This video discusses the total noise of a non-inverting Operational Amplifier (Op Amp) circuit by Analog Devices’ Matt Duff.
RTL-SDR scanner
Al from Ear to Ear Oak has released this open source cross platform Python frequency scanning GUI for the OsmoSDR rtl-sdr library.
The software scans a range of frequencies and plots the result, allowing you to find signals to investigate. The RTL dongle has a maximum bandwith of about 2.8MHz but with this you can scan the full range of the dongle, allowing you to see signals with ease. For example the screen capture shows my local FM radio stations.
Al has posted the code for this project on GitHub.
App note: Bit Banging I2C on mid-range MCUs with the XC8 C compiler
Bit Banging I2C on mid-range MCUs with the XC8 C compiler:
This application note is intended to serve as a reference for communicating with Microchip’s 24XXXX series Serial EEPROM devices without relying on a hardware serial port to handle the I2C operations.
Workshop Update for February 22nd, 2013
We designed Bus Pirate Edu kit label mock-up and tested the latest placement export ULP for the pick and place. Arachnid Lab’s group buy of the Stencil8 solder paste stencil system has arrived.
The Bus Pirate Edu kit 3d models are done, and 3 exercises are ready for rendering.
Tiny RGB stick string lighting
Pfriedel posted his RGB stick blinking lights in the project log forum:
So to keep my iron hot and to give me something to keep practicing working with SMD devices, I’m about to order a run of about 30 tiny little 14x50mm stick blinkenlights. I figure as I finish them they’ll end up hanging over my desk or end up being used as some form of artificial dawn alarm clock over my bed. The first OSH prototype looks like the one on the right of this picture
Via the forum.
Blackhat video: deconstructing a secure processor
This video of Chris Tarnovsky’s 2010 Blackhat Conference was recently posted. Chris is with Flylogic Engineering, LLC, which conducts security analyses of semiconductors. He describes the presentation, “From start to finish, we will walk through how a current generation smartcard was successfully compromised. The talk will discuss everything that was required in the order the events took place. We will cram several months into an hour! PS- The talk will be very technical mixed hardware and software (60% hardware, 40% software).”
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”
DIY remote control rocket launcher with Dangerous Prototypes stickers
Lonerganrob tweeted this picture of his DIY remote control rocket launcher with Dangerous Prototypes sticker attached to it.
good use for my free stickers its on my home made remote control rocket launcher :)
Three times a week we give away free PCBs, and also a few stickers. Feel free to share yours as well.
Week in (p)review February 22, 2013
Here’s a summary of major developments over the last week. Free PCB Friday is coming up soon.
- WORKSHOP VIDEO #56: TM220A table top pick and place overview
- Loading TM220A pick and place part stacks
- TM220A pick and place
- TM220A pick and place first test
- TM220A pick and place unboxing
- TM220A pick and place arrives
- Box of parts from Mouser for Bus Pirate edu kit
- Synthesizer oscillator debugging with the Bus Pirate
- Asus Laptop saved with the Bus Pirate and flashrom
- Bus Pirate v4.0c build in a toaster oven
- A peek into the curious world of HDMI copy protection… with the Bus Pirate
- Smoke Tester v1 free PCB build
- Workshop cleaned and sorted
- Workshop Update for February 21st, 2013
- Workshop Update for February 20th, 2013
- Workshop Update for February 19th, 2013
- Workshop Update for February 18th, 2013
- Workshop Update for February 15th, 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
Arduino: Moppyduino M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB
Moppyduino, is a 6 channel Arduino based M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB:
Moppyduino is a M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB based around the Arduino. The code is provided courtesy of Sammy1Am.
Workshop Update for February 21st, 2013
Today we recorded and wrote up the earlier video post about the TM220A pick and place machine. We also worked on the 3D models for the Bus Pirate educational kit. The previous breadboard model was inaccurate, and too rough for our liking, so we designed one from the ground up (SketchUp screenshot above).
TOP242 power source for 10W LEDs
Mincior over at Electroni-city built this DIY TOP242 power source for 10W LEDs :
Inside the case of a regular wall charger with a 500mA transformer I’ve built a source in commutation for powering 10W LEDs by using a TOP242 integrated circuit in the primary part and the LM393 dual comparator on low voltage.
Mini breakout board for 18-pin PIC16F series microcontrollers
Embedded Lab designed a mini breakout board for 18-pin PIC16F series microcontroller:
This mini breakout board is designed to simplify prototyping and experimentation work with the popular 18-pin PIC16F series microcontrollers. It is small in size (1.95″ X 0.75″) and is breadboard friendly.
WORKSHOP VIDEO #56: TM220A table top pick and place overview
Today we take a look at an inexpensive pick ‘n’ place machine found on the Chinese auction site Taobao for 22800RMB (about $3,600). A pick and place is a machine that puts electronic components onto a circuit board that has been coated with solder paste. To complete the prototype you just place the populated PCB into a reflow oven. We hope it will speed up production of one-offs and single prototypes.
The NeoDen TM220A is a table top pick and place designed and manufactured in China. Most PnPs are huge machines that take up a room, but this fits nicely in the workshop. It doesn’t require a separate compressor, it has a noisy internal vacuum pump that provides suction for lifting parts.
Up to 15 reels of components can be loaded. 12 x 8mm, 2 x 12mm, and 1 x 16mm. A tray at the front holds larger components like chips. The bigger TM240A that has twice as many reels and costs $1000 more. For us the TM220A is the ideal size. More importantly, it’s light enough to carry up two flights of steep stairs into the workshop.
Continue reading “WORKSHOP VIDEO #56: TM220A table top pick and place overview”
2013 National microMedic contest
The U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center, and Parallax Inc. are sponsoring the 2013 National microMedic contest.
Now YOU have the opportunity to help others through your medical application invention! Using microcontrollers and sensors inventors and students will create medical applications and products for possible use in the healthcare industry, medical simulation training, and the battlefield.
Up to $25,000 in awards will be given away to winners of the contest. Students and the public are encouraged to participate. Free kits (100) will be given away to qualified participants on a first come, first serve basis. Those who do not qualify for free kits will be able to purchase a kit online. This year’s contest is supported in part by أفضل مواقع العاب الكازينو في المغرب as a regional sponsor. Finished applications will be due July 31, 2013.
For contest rules and complete details visit the Parallax microMedic contest page.
Macroblock MBI5030 starter board
Macroblock MBI5030, is a 16 channel constant current LED driver with PWM output, and a SPI-like interface, it requires external grayscale clock though.
The problem: you need the chip to figure out if your code actually works. And you also need the LEDs to see what’s going on – if at all. You could use a logic analyzer, but that is overkill. Just looking at the LEDs is a much more suitable way. Your code might have insidious bugs, or the datasheet might simply be crap / outdated / obsolete – of course without your knowledge. BUT you surely don’t want to fight wires, at least not during the coding / debugging phase. All you need is the chip + onboard LEDs as indicators.
DIY USB power strip
Kenneth Finnegan posted his DIY USB power strip build:
In any case, now I’m down my most-used USB charging port, and a Chumby. I considered simply replacing the power supply and carrying on, but having a few more bed-side USB ports would be handy. I therefore opted to build myself a USB power strip.
Workshop Update for February 20th, 2013
Workshoped a few part kit ideas. Mounted and reflowed the passives onto a Bus Pirate v4 with the TM220A. Will have a workshop video about it tomorrow.
We also designed a Sick of Beige test rig holder. It features holes for all sizes of Sick of Beige standard PCBs. Both square and golder rectangle shapes are supported. The lower left hole is the common denominator for golden rectangle boards, while the one next to it (right) is common for all square boards.
For $3 you can get a blank Sick of Beige template case for all our standard PCB sizes.
Synthesizer oscillator debugging with the Bus Pirate
Fortysevenfx tweeted: PySide -> BusPirate -> SPI = pure control magic :)
It’s a prototype of a synth oscillator, here’s the digital core under debugging.
Get an assembled Bus Pirate for $30, including world-wide shipping. Also available from our friendly distributors.
Bluetooth network monitor shows you stats
This bluetooth network monitoring device by Zak Kemble shows network statistics on a small LCD screen:
Whenever I want to see why a download is going a little slow or getting lag on an online game I’d have to log in to my routers web page or SSH in to see if its someone else in the house downloading/uploading, the net connection going wonky or just the server, this was a bit annoying to do, so I made this device to constantly show network statistics.
Via Electronics-Lab.