TinyG compatible controller for CNC. Build on ATXMEGA256A3. 2x Step-down DC-DC for 3.3V and 5V. Plugin adapters based on DRV8818 or DRV8825 from TI and miniUSB or bluetooth link to host computer.
Via akb77.
Doomsday clock Arduino shield
Tully shared his Doomsday clock Arduino shield in the project log forum:
Here I would like to log new innovations that can be done using the Doomsday Clock Arduino Shield.
A recent innovation completed by Devin Sean McCullough, is a web-based graphical user interface that will write the code for you. This one is really fun you should take a look.
Information to use it is at www.samuraicircuits.com/MediaWiki
Check out the video after the break.
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
Ubiquity of NFC-enabled phones leads to strong brand protection
Here’s an app note from Maxim: Ubiquity of NFC-enabled phones leads to strong brand protection
Counterfeiting has grown tremendously over the last decade. Fortunately, there are several anticounterfeiting solutions. Of these, an authentication based on challenge-response allows a much stronger protection than secure printing or unique ID RF tags. This application note presents the benefits of RFID tags based on crypto-strong authentication. It explains how these benefits enable the consumer to check for the authenticity of luxury goods by simply tapping their near-field communication (NFC)-enabled phones.
A similar version of this article appeared in German on Elektronik Praxis, August 13, 2012.
Parallax Propeller discriminates Walsh-modulated IREDs
Parallax Propeller guru Phil Pilgrim has posted this IR sensor/discriminator project on the Parallax Propeller forums. “Almost everyone here is aware of the advantages of modulated IREDs for rejection of background IR fluctuations and line-frequency noise from artificial lighting. Typically, the IRED modulation occurs at 38 kHz, to which the integrated detectors are tuned and respond with a digital output. But what if you wanted to respond to more than one IRED at a time and, moreover, know the intensity level of the response from each? Such a question is the theme of this project.
By modulating a set of IREDs, each with a different Walsh function, and using a single analog IR detector, it should be possible to sort out which IREDs the return signal came from, along with how much each one contributed to the response.”
The hardware consists of six IREDs mounted on a Propeller QuickStart board (all available from RadioShack), along with an AMS (TAOS) TSL262R-LF IR to voltage converter.
Read the project details and find schematic and code links on the Parallax Propeller Forum.
App note: USB OTG like connector implementation
USB OTG like connector implementation (PDF!):
The USB OTG (On-The-Go) is an interface to communicate with portable USB devices.
In the SAM9x5 Series (SAM9G15/G25/G35/X25/X35) and SAMA5D3x products, the USB host and device share one transceiver. The shared USB transceiver can be controlled either by the USB Host Port Controller or by the USB Device Controller. This configuration allows to emulate a “USB OTG like” connector. The purpose of this document is to help the developers to implement this kind of USB OTG.
Arduino guitar mod lets you type with a tune
David Neevel of W&K Blog had been thinking about modding a guitar to use as a keyboard for some time. As shown in this video, he recently got down to business, interfacing the MIDI output through an optoisolator circuit to the Arduino. The interpretation of notes to keyboard characters is accomplished in code, with the Arduino then controlling David’s custom-designed relay board which interfaces to an old computer keyboard. Based upon the note played, the project sends the desired character to the attached computer. (Seems to us that the relays and keyboard interface hardware could be replaced in code, connecting the Arduino to PC via USB as an HID.)
You can find more details on this mod at W&K Blog, including project diagram and source code link.
How to measure stability when testing power supplies
Here is a video from Texas Instruments describing how to measure stability when testing power supplies.
Will the SMD resistors marking become a history?
Will the SMD resistors marking become a history?
Company YAGEO announced its intention to remove marking of RC/AC 0603,0805,1206 SMD chip resistors from July, 1-st, 2013.
Everything implies, that the situation with marking of chip resistors (0603/0805/1206) will soon be similar to chip capacitors – i.e. no marking on the top of the component. The reason for this step is to reduce unnecessary chemical usages for environmental protections.
Naturally, to identify the product resistance value, each single reel will be labeled with all relevant data as before. The performance, features, specifications, and manufacturing process of these resistors remain unchanged. To ensure a smooth transition, a guide outlining the updated labeling protocols has been distributed among our quality control teams, confirming that the removal of the marking does not impact product functionality or reliability. There will be a brief period during which both marked and unmarked products coexist as production lines are gradually updated.
Via Electronics Lab.
Biostamp temporary tattoo electronic circuits by MC10
MC10 scientists have developed Biostamp temporary tattoo electronic circuits to monitor health:
Materials scientist John Rogers and his firm MC10 have developed flexible electronic circuits that stick directly to the skin like temporary tattoos and monitor the wearer’s health.
The Biostamp is a thin electronic mesh that stretches with the skin and monitors temperature, hydration and strain.
Via Dezeen.
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”
Obscure mil doc: Telemetry Systems Radio Frequency Handbook
If you’re interested in obscure RF topics here’s a document for you. The Telemetry Systems Radio Frequency Handbook is a 133 page manual in PDF released by the US Army and found on the White Sands Missile Range website. It was prepared to assist in the development of improved RF telemetry transmitting and receiving systems in use on Range Commanders Council (RCC) member ranges. “This document is not intended to be a tutorial or textbook on the theory of RF systems design. It is intended to be a living document used to convey ideas, suggestions, lessons learned, and other items of importance to the new telemetry systems engineer or technician working in the field of RF telemetry.”
Week in (p)review April 05, 2013
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon.
- Workshop Update for April 4th, 2013
- Workshop Update for April 3rd, 2013
- Workshop Update for April 2nd, 2013
- Workshop Update for April 1st, 2013
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
The EthNode – ATMega based Ethernet board
Mark McKillen shared his EthNode – ATMega based Ethernet board in the forum:
Taking inspiration from the good folks at Nanode and an Instructable I saw recently, I’ve come up with “another” AVR based Ethernet board that can be programmed and used like an Arduino.
It’s a simple design based on the ATMega and Microchip’s ENC28J60 Ethernet controller with SPI. Running MQTT on one of these will open up a few options for home automation and remote sensor monitoring.
Via the forum.
Workshop Update for April 4th, 2013
Today we worked on some QFN breakout board for another kit we are preparing. Another image was rendered for the Bus Pirate Edu Kit documentation, and the last model was prepped for rendering.
DIY programming pen
Anthony documented his programming pen build:
One minor annoyance when programming microcontrollers in-circuit, is that often quite a bit of PCB space is lost due to the programming connector. Furthermore, when you have to program many chips, repeatedly reconnecting the programming cable quickly becomes a chore. So when I found an article about constructing a programming pen that would help solve both of these problems, I decided to build one for myself.
Script to query Gerber file outer dimensions
Script to query Gerber file outer dimensions:
At Wayne & Layne, we design a lot of circuit boards. During the request-for-quote (RFQ) process for getting a PCB fabricated, the outside dimensions of the PCB are an important driver of the overall per-unit price. As part of the W&L “prepare PCB for RFQ” process, we have a little script that uses the PCB’s board outline Gerber file to determine the dimensions of the PCB’s bounding box.
AMD releases open source UVD support
The Phoronix website is reporting that AMD will be publishing open-source driver code that exposes their Unified Video Decoder (UVD) engine on modern Radeon HD graphics cards, which will allow open-source graphics drivers to take advantage of hardware-accelerated video decoding. Open-source UVD/video-acceleration support to go along with their open-source OpenGL is something Linux uses have long been waiting for.
Visit the Phoronix blog post for more details and links to the code released thusfar.
3Drag: the Open electronics way to RepRap
3Drag: the Open electronics way to RepRap
Few months ago, after long months of testing, assembling and disassembling, print trials,and countless sleepless nights we finally decided to give birth our interpretation of the RepRap project.
DIY laser cutter for PCB stencils
HardwareBreakout shared a tutorial on how to make your own laser cutter for cutting PCB stencils:
Are you sick and tired of using a tooth pick to apply solder paste? Are you still using through hole components because you don’t want to deal with soldering surface mount devices (SMD)? If so, this post provides you with guidelines for building your very own laser cutter for cutting PCB stencils. With a total cost of approximately $200 (it can be significantly less if you already have parts laying around), this project can pay for itself very quickly. While you can get “low cost” stencils for your PCBs, they still can be quite expensive if you are only creating one or two boards.
Via Electronics Lab.