Here is an USB keyboard demonstration from Atmel. The document describes how to start, and design USB HID class keyboard applications on the STK525 starter kit.
Author Archives: DP
App note: Add high voltage capability to current sense monitors
Here is an app note from Maxim describing how to add high voltage capability up to 300V for the MAX47X (which have been replaced by MAX407X) bidirectional current sense monitors. Since the MAX47X draw low current, a simple floating power supply can be used to power the device even at 300V. The circuit of Figure […]
App note: Using UART Auto-Baud detection on dsPIC30 digital signal processors
Here is a app note from Microchip describing how to implement the Auto-Baud detection for UART operation on dsPIC30 digital signal processors. This function is useful when the oscillator of the dsPIC is unknown and/or the baud rate is unknown. All current dsPIC30F devices have a UART peripheral with Auto Baud capability. The signal on […]
Another PIC18F2550 USB development board
Palma made a USB development board for the PIC18F2550. These chips are really popular, and there is a bunch of projects floating around the internet with them, even our own USB IR Toy, and USB LCD Backpack use them. This board is basically a breakout board, with decoupling capacitors, and a USB jack. We like […]
Bus Pirate helps out a hybrid race car build
A few days ago we were asked to help out a college team building a Formula Hybrid race car. They wanted to use the Bus Pirate to debug their electrical control system. We were happy to send one over. Hi Ian, I just wanted to say thank you again for the Bus Pirate. I finally […]
Open Source Hardware Association announced
Open Source Hardware Association Announced! Open Source Hardware Association. The Open Source Hardware Association is Coming Soon! It will be a non-profit organization (status pending) working to spread the love of open source hardware. We’re working out details, and as soon as we know, you’ll know! Check back at oshwa.org for upcoming news. And here’s […]
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, […]
HOW-TO: Single member LLC/Sole proprietor taxes
Here’s a dirty subject many new kit makers don’t think about until the last minute: paying taxes. If you’ve sold your first kits or hardware you’ve got a lot of record keeping and paperwork to do. Here’s a rundown of how we’ve done our US taxes for the last few years, but we’re by no […]
Week in (p)review April 13, 2012
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon: WORKSHOP VIDEO: Global Geek Tour China preview Global Geek Tour: Sjaak’s score from Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China Global Geek Tour: Ian’s Hua Qiang Bei (SEG Market) score Global Geek Tour: Ian’s Apliu Street Hong Kong score Our […]
Using the STM32W-RFCKIT 2.4 GHz development board to sniff 802.15.4 traffic via Linux
Joe designed a 802.15.4 network analyzer for Linux with the STM32W-RFCKIT , by reverse engineering the Windows only closed-source application note AN3406. Summary: The STM32W-RFCKIT together with application note AN3406 is a nice low cost solution for diagnosing problems on a 802.15.4 (ZigBee, MiWi etc) network. Unfortunately the solution is Windows only and closed source. […]
ZPUino v1.0 released
ZPUino is a system-on-chip 32bit microprocessor FPGA core, that functions with a modified Arduino IDE. All the files regarding the core are open-source and downloadable from their site, and so is the modified Arduino IDE. Yes, that is true. ZPUino 1.0 is now available for you to use and enjoy. Expect some updates on next […]
STM32 (ARM Cortex M0) free seminar by ST Micro
ST micro is organizing free seminars in North America, about their STM32 F0 (ARM Cortex M0) microcontrollers. All attendees will receive a free STM32 F0 Discovery Kit. Check out the seminar schedule below.
Global Geek Tour: Sjaak’s score from Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China
This is a little grab of some of the things Sjaak came home with from our Global Geek Tour of China this week. This pile has 5 little breadboard, 5 LCD/OLED breakout boards for plastic ribbon FPC connectors, 2 shiny LiPo batteries with a capacity of 800mAh, and a spool of black thin wire. We […]
Global Geek Tour: Ian’s Apliu Street Hong Kong score
Our geek tour of China started with Apliu Street, Hong Kong’s version of Akihabara. It has a few well-stocked electronics stores with online prices, but it’s not big enough to be a global geek destination on its own. A store with a big HAKKO sign had a nice range of irons and soldering stuff. Here’s […]
Global Geek Tour: Ian’s Hua Qiang Bei (SEG Market) score
We’ve scarcely been back for 3 hours, but already Sjaak and Ian are in IRC unboxing their toys from Hua Qiang Bei. First, the big lesson we learned. For years we’ve heard about SEG Market and the component shops, but it’s actually part of a whole neighborhood of electronics distributor complexes much like Akihabara or […]
MSP430 based 32 LED driver
Parker designed a MSP430 based 32 LED driver. His intends to use it as a VU meter, by reading a ADC line with the uC and turning LEDs on and of depending on the calculated VU level. Finished the VU. Changed the name to a 32 LED Driver as that is what it really is. […]
Logic Shrimp logic analyzer back in stock
Logic Shrimp is back in stock at Seeed Studio. You can get an assembled Logic Shrimp for $34.90.
Open source solar data acquisition system PCBs
Arup got some PCBs made by Seeed of the open-source data acquisition system he designed. The system uses solar panels, and rechargeable batteries for power. An ATmega32 microcontroller reads, and stores data onto a SD flash card. Data ca also be viewed via a character LCD. Via the forum.
Inexpensive Sniffer reveals 802.15.4 packet details
Jon used TI’s SmartRF Protocol Packet Sniffer to reveal 802.15.4 wireless packet details: For the last several months my work with the XBee modules from Digi International involved using a logic analyzer to monitor the serial communications to and from the modules so I could measure the times between transmissions and view data streams as […]
BoardX motherboard update
Kevin unveils the first production run of the successfully funded kickstarter BoardX project. The BoardX are development boards intended for a wide range of microcontrollers, which are placed on add-on boards. It’s finally here, after months and months of waiting. The box that arrived weighed about 45 pounds and was divided neatly into four smaller […]