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 […]
Author Archives: DP
App note: Automatic current-limiting in hot-swap applications
Maxim describes how current limiting functions on their MAX5976 Hot-Swap IC. This chip is useful for hot-swap applications, it allows the safe insertion and removal of circuits while the power is applied. Because the MAX5976 and similar devices use a single resistor to set soft-start and overcurrent protection levels, simple changes to the basic application […]
App note: Identify surface mount part codes online
The SMD Codebook is a comprehensive internet database of the two and three letter codes used to mark small surface mount parts. This is an indispensable resource for repairing and reverse engineering SMD circuits. SMD devices are, by their very nature, too small to carry conventional semiconductor type numbers. Instead, a somewhat arbitrary coding system […]
App note: Introduction to Power Stage Controllers
Power Stage Controllers drive transistors in applications like DC to DC converters, power factor correcting circuits, motor drivers, etc. Atmel describes the basics of their PSC equipped AVRs: This application note is an introduction to the use of the Power Stage Controllers (PSC) available in some AVR microcontrollers. The object of this document is to […]
New 8bit PIC microcontrollers with some interesting peripherals
Microchip just released a new series of PIC16F 8bit mid-range microcontrollers, the PIC16F178X. They come in 28 and 40 pin package versions with 14 KB of flash, running at 8 MIPS. We find some of new peripherals very interesting. Programmable Switch Mode Controller with a 16nS (64 MHz) resolution 8bit Digital-to-Analog converter with internal connections […]
Letters: Drag-soldering small pitch TQFP packages is easy
Don writesL Firstly , let me thank you again for my free coupon . My item which I ordered with the coupon arrived today. You sent me a follow up mail saying to send a picture of my finished board to get a replacement free coupon. Thats not too easy for me to do because […]
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: March 30, 2012
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon: WORKSHOP VIDEO: PIC18F2550 breakout board build HOW-TO: Use the Bus Pirate v3 as a PIC development board 3D Model: PICqueno32 v1a Our big box of traveling parts is in the wild Unbrick the Bullet2 with the Bus Pirate […]
USB Infrared Toy free PCB build
Brent built a USB IR Toy v1.1 free PCB. With the USB IR Toy you can use a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, capture and replay remote control buttons. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, […]
Running Linux on a 8bit AVR
A common assumption is that you need a 32bit processor and lots of RAM to even consider running Linux, but Dimitry pulled it off with just an 8bit AVR. It is common to see newbies asking in microcontroller forums if they can run Linux on their puny little 8-bit micro. The results are usually laughter. […]
Standalone version of the open source sentry gun controller
Bob designed a standalone version of his Sentry Gun controller. The first version was built as a shield for the Arduino, while the new board has the shield’s hardware and an Arduino compatible MCU on the same board. The Sentry Gun autonomously tracks, aims, and shoots at targets using a webcam, and servos connected to […]
Lattice CPLD development board free PCB built
Colfaxmingo built a free Lattice CPLD development board PCB. CPLDs are programmable logic gate arrays which allow you to build custom logic devices by programing them. 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 code for the […]
DigitGrid huge display made of multiple 7-segment displays
Skot built a huge display made of many 7-Segment displays that can display animation. It’s driven via an FPGA board.
SenseMote wireless sensors and actuators via Arduino
SenseMote is an alternative firmware for the Ciseco XRF CC1110 module. It enables you to build wireless sensors and actuators via an Arduino-like sketch language. I believe that the gateway, the “sensehub”, has a lower BOM cost than Nanode or any other open source wireless gateways and has more flexibility due to the CC1100-style radio. […]
Followup: Driving multiple character LCD with only a few extra wires
Dccharacter responded to yesterday’s post about driving two character LCDs in parallel: Guys tested better idea on roboforum.ru: if you put all the lines but ENABLE in parallel, you can drive as many LCDs as you want by 10+N MCU pins (where N is number of displays, or 6+N – depending on mode 8 bits […]
HOW-TO: Use the Bus Pirate v3 as a PIC development board
The Bus Pirate is a handy debugging tool, but it’s also a 16 bit PIC 24FJ64GA002 development board. You don’t need a programmer to play, just upload the firmware over USB using the Bus Pirate’s nearly-impossible-to-brick bootloader. It’s easy to go back to the original Bus Pirate firmware at any time. This demo is step […]
USB Infrared Toy free PCB build
Tuomas built a USB IR Toy v1.1 free PCB. With the USB IR Toy you can use a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, capture and replay remote control buttons. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on […]
Driving two character LCDs in parallel
Abdullah explored the idea of driving two character LCDs in parallel. When he couldn’t find any information about this online, he decided to try it out himself. Then I thought about it and I gave it a go. The result is positive! However, there is a gotcha; if you are using LCDs from different manufacturers […]
Peacon XT 8 bit bus to CompactFlash adapter
J1mbo finalized his XT-CF adaptation of our XT-IDE CPLD board. You can check out his wiki page with all the details about the board, the BOM, and the source files. This board allows vintage XT computers to use CF cards as hard drives, which keeps lots of old industrial and medical equipment going using modern […]
#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 […]