In a previous post we covered the security node that Ken from OverEngineered was building to replace the proprietary home security system in his house. Ken has updated us on the project’s status. “I finally got the final version of that node installed and running my home’s security system. It’s all working pretty well now, […]
Author Archives: the machinegeek
Single Cell Software frees Korg Volca Sample from iOS chains
If you experiment with electronic music, you’ve probably heard of Korg’s latest addition to their Volca line known as the Volca Sample. The volca sample is a sample sequencer that lets you edit and sequence up to 100 sample sounds in real time. It lets you recreate the characteristics of the first generation of samplers, […]
Chrome RTL-SDR receiver app updated
When it comes to the RTL-SDR dongle, there’s an app for that! (At least a Chrome app.) The Chrome app store has the updated RTL-SDR Radio Receiver app available for download. It’s free and open source and is written 100% in Javascript. “Receive and listen to FM and AM radio broadcasts on your browser or […]
Using the RTL-SDR dongle to detect meteors
According to AMSAT-UK, “a new paper has been released by Dr David Morgan 2W0CXV on using the RTL2841 DVB TV Dongle as a SDR processor with SpectrumLab. The paper ‘Techniques for using the RTL Dongle for Detecting Meteors’ covers the setting up and use of the dongle to receive meteor pings from the Graves Radar […]
CCC video – Fernvale: An Open Hardware and Software Platform
At the recently concluded CCC conference in Hamburg, Germany, bunnie and Xobs presented their “lawful method for converting closed IP into open IP.” We introduce Fernvale, a reverse-engineered, open hardware and software platform based upon Mediatek’s MT6260 value phone SoC. The MT6260 is the chip that powers many of the $10 GSM feature phones produced […]
Holiday tunes from Attiny13 and SPI Flash
In clearing up the year-end mail, we noted this from Vinod sharing one of his recent hobby projects. “This is a holiday hardware hack creating WAV music player using a 512KB SPI Flash he cobbled from a damaged digital camera and the Attiny13 MCU. I implemented UART for song updating…. It is a hack with […]
Reverse engineering the Panasonic AC infrared protocol
The AnalysIR Team hailing from Dublin, Ireland has just published a new article called. “Reverse engineering the Panasonic AC Infrared protocol”. If you’re into IR hacking with the USB IR Toy, check this out. “AnalysIR is an advanced IR analyzer & decoder that works with Arduinos, Raspberry Pi, USB IR Toy, Teensy3, ChipKit Fubarino and […]
Reverse engineering a Verisure wireless alarm
Here’s an informative two-part series of posts over at FunOverIP detailing how to reverse engineer a Verisure wireless alarm. Part 1 details the beginning steps such as finding the modules radio frequency and modulation type, analyzing the chipset datasheet and using GNU Radio.
Atmel releases new low power MCUs
Atmel recently announced the release of their next generation of low power 8-bit MCUs. Promising to be pin compatible with previous ATmega family members, these “The Atmel mega168PB, mega88PB and mega48PB are available in 32-pin QFN and QFP packages with additional devices available later this year. All devices are sampling now. Production quantities for the […]
Build a 16 million color WiFi-controlled LED lamp
Tom Van den Bon and Sebastian Schocke of Binary Space, a makerspace in the Vaal Triangle, have put together this build challenge for their members. For December at Binary Space we wanted to do something a cheerful and colourful. We got together to design and build a low power LED table or ceiling lamp that […]
CNN coverage of Arduino, open source
In this article Peter Shadbolt, writer for CNN, introduces their readers to the world of open source through his description of the Arduino’s development. While there’s nothing there that Arduino users don’t already know, it’s encouraging to see mainstream news publications giving positive coverage to open source.
Configure your WR703n with a switch (or two)
Martin Melchior has been experimenting with switch-selectable configurations for a TP-Link TL-WR703n router. The setup allows for quick changes in configuration dictated by changes in location or circumstances. It allows the router’s use as a Ethernet to WiFi bridge (Access point), since it’s handy to have your own WiFi at a friend’s house or hotel; […]
Viewing a VHS tape using RTL-SDR and TV Sharp software
Here’s a different and unconventional way to view a VHS tape (as if VHS tapes aren’t considered unusual enough today). DogsRNiceMineCraft posted this video on YouTube showing video received using an RTL-SDR dongle. I got a VCR today and wanted to see if I could receive the signal from the RF out using TV sharp. […]
SDWebServer – enc28J60 and Arduino
Luca Dentella has informed us of his latest project using an ethernet shield based on the ENC28j60 driver from Microchip. SDWebServer is a complete webserver that can retrieve static elements from an SD card (including a user-defined default webpage) and can also create dynamic pages. This is the latest post in my tutorial about using […]
The D programming language
If you’re into learning programming languages, you may what to check out a new programming language known as D. What is D? According to the developer’s website D is a general purpose systems and applications programming language. It is a high level language, but retains the ability to write high performance code and interface directly […]
How-to install open source USBasp and USBtiny drivers on Windows
Ray writes with this technique for installing open source drivers on Windows. I came across a surprisingly simple approach to installing USBasp and USBtiny drivers for all versions of Windows — XP, 7, 8, 8.1, whether 32-bit or 64-bit, all inclusive! As you may know, installing open-source drivers such as USBasp and USBtiny have been […]
New MurchLabs TinyLoadr Shield
Jeff Murchison has released a new version of my TinyLoadr Shield, which was used for programming ATmegas and ATtinys using your Arduino. The new version is just a USBtinyISP-based programmer with a ZIF socket for DIP microcontrollers and 10 and 6-pin ICSP headers for programming target boards. More information can be found at MurchLabs. Via […]
Using the AS5048A angle sensor
Richard from Zoetrope wrote this blog article about a PCB to make using the AS5048A angle sensor really easy. He used dirtyPCBs for the board, and Zoetrope will be giving a few of them away. Via the contact form.
OpenSprinkler Firmware 2.1.0 released
Ray Wang from RaysHobby announces the release of OpenSprinkler Firmware 2.1.0. OpenSprinkler is an open-source, Arduino-based, web-connected sprinkler controller. This new firmware is a major upgrade that introduces a number of new features, including automatic weather-based watering adjustment (using real-time data from Wunderground.com), timezone and DST detection, logging, and a new unified mobile interface. It […]
Hacking Android on the UDOO board (for SATA and S/PDIF)
Computer engineer Primiano Tucci has been experimenting with Android on the UDOO board. I recently came in possession of a UDOO Quad board. The hardware onboard is pretty powerful compared to many other competitor boards. Unfortunately, however, the software support for Android is lagging a bit. In particular, in the latest image shipped by UDOO […]