App note from Maxim Integrated about their MAX6650 and MAX6651 fan controllers chip. Link here (PDF) Temperature-based fan control is a necessity in a growing number of systems, both to reduce system noise and to improve fan reliability. When fan control is augmented by fan-speed monitoring, a speed-control loop can be implemented that is independent […]
Author Archives: DP
Ultrasonic audio transmitter and receiver system
An ultrasonic audio transmitter receiver system from Vinod S. Hi all, this is another mad project. Aim of the project is to transmit laptop audio via ultrasound to few meters and then receive it and demodulate it and playback the audio on a speaker. See the full post on his blog. Check out the video after […]
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 […]
DC/DC switcher for 5v TO 3v at 750mA in a TO-220 7805 footprint
An open source small DC/DC 3W switcher to drop 5V to 3V in a 7805 TO-220 pinout from Black Mesa Labs: This post is an open source hardware design from Black Mesa Labs for a simple DC/DC converter for dropping 5V to 3.3V ( or adjustable to lower voltages via resistor selections ). The design […]
DIY Arduino PCB Pryamiduino
A how-to on designing a DIY Arduino PCB Pryamiduino from Bald Engineer: Continuing the DIY Arduino tutorial series, this AddOhms episode shows how to create a PCB in KiCad. I make a joke that the original design was a rectangle, which I found boring and pointless. So instead, I designed a triangle to give the board […]
Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC (part 3)
Here’s the part 3 of Dimitris’ Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC project we covered previously: Following up on Part 2, it’s time to talk about the output stage. This output stage is the brainchild of my friend Kostas, all I did was lay out the PCB. It is a fully discreet single-ended class-A output stage, […]
#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 […]
DRAM DIMM teardown
A look at the silicon and circuit board of a common DRAM DIMM by Electronupdate. See the full post here. Check out the video after the break.
Making YBCO superconductor
This video describes how to make and test your own YBCO superconductor by Ben Krasnow. More info on his blog here.
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
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 […]
App note: Current sharing in parallel diodes
Application note from STMicroelectronics on the performance of each diode in a parallel diode connection and how the forward voltage dispersion can have a great impact over thermal effect on the current imbalance. Link here (PDF) The use of diodes in parallel is commonly found in power electronic design. An important consideration for this practice […]
App note: Hot plug insertion startup time delay for eFuse
App note from ON semiconductors about time delay on start up in conjunction with eFuse to compensate voltage spikes that can falsely trigger them. Link here (PDF) The eFuse protection devices are used for limiting the system load current in the event of an overload or a short circuit. Many applications employ ON Semiconductor eFuses […]
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 […]
Low cost single cell battery pack simulator
Mare writes: There are many battery cell simulators available which could simulate battery cell(s). Unfortunately, none is emulating any of the digital protocols used by fuel gauge devices. Optimal solution to efficiently emulate given smart battery pack is to use custom solution based on battery cell simulator and fuel gauge protocol emulator. Both parts could […]
Small motor controller with integrated position sensor
Ben Katz writes: A while ago I added the hall effect encoder IC I’ve been using directly to the motor controller PCB. The controller sits directly on the back of the motor (with a magnet added to the motor shaft), and the phase wires solder straight in. I also have a pair of board-mounted XT30 […]
#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 […]
Debug SONOFF AC relay with a thermal camera
James Lewis shares his experience in debugging SONOFF AC relay with a thermal camera: The clever solution seemed to be clever, at least for a few minutes. Suddenly the light turned off. I thought maybe there was a timeout for the manual button. Annoying, but workable. The lamp remained off for about another 2 minutes when […]
The ‘$20 Bill’ DC receiver
Steve’s (a.k.a N8NM ) ‘$20 Bill’ DC receiver: If you follow Bill, N2CQR’s SolderSmoke blog, you know that he’s working on a simple DC receiver of his own, which, along with his aversion to using the magic chips, served as inspiration for this rig, which is how it got it’s name: $20 is my guess […]
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
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 […]
App note: Advanced LED rework procedure for video wall and signage applications
App note from OSRAM about LED rework on signages and their demand for more sophosticated tools. Link here (PDF) SMT LEDs have became more and more popular in video wall and signage applications, replacing radial LEDs. This leads to more difficulties during the repair or replacement of failed LEDs on PCBs, especially for QFN (Quad […]