Wayne and Layne have adapted Myles Metzler’s Tetris clone for use on their Video Game Shield, including support for the Nunchuck, class controller and music. Source code is included. Via Make.
Author Archives: the machinegeek
Arduino pinout labels
George Graves on the Adafruit forums has posted an Arduino pinout label which you can print and tape to the chip for easy reference. Available in PDF, Illustrator and SVG formats. Via Make.
Altera intros MAX V CPLD dev kit
Altera has announced the release of their MAX V CPLD line and companion dev kit. Altera’s webcast describes the dev kit and demos a few simple examples. The MAX V family of low cost and low power CPLDs offers density ranging from 40 to 2,210 logic elements (LEs) (32 to 1,700 equivalent macrocells) and up […]
Analyzing a modern cryptographic RFID system
Henryk Plötz and Milosch Meriac gave a presentation at the recent 27C3 Chaos Communications Congress in Berlin, Germany, in which they demystified the HID iClass. One of the challenges of breaking iCLASS RFID readers was to extract the firmware and the security keys of RW400 readers without leaving visible traces like breaking the case open. […]
Parallax releases Propeller C3 board
Parallax has released their Propeller C3 application board. Features include: Multicore Propeller P8X32A-Q44 with 5.00 MHz socketed crystal to upgrade for over-clocking experiments, 64 KB Propeller boot EEPROM holds boot image plus 32 KB extra for data, USB or external power sources, dual high-current filtered 1.5 A 3.3/5 V voltage regulators, VGA port, RCA Video/Audio […]
555 based AM radio transmitter
Rtty21 has posted an Instructables project using the 555 timer to build an AM radio transmitter. By adding just a transistor, several capacitors, resistors and a 5K pot you will be on the air in the 600 kHz portion of the AM dial. While the range of this transmitter is relatively short, you could possibly […]
Amarino: Android meets Arduino
Several recent posts have dealt with the topic of interfacing Arduino with devices using the Android operating system. Here’s another approach: Amarino. “Android meets Arduino” is a toolkit, basically consisting of an Android application and an Arduino library which will help you to interface with your phone in a new dimension. You can build your […]
Reading and writing Atmega168 EEPROM
Here’s a tutorial from Protostack for beginners on how to read and write EEPROM on the Atmega 168 and display the values on an attached LCD. Includes source code in C.
Virtual USB analyzer
The Virtual USB Analyzer is a well documented free and open source tool for visualizing logs of USB packets, from hardware or software USB sniffer tools. It provides a graphical visualization along with raw hex dumps and high-level protocol analysis. The Analyzer is NOT a hardware USB analyzer or USB sniffer: it is an interface […]
Tweet-A-Pot
How do you make a good cup of coffee while traveling home? Mix equal parts of your computer, Arduino, automatic coffee maker, Power Tail Switch and Twitter! In this Instructables, frenzy shows how to setup a Python interface between the Arduino and Twitter, connect the Power Tail Switch between Arduino Pin 13 and ground, and […]
Django: Python web framework
Django is a high-level Python Web Framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It is known for it’s extensive documentation. Django is Open Source Software (BSD license).
27C3: Building Custom Disassemblers
FX of Phenoelit recently presented a talk at the 27C3 CCC in Berlin, Germany on the topic of instruction set reverse engineering. Topics include obtaining byte code, analyzing it for basic properties, finding addressing modes, and implementing an IDA Pro processor module. The primary focus is on the transformation of byte code back into mnemonic […]
Arduino: the Documentary released
Arduino: the Documentary has been released! This CC licensed movie features interviews with many Arduino enthusiasts, developers, and users.
Handling exceptions in Processing
Here’s some interesting information from the MAKE Codebox about how to handle errors and exceptions which appear in the Processing IDE. A good look at what causes exceptions along with suggestions on how to deal with them.
27C3: File – Print – Electronics
In this presentation from the 27C3 conference held recently in Berlin, Germany, Jeff Gough demonstrates the next step in hardware development, the circuit board printer. As an alternative to dependence on prefab dev boards and kits, Jeff outlines his efforts in reverse engineering an Epson inkjet printer to build a rapid prototyping machine for circuit […]
27C3: Embedded Reverse Engineering Tools and Techniques
Nathan Fain and Vadik presented at the 27C3 Chaos Communications Congress held recently in Berlin, Germany, on a topic of interest to us all: JTAG/Serial/FLASH/PCB Embedded Reverse Engineering Tools and Techniques. Check out their webpage for full documentation and analysis.
Jameco Puzzler
In the above figure, what is the simplest way to light the LED when a ball strikes the bull’s eye? The catch: The game should not use a battery or external source of power. Check the Jameco site for the solution to this electronics puzzle.
Logitech Revue rooted
GTV Hacker has developed a guide to installing applications and rooting your Logitech Revue. The new hack uses the Revue’s UART1 port to upload a start-up script which allows “root” access, allowing the installation of your own apps and access the full filesystem. You need to solder a set of leads to the mainboard and […]
Searchable schematic symbol library
Did you ever wonder what an obscure schematic symbol represents? Electrical What?! is a site that answers this question and more. It’s an intuitive, easily accessible, free and open library of symbols searchable by name or shape and attributes.
Broken laptop recovered using Arduino
When Jack the Vendicator’s laptop display malfunctioned, he thought all was lost. He developed a rescue strategy using an Arduino as a USB bridge between the laptop and a desktop PC. He plugged the Arduino into the laptop, and connected a USB serial converter from his desktop computer to the Arduino’s serial pins. In effect […]