the machinegeek – Page 85 – Dangerous Prototypes

IR remote controls webcam movement

In this project, Oh-zap uses a Picaxe 08-M along with a Sony protocol remote to control the movement of a servo with attached webcam. Via Electronics-lab.com

Digikey: now there’s an app for that

Now there are Android and Iphone apps for Digikey! More than just a marketing tool, this app is useful for checking on what package types a component is manufactured in and includes an instant link to datasheets.

Robotic toy car controlled via cellphone

Electronicseverywhere demos a project using a cellphone interfaced via an MT8870 DTMF decoder with an Atmega16 to operate servos controlling a robotic car.

MSP430 based RF spectrum analyzer

Here’s a well documented RF spectrum analyzer project by

Speed radar demo using toy radar gun module

Here’s another cool tech video by Jeri Ellsworth, this time illustrating how speed radar works using parts from a toy radar gun. Also refers to similarly using a satellite TV LNB module.

Cheap Launchpad based motion detector camera

Here’s a hack combining a cheap digital camera body and PIR sensor to form a motion detector camera. The project is controlled by a MSP430 microcontroller found in the Launchpad kit. Via Instructables.

Mystery QR code found in radio digital data

When receiving digital radio data with a program such as FLDIGI you may occasionally see unusual patterns on the software’s “waterfall” display. Scott Harden found what looked like a QR barcode encoded in digital amateur radio data on the 40 Meter Band and proceeded on a quest to decipher the code. Via Hack a Day

DIY Squishy dough for simple circuits

Here’s a novel way to connect simple circuits. By mixing up your own conductive and non-conductive play doughs you can connect components without wires. Adds a new dimension to the term “wireless”! Just don’t think it would be a good idea to go through airport security with a doughy substance with components and flashing LEDs […]

Implementation of DES algorithm using FPGA technology

Arnaud Lagger has published some interesting work on the use of FPGAs in encryption. Unlike other docs we’ve seen, this analysis is both comprehensive and detailed, including an appendix with the VHDL source code. Definitely worth the read for anyone interested in encryption using FPGAs.

Arduino/Processing based sonar

LuckyLarry has developed a sonar system based on the Arduino and an SRF-05 ultrasonic range finder. A servo sweeps the range finder across the target field, with the pingbacks processed and displayed on the desktop with Processing. Via Hackolog.

Government smart card handbook available

If you want some interesting reading after your holiday feast, why not download the US government official smart card handbook? Weighing in at 262 pages this bird is stuffed with info from the basics of smart card and other ID technology to the types of authentication systems used by various agencies.

Arduino realtime audio spectrum analyzer

Paul Bishop has posted source code and the schematic for an audio spectrum analyzer based on the Atmega328/Arduino. The design takes input from a simple electret microphone, amplifies it through a transistor fed into the Arduino’s ADC input pin. The Arduino outputs video of a 64 band audio spectrum analyzer through two external resistors which […]

Experimenting with home lab OLED development

Jeri Ellsworth, developer of the FPGA-based Commodore C64 emulator game console, discusses the science behind OLEDs and demonstrates how to construct rudimentary examples at home. Via Adafruit.

Open source decoder for digital shortwave data

If you tune around the shortwave bands you’ve probably heard various buzzes, high-pitched screeches and other annoying sounds. Many of these aren’t just noise, but amateur radio digital data transmissions. These messages are surprisingly easy it is to decode using free open source software. FLDIGI is a digital modem program for Linux, Free-BSD, OS X, […]