Myriad-RF open source wireless platform

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Myriad-RF is an open-source project for the prototyping and creation of fully configurable wireless platforms that run on almost any communication standard and frequency. Its based on the multi standard LMS6002DFN transceiver and Altera FPGA module, allowing for the creation of applications that run on any commercial or whitespace frequency band between 260MHz and 3.8GHz (licensed or unlicensed) and use any communications standard including LTE, CDMA, HSPA+ and WiMAX.

The Myriad-RF low-cost board can be built from open source reference designs and is based on easy-to-use hardware and software platforms. It’s available pre-assembled priced from US$299. NOTE: The fully operational development system contains Myriad-RF board (pictured above) which interfaces via a digital interface board with a DEO–Nano development kit which must be purchased separately. The Myriad-RF is based on the multi standard LMS6002DFN transceiver, which allows for the creation of applications that run on any commercial or whitespace frequency band between 260MHz and 3.8GHz (licensed or unlicensed) and use any communications standard including LTE, CDMA, HSPA+ and WiMAX.

Full details can be found at the project website and in the 94 page development manual.

XT-IDE Adapter free PCB build

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Mikelelere built a free XT-IDE Adapter v1b PCB.

I’ve finally found some spare time to assemble the XT-IDE adapter v1b free PCB I received a couple of weeks ago. I could not manage to find the CPLD included in the BOM, so I had to replace it with a Coolrunner II I had in my junk box. I yet have to compile the logic for the CPLD I’ve chosen, but it should not be too hard. Once this is done, I will upload the files to the forum just in case anyone is interested.

If you build a free PCB we’ll send you another one! Blog about it, post a picture on Flicker, whatever – we’ll send you a coupon code for the free PCB drawer.

Simple circuit to turn your oscilloscope into a TDR

TDR_circuit

Simple circuit to turn your oscilloscope into a TDR:

This simple circuit allows you to use your oscilloscope as a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR). This is how it works. Send a pulse down a cable and watch for the reflection. Most people think a TDR is more complicated than this. Your oscilloscope is used to sample and view the reflected waveform.  In this circuit we use the 74HC4040 counter to create the length of the pulse we will send down the cable. Build this inexpensive circuit and now you will have a TDR.

Via Electronics Lab.

#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs

USB Color LCD backpack Nokia knock-off

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.

ITU radio regs online FREE for limited time

ITUregs
Drone has sent us this information which should be interesting to radio comm enthusiasts around the world.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has decided to offer the current (2012) full set of “Radio Regulation” documents (Volumes I-IV) for FREE download for a limited time (through mid-2014 perhaps). Yes, this set includes the “ITU-R” documents.

The full Radio Regulations set costs 398 CHF (Swiss Francs), or about $420 USD. If you want individual documents from the set, you have to pay dearly for those too.

The document set is available in six languages and may be downloaded in .pdf and/or .docx format. Each download is a single .zip archive that runs from 19MB (English .docx version) to 25MB (English .pdf version).

While the ITU says the download is “free”, actually you have to enter a name, title, and an Email address for each download. You may download multiple times. You may tick a box to NOT opt-in to Email updates from the ITU by default when you submit the download form.

If you like, you may enter false data (including a fake Email address), and the download will still work. (Man, I’m probably going to DCMA Jail for telling you that!)

However, if you are a Telecommunications Professional, you are probably already receiving ITU email updates – or will want to.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get a personal electronic copy of these otherwise unaffordable documents – don’t let it slip away! Now, if only the ITU would open up all their documents…

Actually these documents should be free all the time. Taxpayers, through their member countries pay for the ITU; so having to pay for ITU documents is a form of double taxation!

Here is the the link to these valuable online docs.

Via the contact form.

Bus Pirate v3.6 back in stock

Bus Pirate v3.6 universal serial interface is back in stock at Seeed Studio. This is the updated v3.6 in a standard PCB footprint. You can get a simple laser-cut acrylic protector for this board for only 3 bucks.

Bus Pirate is a hacking multi-tool that has the capability to interface with most IC bus protocols used in the electronics industry today.

Get your own handy Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors.

Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB

Ethernet LED driver

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:

Continue reading “Free PCB Sunday: Pick your PCB”

Atmel AVR042: AVR hardware design considerations

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This app note discusses common problems encountered when starting designs involving AVR  microcontrollers:

This application note has been written to provide answers to some of the questions and problems faced when starting designs involving Atmel®AVR® microcontrollers.
The application note treats topics that are known to cause problems. The scope is to provide an introduction to potential design problems rather than being an exhaustive walk-through of how to design applications using the AVR microcontrollers. This document is thus a collection of information from existing Atmel AVR documents, combined with information that is not previously documented.

View the PDF document for more information.

OpenduinoGSM

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Emanuele has informed us of a new open source project known as OpenduinoGSM. This is a standalone wireless remote control board which communicates via GSM.

With OpenduinoGSM you have the option of using the Arduino development environment, so anyone, even those who are unfamiliar electronics and circuits, can try to realize the automation they want by writing simple code in C ++ or by using one of the many open source projects published and modifying it according to their needs.

For advanced users, the OpenduinoGSM also has a JTAG interface for use with AVR Studio.
Continue reading “OpenduinoGSM”

NiMH trickle charger with status indication

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NiMH trickle charger with status indication:

In spite of the considerable media attention to the concept of recyclable power sources, usage of rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells has been limited. The combined charger and cell cost have been a mitigating factor in favour of primary cells. The high internal impedances of primary cells are not suitable for the surge currents needed for digital cameras, DC motors and walkie-talkies. NiMH cells exhibit low internal impedances and, as such, are particularly viable in these applications.

Cornell online courses: Designing with Microcontrollers and FPGAs


Bruce Land writes:

I teach two courses at Cornell University in Electrical and computer engineering. Recently I have uploaded a full set of lectures for each course to YouTubeEDU. The lectures have comments which link to lab exercises and other supporting Materials.

There is a general YouTube channel for these courses. Here are the links to individual Microcontroller lectures from Cornell university, student projects videos, as well as student project docs and course materials.

Here are the links to the FPGA lectures from Cornell university and student project videos, as well as full documentation and student final project docs.

Via the contact form.