Practical considerations of Trench MOSFET stability when operating in linear mode, application note (PDF!) from Fairchild Semiconductor This application note focuses on the factors affecting the thermal instability condition of a trench MOSFET device in Linear Mode. In particular, it studies the phenomenon when the drain current (Id) focusing process occurs that leads to a localized […]
Author Archives: DP
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 […]
HC-12 433MHz wireless serial communication module configuration
Dziku writes: HC-12 are cheap 433MHz wireless serial port communication modules with a range up to 1800m in open space. Each costs about $5 when bought from China, and 2 of them can create wireless UART link that can be used, for example, to transfer telemetry data from UAV. Or drive IoT device. Or connect […]
Guide for BMP180 barometric sensor with Arduino
A how-to on using the BMP180 barometric sensor with the Arduino from Random Nerd Tutorials: The BMP180 barometric sensor (model GY-68) is the one in the following figure (front and back view). It is a very small module with 1mm x 1.1mm (0.039in x 0.043in). It measures the absolute pressure of the air around it. It […]
Light intensity meter using AT89C52 microcontroller
AM Bhatt over at Engineers Garage writes: In the given project, LDR is used to measure light intensity inside the room. With a minor change in the circuit, it can be used to measure outdoor light intensity also. It uses microcontroller AT89C52 and LCD to display light intensity. It also indicates how much light inside […]
Bus Pirate v3 SPI + flashrom reading WD800JD EEPROM
Mich tweeted, “Using Bus Pirate to read the firmware residing in EEPROM of WD800JD…soon reversing will start.” Get your own handy Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors.
Input filter and preamplifier – Jupiter modular receiver
Vasily Ivanenko blogged about his input and RF preamplifier build: Above — Build of the input and RF preamplifier stage. I put in a 0 or 6 dB attenuator right at the input. That’s double-sided Cu+ board with copper vias joining the 2 surfaces intermittently and also at crucial ground points. Project info at QRP HomeBuilder blog.
#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 […]
Classic vintage vacuum tube oscillator
Vladislav Damyanov shares his vacuum tube oscillator project: The above you see is a result of my work in which i tried to go Vintage with my design. I was talking about the usage of Vacuum tubes when i mention the word Vintage, am pretty sure you will agree to it as well. This vacuum tube […]
Gnat-Stats, Tiny OLED PC performance monitor
Rupert Hirst writes: After a recent purchase of a Nvidia GTX1080 graphics card, 4k monitor plus Doom(2016), I thought it would be great to see some external telemetry… from my exorbitant purchase. Then, I Stumbled upon on Psyrax’s “Serialmonitor” GitHub repository! Armed with an Arduino ProMicro plus a 128×64 pixel OLED display, I compiled the source […]
App note: Understanding linear resonant actuator characteristics
Application note about Linear Resonant Actuators from Precision Microdrives. Link here Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) are becoming more popular for haptic applications. They are an alternative to eccentric rotating mass vibration motors and have several distinct advantages. For example they have better haptic performance characteristics and are more efficient. For these reasons they are used […]
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: Driving linear resonance vibration actuators
Linear resonance vibration actuators are great alternative to Eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors, these are both used to vibrate handheld devices such as cellphones, driving LRAs is not the same as driving ERMs for such that LRA needs a specific resonant frequency. More on these on Precision Microdrives’ link here. Linear Resonance Actuators (LRA) use […]
App note: Between the Amplifier and the ADC – Managing filter loss in communications systems
An application note (PDF!) from TI on optimizing the filter design to minimize the losses: Filtering plays an essential part in nearly all communications systems. Removing unwanted signals is crucial to eliminate noise or distortion that could compromise the integrity of the data. Recently, I came across a discussion about a nouveau casino en ligne, which […]
MPPT solar charger
Lukas Fässler has designed and built an MPPT solar charger: One of my main goals with this design is to archieve very low standby current, somewhere in the tens of microamps. The basis for this is a low-power buck on the basis of a Texas TPS62120 where the microcontroller can switch the output voltage between […]
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 Mega EPROM programmer
An Arduino Mega Eprom Programmer project from Robson Couto, that is available on github: Recently, I acquired a SNES, but it only came with a bootleg Mortal Kombat cartridge. In my search for additional games, I stumbled upon a growing trend of repro cartridges being sold on various second-hand websites. These cartridges, which often have […]
#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 […]
Raspberry Pi RF frequency counter
A Raspberry PI RF frequency counter project from Scott Harden, that is available on GitHub: Raspberry PI RF Frequency Counter with Python Interface. The RF signal clocks a 32-bit counter (SN74LV8154) connected to a 16-bit IO expander (MCP23017) accessable to the Raspberry Pi (via I²C) to provide real-time frequency measurements from a python script. More details […]
Tutorial: RFID tags with the NXP NFC controller PN7120 and Eclipse
Erich Styger writes: Playing with RFID and NFC is definitely fun?, and they are everywhere! For a research project I’m exploring different RFID tags and solutions. I several types around for a long time, but never found the time to actually work on it, so last nightI thought I give it a try, and I […]