There’s a new exploit to run unsigned code on the XBOX360. Presumably Linux. Looks like the haxxors have fund a method for hacking the XBOX360 via glitching. They slow down the CPU and send a slower than required reset pulse. Then, about 25% of the times it glitches and loads a modified bootloader which gives […]
Category Archives: how-to
How to build still another passive ethernet tap
firestorm_v1 from yourwarrantyisvoid has published this detailed tutorial on building and using a passive ethernet tap. His goal in this project is to facilitate network monitoring for intrusion detection purposes, and wanted hardware which will allow the monitoring for traffic without degrading performance.
Tellymate makes serial to video easy
The UK based crew from Batsocks develops and sells open source kits including breadboard related projects. We found a project they call the Tellymate which looks like a simple and easy way to provide plug-in video text output to any MCU project using just an ATmega8 and a handful of passive components. TellyMate is a […]
Simple Sunday circuit: variable voltage regulator
From time to time we’ll be posting shortcuts and hacks we use around the workshop that make a task easier and less expensive. Here’s one example: a variable voltage regulator. We wanted to adjust the output from a 12 Volt solar cell to power projects needing lower voltages. The solution: construct a variable voltage regulator […]
MCPU – minimal CPU on a CPLD
Here’s a project from opencores by Tim Boscke known as MCPU. It creates a minimal CPU on a CPLD with at least 32 macrocells (such as our XC9572 CPLD Dev Board with 72 macrocells.) Tim describes: MCPU is a minimal cpu aimed to fit into a 32 Macrocell CPLD – one of the smallest available […]
Build an LED display board that Tweets
Robert Diamond is with Alpha One Labs in Brooklyn. When they acquired a discarded LED sign sans control circuitry that they wanted to repurpose, they knew their work was cut out for them. He writes: After hooking it up and enabling it to display incoming tweets, a prototype was born. In this guide, I’ll walk […]
How-to: Sjaak hand-solders a DFN chip
A couple of days ago we discussed some cute little PIC 12F chips. As promised, here is a post about hand-soldering one. Tools we used: Soldering-iron and hot-air rework station. Curved tweezers. Scalpel or hobby knife. Kapton tape Fine solder (0.5mm thick with rosin core). Flux Coffee or strong drink How-to continues below.
Tutorial: Using SD/micro SD cards with an Arduino
Our friends at Adafruit have posted this tutorial on using SD and Micro SD cards with Arduino. This is a great resource for beginners looking to expand their knowledge as well as advanced users who want to brush up on microcontroller interfacing skills. They use the latest version of the Adafruit SD Card library available […]
Infrared serial link using PIC18F452
Chris from PyroElectro writes us with this useful project to communicate serial data over an infrared link. Here’s an article that explains how to create a wireless infrared transmitter using an IR LED and a wireless IR receiver using a phototransistor to make a communication system. Asynchronous serial is transmitted over this link at 9600 […]
Italian Bus Pirate 101 tutorial
The introductory Bus Pirate 101 tutorial is now available in Italian. If you speak .it check it out. All translations are appreciated. The wiki is open to anyone with a forum account.
Pong on an Atmel 8535
Eric Milkie and Jomar Ochoco from Cornell present their EE course’s final project, Pong on an Atmel 8535. For our EE 476 final project, we wanted to make something that would be fun and also allow us to use many of the different embedded control techniques we have learned throughout the semester. We thought a […]
PIC power meter
Here’s an example of PyroFer’s DIY workaround to a problem: So, after Google killed the Google PowerMeter api I got the incentive to finish my own project using it. Odd huh. I wrote loads of code to hook into the Google API ages ago, but never got the hardware setup. Now After Google announce the […]
SN754410 Dual Motor Control
Chris from PyroElectro informs us of a new project he’s posted on his blog. The SN754410 is a motor controller made by Texas Instruments. Don’t let its tiny size fool you, it is very capable, very simple and very powerful. This tutorial will use the SN754410 to show you how to control two motors independently […]
Easily measure inductance using Arduino
Moser from ReiBot has developed a simple project for using an Arduino along with an LM399 and several discrete components to measure inductance. He says: So you need to make or measure an inductor, but you don’t have an oscilloscope or signal generator? Measuring inductance with a handful of cheap common parts is certainly possible. […]
OpenDuino hackerspace monitor
The Luxembourg based syn2cat hackerspace has a system in place to provide members with information on the open/closed status of the space online or via an Android app. They call it OpenDuino, and it is more than a web based status monitor. OpenDuino also operates as a security system, allowing members to open and secure […]
A tale of two op-amps: A Hitch-Hikers guide to op-amp specs
A few weeks ago we covered the Touchstone Semi TS1001 ultra low-power and low-voltage op-amp. Ultrasounder commented: Looking at the datasheet, the key [specs] reveal a very lousy, CMOS input-output opamp which is not speced for anything beyond audio. The GBW is 4KHz which means that the max frequency this thing can reliably amplify without […]
Russian Bus Pirate 102 tutorial
Another translation from Nick: Russian Bus Pirate 102 tutorial All translations are appreciated. The wiki is open to anyone with a forum account.
STM32L Discovery and ULINK2
Here’s a how-to on debugging the STM32 discovery board with a Ulink2 programmer. From the comments on the STM32 cheapie Discovery dev board post. Thanks Marko!
Spanish Bus Pirate 101 tutorial
For anyone trying to get started with the Bus Pirate in .es, the first Bus Pirate introduction tutorial is now available in Spanish. Thanks fcobcn, a free PCB code is in the mail! All translations are appreciated. The wiki is open to anyone with a forum account.
Russian Bus Pirate 101 tutorial
For anyone trying to get started with the Bus Pirate in .ru, the first Bus Pirate introduction tutorial is now available in Russian. Thanks Nick, a free PCB code is in the mail! All translations are appreciated. The wiki is open to anyone with a forum account.