Category Archives: documentation

Xilinx ISE WebPACK schematic tutorial

The large CPLD schematic library guide posted yesterday contains a lot of reference material to digest. You may be wondering just how to get started with writing program files using the Xilinx ISE WebPACK software package. We found this concise tutorial by Digilent, Inc. covering the basics of creating a CPLD program using the schematic […]

Xilinx CPLD schematic libraries guide

When you get your CPLD development board, you’ll want to start coding! Programs for Xilinx CPLDs are most commonly written in Verilog or VHDL, and you will find examples on our CPLD page. A third way which is usually easier for beginners is schematic entry which you can do in the free Xilinx ISE WebPack. […]

ExpEYES: new open source learning initiative

ExpEYES is an open source hardware/software learning initiative from the PHOENIX project of Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi, India. It is a framework for developing science experiments, demonstrations and projects and learning science and engineering by exploration. The expEYES hardware, based on an Atmega32 clocked at 8 MHz and interfaced to the PC via an […]

A beginner’s CPLD tutorial

Here’s a simple CPLD tutorial by Bitcycle.org which discusses detailed steps in the design and programming of a beginners first CPLD project. The project is adapted from Xilinx app note XAPP078, “XC9536 ISP Demo Board”. It uses the Xilinx XC9536 device, similar to the one on our CPLD development boards.

Zypad WL1500 wearable wrist computer

Eurotech has introduced the Zypad WL1500 , a wearable wrist computer that is based on the Marvell PXA320 processor with 128MB mobile SDRAM and 128MB mobile Flash. The platform includes a wide range of built-in wireless resources including WiFi, Bluetooth (or optional substitute Zigbee), GSM/GPRS/CMDA/EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA radio module support (optional, exclusive of each other) […]

Hard and soft iron magnetic compensation explained

Developers frequently use magnetic sensors in consumer products, such as to provide compass and navigation services in portable devices. In theory these sensors can be read directly to provide direction data. In practice, however, it’s not always that easy to obtain accurate information. In this article, Mike Stanley explains the scientific theory relating to hard […]

Chip note: MCP7941X I2C RTCC with EEPROM, SRAM, Unique ID and Battery Switchover

Microchip’s MCP79411 general purpose I2C™Compatible real-time clock/calendar (RTCC) is highly integrated with nonvolatile memory and advanced features including a battery switchover circuit for backup power, a timestamp to log power failures and digital trimming for accuracy. It can use a low-cost 32.768 kHz crystal or other clock source and the chip operates over a supply […]

Xilinx CPLD applications handbook

This document from Xilinx could easily be titled “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Xilinx CPLDs But Didn’t Know Where to Look.” Its the Xilinx CPLD Applications Handbook, featuring the CoolRunner-II and XC9500XL. It’s a 422 page compendium of application notes, hardware interfacing tips and specs that any Xilinx CPLD user will want to […]

Short notice: AVR Studio 5 webinar

Atmel is presenting a free webinar on March 17, 2011 on AVR Studio 5. This one hour presentation will begin at 8:00 AM PDT and will cover the Visual Assist Solution Explorer project manager, the AVR Software Framework for AVR XMEGA and AVR UC3 and more including many example projects. You can download your copy […]

Trivia: CPLD on a PDIP?

Atmel produces what are believed to be the only CPLD devices sold in PDIP form: the ATF2500C and ATF750C . These devices are priced at between $5 and $8 at Digikey and Mouser. Programming hardware and software is available from Atmel. Atmel provides free design software known as WinCUPL, which mainly supports programming in the […]

Radio spectrum dashboard

The FCC has a unique and authoritative reference known as the Radio Spectrum Dashboard. It provides a public means of reviewing how spectrum bands are allocated and for what uses, and who holds licenses and in what areas. This version provides basic, plain language information about frequencies generally deemed appropriate for mobile broadband (225 MHz […]

Xilinx free CPLD/FPGA design handbook

Xilinx has a helpful free publication, the Programmable Logic Design handbook. This quick start guide introduces their line of CPLD and FPGA devices and the basic steps to program development using their ISE Webpack. A listing of application notes and reference designs is included. Download your own copy of this 144 page PDF.

OpenCV: Open source Computer Vision

Open source Computer Vision (OpenCV) is a library of programming functions for real time computer vision. It is released under a BSD license and is free for both academic and commercial use on the Linux, Mac and Windows platforms. The OpenCV library has 500+ optimized algorithms. Example applications of the OpenCV library are Human-Computer Interaction […]

Implementation of UART transmitter in Verilog HDL for Spartan3 FPGA

If you’re experimenting with FPGAs its helpful to know how various common tasks are coded. Here is an article by M. Yasir explaining how to code a UART transmitter in a Spartan 3 FPGA. The tutorial uses the Verilog hardware definition language.

Hacked Sprint/Nextel is a secure walkie talkie

Looking for a unique way of communicating at your hackerspace? Why not hack used Sprint/Nextel phones into free “off the grid”, relatively secure walkie talkies? Here’s a cool keyboard trick which reportedly works on Sprint/Nextel Motorola i315, i325 models and some other Motorola phones, which puts the phone into “Direct Talk” (a/k/a MOTOTalk) mode. This […]

Pentest-bookmark collection

The Open Penetration Testing Bookmarks Collections is a collection of handy bookmarks to aid in your day to day work or in the course of research. Founder J.Haddi writes, They are not all inclusive and some sections need to be parsed but they are all good reference materials. I find having this Hackery folder in […]