Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters

BP

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. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:

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Repairing a 1960s mainframe: Fixing the IBM 1401’s core memory and power supply

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Ken Shirriff wrote a great article describing the repair process of  the vintage IBM 1401 mainframe computer:

The problem started when the machine was powered up at the same time someone shut down the main power, apparently causing some sort of destructive power transient. The computer’s core memory completely stopped working, making the computer unusable. To fix this we had to delve into the depths of the computer’s core memory circuitry and the power supplies.

See the full post on his blog.

Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC (part 2)

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An update on Arduino controlled Dual Mono AK4490 DAC project we covered previously:

After I was certain that everything related to the software was working the way it should, I designed a “motherboard” that would take care of the following:

  • Accept the STM32F106 board
  • Accept the 3.5″ TFT
  • Accommodate an 24LC256 EEPROM chip, used to store the DAC’s configurable settings
  • Accommodate two sets of I2C signal isolators and I/O expanders
  • Include headers for the encoder, IR receiver, power relay, non-isolated and isolated I2C communication, unused uC pins, etc

See the full post here, Dimdim’s blog.

CHIP Pro TNC

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Angus Ainslie writes about an open source project a CHIP Pro TNC:

So I finally have a design of the TNC I’ve been working on that I think is ready for release. Initially this started with me wanting a replacement for my mobilinkd and AP510. With feature creep it has turned into much more.
The current board has a VHF radio module, a CHIP Pro computer module running Linux ( NTC calls it gadget OS ) and a Mikrobus slot. I’m currently using the Mikrobus for a GPS module but there are lots of variants.

See the full post on his blog.

#FreePCB via Twitter to 2 random RTs

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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.

BML USB 3.0 FPGA interface over PMOD

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An open-source-hardware USB 3.0 to FPGA PMOD interface design from Black Mesa Labs:

Black Mesa Labs is presenting an open-source-hardware USB 3.0 to FPGA PMOD interface design.  First off, please lower your expectations. USB 3.0 physical layer is capable of 5 Gbps, or 640 MBytes/Sec. This project can’t provide that to your FPGA over 2 PMOD connectors – not even close. It does substantially improve PC to FPGA bandwidth however, 30x for Writes and 100x for Reads compared to a standard FTDI cable based on the FT232 ( ala RS232 like UART interface at 921,600 baud ). A standard FTDI cable is $20 and the FT600 chip is less than $10, so BML deemed it a project worth pursuing.

More details at Black Mesa Labs homepage.

Via the contact form.

App note: Power source ON/OFF characteristics for linear regulator

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A good read app note from ROHM on linear regulator On and Off characteristic. Link here (PDF)

When a linear regulator IC is turned ON, the electric charge is stored in the output capacitor and the output voltage increases up to the specified value. At this time, an inrush current flows from the input to output of the IC. The output voltage drops when the input power source is disconnected. This application note explains the series of operations when the power source is turned ON/OFF.

Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters

BP

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. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:

Continue reading “Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters”

Sense energy monitor teardown – sampling in MHz

Sense Energy monitor teardown

Tisham Dhar did a teardown of a Sense Energy monitor:

Recently I obtained a Sense Energy monitor via US from Margaret of BitKnitting. She is doing a very interesting neighbourhood energy efficiency project. As usual I could not contain my curiosity and opened it up to have a look. I will start off with an analogy – the closest bit of open-source kit that I have to do half the amount of analog functions as the Sense is the PRUDAQ on the BeagleBone wifi

More details on his blog.

App note: Application of SiC MOSFETs

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App note from ON Semiconductors about Silicon Carbide MOSFETs, their difference and gains over Silicon MOSFETs. Link here (PDF)

Among the Wide Band Gap materials silicon carbide (SiC) is by far the most mature one. The raw wafer quality has greatly improved over the last years with significant reduction of micro pipes and dislocations. Silicon carbide devices can work at high temperatures, are very robust and offer both low conduction and switching losses. The high thermal conductivity makes SiC also a perfect choice for high power applications, when good cooling is required. Compared to silicon switches, silicon carbide MOSFETs inherit some specific characteristics like the shift of gate threshold a designer should be aware of. This effect will be explained in this application note.

BML HDMI video for FPGAs over PMOD

BML HDMIvideoforFPGAs over PMOD

Here are two open-source-hardware HDMI  video boards for adding digital video to FPGA platforms with standard PMOD connectors from Black Mesa Labs:

The BML 3bit HDMI over single-PMOD uses 7 of 8 available LVCMOS 3.3 pins on a single PMOD to provide 3bit color ( R,G,B 100% On or Off ). Example Verilog design drives 800×600 using a 40 MHz dot clock. The TI TFP410 is very versatile in the resolutions it can generate and is really just limited by the clock that the FPGA can provide and the data rates the PMOD connectors are capable of.

More details at Black Mesa Labs homepage.

Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters

BP

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. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:

Continue reading “Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters”

Teardown of an Extech 380460 milliohm meter

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Kerry Wong did a teardown of an Extech 380460  miliohm meter:

This is a highly specialized instrument, all it does is measuring low ohm range resistance (from 200mΩ to 2000Ω in five ranges) and nothing else. The meter came with a rugged case which is handy for field use, although its portability is hampered by the requirement of a wall outlet.
Since this meter is designed for low resistance measurement, it came with a set of 4 wire Kelvin clips. The stock leads are not my favorite though, as the design uses rubber rings to hold the two clip pieces together. One issue of this (instead of proper spring tensioned clips) is that the tension is quite weak and it is difficult to make secure contact with small dimension leads. Also, the rubber ring is likely to lose tension and fail over repeated use.

See the full post on his blog.

Check out the video after the break.

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Hands-on with the PocketBeagle: a $25 Linux computer with lots of I/O pins

pocketbeagle

Ken Shirriff shares his experience with a low-cost, compact Linux computer PocketBeagle:

The PocketBeagle is a tiny but powerful inexpensive key-fob-sized open source Linux computer. It has 44 digital I/O pins, 8 analog inputs, and supports multiple serial I/O protocols, making it very useful as a controller. In addition, its processor includes two 200-MHz microcontrollers that allow you to implement low-latency, real-time functions while still having the capabilities of a Linux system This article discusses my experience trying out different features of the PocketBeagle, along with some technical details.

More details at Ken Shirriff’s blog.

App note: Choose the right power supply for your FPGA

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Designing a power supply for FPGA includes multiple voltage, ripple management and power sequencing, here’s an app note from Maxim Integrated. Link here (PDF)

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs) require 3 to 15, or even more, voltage rails. The logic fabric is usually at the latest process technology node that determines the core supply voltage. Configuration, housekeeping circuitry, various I/Os, serializer/deserializer (SerDes) transceivers, clock managers, and other functions all have differing requirements for voltage rails, sequencing/tracking, and voltage ripple limits. An engineer must consider all of these issues when designing a power supply for an FPGA.

App note: Current-sense amplifier doubles as a high common mode instrumentation amplifier

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Application note from Maxim intergrated on utilizing a boost converter and a current-sense amplifier to form a regulator that derives +5V from -48V without isolation. Link here (PDF)

Instrumentation amplifiers (IAs) are used where gain accuracy and dc precision are important, such as in measurement and test equipment. The downside of IAs is the cost. However, inexpensive current-sense amplifiers handle high common-mode voltages and share some traits with IAs. As a result, in some applications, such as a ground-referenced -48V to +5V power converter, current-sense amplifiers can replace IAs, thereby reducing cost.

Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters

BP

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. The coupon code usually go to Facebook ‘Other’ Messages Folder . More PCBs via Twitter on Tuesday and the blog every Sunday. Don’t forget there’s free PCBs three times every week:

Continue reading “Free PCB coupon via Facebook to 2 random commenters”