Author Archives: the machinegeek

Altera releases new Quartus II v11.0 with Qsys

Quartus II is Altera’s comprehensive IDE for system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) design, including CPLD and FPGA development tools. They have just released their new Quartus II Software v11.0. The free downloadable web edition includes the Qsys system integration tool in production release, promises up to 2X higher interconnect performance compared to SOPC Builder, improved design reuse and […]

Arduino MIDI RGB display interface

Here’s a MIDI keyboard interface project from SuLuLab. It uses an Arduino, MIDI Shield, addressable RGB LED strip based on chip HL1606, 5VDC 1.5A PSU for strip supply (USB port current is not enough), and the Arduino’s FastSPI_LED library. MIDI messages from the keyboard (real or simulated on PC) enter the MIDI Shield’s MIDI IN […]

Canadian lab prototypes “PaperPhone”

Cellphones have been getting lighter and smaller with each new release. If researchers at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada have their way, the next gen phones will be paper thin. They recently unveiled the prototype of their “paperphone”, a smartphone prototype using a 3.7″ electrophoretic E Ink display which was built with E Ink’s Broadsheet […]

Geek vending machine has got it all!

Now here’s our idea of a modern, well stocked vending machine! This machine at Metrix Create:Space, a Seattle-area hackerspace, dispenses just about everything you need when you get the hunger to develop hits: Arduinos, USB cables, breathalyzer kits, LEDs, breadboards, the works. Oh yeah, it has snacks, candy bars and bottled water too. UPDATE: Rsdio […]

Parallax GPS + Arduino

Here’s a good video from Kevin Darrah for those new to GPS basics demonstrating how to interface the Parallax GPS module with the Arduino. Note that while this video is based on the discontinued PMB-248 module, Parallax indicates that their current PMB-688 module is pin compatible (as far as TTL interfacing is concerned) and will […]

Outdoor temperature data server using Picaxe-08M

Max Carter likes to experiment with Picaxe microcontrollers. He was looking for a way to take readings of the outdoor temperature and make the data available on the internet. He devised a project requiring minimal hardware, consisting of a Picaxe-08M, LM34 temperature sensor and a few discrete components. He programmed the Picaxe to take readings […]

App note: developing embedded graphics applications with PIC® MCUs with integrated graphics controller

Microchip has a new application note for developers designing their first MCU graphics related application. It describes the definitions and terms relating to graphics applications, and discusses the theory, necessary decision factors, hardware considerations, available microcontrollers and development tools. This is a fairly comprehensive doc, starting out with the basics and moving quickly to complex […]

B-Squares™: modular solar powered electrics

Jordan McRae was interested in integrating solar energy into his projects and professional designs. After months of experimentation he came up with the design for B-Squares™. As he describes the project: B-Squares is a 3D modular electronics system with an emphasis on (but not limited to) solar power and expandable energy storage. Each Square has […]

Freescale Make It Challenge

Freescale announced their 2011 Make It Challenge! The contest has two tracks: one for designs using the Tower System, and a second for designs with the Mechatronics Robot Platform. In order to enter the contest, you have to register for and attend the 2011 FTF Americas conference June 20-23, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. While […]

Sensing Platform: open source hardware and software sensor platform

The Sensing Platform was originally developed by the members of the FAMiLab Hackerspace in Orlando, FL as part of the 2011 Greater Global Hackerspace Challenge sponsored by element14. As they describe it: The Sensing Platform is a set of hardware and software tools that allow students, educators, researchers, and “makers” to easily collect data from […]

TI’s ultra-low-power MSP430FR57xx FRAM microcontrollers

TI has has announced their MSP430FR57xx ultra-low-power ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) line of 16-bit microcontrollers. Their stated benefits are the ability to write data more than 100 times faster with power consumption of 250 times less than flash- and EEPROM-based microcontrollers. They are also code compatible with other MSP platforms. The on-chip FRAM allows […]

Energy harvesting wireless sensors use TCP/IP

EnOcean has introduced a line of energy harvesting wireless sensor modules. Designed to function without the need for an external power source, these modules, ranging from a simple push button to transceiver gateways and programmable system components, are designed to operate in the 315 MHz and 868 MHz unlicensed bands. Unlike sensors using proprietary RF […]

Jameco Puzzler: a non-electronic voice transmitter?

The legendary Forrest M. Mims, III, created the above puzzler for Jameco. If the radio DJ performing a show while perched on the construction boom drops his cellphone, how can be proceed with his radio show if he is prohibited from touching the ground? Visit the Jameco site for more details, hints and the solution […]

Propeller software USB host

Beth from scanlime has posted this code for creating a USB host in software on the Parallax Propeller. Beth got interested in this concept while considering whether USB WiFi and Bluetooth modules could be interfaced to the Propeller. She wanted to see if a USB host controller could be implemented entirely in software on the […]

Open source program reveals iPhone tracker data

Reportedly since the release of iOS4 Apple has had software on iPhones allowing their location to be tracked and logged for statistical purposes. Here’s an open-source application that maps the information that your iPhone is recording about your movements. It doesn’t record anything itself, it only displays files that are already hidden on your computer. […]

Chumby controls Freescale Mechatronics board over USB

In this video, Eric Gregori of EMGRobotics demonstrates how he controls the Freescale Mechatronics board with the Chumby over USB. Starting out with a stock Chumby from Best Buy, Eric steps through how to access the Easter egg hacker screen. Then after installing the Terra Term terminal program on your computer you SSH to the […]

Nanode: networked Arduino node

Nanode is a low cost Arduino-like sensor node board intended for web connectivity applications. It allows you to develop web based sensor and control systems – giving you web access to six analogue sensor lines and six digital I/O lines. The schematic and other details can be found on the project’s Thingiverse page. The code […]