Dilshan developed a 8 channel USB digital signal generator and an open source Windows application called Kidgo Player to drive it. The hardware is basically just a PIC18F2550 USB breakout board used to provide 8 digital outputs for his software. The Kidgo Player’s source is available on GitHub, and has the following features: Save […]
Author Archives: DP
Another DIY magnetic rotary encoder with the AS5043
Here’s another take on a breakout for the magnetic rotary encoder AS5043 IC: Just wanted to show my take on the AS5043. Double sided PCB by Seed, Voltage regulator onboard, one LED for power on, the other for magnetic range output. This chip measures the surrounding magnetic field and outputs a serial and analog reading […]
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 02, 2012
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon: Workshop Video: BGA revisited How (not) to sell PCBs: PCB drawer first year sales breakdown Box of new PCBs 3D Model: USB Infrared Toy v2.0 Reprogramming USB Webkey dongle using Bus Pirate MCP2200 breakout board and Bus Pirate […]
Bus Pirate v3.1 free PCB build
Chris built a Bus Pirate v3.1 free PCB. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. v3.1 eventually became the v3b, with a few minor part changes. More v3bs are out there than any other Bus Pirate version. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! […]
MCP2200 breakout board free PCB built
Bennyboy built a free MCP2200 breakout board. MCP2200 is a USB-to-serial converter chips from Microchip. In fact they are PIC18F14K50 microcontrollers programmed with USB-to-UART firmware. We were able to hack one and program an open source USB stack into it. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post […]
Basics of liquid lenses video
Learn about the basics of liquid lenses in this video. Ben explains how you can use a high-voltage power supply and some Teflon tape to alter the focal point of a liquid lens. Liquid lenses are basically a drop of water whose shape can be altered through the use of a strong electrical field. A […]
Online course for Altera’s SignalTapII logic analyser simulator for FPGAs
In a previous post we wrote about Kiran’s review of Altera’s SignalTapII logic analyzer simulator for FPGAs. Jason let us know that Altera provides many free online courses for their tools, and one of them is for the SignalTapII. The course covers the following: Add one or more instances of the SignalTap II logic analyzer […]
20x to 200x USB microscope review
Tod reviewed Adafruit’s USB microscope with magnifications ranging from 20x to 200x. He rigged up a custom holder from a microphone stand and some magnets. This is a full review of the USB microscope that is sold by Adafruit. It does 20x to 200x and also will let you take measurements if you enter the […]
Phase Lock Loops 101 with Bil Herd
Robert let us know about another video tutorial on Phase Lock Loops in the comments of our previous post. PLLs generate an output signal that is phase-synchronized to an input signal. They are widely used in telecommunication, radio, and computer systems. One place we commonly find PLLs is the frequency multiplier circuit inside microcontrollers. The […]
Avoiding worthless forks on GitHub
Avoiding worthless forks on GitHub: GitHub is great for finding code and then forking it, however one issue is that there are a significant number of idiots forking projects and then making insignificant formatting changes, maybe they want to see their name up on the web or even claim that they are part of the […]
Box of new PCBs
A box of PCBs just arrived from Seeed Studio’s Fusion PCB service. This batch includes: PC fan controller module PIC18F2550, PIC24 and PIC32 SOIC28 breakout EzPSoC3 XC95144XL breakout board PC fan controller module, PIC18F2550, PIC24 and PIC32 SOIC28 breakout, EzPSoC3 and XC95144XL breakout board are available now in the free PCB drawer.
Bus Pirate v3.5 free PCB build
Cristian built a Bus Pirate v3.5 free PCB, and a custom machined case for it. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. More user cases here. If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – we’ll […]
LEGO NXT robot controlled with an eZ430 Chronos
Here is a video of a LEGO NXT robot controlled via TI’s eZ430 Chronos watch. Unfortunately no further information is available. Via 430h.
PlayStation 2 controller Arduino library
Bill developed an Arduino library for PlayStation 2 controllers: I had to rewrite a lot of code that powers the library, there is not much left of the original code written by Shutter of Arduino forums. There were many bug fixes, now the controller should automatically be in analog mode, and the mode button should […]
USB LCD Backpack PIC18F24J50 free PCB build update
Dolabra posted an update on his USB LCD Backpack PIC18F24J50 free PCB build. This version used a different chip than the 18F2550 we used in the final revision. The USB LCD Backpack connects HD44780-compatible character LCD screens to your USB port. I put the bootloader problems aside and finished the UART support. This version will […]
#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 […]
Using the Arduino Ethernet shield as a server
Luca shows how to turn your Arduino with an Ethernet shield into a server. He goes over how to code your Arduino to handle HTML and HTTP protocols using strings. I’m going to show you a simple program that prints on serial connection browser‘s requests and answers with a simple HTML page. This program is […]
FTDI’s new X-Series of USB device chips
FTDI just released a new series of their USB to serial device ICs. The X-series is an upgrade on the R part used in the Bus Pirate and formerly in Arduinos. It features better transfer rates, lower power consumption, needs fewer discrete components, and has high power USB charging capability. FTDI is delighted to announce […]
Boot your PC with the Arduino using the Wake on Lan command
Luca explains how to boot your PC with a Wake on Lan command sent from an Arduino. Setup the WOL feature on your PC, then use the sendWOL() command to send a magic packet via and ENC28J60 ethernet chip: The wake command is issued sending on the network a specific packet, called Magic Packet. This […]