Ever notice that each new FT232 inserted into each USB port is assigned a unique COM port number under Windows? When we’re developing hardware with lots of prototypes flying around Windows quickly hits COM 100. Each FT232 has a unique serial number and the driver creates a new COM port for each by default. FTDI […]
Category Archives: idle
Ambulance drone, a flying toolbox containing emergency supplies for life support
The Ambulance Drone project- a flying defibrillator created by Alec Momont from Technical University of Delft, built as a Master thesis research project. It aims to help save a life: The first minutes after an accident are critical and essential to provide the right care to prevent escalation. Speeding up emergency response can prevent deaths and accelerate recovery […]
Interleaving ADC’s to increase sampling bandwidth
Drone writes: Here are a series of short but informative posts by Jonathan Harris of ADI about interleaving ADC’s to increase sampling bandwidth: Interleaved ADCs: The Basics More Thoughts on Interleaved ADCs Interleaving Spurs: Offset Mismatches Via the contact form.
Crystal oscillator frequencies
Drone refers us to this table of Crystal oscillator frequencies from Wikipedia: Wikipedia has a nice table of “Crystal oscillator frequencies”. The table includes a column of crystals divisible by powers of 2 which may be appropriate for Real Time Clock (RTC) references… Xtal frequencies covered in the table (at my post-time) cover 32768KHz through […]
Embedded MP3 module
Boris shared a link to this article Embedded MP3 module: This embedded MP3 module is an universal and compact circuit (37 mm x 27 mm) for playing MP3 audio files. The MP3 module can be used in embedded systems. The MP3 files (up 65,536) are stored in a micro SDcard. Controlling the module could be […]
Workshop cleanup day
At one point a DIP-8 ATtiny13A fell out of Ian’s hair.
Free analog-to-digital converter demo board
rsdio writes: this was announced on April 1, and somehow I missed. I’m sure they’re all gone by now, but the links still seem to work The MAXADCLite evaluation (EV) kit is based on the MAX11645 ADC, which integrates a multiplexor, FIFO, sequencer, and reference, all for the same price as a competitive stand-alone ADC. […]
More geeky cufflinks
More geeky cufflinks via twitter.
Thermal Tweeter print rolls
We put a few rolls of Thermal Tweeter paper in the free PCB drawer. Score one during Twitter PCB Tuesday later today.
8 and 16 bit computer system fonts
How many 8-bit and 16-bit computer system fonts do you remember? These two articles look at who was behind them, and what gives early home computing such a distinct feel: My love of typography originated in the 80′s with the golden years of 8-bit home computing and their 8×8 pixel monospaced fonts on low-resolution displays. […]
Can you identify this button?
arhi writes: I have some old (very old) KONTRON DMM 3002 bench top digital multimeter… there is a button on the thing that I have no clue what it does… So if you look at the pic, the button in question is the pressed one, or if not clear which one is pressed, the one […]
So you want to be an engineer
So you want to be an engineer? check out this very informational, or just a good way to start your tuesday video. Via Nbitwonder
Atomic cookies
The creative people over at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories are making atomic cookies using a traditional cookie press. These cookies are in the shapes of hydrogen atomic probability functions. It is very cool to see cooking hacks like this and we wonder what other creative geeky cookies could be made using a cookie press with […]
9046xN random access write-only memory
MichaelZ tipped us to the 9046 x N Random Access, Write Only Memory: About 1974, Signetics bought a two-page, full-color spread in the April issue of ELECTRONICS Magazine, and published the WOM data sheet, as a (rather expensive) April Fool’s Joke. This version of the WOM data sheet shows the various features of Signetics’ Model […]
Trivia game punishes failure with electric shocks
Do you like games the fight back? Always wanted to be on a Japanese game show? israelff documented a Flash-based game that delivers electrical shocks to the players. Use with care! Via the tips line.
Return-to-zero engineering comic
Return-to-zero is a new comic strip for engineers: We bring to light the “Engineers World” with lab humor, exploding circuits, and of course making a sport out of solving the trickiest of engineering problems. We’re also big fans of xkcd, another long-running tech geek and engineering comic. Thanks Elaina! Via the contact form.
New land speed record
Sunswift, a team of students at the University of New South Wales, has broken the land speed record for a purely solar powered vehicle. IVy as it is known hit 88Kph(55Mph) on January 7, 2011. Sunswift is releasing their designs under GPL and TAPR licenses, to promote further development. Via Engadget
Homemade Segway
Trevor Blackwell built his own balancing scooter. He has compiled a fair amount of information for anyone interested in creating their own. Build one using our MMA7455L breakout board available at Seeed Studio for $15.
Seeed Studios’ electronic pet
Clearing out old posts before the new year, some of these might seem ancient. Seeed Studio designed thier own electronic pet: It is a platform for the newbie engineers to be familiar with our company’s products and practice. Every newbie engineer will be added some new ideas or elements on the SEEED PET.
Amplifier design articles and engineering stuff
This site is loaded with audio amplifier design articles and assorted weird engineering stuff. It can use up a lot of your time. Check out the amplifier institute and the Museum of RetroTechnology. Thanks McZ!