ecoSWITCH(TM) from ON Semiconductors offers space saving solution on power distribution system. Link here (PDF) Load switches play an important part in the management of supply domains and the protection of the loads they supply. Loads switches are often used for power sequencing, standby load leakage reduction, and inrush current control. Integrated ecoSWITCH products deliver […]
Author Archives: DP
PIC16F1459 USB stack light controller
Glen Akins published a new build: After using the PIC16F1459 to build numerous USB HID input devices including a giant keyboard, a tiny keyboard, and a big red button, it was time to see if the PIC16F1459 could be used to control outputs too. Sticking with the industrial theme, I chose to build a USB […]
Crystal oscillator teardown
Here’s a tear down of a crystal oscillator and a look at the silicon controller from Electronupdate: Inside is a ceramic circuit board. Ceramic has a low coefficient of thermal expansion which is probably very desirable here. It will also not absorb moisture. All of this would affect the frequency. More details on Electronupdate blog. Check out the […]
#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 […]
WiFiChron alarm clock
Here’s a cool WiFiChron clock with 8-character alphanumeric LED display by Florinc: For WiFiChron, two cascaded modules make an 8-character display functionally similar to HDSP-2534, but bigger and more visible. With the “Display Abstraction Layer” already in place, software support should be easy to integrate, since controlling it with the HT16K33 breakout allows the re-use of […]
App note: The behavior of electro-magnetic radiation of power inductors in power management
Würth Elektronik app note on EM radiation emission from power inductors. Link here (PDF) DC-DC converters are widely used in power management applications and the inductor is one of the key components. The usual focus is on electrical performance characteristics such as RDC, RAC and core losses. But, the electro-magnetic radiation characteristics can often be […]
App note: How to use power inductors
A great guide from TDK about power inductors used in DC-DC converters. Link here As electronic devices become more advanced, the power supply voltage of LSIs used in them is lowered, so their power consumption can be reduced and their speed increased. However, a decrease in the power supply voltage also causes the requirements regarding […]
DIY 3D printer project
Frank documented a 3D printer build, called Hephaestus: I finally did it, I designed and built my own 3D printer. This is in no way “the best 3D printer”. Instead, this was an epic and nightmare project that exercised my ability to engineer and build my own CNC machine. Along the way, I figured out […]
RetroZero (retropie handheld)
Facelesstech published a new build: I’ve been on a quest for while now trying to build a retropie handheld that was functional but didn’t break the bank. So far I’ve made ZeroBoy – A poor man’s retropie “portable” and a follow-up ZeroBoy rev C – An improved poor mans retropie portable. These were great but […]
App note: Operating voltage ratings for inductors
Coilcraft’s app note on why inductor’s voltage ratings are uncommonly mentioned in most applications. Link here (PDF) Voltage ratings are often specified for many electronic components, including capacitors, resistors and integrated circuits, but traditionally this has been rare for inductors. Recent trends, particularly the introduction of higher voltage rated semiconductor devices, have created a new […]
App note: Power supply topologies – Forward of Flyback? Which is Better? Both!
App note from Coilcraft camparing two recognized power supply topologies. Link here (PDF) Beatles or Stones? Michael or LeBron? Deep dish or thin crust? Forward or flyback? These are just a few of the age-old questions that have been hotly debated over the years, people arguing their opinions with great vigor. But, the truth is, […]
HX711 load cell amplifier library for AVR ATmega
A HX711 load cell library for AVR ATmega: HX711 is a precision 24bit ADC IC designed for weigh scales and industrial control applications to interface directly with a bridge sensor. A load cell is a transducer that is used to create an electrical signal whose magnitude is directly proportional to the force being measured. The […]
ESP32 DHT11/DHT22 web server – Temperature and humidity using Arduino IDE
A how-to on building an asynchronous ESP32 web server with the DHT11 or DHT22 that displays temperature and humidity using Arduino IDE. More details on Random Nerd Tutorials. Check out the video after the break.
#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 […]
Qi wireless power receiver from scratch
Vinod made a Qi wireless power receiver using Attiny13, that is available on GitHub: I have only two aims while trying this. The receiver should get powered by the transmitter continuously. I should be able to control the power received by adjusting the error packets, in my case I am trying to keep received voltage […]
Teardown of a Spex HS1000 monochromator controller
Kerry Wong did a teardown of a SPEX HS1000 monochromator/spectrometer controller: Monochromator is one of those things that has always fascinated me. Over the years, I have done quite a few experiments (I, II, III) with an EP200Mmd monochromator and it was a lot of fun. Because monochromators are such highly specialized equipment, decent ones […]
App note: Replacing traditional optocouplers with Si87xx digital isolators
Digital isolator from Silicon Labs app note shows pin compatible plus high performance replacment of incumbent optoisolators, link here (PDF) Opto-couplers are a decades-old technology widely used for signal isolation, typically providing safety isolation, signal level shifting, and ground loop mitigation. They are commonly used in a wide range of end applications, including data communication […]
App note: Introduction to gapped clocks and PLLs
App note from Silicon Labs on the introduction of gapped clocks, how they can be used in network timing, and their impact upon phase locked loop (PLL) technology. Link here (PDF) Gapped clocks are periodic clock signals of a single clock frequency that have clock pulses removed from their stream. Well-formed gapped clocks do not […]
miniduino USB
Boris Landoni writes about a new open source project, the miniduino USB: A small Arduino board with minimal hardware but with access to all I/Os, just like the Nano and equipped with PCB-integrated, direct-insertion USB connector: it is basically an Arduino Pen Drive. More details on Open Electronics project page.
Programmable light controller
Dilshan Jayakody published a new build: The main objective of this project is to design a maintenance free and low-cost light which automatically turns on and off at the predetermined time of the day. To meet the above requirement I designed this controller using ATmega8 MCU and DS1307 RTC. The driver stage of this light […]