Application note from ON Semiconductor on USB Type-C connector supporting non-USB standard charging protocol, Link here (PDF) When designing hardware systems with Type−C connectors, a designer also has to consider all legacy, standard, and non-standard specifications that exist in the USB connector eco system. With the introduction of the Type−C connector and the Configuration channel […]
Author Archives: DP
App note: PCB routing methodology for SuperSpeed USB 3.1 switch family from ON Semiconductor
Routing USB 3.1 traces app note from ON Semiconductor. Link here (PDF) The introduction of USB Type−C has provided a significant launch opportunity for USB3.1 data rates across an array of platforms from portable to desktop and beyond. This proliferation of Type−C will certainly create challenges due to the high speed nature of the interface. […]
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 […]
Homemade 6 GHz FMCW radar
Henrik Forstén has a nice build log on his newest version of this homemade 6 GHz FMCW radar: Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar works by transmitting a chirp which frequency changes linearly with time. This chirp is then radiated with the antenna, reflected from the target and is received by the receiving antenna. On […]
How to build your own RS232 to TTL converter
A how-to on making a DIY RS232 to TTL converter by Jestine Yong: As I read many pages on the internet I saw there is a sort of adapter so called “USB to TTL adapter” who can communicate through with the uC. I had not the time to order one but I give a try […]
TS100 oscilloscope hack
Befinitiv wrote an article describing his modification to turn a TS100 soldering iron into an oscilloscope: As you can see in the video, you can use the soldering tip as your measurement probe. Coincidentally, a soldering iron has already a pretty good form factor for an oscilloscope. Here is a still picture of a UART waveform […]
#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 […]
DirtyPCBs.com China export brokerage pay your vendors get your stuffs
Exporting small low value orders from China is a challenge to do cost effectively, however proper export of bulk stuff is comparatively simple. After hearing what hardware people are going through to get stuff from China we had to offer a better way. A Dirty Way. Having trouble paying a Chinese supplier? Did things start off […]
Building a 12V 110Ah battery bank using 80 32650 LiFePO4 cells
Kerry Wong built a DIY battery bank using eighty 32650 LiFePO4 cells: During the past couple of weeks I have been busy making a large battery bank using the eighty 32650 LiFePO4 cells I bought on eBay. The battery bank I am building is a 12V (13.2V nominal) 4S/20P one. With each cell rated at […]
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: How to measure the power consumption of a peripheral
Application note from NXP Semiconductors on MCU peripheral power consumption measurement. Link here (PDF) This Application Note outlines the steps to measure the power consumption of a peripheral and figure out some key points in the measurement. The document takes low-power timer (LPTMR) and LPUART as examples to introduce the method to measure the power […]
App note: TEA1938T GreenChip SMPS control IC
TEA1938T SMPS control IC application note from NXP Semiconductors. Link here (PDF) The TEA1938T is a high-featured low-cost DCM and QR mode flyback converter controller. It provides high efficiency at all power levels and very low no-load power consumption at nominal output voltage in burst mode operation. To minimize ripple, the burst mode uses a […]
Teardown and repair of an Agilent E3632A DC power supply
Teardown and repair of an Agilent E3632A DC power supply from The Signal Path: In this episode Shahriar & Rosanah investigate an Agilent power supply which does not appear to power on. It can be quickly observed that the fuse has failed on the unit. Using an isolation transformer a small amount of AC voltage […]
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 […]
Build your own testing/programming jig
Sjaak has published a new build: Inspired by an old article from sparkfun and some tests I conducted myself I came up with a PCB that holds the pogopinholders and an lasercut acrylic fixture for the PCB on top. Using the dirt(y)cheap services from dirtypcbs.com the cost for this jig, including pogopins and their holders is […]
DirtyPCBs adds full range of steel and framed stencils
Stencils for solder paste and red glue are now available in a bunch of standard sizes for solder paste/red glue dispensers. You can choose from all the options offered by our favorite stencil maker: Purposes: Solder paste for surface mount component reflow process. Red glue for two-sided or through hole board wave soldering process […]
DirtyPCBs site update with encrypted https connections
DirtyPCBs.com now supports secure, encrypted access with https://DirtyPCBs.com. We used a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt and the process was almost painless. You’ll need to add the ‘s’ to the address manually to access the secure version of the site. Https may become the default eventually. It’s trendy to force everyone onto https these days, […]
WiFi TFT touch LCD weather station with ESP8266
Erich Styger built this ESP8266 WiFi weather station with touch LCD and wrote a post on his blog detailing its assembly: After the “WiFi OLED Mini Weather Station with ESP8266“, here is another one: this time with Touch LCD :-) In the previous article (“WiFi OLED Mini Weather Station with ESP8266“) I have used the […]
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: Using trench technology MOSFETs in hot swap applications
Safely use trench MOSFETs on hot swap application by determining its operation within its SOA in a limited time, app note from International Rectifier. Link here (PDF) Hot Swap circuits are used to allow for “Hot Plugging” of circuit boards into back planes. The applications that require such functionality are mission critical, such as servers […]