Understanding and using cyclic redundancy checks with Maxim 1-wire and iButton products, application note here (PDF!) from Maxim: All 1-Wire® devices, including iButton® devices, contain an 8-byte unique registration number in read-only memory (ROM). This registration number is used as a unique network address on a 1-Wire bus. To ensure data communication integrity, one byte […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Creating Bluetooth low energy applications using nRF51822
An application note from Nordic Semiconductor on creating you own BLE application using their nRF51822 chip. Link here This application note is intended for anyone who would like to begin programming Bluetooth low energy (BLE) applications on nRF51822. It consists of a general overview of BLE functionality and is followed by a description of a […]
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
We go through a lot of prototype PCBs, and end up with lots of extras that we’ll never use. Every Sunday we give away a few PCBs from one of our past or future projects, or a related prototype. Our PCBs are made through Seeed Studio’s Fusion board service. This week two random commenters will […]
App note: Accurate, fast settling analog voltages from digital PWM signals
Accurate, fast settling analog voltages from digital PWM signals, app note from Linear Technology (PDF!): Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a common technique for generating analog voltages from a digital device such as a microcontroller or FPGA. Most microcontrollers have dedicated PWM generation peripherals built in, and it only takes a few lines of RTL […]
App note: Low cost I2C level translator
2 Diodes, 3 resistors and a transistor here’s Silicon Labs’ low cost solution on voltage level translation. Link here This applications note discusses a low-cost circuit for I2C level translation. This circuit was developed for the Si701x, Si702x, and Si703x humidity sensors but will work in many applications. This circuit provides I2C level translation from […]
App note: Isolator vs. optocoupler technology
Great read from Silicon Labs on comparison of isolation technologies namely optocouplers and digital isolators. Link is here Optocouplers have been the unchallenged signal isolation solution for more than four decades, but digital isolators fabricated in complementary metallic oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technology are gaining favor in the design community because of their superior performance, […]
App note: Implementing a TMDS video interface in the Spartan-6 FPGA
Implementing a TMDS video interface in the Spartan-6 FPGA, an app note here (PDF!) from Xilinx: The DVI and HDMI protocols use TMDS at the physical layer. The TMDS throughput is a function of the serial data rate of the video screen mode being transmitted. This in turn determines the FPGA speed grade that must be used to […]
App note: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC / EMI) for Vibe Motors
Here’s an App note from Precision Microdrives on EMI from vibration motors and their Electromagnetic compatibility. Link is here Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the radiation or induction of electromagnetic noise on a system. DC motors are a common source of EMI, as are most electromagnetic circuit components. They are potential sources of noise and can […]
App note: Measuring RPM from back EMF
Interesting App note from Precision Microdrives on finding RPM using back EMF. Link is here Measuring the speed of a motor can be an important requirement for some applications. For example DC and gearmotors that are moving loads may require close monitoring or adjustment of the output speed. External sensors are typically used for speed […]
App note: High-Precision 16-Bit PWM
Technical brief from Microchip on their high-precision 16-Bit PWM modules found on various PIC16 devices. PDF link here The high-precision 16-bit PWM available in various PIC16 devices such as the PIC16F1574, delivers advanced features beyond those found on standard PWM modules. These innovative features allow the user to easily vary phase, duty cycle and offset […]
App note: USB to I2C bridging with Microchip USB 2.0 Hubs
App note on Microchip’s USB 2.0 Hubs on its I2C support. PDF link here The USB to I2C bridging feature of Microchip’s USB 2.0 hubs provides system designers expanded system control and potential BOM reduction. When using this feature in a system design, a separate USB to I2C device is no longer required and a […]
App note: USB to GPIO bridging with Microchip USB 2.0 Hubs
App note on Microchip’s USB 2.0 Hubs on its GPIO capabilities. PDF link here The USB to GPIO bridging feature of Microchip’s USB 2.0 hubs provides system designers expanded system control and potential BOM reduction. General Purpose Input/Outputs (GPIOs) may be used for any general 3.3V level digital control and input functions. This feature is […]
App note: Introduction to USB Type-C
Microchip’s App note on USB Type-C cable. PDF is here The USB-IF has secured the ubiquitous nature of USB for years to come with the radically updated USB Type-C connector. While the sleek new reversible form factor has been significant for generating buzz and excitement from the general consumer market, the significantly expanded feature-set is […]
App note: PoE and LED Lighting: the perfect match
App note from MAXIM Integrated on LED lighting utilizing power from PoE. Link here This application note explains that Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is a technology used in wired local area networks (LANs). PoE delivers power over the same cable that delivers the Ethernet data. Using LED lighting on a PoE network delivers excellent energy efficiency because […]
App note: Using the MAX35101 in a heat meter application
Here’s an app note from MAXIM integrated on using the time-to-digital converter chip MAX35101 for heat meters. Link is here Heating and cooling a living space is often the greatest contributor to energy consumption in both commercial and residential applications. It is for this reason that many conservation efforts focus on adding insulation and sealing […]
App note: FT800 Example with ARM
App note from FTDI on interfacing the FT800 with an ARM MCU . Link is here The FTDI FT800 video controller offers a high quality, high value solution for embedded graphics requirements. In addition to the graphics, resistive touch inputs and an audio output provide a complete human machine interface to the outside world. These […]
App note: FT800 Example with 8-bit MCU
App note from FTDI on interfacing the FT800 to an 8-bit MCU. Link is here The FTDI FT800 video controller offers a low cost solution for embedded graphics requirements. In addition to the graphics, resistive touch inputs and an audio output provide a complete human machine interface to the outside world. This application note will […]
App note: Capacitors for reduced microphonics and sound emission
Capacitors are sensitive to audio frequency and can pick-up and emit said energy. Here’s an app note from KEMET about these. Link is here Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), made with class 2 or class 3 dielectrics, typically exhibit a piezoelectric effect when placed under electric field. The piezoelectric effect results in a physical distortion with […]
App note: Why that 47 uF capacitor drops to 37 uF, 30 uF, or lower
App note from KEMET about the decreasing value of capacitance with respect to its rated value. Link is here There are a couple of reasons why the capacitance value marked on the device you have, may not read anywhere near that value in the circuit application in which it is intended. The two major contributors […]
App note: 16-Bit multiplication and addition by using the Math accelerator peripheral on PIC16(L)F161X
16-Bit multiplication and addition by using the Math accelerator peripheral on PIC16(L)F161X (PDF!) application note from Microchip: Several products in the PIC® device family have a Math Accelerator module to do a 16-bit multiplication and addition in hardware. This technical brief describes briefly how the module works, how to use this module in users’ applications, and […]