The new forum is open and ready for posts. We hope you enjoy the added features of the new phpBB software. It’s better supported and more open sourcy than the old Simple Machines Forum. The migration took longer than expected because our host timed out while uploading the new database. We had to break it […]
Author Archives: Ian
Forum update in progress
The forum is currently locked for new posts. You can still read and browse messages, but you will not be able to post. We’re about halfway there, please check back for more updates.
App Note: Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
An introduction to programmable logic controllers (PLCs): This tutorial offers an in-depth introduction into programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The article starts with an overview of the history and the role PLCs in factory automation. The basic principles of PLC operation are discussed. The core modules of an industrial-control system are examined: the analog input function, […]
Forum maintenance tomorrow
The forum will be closed on Tuesday January 25 between 06:00 and 10:00 GMT.
Web platform: Static IP address
masud and RonZ modified the web platform to have a static IP address. Get an assembled web platform for $40, including worldwide shipping. Also available at Australian Robotics. Web platform v1.1 is in stock and shipping now. Via the forum.
Logic Sniffer RLE update new version
There’s a new version of rasmus’ RLE update for the Logic Sniffer. This version has fixes for 8 and 16bit RLE, and new ways to dump RLE samples immediately. The finish now feature is probably something that the user wants. Responsiveness is good. You might think you want a 60 second timeout, but then you […]
Week in (p)review: January 23, 2011
Lots of progress this week: We released an MCP2200 breakout board, and hacked it to run open source Fun with XC9500Xl and CoolRunner-II CPLDs. The wiki has quick start guides, and two new CPLD breakout board designs The Bus Pirate LCD adapter, MMA7455L 3-axis accelerometer, and MCP2200 USB->serial breakout are all back in stock rasmus […]
Free PCB Sunday: MCP2200 breakout board
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 we’re giving away two […]
12-Bit analog monitoring and control solution
TI’s AMC7812 has a bunch of high-resolution, high-voltage analog inputs (ADCs) and outputs (DACs). 12, 12-Bit DACs with Programmable Outputs 0V to 5V DAC Shutdown to User-Defined Level 12-Bit, 500kSPS ADC with 16 Inputs 0V to 12.5V (16 Single-Ended or Two Differential + 12 Single-Ended) Two Remote Temperature Sensors One Internal Temperature Sensor Input Out-of-Range […]
Bus Blaster v2 inspired JTAG debugger
irrenhaus posted a JTAG debugger design inspired by the Bus Blaster v2: I was developing my own version of a JTAG programmer with the FT2232H as I saw this project here. I liked the Idea with the CPLD very much and I’d love to play with CPLD’s or FPGA’s so I decided to adopt this […]
Updated Bus Pirate LCD adapter
The previous and current batch of the Bus Pirate LCD adapter have some minor updates: Clearer labeling is a lot easier to read The backlight section has a footprint (no parts yet) for a dimming circuit using the PWM on the Bus Pirate AUX pin. This isn’t tested yet, so we didn’t populate the parts, but […]
Amani CPLD Arduino shield
From the comments on our earlier CPLD post: Programmable logic meets the Arduino. The Amani 64 is a low-cost entry-level CPLD development kit, stackable with the Arduino, other Amanis, and Arduino-compatible shields. The Amani 64 by itself is a capable embedded controller but becomes an even more powerful tool when teamed up with the Arduino […]
Web Platform from Linux desktop
Shuckc posted a Linux guide to the web platform: Web platform arrived today in the post, very impressed. It was very simple with a Linux desktop to get the firmware flashed to the DP microchip TCP/IP demo using ds30 Loader, then to upload the Microchip demo apps. Here are some instructions using Fedora… Get an […]
MAXQ1004 1-Wire and SPI Authentication Microcontroller
rsdio tipped us to some interesting parts and application notes: MAXQ1004 a 1-Wire and SPI Authentication Microcontroller. Secure Your Application and Save Your Battery with an Authentication Micro That Consumes Only 300nA in Stop Mode Protects your investment with government-grade AES encryption Easily add authentication to your application using one of several interfaces (1-Wire, SPI™, […]
Logic Sniffer update tool testers needed
robots posted a brand new multi-platform update tool for the Logic Sniffer. It updates both the firmware and bitstream from a single application: I am looking for volunteers to test it. Please just someone who has access to Bus Pirate, or other means of pic flashing. I have included several measures to protect the bootloader. […]
Free Bus Pirate v4: USB on PIC 24F
Honken’s new open source USB stack is running on a bunch of PIC 18Fs, even on the MCP2200 USB->serial converter. Our next goal is to get it going on the PIC 24F. This port is the last major hurdle before producing Bus Pirate v4. We’ll send you a free Bus Pirate v4 if you get […]
Logic Sniffer RLE fix test
rasmus posted an updated Logic Sniffer bitstream with a bunch of fixes to RLE: 32-bit (31-channel) RLE works as before. 16-bit (15-channel) RLE works (I think) but the client doesn’t support it yet. You’ll see the raw RLE data in the client. 8-bit (7-channel) RLE works with the same caveats. All RLE modes time out […]
Accelerometer controlled OLED 3D cube
Markus used an MMA7455L 3-axis accelerometer to detect the direction of the gravity in this cool demo: I am using the MMA7455L breakout board to control a 3D cube displayed on a (SPI-modified Seeedstudio) OLED display. My MMA7455L library is available in the forum. Get the MMA7455L breakout board for $15 at Seeed Studio. Back […]
MMA7455L breakout board back in stock
Our cheap 3-axis accelerometer MMA7455L breakout board is back in stock at Seeed Studio. This version has an X/Y/Z axis indicator on the silkscreen. Get one for $15.
NEW PRODUCT: MCP2200 USB to Serial breakout board
The MCP2200 is a new USB to serial converter chip from Microchip. Our MCP2200 breakout board brings all the pins to bread board friendly headers. USB CDC virtual serial port interface Secondary HID configuration interface Up to 8 additional IO 256bytes user EEPROM TX/RX indicator LEDs All pins to bread-board friendly header Open source (CC-0) […]