Sensors are commonly used in conjunction with microcontrollers which read the sensor’s output and make decisions based on it. Now a new class of smart sensors is being introduced which will integrate the sensor and microcontroller in one unit. One example is the Freescale MMA9550L, the industry’s first intelligent high precision motion sensing platform that […]
Category Archives: documentation
Xilinx XC9500 CPLD docs
Here’s a quick link to the Xilinx library of support documentation for the XC9500 series of CPLDs. Datasheets, user guide, app notes and more!
TI launches video repository
Texas Instruments has announced a new video website: TI recently launched a new video repository which really takes us to the next level in online video. This new system (which can be found at http://videos.ti.com) creates a one-stop-shop for seeing all the video content, High quality video streaming with full screen capability. Share functionality which […]
QP state machine framework for Arduino
Quantum Leaps has released his QP state machine framework for Arduino. He says: QP is a lightweight, open source, state machine framework for microcontrollers such as Arduino. QP enables you to build well-structured and power-efficient event-driven programs as systems of concurrently executing state machines (UML statecharts). You can think of QP as a modern real-time […]
XSVF specification document
We’ve referred to various file formats for programming CPLDs and FPGAs in recent posts. One is the Serial Vector Format (SVF), an industry standard file format that is used to describe JTAG chain operations in a compact, portable fashion. Its specifications are fully described in this 26 page PDF produced by Texas Instruments. To provide […]
VHDL tutorial from UPenn
The University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering presents this tutorial on the VHDL programming language. VHDL is one of the primary languages used to program CPLDs and FPGAs. Once you get your program written, you can load in onto a device with your own Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also […]
Arduino and TFT LCD tutorial
LCD displays of the 2×16 variety are a good way of getting feedback from your Arduino project. If you want a more enhanced visual experience, a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD is the superior way to go. This tutorial by Tronixstuff describes a way use the the 4D Systems 1.44″ TFT serial interface LCD with Arduino. […]
Semtech RF data transmitter chips
Semtech has released a line of “power and go” inexpensive data transmitter chips. The new SX1240 and SX1242 ISM-band RF transmitters enable true data-in/RF-out capability, with only an external crystal and antenna impedance matching network needed. They simplify design by integrating “power-and-go modes,” which are pre-set for 434 MHz and 868 MHz (SX1240) or 345 […]
Retro integrated circuit video
Here’s a half-hour video produced by Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation in 1967 describing the integrated circuit (IC), its design and development process, and giving examples of late 1960s uses of IC technology. Serves to provide some perspective on how the industry started, and how far we’ve come.
Infosec: using fuzzers to find vulnerabilities
Infosec Resources has a free online tutorial, An Introduction to Fuzzing: Using fuzzers (SPIKE) to find vulnerabilities. While not directly related to microcontrollers, this resource provides a hands-on guide to using open source Linux tools to find vulnerabilities in code on a networked Windows machine. To fully participate in this demo, you’ll need two machines […]
TI intros 16-channel constant current LED driver
Texas Instruments has introduced the TLC59282, a 16-Channel Constant Current LED Driver with 4-Channel Grouped Delay. According to the datasheet, this 24-pin SSOP device allows control of each channel individually controlled via a simple serial communications protocol that is compatible with 3.3 V or 5 V CMOS logic levels, depending on the operating VCC. Once […]
Open source hardware symbols for PCBs
Here’s a followup to the open source hardware logo post. NBitWonder has some of the design candidates in an open source eagle library. Thanks Ben! Via the comments.
Using watchdog timers in your AVR projects
Here’s an interesting tutorial from Embedds covering the use of watchdog timers in AVR and Arduino projects.
Open Source Hardware Logo
The Open Hardware Summit has released Version 1.0 of the Open Source Hardware Definition (OSHW). With this definition they would like to release a logo to be used to brand Open Hardware. Criteria: The logo for the Open Hardware Definition must: * Be easy to print/see on a PCB * Be easy to print/see on […]
SCADA 101
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) present a means of networking industrial infrastructure monitoring and control systems. From a central reading location a SCADA system can track a number of remote sites equipped with Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). The RTUs can measure an array of conditions and a wider […]
Open source documentation templates
nbitwonder has some open source documentation templates for electronics experimenters: We created a set of open source documentation templates in LaTeX (the typesetting language, not the material). With them, makers and hobbyists can develop better documentation for their projects by focusing on the content of their documentation and not the formatting. Grab the latest version […]
Intra-car wireless sensor networks
Wireless sensor networks are used in increasing numbers and levels of complexity in today’s automobiles. Here’s a lengthy, detailed analysis published by CMU, Pittsburgh, PA detailing their use and interaction in contemporary applications.
MIT OpenCourseWare: Introductory Digital Systems Laboratory
MIT has a program known as OpenCourseWare designed to provide free access to course materials from previously presented MIT courses. Course offerings from all academic disciplines are available and the list grows periodically. MIT OCW even has their own YouTube channel. Here’s an interesting offering, Introductory Digital Systems Laboratory, covering topics related to CPLD/FPGA program […]
App Note: CAN basics
The popularity of the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol has grown exponentially since its introduction in the mid-1980s. Today it’s used in automotive monitoring and control systems, medical equipment and industrial automation. Also, more microcontrollers are supporting this protocol. Here’s a Microchip Application Note covering the basics of the CAN protocol.
STMicroelectronics debuts single-chip positioning device for multiple global navigation systems
STMicroelectronics announces the impending release of Teseo II, a new generation of single-chip stand-alone positioning receivers for Portable Navigation Devices, in-car navigation and telematics applications. These Systems-on-Chips are monolithic devices capable of receiving signals from multiple satellite navigation systems, including GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS and QZSS. Listed features include 3rd generation positioning receiver with 32 tracking […]