Author Archives: DP

Traktorino, an open source DIY MIDI controller

Here’s an Arduino based open source MIDI controller by Musico Nerd, the Traktorino: The Traktorino is a powerful low-cost DIY MIDI Controller. It is based in the Arduino platform and it comes in DIY kit, or assembled. In its core, there’s a shield that connects to an Arduino Uno, which uses open-source code, making it […]

Taito C-Chip: data by lobotomy

CAPS0ff writes: In a previous post we described some early attempts to analyze the Taito C-Chip. See Haze’s forum post for some background on the C-Chip itself. In particular we’re interested in the EPROM. Previous efforts focused on less invasive techniques with the goal of keeping the C-Chip alive after dumping. Unfortunately, we’ve been unable […]

App note: Performance of noise canceller of LC823450

Audio Noise cancelling LC823450 from ON Semiconductor. Link here (PDF) This application note describes the performance of Noise Canceller of LC823450 Series. The customer can improve of audio characteristics by using this canceller. Its function can be used for various products such as Wireless headset, Earbads, Wireless speaker or IC−recoder.

App note: Performance of echo canceller of LC823450

Audio application echo canceller LC823450 from ON Semiconductor. Link here (PDF) This application note describes the performance of Echo canceller of LC823450 Series. The customer can improve the sound quality of hands free communication by using this canceller. Its function can be used for various products such as Wireless headset. Earbads or other voice communication […]

‘Daytime Running Light’ module (DRL) with ATtiny85

Nicu Florica writes: A reader of my sites and blogs, Mr. Liviu Hinoveanu wanted to replace classical DRL module made with 555 with Attiny85 programmed in Arduino style. He send me the schematic and PCB designed with Livewire and PCB Wisard software After I undertand what module must work, I write DRL_ATtiny85.ino sketch. Mr. Hinoveanu […]

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. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three […]

DEC PDP 11 / 24 CPU CARD: State of the art design from 1979

DEC PDP 11/24 CPU card teardown from Electronupdate: This is a cpu card from a class of computers known as mini-computers. By the late 1970’s DEC was about to be eclipsed by the microcomputer. At the same time this card was in production the 68000 and 8086 16-bit class micro processors were also in the market: […]

Automatic fan controller for server racks

Dilshan Jayakody published a new build: In this post we describe fan controller which we designed for our 9U wall mount server cabinet. This fan controller is designed to drive a 12V DC cooler fan with pre-configured intervals or by monitoring the temperature of the server cabinet. Core components of this fan controller is CD4060 […]

Negative impedance converters

An article discusses the negative resistance and negative impedance converter from Analog Zoo: “Negative resistance” may seem like a purely academic concept, but can be easily realized in practice with a handful of common components. By adding a single resistor to a standard non-inverting op amp circuit, we can create a negative impedance converter, which […]

Why electrolytic capacitors are actually kinda shitty

Afroman writes, “Electrolytic capacitors are common, but knowledge of their limitations is uncommon. A demonstration is shown highlighting the difference in performance between electrolytic and ceramic capacitors in power supplies. Other topics discussed in the video: Electrolytic capacitor construction, ceramic capacitors, ESR, ESL, impedance curves, why “0.1uF”, and more.” Via Afrotechmods. Check out the video after […]

Alexa (Echo) with ESP32 and ESP8266 – Voice controlled relay

Rui Santos writes, “In this project, you’re going to learn how to control the ESP8266 or the ESP32 with voice commands using Alexa (Amazon Echo Dot). As an example, we’ll control two 12V lamps connected to a relay module. We’ll also add two 433 MHz RF wall panel switches to physically control the lamps.” More […]

Reading a VGA monitor’s configuration data with I2C and a PocketBeagle

Ken Shirriff wrote an article showing how to read the monitor’s config data using the I2C protocol and a board with an I2C port: Have you ever wondered how your computer knows all the characteristics of your monitor— the supported resolutions, the model, and even the serial number? Most monitors use a system called DDC to communicate […]

Curiosity Mars Rover

The Curiosity Mars Rover project from Beatty Robotics: We are excited to share our latest and most ambitious robot, the Curiosity Mars Rover. This is a highly-interactive, 1/10th scale functional replica of the NASA Curiosity Mars Rover. This project was ambitious for us in two main ways: First, we worked very hard to make the […]