the Big Apple. There’s food, toys, and geeks aplenty. The tour starts with the East Village food crawl. Watch a merry band of hackers battle good food and drinks. We hit Oh! […]

Workshop Update for October 4th, 2012

Today is the day we released our massive Global Geek Tour of New York Video. We’ve been working at it since the plane touched down, pulling all-nighters to get it to you as soon as possible. The VFD project continues, with work concentrating today on the driver board. WE assembled the schematic, and routing is […]

Open 7400 prize: RGB LED Matrix Backpack from Logos Electromechanical

Logos Electromechanical donated a four-pack of 8×8 RGB LED I2C backpack kit to the Open 7400 Competition. Get your entry in and this and other cool hardware can be yours. This backpack allows you to drive our 60mm RGB LED Matrix using just a single I2C bus. Not only does this save you the rats nest […]