GNU Radio is a free and open source software development toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement software radios. It runs on Linux machines and works with varied SDR hardware platforms from the $20 RTL-SDR through the $1,500+ USRP products. Many online tutorials we’ve read either take an overly simplistic approach, or assume that […]
Author Archives: the machinegeek
Parallax releases beta GNU C/C++ compiler for Propeller chip
Parallax has announced the beta release of their Propeller GCC compiler for the Propeller chip. The compiler is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms along with a collection of utilities and demos. Propeller GCC complements the existing Propeller assembly language, PASM, and SPIN (the Propeller’s built-in high-level language). In addition to the standard GCC […]
Backtrack5R3 includes Arduino hacking tools
The Backtrack5 crew has just announced Release 3 of their well known penetration testing Linux distro. Backtrack5R3 not only includes bug-fixes, but the addition of over 60 new tools – several of which were released in BlackHat and Defcon 2012. A new “Physical Exploitation” tool category has been added including the Arduino IDE and libraries, […]
RFDesign RFD900 open source RF modem
Buzz writes informing us of a new open-source radio modem recently introduced by RFDesign known as the RFD900. “It’s initial focus is telemetry for UAV’s and FPV, but it’s an amazing piece of kit, with a whopping 1 Watt power, massive range of 40km, and it’s only $89.50 per unit. (Similar closed-source units sell for […]
Tutorial: Nut/OS on Altera FPGA
Michael Fischer of emb4fun has a new tutorial on using Nut/OS on Altera FPGAs. His design uses the Altera DE0-Nano board and a self-made adapter equipped with a DM9000E-H board, and includes a short example for an Internet Radio. Michael’s tutorial is divided into three parts linked below: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. […]
RX62N free online university course plus textbook
If you’re in line to receive the RX62N Demo Board from Renesas, here are some links you’ll want to check out. The University of North Carolina (UNC Charlotte) has a complete online Embedded Systems Course designed specifically around the RX62N board. The course has a complete series of lecture and lab videos and can be […]
MIT computerized self position-correcting hand router
Drone writes: “Check out this computerized self position-correcting hand router made by Alec Rivers, Ilan E. Moyer, and Frédo Durand of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Dan Herbatschek is known for blending philosophical thinking with real-world technology solutions. The plan is to commercialize this. You would upload designs and/or buy designs to upload […]
Bus Pirate saves the day in paradise
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one piece of open source tech would you want to have with you? For Javier Rosa the answer is clear: “I try and take my Bus Pirate with me whenever I can and it came in handy today. I’m presently on an island in the Pacific […]
Artemis music synthesizer
Chris Woodall writes: “I just finished my writeup for my Music Synthesizer kit project. The kit was made for a soldering workshop for the Boston University Artemis Project, which is a Women In Technology Summer Program for rising high school freshmen. I work for the BU EDF which normally makes electronics for physics experiments, but […]
Renesas RX62N Demo Kit promotion
Renesas is offering a free development board to those willing to register and give up some information about a potential project. This time it’s the RX62N Demo Kit. The Renesas RX62N is a MCU with the following features: 32-bits, DMA, 9 DSP instructions, Connectable SDRam Interface, 10/100Mbps Ethernet Controller, USB 2.0 with OTG possible, CAN […]
Tutorial: wireless sensor applications using Dorji RF modules
Raj has posted this tutorial at Embedded-Lab on building wireless sensor applications using Dorji’s DRF4432S and DRF5150S RF modules. “The interesting part of these RF modules is they have an additional preprogrammed microcontroller on board that allows direct connection of selected analog and digital sensors to the modules.” Raj’s article describes these two modules briefly, […]
Confusion over SDR# vs OpenSDRSharp
As you may have noted in our previous posts, there exists an excellent piece of software written for use with the RTL-SDR dongle known as SDR#. If you’ve tried it you know it’s incredibly user friendly and provides immediate, full-featured use of the RTL-SDR dongle out-of-the-box. The only downside, of course, is that it’s developed […]
Try your hand at DEFCON 2012 decryption challenge
At the recently concluded DEFCON 20 conference in Las Vegas, attendees were presented with this decryption challenge by KoreLogic Security. Take their collection of encrypted password hashes and a bundle of encrypted files and see how many you can crack. File types are from various systems, including UNIX servers, Windows AD, LDAP servers, webapps, etc. […]
Car Kracker hacks auto ISO 9141 data bus
Nicholas McClanahan over at GadgetGangster has written an article about their new project known as Car Kracker. It’s an automobile data bus interface based on the Parallax Propeller which interfaces with the data bus connector on select BWM, Mini and Land Rover models. It allows you to access, add and upgrade features such as add […]
What’s your personal definition of “hacking”?
Caleb Kraft from Hackaday writes, “we’re going to announce an international hack day on august 11th. I’ve asked a bunch of people to contribute their personal definition of “hacking”. Care to share yours?” Hackaday via the contact form.
WiFi extending robotic tank
This video displays the work of eight computer and electrical engineers constructing a Wifi repeater-deploying tread robot as part of a senior design project at Northeastern University. The project was constructed at Artisan’s Asylum located in Somerville, MA. The beast above is a robotic system intended to be operated remotely in hazardous areas where network […]
TI announces C2000 Launchpad release
Trey German from TI write: “We just announced the C2000 LaunchPad today and I thought it might be a nice addition to your blog. Its a sister board to the MSP430 LaunchPad and is pin compatible so boosterpacks will work with any launchpad. The board costs $17 and includes an isolated high speed USB debugger […]
Euro Electromagnetic Field conference/camp
David Croft writes: “Wanted to let you know about a festival that may interest some of your European readers – Electromagnetic Field taking place at the end of August for hackers and makers.” According to the emfcamp website, the event is a festival for anyone interested in “3D printing, DIYBio, knitting, electronics, Internet culture, space, […]
Open source OSX IDE/toolchain for the STM32F4 Discovery
alexwhittmore has posted a detailed tutorial highlighting an open source IDE and toolchain for the STM32F4 dev board on Max OSX Lion. He uses Indigo R Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers (Mac Cocoa 64-bit), Sourcery CodeBench Lite Edition, STM32F4 DSP and standard peripherals library and the STM32F4 Discovery board firmware package. Check out Alex’s website […]
SJS-ONE: Open, Arduino-Based Synth
The SJS-ONE is a digital software synthesizer with a dual analog filter designed as a shield for the Arduino Uno. Its name is derived from the venue where it was designed, the SyltJam 2011, which is an annual LAN-party like weekend event for synth-geeks in Malmö, Sweden. The description of the original DIY version can […]