USB Infrared Toy v2 is back in stock at Seeed Studio. You can use it as a remote control with your computer, view infrared signals on a logic analyzer, capture and replay remote control buttons. You can get IR Toy v2 for $22.05, including world wide shipping.
RFID access control for garage door
An Arduino-based RFID access control to open garage door using RFID by Jason Hamilton:
This is my Arduino-based project that allows you to use RFID for access control to open a door. The door can be anything that can be controlled by a relay. In my case it will be a garage door opener.
This is the initial prototype. Next I plan to build it on a prototype shield and then if put it on a PCB. The top section of components (Arduino and breadboard) will be placed inside the garage and the bottom section of components (LED, buzzer, NFC/RFID reader) will be placed outside (in a project box).
Via Embedded Lab.
Lens flare creating filter, with 3D printed parts
Jan Henrik wrote this Instructable detailing the build of his DIY lens flare creating filter, with 3D printed parts:
In this project, I want to show you how you can build yourself a “Lens-Flare-Filter” for your DSLR or digital camera! With the filter, you can easily create a cinematic look for your pictures and videos without spending much money on expensive programs. While working on the prototype, I found myself brainstorming ideas with a community I’m part of on the best Discord casino server. It’s not just about virtual games; it’s also a hub where people share creative projects, tips, and even 3D printing techniques. Inspired by some suggestions I received there, I refined my design to incorporate a few modular elements. We’ll use a few 3D-printed parts—though these can be replaced with CNC-milled or handmade alternatives—but for this tutorial, I’ll present the 3D-printed version I created.
eBay photoswitch teardown
Alan Parekh of Hacked Gadgets writes:
I spotted this photoswitch on eBay and had to take a look at the guts (search photoswitch if the link doesn’t work since eBay links go stale after a short time). I now see that the same unit is sold in multiple variations which are 24V and 220V. Not sure I would feel safe with 220 on this thing though. I am curious if the 10 ohm resistor is the only difference between the versions. If someone has one of the other versions leave a comment to let us know what the difference is. These are selling for $3.39 which included free shipping from China to Canada! Hard to believe how tilted the scales are here,.
Check out the video after the break. Continue reading “eBay photoswitch teardown”
RTCC shield kit with a prototype PCB from Dirty PCB’s
@Velleman_RnD tweeted, “RTCC shield kit. Proto pcb made by the good people from Dirty PCB’s”
#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs
Every Tuesday we give away two coupons for the free PCB drawer via Twitter. This post was announced on Twitter, and in 24 hours we’ll send coupon codes to two random retweeters.
Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times a every week:
- Hate Twitter and Facebook? Free PCB Sunday is the classic PCB giveaway. Catch it every Sunday, right here on the blog
- Tweet-a-PCB Tuesday. Follow us and get boards in 144 characters or less
- Facebook PCB Friday. Free PCBs will be your friend for the weekend
Some stuff:
- Yes, we’ll mail it anywhere in the world!
- Check out how we mail PCBs worldwide video.
- We’ll contact you via Twitter with a coupon code for the PCB drawer.
- Limit one PCB per address per month please.
- Like everything else on this site, PCBs are offered without warranty.
We try to stagger free PCB posts so every time zone has a chance to participate, but the best way to see it first is to subscribe to the RSS feed, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
Bus Pirate v4 back in stock
Bus Pirate v4 is back in stock at Seeed Studio. The Bus Pirate is an open source hacker multi-tool that talks to electronic stuff. It’s got a bunch of features an intrepid hacker might need to prototype their next project.
You can get a Bus Pirate v4 for $40, including worldwide shipping.
HOW-TO: Visit Bay Area Maker Faire
We are off to the Bay Area Maker Faire, and we’d like to share some of the tips we picked up on our previous visit there. Below are our tips for both visitors, and participants. If you are in the area be sure to drop by.
Hacker Camp Shenzhen: Yet another video from Gary Fletcher
Gary Fletcher shared this Shenzhen trip video he made:
So anyway, here is a snippet of our 10 days in China/Hong Kong in what I am calling a Blogamentory (my perspective), but there is some more professional stuff from the guys on their own site you’ll dig into here
Thanks again guys and for those of you that get a chance if there is a next time be quick! its awesome!
Modularized homebrew spectrum analyzer
Mathias Weyland writes,
I’m building a homebrew spectrum analyzer (based on an existing project) and while doing so, I used the Open Bench Logic Sniffer to test my logic board. I have documented my attempts here; the Logic Analyzer part starts around minute 21. The video makes most sense in conjunction with the second video, where I explain the circuitry I am testing. The whole project log is aggregated in this playlist, where I break down the individual aspects of this rather complex device into pieces that are (hopefully) easy to understand.
For more information on this build, visit ScottSpectrumAnalyzer.
Via the contact form.
An Arduino library for MCP3903 A/D converter
Kerry Wong writes:
MCP3903 is a six channel Delta-Sigma A/D converter. It features six synchronous sampling differential channels which can be programmed to sample between 16 bit and 24 bit accuracy, the gain for each channel can also be programmatically set from 1 up to 32. It also has an internal low tempco (5ppm/°C) voltage reference, making MCP3903 an excellent choice for digitizing small differential signals from various sensors.
I have created a library for Arduino. It allows you to explore most of the functionalities MCP3903 provides with ease. The library can be downloaded towards the end of this post as usual. And it is also available on GitHub.
A Silverlink clone to rescue pre-USB calculators
Geekboy1011 over at the Cemetech forum has been working on a Silverlink clone software for the Arduino Leonardo (ATmega32U4) microcontroller development board:
Texas Instruments’ Silverlink is a product to connect calculators without USB ports (namely everything except the TI-84 Plus series and the TI-89 Titanium) to computers’ USB ports to transfer files, screenshots, and operating systems.
Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB
We go through a lot of prototype PCBs, and end up with lots of extras that we’ll never use. Every Sunday we give away a few PCBs from one of our past or future projects, or a related prototype. Our PCBs are made through Seeed Studio’s Fusion board service. This week two random commenters will get a coupon code for the free PCB drawer tomorrow morning. Pick your own PCB. You get unlimited free PCBs now – finish one and we’ll send you another! Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:
- Tweet-a-PCB Tuesday. Follow us and get boards in 144 characters or less
- Facebook PCB Friday. Free PCBs while you wait for the weekend
- Free PCB Sunday, right here on the blog
- Check out how we mail PCBs worldwide
App note: Understanding and Minimizing Ground Bounce
Another old app note from Fairchild on Ground Bounce issues.
Ground bounce has been a concern to some system designers for many years. Its effects can be found in most bipolar and CMOS logic families. However, ground bounce has recently become a major issue. Although new advanced CMOS logic families have edge rates comparable to advanced bipolar logic devices, CMOS outputs swing almost from rail to rail while bipolar outputs swing from ground to approximately 3.0V. These edge rates, coupled with the greater voltage swings found in today’s advanced CMOS logic devices, tend to generate more ground bounce noise than their bipolar counterparts.
App note: Using Fairchild’s LVX low voltage dual supply CMOS translating transceivers
Here’s a fairly old app note on Fairchild’s take of voltage translation ICs.
The Fairchild CMOS Translating Transceivers: 74LVX3245, 74LVX4245, 74LVXC3245, and 74LVXC4245 are true voltage translating devices. This is accomplished by electrically isolating the A-side from the B-side.
The LVX Translating Transceivers are divided into two types of devices, Dual Supply Translating Transceivers, and Dual Supply Configurable Voltage Interface Transceivers. These devices offer the system designer multiple options for true voltage level translation in a system.
Careful selection of the appropriate configuration and attention to the power up considerations discussed in this applications note can make interfacing in a mixed voltage environment an easy task.
App note: In-system calibration with the 78M6610+PSU energy measurement processor
Another application from Maxim on how to calibrate a measurement subsystem using the 78M6610+PSU:
The 78M6610+PSU is an energy measurement processor that is embedded in high-power switch-mode power-supply units (PSUs) to measure and report the real-time power used by the system. As with any measurement device, the sense circuit used with the 78M6610+PSU must be calibrated before its measurements can be accepted as accurate. This application note demonstrates how to calibrate a measurement subsystem using the 78M6610+PSU.
App note: Thermal Management Handbook
A Thermal Management handbook from Maxim, , app note here:
Maxim’s Thermal Management Handbook includes temperature sensing and fan control concepts, circuits and application guidelines. Thermistors, thermocouples, RTDs, and various IC temperature sensors (local temperature sensors, remote temperature sensors, analog temperature sensors, digital temperature sensors, and temperature switches) are discussed, as well as various approaches to fan speed control.
Hantek PPS 2320A review
Alan Parekh of Hacked Gadgets writes:
Thanks to Circuit Specialists for sending in this 3 chanel power supply. The Hantek PPS 2320A sure packs in a ton of features for the price. The video below goes through the unboxing of the power supply and a quick run through its features. Overall it functions quite well, there are a few questions that need some clarification. I will have a look through the manual and reach out to the guys over at Circuit Specialists if I can’t find the answers.
Check out the video after the break.
Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters
Every Friday we give away some extra PCBs via Facebook. This post was announced on Facebook, and on Monday we’ll send coupon codes to two random commenters. More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:
- Free PCB Sunday. The classic. Every week, get free PCBs right here on the blog comments
- Tweet-a-PCB Tuesday. Follow us and get boards in 144 characters or less
- Facebook PCB Friday. Free PCBs while you wait for the weekend
- Check out our video on how we mail PCBs worldwide.
Continue reading “Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters”
The Final key – Hacking challenge
A followup to the final key – Hardware password manager post, DusteD wants to giveaway a Final key to the first person who can document a method to extract passwords from the key:
I would like to point to the Final key main page describing the usage and some of the security aspects of the device, and also like to point your attention to the hacking challenge where I have promised to send a free Final Key to the first person who can document a method to extract passwords from the key.
Visit Cyberstalker’s Hacking challenge page for details.