An app note from IXYS about choosing the right diode for efficiency and cost. Link here (PDF) Great efforts have been made to improve power switches – MOSFETs and IGBTs – to decrease forward voltage drop and as well as to decrease turn-off energy. In switching inductive loads, the turn-on losses depend strongly of the […]
Author Archives: DP
Overdrive guitar effects pedal
Eddie over at Bantam Tools shared detailed instructions of how to build this DIY overdrive effects pedal: This project shows you how to make your very own effects stompbox! We’ll go through the steps of downloading the .brd file, loading the file into our software, milling the board on the Bantam Tools Desktop PCB Milling […]
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 […]
Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC (part 1)
This article is the first of a series detailing the design and build process of an Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC by DimDim: The design goal was to do a dual mono design so as to maximize SNR and channel separation. A 4-layer PCB design was chosen so as to have a very solid, low […]
#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 […]
Schottky diode cross section
The cross section of a 1N5817 20V 1A rectifier diode from Electronupdate. Check out the video after the break.
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: Adjustable gain with a current sensing
Application note from STMicroelectronics for fine tuning gain on current sensing amplifier. Link here (PDF) This application note explains how to use current sensing amplifiers with series resistors on the sense inputs. This approach is especially useful for applications where the gain must be adjusted.
App note: Intelligent power switches for 48 V battery applications
Application note on controling Intelligent Power Switches (IPS) from STMicroelectronics. Link here (PDF) For the last 15-20 years, the automotive electronics market has been moving from electromechanical relays to solid state components for driving all kind of loads. It is obvious why: solid state components are smaller in size, lighter, silent, easy to mass produce […]
Teardown of a BK precision 1696 programmable switching power supply
Kerry Wong did a teardown of a BK Precision 1696 programmable switching power supply: My original plan was to find a replacement LCD and restore the unit to its original full functionality. But the LCD used in this unit is likely specifically made for the 169X series of power supplies and through some initial research […]
Fascinating details of Waveshare e-paper displays
Erich Styger has a nice write-up on Waveshare e-paper displays: I have used E-Ink displays in projects three years ago, but from that time the technology has greatly evolved. That time displays were hard to get, expensive and difficult to use. Now things seem to change with e-ink displays available to the maker market :-). I’m […]
#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 […]
How to configure I2C sensors with Arduino
Edward Mallon writes: I’ve spent the last year in the ‘uncanny valley’ of the Arduino. That’s the point where you understand the tutorials at Arduino.cc, but still don’t get much from the material on gitHub because trained programmers would never stoop to using the wire.h library when they could just roll their own in native […]
App note: Position sensing technologies in automotive applications
An Autopad(TM) sensor from TT Electronics provides a new non contact position sensing. Link here (PDF) Automotive design engineers are continuously seeking components that offer performance and flexibility beyond those of conventional position sensing technologies. Further still are the requirements that these devices be versatile and adaptable to a wide range of applications. This demand […]
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: Thermal management basics and its importance for LED luminaire performance and cost
Article about thermal management on LED luminaire from TT Electronics. Link here (PDF) LED luminaires are being marketed today as an alternative lighting technology that reduces power consumption and maintenance costs for commercial and residential installations. Thermal management has a significant impact upon the lifetime, performance and cost of an LED luminaire. Without proper application […]
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 […]
Simpleceiver Plus version 2 SSB transceiver
An update on Pete Juliano’s (N6QW) Simpleceiver project we covered previously: Version 2 — What is it? V2.0 is the Simpleceiver Plus SSB Transceiver Architecture with the following changes: A GRQP Club 9.0 MHz Crystal Filter is used in place of the homebrew 12.096 Four Pole Filter. This gives the advantage of acquiring the matching […]
#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 […]
PS2-TTLserial adapter for RC2014 and MIDI
Dr. Scott M. Baker published a new build: The original reason for this project is that I wanted to build a standalone RC2014 with keyboard and display. There is an official RC2014 serial keyboard, but I find it a little inconvenient for my big fingers and poor eyesight. I have plenty of old PS/2 keyboards […]