Category Archives: app notes

App note: Measuring mains power consumption with the STM32x and STPM01

Power consumption measurement using an STM32 micro and the STPM01 power metering IC. App note can be found here This document describes a software and hardware solution concerning the STM32x microcontroller and the STPM01 power meter for measuring mains power consumption and also provides hardware and firmware guidelines to interface the STPM01 with the STM32x […]

App note: Audio and waveform generation using the DAC in STM32 microcontroller families

App note on utilizing the built-in DAC on your STM32 micro. This application note gives examples for generating audio output signals using the Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) peripheral embedded in the STM32F10xx microcontroller family. The STM32 DAC module is a 12-bit word converter, with two output channels for supporting stereo audio. The DAC can […]

App note: Modbus TCP for the Microchip TCP/IP Stack

Here’s another application note from Microchip – Modbus TCP for the Microchip TCP/IP Stack  (PDF!) Modbus® is an industrial Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) used for remote monitoring and control applications. This application note describes a basic Modbus TCP server implementation and how it can be extended in a Modbus application. The application software that accompanies this document […]

App note: Using the PIC16F1XXX High-Endurance Flash Block

An application note from Microchip: Using the PIC16F1XXX High-Endurance Flash Block (PDF!) This application note illustrates the benefits offered by the high-endurance Flash block and describes a small C library which allows a simple and safe use of its capabilities.

App note: Guidelines for full-speed USB on NXP’s LPC microcontrollers

Hook up your LPC microcontrollers using USB full-speed connectivity using these guidelines from NXP app note Full-speed USB operates at 12 Mb/s, and although this is not a high data rate, observing some basic rules or guidelines will usually guarantee successful operation. This application note highlights some of the more important issues that you need […]

App note: Fan health monitoring and the MIC502

An application note from Micrel:  Fan health monitoring and the MIC502 (PDF!) This section presents a fan monitoring circuit that can be used in conventional MIC502-based circuits employing pulse-width modulation (PWM) fan speed control. The circuit relies on detecting motor commutation to indicate fan operation and does not require a three wire fan with a tachometer output.

App note: Interfacing FT2232H hi-speed devices to SPI bus

Simplify USB to SPI connectivity by using this app note from FTDI. The FT2232H and FT4232H are the FTDI’s first USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480Mbits/s) USB to UART/FIFO ICs. They also have the capability of being configured in a variety of serial interfaces using the internal MPSSE (Multi-Protocol Synchronous Serial Engine). This application note introduces the […]

App note: Interfacing FT2232H hi-speed devices to I2C bus

Simplify USB to I2C connectivity by using this app note from FTDI. The FT2232H and FT4232H are the FTDI’s first USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480Mbits/s) USB to UART/FIFO ICs. They also have the capability of being configured in a variety of serial interfaces using the internal MPSSE (Multi-Protocol Synchronous Serial Engine). This application note illustrates how […]

App note: A complete low-cost design and analysis for single and multi-phase AC induction motors using an 8-Bit PIC16 microcontroller

Here’s an application note (PDF!) from Microchip on driving a single and multi-phase AC induction motor (ACIM) using the PIC16F1509 microcontroller: This document provides a detailed analysis of driving a single and multi-phase AC induction motor (ACIM) using the PIC16F1509 microcontroller. Laboratory data is presented alongside the simulated data in an extensive reasoning of the entire design. The purpose […]

App note: Driving LEDs with Xilinx CPLDs

Here’s Xilinx app note on using CPLDs to perform the same functionality as those common LED driver chips. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are commonplace on the modern day Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Whether they are indicating status, activity or some other function, they need to be driven by a device that can provide sufficient current to […]

App note: Using a microprocessor to configure Xilinx FPGAs via slave serial or selectMAP mode

Great app note from Xilinx on configuring their FPGA through slave serial and parallel selectMAP mode This application note describes a technique for configuring an FPGA from an embedded processor. Three common components are required: an embedded microprocessor, some non-volatile memory, and a CPLD. Cost, as well as real estate, can be reduced if the […]

App note: Choosing the right transformer with the MAX13256

Here’s an application note from Maxim describing how to specify a transformer that meets your application needs: The MAX13256, a 10 Watt transformer driver, is an improved way to convey power across isolation boundaries. As with all transformer drivers, good system performance requires good transformer specification. Though many transformers can potentially work with the MAX13256, not all […]

App note: 1-Wire communication with a Microchip PICmicro microcontroller

Here’s an app note from Maxim on interfacing 1-Wire communications device with PIC microcontroller: Several of Maxim’s products contain a 1-Wire® communication interface and are used in a variety of applications. These applications may include interfacing to one of the popular PICmicros® (PICs) from Microchip. To facilitate easy interface between a 1-Wire device and a peripheral interface controller (PIC) […]

App note: using external memory with PIC24F/24H/dsPIC33F devices

Here’s an app note from Microchip on Interfacing external memories using Parallel Master Port (PMP) module. This application note describes the methodology to use the Parallel Master Port (PMP) module to interface with external data memory; either external Flash or external RAM. This application note also lists the APIs and describes how to implement different […]

App note: microcontrollers and triacs easily connected

Here’s an application note from NXP on how to easily connect main triacs and microcontrollers. This application note describes the easy connection of NXP LPC microcontrollers and three – quadrant (Hi-Com) triacs to control any resistive or inductive load at mains voltage. A one-for-all control method is presented that uses an innovative, patented, current zero-crossing […]

App note: PCB design for 10/100 switches and PHY

Design guide on PCB layout from Micrel on 10/100 switches and PHY This application note is intended to assist customers in designing products that comply with both EMI and ESD standards using Micrel’s 10/100 family of Ethernet products. The printed circuit board (PCB) is the single most important factor that affects EMI, ESD and overall […]

App note: Troubleshooting switching power supplies

Having problem with your switching power supply design? Or just curious on common switching power supply failures. Here’s a good resource from Micrel on troubleshooting power supplies. This application note provides insight on troubleshooting and taking measurements in switching power supplies. Specific measurements include output ripple, line and load regulation, efficiency, and transient response. Troubleshooting […]

App note: USB current meter using the SPI Interface

Here’s a Multi-Protocol Synchronous Serial Engine (MPSSE) implementation from FTDI. This application note gives an example of using the Multi-Protocol Synchronous Serial Engine (MPSSE) on the FT232H device. It uses D2xx commands to configure the MPSSE to interface with two Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) using the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI). It is controlled by […]