We are constantly developing prototypes, so we end up with a large pile of unused components. When we moved to a new location we realized some components sat untouched since the previous move. A while ago we read about the … Read more
For those of you who like the 8051 chip, we notice that Microchip has 8051 compatible MCUs available in 40-pin PDIP, part number SST89E516RD-40-C-PIE, available as samples. According to the datasheet: The SST89E516RDx and SST89V516RDx are members of the FlashFlex … Read more
An engineer from Octopart asks about standardizing the format for partlists for easier automated processing and quotes. They are designing a new part information API and would like help with suggestions and ideas: If we can all come up with … Read more
This device is a tiny SMD thermogenerator that harvests heat energy to generate up to 10 milliwatts of power. Dev boards are available at Mouser for a mere $700 retail. In case of Micropelt devices, one side is placed near … Read more
Arhi made use of his precision LCR meter to measure capacitance and ESR values of ceramic, tantalum, and electrolytic capacitors. He made his measurements at various frequencies to help him graph the changes to the values over a wide frequency … Read more
MickM decided to rework our PIC programing adapter to a through-hole version. He made two versions of the board. One for both Bus Pirate V2go and V3, and one that supports only V3. I got very confused reading the schematic, … Read more
PIC32 microcontrollers in DIP packages are in stock at microchipDirect. The prices range from $2.51 in the singles to $1.82 in high volumes. This compares well to 8, and 16bit PICs which also range around $2 in the same package. … Read more
Here are some compact 125KHz RFID readers with built in antennas. They require no external components what so ever to function. It uses a 2 wire interface supporting ASCII, Magnetic ABA, and Wiegand26 formats. Being priced at around 20 euros … Read more
Most cheap character displays are built to work at 5V, and this can be a problem if your circuit is designed around lower voltages. Here are some reasonably priced 3.3volt displays that range from 1X8 to 3×16 displayed characters. You … Read more
Octal tipped us off about the new PIC12LF1840T48A microcontrollers that have a built in sub-GHz transmitter: Microchip just published the datasheet related to using the PIC12LF1840T48A Microcontroller with Integrated Sub-GHz Trasmitter. The PIC12LF1840T48A is a Microchip microcontroller that has an … Read more
While browsing suppliers for FTDI chips at cheap singles prices, this offer caught our eye. Dontronics is selling FTDI FT232RQ for just AUD$2.45, which is near $2.50 USD. In many projects a USB to TTL converter chip is needed, and … Read more
Pppd shared a tip for using surface mount parts with a breadboard, mount them on 0.1″ pin header: Also, I’m probably not the first one to do it this way… but if you don’t like through-hole parts just as much … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: LEDs. Surface mount LEDs feel a bit smaller than capacitors and resistors in the same package. Despite moving to 0603 C and Rs, we still use 0805 LEDs. … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: Ferrite beads. We usually use ferrite beads as a power supply filter. You’ll find them on the USB supply in circuits with an FT232 USB->serial converter chip, like … Read more
The EagleUP 3D rendering tool parts library just got bigger: In the warehouse you can find additional parts to use in eagleUp. Click on the download link of the part you are interested in, then save it in your /models … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: NPN transistors Transistors do lots of analog tricks, but we only use them to switch high powered stuff with a weak microcontroller pin. Usually an LED. See the IR Toy, … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: buttons and switches. Let’s talk buttons. The 6mm button is the classic button. It comes in surface mount and through hole versions. The 6mm surface mount button, DTSM-6 … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: regulators. This week’s part: voltage regulators. We try to use the cheap 150mA voltage regulators in SOT-23 package whenever possible. These are cheap (from 25 cents in 1s) … Read more
A few weeks ago we covered the Touchstone Semi TS1001 ultra low-power and low-voltage op-amp. Ultrasounder commented: Looking at the datasheet, the key [specs] reveal a very lousy, CMOS input-output opamp which is not speced for anything beyond audio. The … Read more
Every Wednesday we highlight a component from the updated partlist. This week: resistors. If you don’t have a cheap resistor kit with common values, head to eBay and get one now. It’ll prevent last minute part orders and project delays. … Read more
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