DIY Audio function generator is a low-distortion function generator which operates in the Audio frequency range. Conventional function generators use a square wave signal to generate the other waveforms like triangle, or sine wave. This approach adds noise to the sine wave output, which is the one waveform Eric wants for his audio development. His […]
Author Archives: DP
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 a every week: Free PCB Sunday. The classic. Every week, […]
Week in (p)review May 04, 2012
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon. WORKSHOP VIDEO: Flux-off part 2, more flux reviews FIRMWARE UPDATE: USB and Serial LCD Backpack v1.1 beta 1 HOW-TO: Advanced circuit board rendering with SketchUp and Kerkythea Test buffer logic for Bus Blaster v3 PCB review Tuesday videos […]
DIY IR Toy and CPLD breakout boards
DIY etched boards are the quickest way to get a project up and running. This is just what Noy did with his IR Toy, and CPLD breakout boards. He modified our projects to a single layer design. Used the toner-transfer method to copy the traces, and etched the boards with a mix of hydrochloride acid […]
Open source Bluetooth stack for PIC24 and PIC32
Dpropicweb tipped us to a new Open source Bluetooth stack for PIC24 and PIC32. For hardware, a PIC drives a cheap USB Bluetooth dongle using a USB host interface. The Bluetooth part is open source, unfortunately is also uses Microchips undistributable USB drivers. The code is really easy to understand, very well documented and really […]
Using the FT2232H bit bang mode
What to learn more about controlling the common FTDI FT232 and FT2232 chips from a PC? Daniel shows how to drive a shift register with the FT2232H breakout board under Linux. This basic app can expand to control large projects that need lots of computer scripted outputs. Control an 8bit shift register over 3 pins […]
Test buffer logic for Bus Blaster v3
A test buffer for the CPLD on the experimental Bus Blaster v3 is now available in the forum. The self test passed, but it needs more real-world testing. If you built a Bus Blaster v3 free PCB please give it a try and report how it went. Bus Blaster v3 is a small update to […]
Bus Pirate Demo board free PCB build
Ashley blogged about his free Bus Pirate Demo board v5b PCB build. This board is used to emulate a bunch of real world ICs that use the various protocols supported by the Bus Pirate. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – […]
Transistor tester powerd from 2 AA batteries
Ferdinand added a dc/dc converter circuit to the transistor tester, allowing it to be powered from 2 AA batteries instead of a single 9volt. This project is similar to our Part Ninja, it’s designed to test various electronic components like transistors, diodes, resistors, etc, and display their pin out and basic specifications. I built my […]
X-ray BMD assessment machine teardown
Hak8or got his hand on an X-ray bone mineral density assessment machine someone dumped. It seems the only problem is a faulty temperature sensor, but Hak80r decided to break it down and share the pictures with us. For an in-depth gallery check out the forum (56K warning).
Single-sided Little Wire AVR programmer
MickM build a single layer version of the Little Wire project. He uploaded the source files for the board in the forum. Little wire is am ATtiny-based open source AVR programer that’s packed full of features: An AVR programer Four digital GPIO pins ADC with 10 bit resolution Two parallel hardware PWM outputs An USB […]
HOW-TO: Advanced circuit board rendering with SketchUp and Kerkythea
See the latest version of this tutorial on the wiki. Overview Kerkythea is an open source rendering application that makes life-like images. A community developed plugin can import Google SketchUp 3D models into Kerkythea, so we can use it to render boards make with EagleUp. Since Kerkythea is open source there are no restrictions […]
FIRMWARE UPDATE: USB and Serial LCD Backpack v1.1 beta 1
A new test firmware is available for the USB and Serial LCD Backpack. This update fixes some compatibility problems with the LCDproc software, and integrates the separate USB and serial mode firmwares. Now replies to 3 commands used by LCDproc that were not implemented before (replies 0x00 to commands 5,6,7) . This caused some problems […]
Bus Blaster free PCB build
Arnd built a free Bus Blaster v2.1a PCB. Bus Blaster is a high-speed JTAG debugger for ARM processors, FPGAs, CPLDs, flash memory, and more. Version 3 is a small update to v2/v2.5 with symmetrical connector placement to make it fit a case. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post […]
GPS time standard clock with display
Ezflyr’s GPS-based clock uses the GlobalSat EM-406 module to show the time with around 1 second accuracy. Here is a photo of the completed GPS Display Time Standard I intend to use for setting a variety of clock projects I’ve made, or am working on. This GPS module, the GlobalSat EM-406, has excellent sensitivity as […]
Bus Pirate v4 build workshop update
Here’s a followup to our 30x Bus Pirate v4 build workshop post. You can check out the pics and videos of the group build on Google+: There were four of us involved in the planning and running of the build. We put a fairly large amount of effort into planning the event, particularly with respect […]
SketchUp 3D modeling software sold to Trimble Navigation
Google sold the popular SketchUp 3D modeling software to Trimble Navigation. Both parties assure users that the free versions will remain available. Google will maintain the 3D Warehouse for the foreseeable future. We’re cautiously optimistic that the free version will remain free, though we’re concerned about monkey business with the licensing. For example they could […]
#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. This week we have a guest PCB, the Reprap Gen ‘L’ v2.0. Use your coupon to pick this PCB, or any other in […]
PCB review Tuesday videos coming
Starting next week we’re going to try a new weekly feature called PCB review Tuesday. In a five minute video we’ll look at a PCB and talk about what we would change before producing the board. PCB routing is an art. There’s lots of styles, and ours isn’t the right one or the best. Our […]
Output driver for a 10 MHz Rubidium frequency standard
Arhi is designing a 10 MHz Rubidium frequency standard output driver: Frequency standards have stable frequency output but they usually have 50 R impedance sine output with some low Vpp values (100 mV or 400 mV or in best cases 1 V). Most devices that require frequency standard (frequency counters, frequency generators etc etc) have […]