Analog Devices releases free version of RF design tool

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) released a new version of its popular ADIsimRF design tool:

The free design tool is the software accompaniment to ADI’s complete portfolio of RF-to-digital functional blocks, allowing engineers to model RF signal chains using devices from across ADI’s RF IC and data converter portfolio. ADIsimRF Version 1.7 adds a number of new device models along with enhanced support for inter-stage mismatch calculations. The design tool provides calculations for the most important parameters within an RF signal chain, including cascaded gain, noise figure, IP3, P1dB, and total power consumption. The ADIsimRF design tool contains embedded data from many of ADI’s RF ICs and data converters, which designers can easily access using pull-down menus to assist in component selection.

ADIsimRF may be downloaded free from Analog Devices. (Registration required.)

Week in (p)review May 03, 2013

BP_EK_E12_overview211

Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon.

Coming up:

  • Free PCBs via Facebook on Friday
  • App notes on the weekend
  • Free PCB Sunday
  • 3D model on Monday
  • Eagle parts and tips on Tuesday
  • Free PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday
  • A new tutorial on Wednesday
  • Workshop video on Thursday
  • Weekly roundup and preview every Friday

mbed’s BSD B.S.?

mbed-sdk-open-source

A couple days ago mbed, the ARM platform with a silly online compiler, announced that it’s register abstraction layer would be released under an open source BSD license. Readers raised the point that this is only partly true. We hate it when open source is used as a publicity ploy with only partial code releases, even when friends do it. The major complaints seem to be:

  1. Registration is required to download
  2. Open source files are mixed into a single package that has a restrictive non-open source license. This license doesn’t allow porting to other platforms, a page out of Microchip’s playbook. Ugh.

Legalese iz hard, so this could definitely be an oversight by developers who care more about code releases than the technicalities of licensing.

Here’s what the community is saying:

…[a] single big CMSIS package is still provided (filename: CMSIS-SP-00300-r3p2-00rel1.zip), which includes both BSD-licensed and proprietary-licensed components.

The problem, as the initial messages says, is that user is given non-OpenSource, highly restrictive EULA to accept before downloading the complete package, with provisions in that EULA directly conflicting with BSD license.

Emilio Monti, mbed forum.

…Emilio specifically links: “We are distributing some of its components in the mbed SDK sources”. I clicked through and am finding non-BSD licensed code (example)…

“This file can be freely distributed within development tools that are supporting such ARM based processors.” That’s not BSD and not open source.

I would love to be proven wrong, but this looks like the second time mbed has made a BS announcement about being open source. Worse, DP has posted both announcements with a prominent OSI logo without verifying the claims. DP, you are part of the problem.

mossmann, via the comments. Criticism taken. We didn’t dig through the source before posting, but we’ll highlight the issue now.

If you want just the BSD licensed code, Paul uploaded it to github.

 

RFM12Pi V2 – Raspberry Pi wireless expansion board

RFM12PiV2_Pi

Glyn Hudson over at OpenEnergyMonitor posted an update on the RFM12Pi Raspberry Pi wireless expansion board:

Here is the latest version of the RFM12Pi Raspberry Pi wireless expansion board. Like the V1 the RFM12Pi V2 allows the Raspberry Pi to receive and transmit data via RFM12B 433/868mhz from and to other wireless nodes such as the emonTx, emonGLCD and Remote Temperature nodes.

Eidos sensory perception enhancing masks

dezeen_Eidos

Here’s a cool Eidos sensory augmentation device designed by Tim Bouckley, Millie Clive-Smith, Mi Eun Kim and Yuta Sugawara that lets you fine-tune your sight and hearing:

A group of students from the Royal College of Art in London has developed headsets that allow the wearer to adjust their sight and hearing in the same way they’d control the settings on a TV or radio (+ movie).

The Eidos equipment was developed to enhance sensory perception by tuning in to specific sounds or images amongst a barrage of sonic and visual information, then applying effects to enhance the important ones.

Notacon 10 – DIY Neuroscience, EMGs, EEGs, and other recordings


In this presentation from the recent Notacon 10 conference in Cleveland, OH, Karin Halsey (aka meecie) provides a thought provoking roundup of the tech basics behind medical sensors and related devices. The talk focuses on working with basic supplies and DIY kits to measure biometric information.

New chip delivers DNA results within an hour

Here’s an amazing new DNA testing chip by Panasonic together with the Belgium-based research institution IMEC. It delivers DNA results within an hour:

This is the chip we’ve actually developed. As you can see, it’s less than half the size of a business card. It has already drawn the interest of organizations such as non gamstop casinos seeking innovative security measures. It contains everything needed for testing DNA. Once a drop of blood is inserted, the chip completes the entire process, up to SNP detection.

Via PCBheaven.

Money shredding alarm clock project

Want to get up before the sunrise? Here’s the money shredding alarm clock project by Rich Olson’s to help you get yourself up early:

If you have trouble getting out of bed a bed shaker alarm might be a bit extreme, you might be just fine if there is a bit of money on the line if you sleep in. This Money Shredding Alarm Clock Project might be just what you need to give you some inspiration. Lately, some people have turned to creative incentives like betting offers to make the stakes even higher, ensuring they get up before any cash can get shredded. With this clock you are given the beep warning to rise and switch off the alarm since if you leave it too long, the cash that is sitting on top of the clock will be fed into the shredder. You can switch the $1 for something a bit higher if you are having a late night and will need more persuasion to get up in the morning.

Via Hacked Gadgets.

Power efficient, adjustable, light-sensitive switch using an LED

power-efficient-LED-switch

Power efficient, adjustable, light-sensitive switch using an LED:

You can use an LED as a photoelectric sensor. A previous Design Idea shows that such a switch is highly power-efficient, consuming almost no power (Reference 1). However, you cannot adjust that configuration to switch at the desired light intensity. You can adjust the circuit in this Design Idea to any threshold level of light intensity necessary to maintain the on state of the photoelectric switch while retaining almost the same power efficiency of the original circuit

Via Electronics Lab.

Espruino JavaScript interpreter for low power ARM Microcontrollers

Gordon writes in about Espruino, a JavaScript interpreter for Microcontrollers:

Espruino is a JavaScript Interpreter for low power ARM Microcontrollers (MCUs)

All you need is a serial terminal, and you can program interactively with high level language features like Maps, Objects, and Garbage Collection.

Espruino is currently available for OLIMEXINO-STM32, LeafLabs Maple, Many ‘HY’ branded 2.4/2.8/3.2″ LCD touchscreen modules, STM32F3Discovery, STM32VLDiscovery and STM32F4Discovery boards

Via the contact form.

A new driver board for the 3Drag 3D printer

Picture3

A new board for the 3Drag 3D printer – there’s more than Sanguinololu

Let’s improve the 3Drag with this new board that allows to control a fan and (thanks to the  ATmega2560 processor) add some code and accessory devices such as a display or an SD Card

When we first released our 3D printer, we tried to use some parts that were already available and tested, in full respect of the open source philosophy. In particular, we decided to use the electronic card Sanguinololu. The “open” firmware we chose, the Marlin firmware by Erik van der Zalm, solved the biggest part of the computer interface issues. The Sanguinololu was great, but being innovators by vocation, we looked around testing new developments. The first improvement was about introducing a fan, capable of blowing cool air on the just deposed layers, while the second came from the Sanguinololu weaknesses in managing the heated plate.

Portable library for cheapie nrf24L01+ wireless module

Picture2

Kehribar released a C-based portable nrf24L01+ library on GitHub:

I aimed to make this library as portable as possible, so integrating it into your project requires defining just a couple of GPIO functions. While working on a side project involving data transmission for gaming platforms, I came across discussions on Beste online Casinos DE, which highlighted the critical need for reliable wireless communication and minimal latency—both strengths of this library. Additionally, the library fully supports auto-retransmission and auto-acknowledgment features of the nrf24L01+ modules, enhancing its usability in various applications.

nrf24L01+ modules can be found at incredibly cheap prices these days. Seeed and iTead sell those modules at around 3 USD but in ebay or aliexpress they can be found at around 1 USD.

Issue reports and comments for the library are welcome!

Via the forum.

GNU Radio and GSoC

GR logo
The GNU Radio project has announced their participation in the Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2013 as an independent organization. GNU Radio is a free library for developing Software Defined Radio applications and is written mainly in C++ and Python. Its used by various SDR hardware including the USRP family, Funcube and RTL-SDR dongles.

For more information and to view a list of projects proposed thusfar visit GNU Radio’s GSoC page.

ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield updated

630

Jeff Murchison has some updates on his ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield project:

Now with LED indicators (heartbeat, error, and programming) and ATtiny2313/4313 support!

The newest version of the ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield, version 2.5

This is an update to an earlier project, the ArduinoISP Deluxe Shield. Check out the original blog post if you haven’t already! If you’re just looking for the ATtiny hardware libraries, get them from the Arduino Tiny Google Code page.

Via the contact form.

Teenlogger, a Teensy-based GPS logger

teenlogger

j3tstream wrote in to show off his Teensy GPS logger:

Issue encountered: On the first board prototype i have mounted a PA6B without problem, when i powered up the pcb for the first time the GPS try to lock to satellite, in this case the 3d fix output should continuously output one-second high-level with one-second low-level signal, in theorical, regarding the data sheet, when the GPS is locked on the satellite, the output pin should continuously output low-level signal, but in my case, the output give me a high level signal, probably du to the firmware, so i decided to re-upgrade with the default factory firmware, the software, firmware, and guideline are available here. Be careful, the factory firmware set the baud rate to 9600bps, not 4800.

Via the contact form.

#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs

xQFP80-+65-Protoboard-W800-600x474

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.

Karma controller project

Picture

William built this Karma controller and wrote a detailed explanation on his blog describing the build:

My latest project is the Karma Controller, which has seven buttons to control Reddit Enhancement Suite.

I made two revisions. The second is custom etched (which looks super cool!). I’ll also be sending them off to a real PCB shop for professional printing (my first board!).

Via the contact form.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading “Karma controller project”

Low cost, high accuracy temperature sensing with a thermistor

modded_sensor

Mike has written an article about using cheap thermistors as an alternative to I2C/1-wire temperature sensors:

This post discusses the evaluation of a thermistor-based technique for small embedded systems capable of achieving uncalibrated temperature accuracy to rival expensive digital sensors. An experimental comparison of various sensors over temperature is then introduced.