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. On this super-late PCB Sunday we’re […]
Author Archives: Ian
Simple current limiter is programmable
rsdio tipped us to an app note on a simple current limiter. This circuit lets you program a current limit without using microcontrollers or data converters. It consists of a charge-pump voltage doubler (U1), a current-sense amplifier (U2), and two n-channel MOSFETs. The sense-resistor value determines the maximum current limit. Thanks rsdio!
Reverse engineer a LED light bulb
Hack a Day successfully reprogrammed the ATMEGA controller in a commercial LED light bulb. See the reverse engineering in part 1.
Multimeter buying tips
Here’s a tip on buying a multimeter: I would do a quick function check. Make sure the volt readings go to zero when you short the leads. If there is an AC outlet handy check to see if that reading makes sense. If you have a small battery in your pocket check that too. Make […]
STM8L DISCOVERY Board with LCD support
STM released a new STM8L DISCOVERY Board with LCD support (datasheet). Another new low-cost 8-Bit DISCOVERY board, available now for about US$ 10/10 EUR (depending on the distributor). Includes an onboard ST-LINK programmer/debugger. Via the forum, thanks IPenguin!
IR Toy: transmission range
spanner888 investigated the signal strength of the IR Toy and came to several conclusions. Check out the pictures of his test rig and testing methodology: The circuit of the old project I am using to help measure the received signal strength is [here], the article also gives some interesting background on IR that is still […]
Black Hole of Los Alamos surplus
MichaelZ tipped us to Black Hole Surplus, a thrift shop selling hardware waste. The Black Hole of Los Alamos, a recycler of “nuclear waste,” has the world’s most diverse stock of used scientific equipment, electronics, lab supplies, nuclear by-products, surplus items and materials. We have over 17,000 square feet of pre-owned test equipment and laboratory […]
Trove of STM32 Discovery board tutorials
Here’s an extensive list of STM32 Discovery board tutorials. Examples for displays, and other components, and compiler guides. Via the comments.
Seeed Studio PCB giveaways
Seeed Studio has even more spare PCBs than we do. They’re donating some of them to PCB sculptor Steven Rodrig for his work (see above). If you’re Seeed’s 20,000th order, you’ll get one of Steven’s sculptures for free. Soon Seeed will start selling extra PCBs too, just for the cost of shipping. Scrap PCBs are […]
Bus Pirate case sticker
doegox posted new case sticker for Bus Pirate v3 in the forum. * Corrected UART pinouts * Color codes in separate column for better readability of labels * Reordered rows to match physical ordering of flat cable * Shows alternative color for +5V: orange or pink depending on the flat ribbon you have Get your […]
Thermochromatic display
The Thermochromic paint clock displays the time using resistors coated in color changing paint. Hot resistors turn light gray to form each segment. Via Hack a Day.
Bus Pirate: PirateScope
Tim has written another oscilloscope script for the Bus Pirate. The script (distribute under GPL) is attached, as are a couple of screenshots. The first displays the triggering function with the trigger voltage level (horizontal dashed line) and the trigger point (vertical dashed line) shown on the graph. The second shows the spectral analysis function […]
THIS is how you sell microchips
Lattice made an over-the-top infomercial for the MachXO2 Programmable Logic Device. PLDs are in the neighborhood of CPLDs and FPGAs. Lattice CPLDs are available at Mouser, but we’ve never tried them. Any experience? This gem seems to have originated with Jeri Ellsworth, but it’s everywhere today.
Free PCB Sunday: USB LCD Backpack
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. On this super-late PCB Sunday we’re […]
Bus Pirate PIC programming adapter back in stock
The Bus Pirate PIC programming adapter is back in stock at Seeed. It’s still intended for developers only, and there isn’t any software support. We increased the price on this batch to the ‘normal’ $12. Get the adapter here.
RFID spoofer with code and instructions
We’re looked at lots of RFID projects, but most don’t disclose the source code. There’s finally an RFID spoofer with source so we can see how the magic works. Via Hack a Day.
Using Kinect to capture video in 3D
Kreylos combined the color and the depth image captured by the Microsoft Kinect. Via the contact form.
Bus Pirate firmware update made easy
Simon explained in detail on how to update the Bus Pìrate from firmware v3 to v5 easily. Get your own handy Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors Adafruit, Open Source Control Systems, and eHaJo.
NEW PROTOTYPE: USB Universal LCD backpack
The USB Universal LCD backpack controls LCDs with up to 16 interface pins at 3.3volts or 5.0volts. This includes common HD44780 character LCDs and larger graphical LCDs. Small backpack mounts behind most LCDs USB control for common 1×8, 1×16, 2×8, 2×16 … up to 4×40 character displays and some graphic displays 3v3 and 5v LCDs […]
Embedded USB design by example
This practical USB engineering guide provides examples of how to make USB devices and embedded USB hosts. Thanks McZ!