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Thermocouples are a great way to take accurate temperature measurements in hard to reach places or in very rugged environments. Using one can be tricky if your new to the device. This circuit has two parts the thermocouple needs to be driven by a device and then an amplifier can be used to amplify and offset the voltage into a signal that can be useful. In this circuit the output of the amplifier Vout = 10mv/°C when using a K-Type thermocouple.
How to Driving and Measure a Thermocouple - [Link]
Erl shared his voltage reference project in the forum:
I had almost 6 x 6 cm left over on a 10 x 10 board I was ordering from Seeed Studios, so inspired by the Mr. Ref voltage reference project, I made something similar. It’s based on the MAX6126 2.048 V reference, uses 3 AAA batteries for power, and fits in the Dangerous Prototypes Sick of Beige 60 x 60 mm case.
[via]
Erl’s Voltage Reference - [Link]
To monitor dangerous gases concentration with ready-made calibrated modules USM 5.1 series is a breeze.
It is generally known, that it´s suitable and often even inevitable to monitor air in various factories, shopping centers but also in smaller buildings and in households. For this purpose, we offer you already for several years top-quality sensors from Japan company Figaro. However, how it uses to be, application of bare sensors requires some development and sometimes also a demanding calibration, what can be unprofitable and expensive especially at smaller production batches.
That´s why we added in stock read-made calibrated modules USM 5.1 series employing well-proven Figaro sensors. USM 5.1 series consists of 5 types for monitoring of CO, ethanol, methane, LPG and hydrogen. With these modules there´s no need to care about development, testing and calibration. All that is necessary is to connect them to a 5VDC power supply and the open collector output is able to switch relay, siren etc. Modules don´t provide value of the exact concentration of a given gas, but they are set to a fixed value of concentration (according to a table), at which they switch on the output transistor.
As for the price, the USM 5.1 series is quite profitable, when we realize, that it is a ready-made calibrated and tested solution containing a relatively expensive sensor. That´s why they are ideal for construction of various safety devices with a minimal effort. Detailed information will provide you the datasheet USM 5.1. Modules are available directly from our stock, in case of interest please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.
Gas detection? It´s also possible in a simpler way… – [Link]
If you have an H-Bridge drive circuit for a motor, you may need a way to monitor the load on the circuit. This circuit is nice because it provides a single output that could be monitored with a microcontroller or other device. The trick is to use current sense amplifiers and measure the current on each leg of the circuit. The LTC6103 is a good choice because it has two sense amplifiers in the same package.
Here is a circuit diagram that will allow you to monitor the load.
Monitor your H-Bridge Circuit Load - [Link]
Ikalogic.com is happy to announce that their new logic analyzer ScanaPLUS is finally ready. They have worked for more than a year and a half to make this a very unique logic analyzer:
- 9 input channels
- 100 MHz sampling rate
- Direct connection to CAN, RS485 lines (integrated differential receivers), to RS232 or to LIN lines.
- Samples compression and streaming from device to host computer
- Native Windows and Linux support!
- Adjustable input voltage threshold(s)
- And much more…
- >> Learn more about ScanaPLUS now
ScanaPLUS is a robust, versatile and multi-application 9 Channels logic analyzer. It relies on the free ScanaStudio software to capture and analyze logic signals.
This logic analyzer will capture signals at a steady rate of 100 MSPS (Million Samples Per Seconds), whether you’re using 1 or all 9 channels. No compromises.
Thanks to its configurable and fully protected input stage, ScanaPLUS can be directly connected to RS232, to CAN or RS485 differential lines, or to tiny 1.2V logic signals!
>> Announcement
ScanaPLUS: 9-Channels – 100MHz Logic Analyzer is finally here for 149€! - [Link]
by Dave Rishavy & Tomas Berghall:
The one piece of gear that’s essential for EMC troubleshooting is a spectrum analyzer. You can buy a decent portable for about $10k or used ones go for $1k to $5k if you don’t mind the 30 to 80 pounds of weight or the initial investment. This article reviews several models that cost under $2,000.
Compare low-cost spectrum analyzers - [Link]
Raj from Embedded Lab informed us about his new Easy Pulse release (Version 1.1) that has improved performance over its predecessor. The new version uses a more robust sensor based on transmission PPG principle where an IR LED illuminates a finger tip from one side and a photodetector receives the transmitted light from other side. The photodetector output is filtered and amplified to obtain a nice and clean PPG waveform, which can be further processed by a microcontroller to obtain vital information about the cardiovascular system. The Easy Pulse is also available for purchase on Tindie.
Easy Pulse PPG sensor for measuring pulse rate – [Links]
Testing probes, clips, cables and other products of company SKS enable simpler and more effective testing and development.
Probably, you´ve already faced the situation, when it was necessary to measure several signals at once, or for example to have a voltmeter connected in some point of a device and to control another equipment at the same time. In such cases, it would be great to have another pair of hands. The solution not only for these cases are the well proven SKS-Hirschmann measuring and testing accessories of German company SKS.
Who´ve ever worked with test probes or various other testing clamps, for example of the KLEPS series knows, how significantly these components can simplify and speed-up development or testing. The KLEPS 2700 test probe is extraordinary by a fact, that it comprises a stainless steel piercing tip, able to penetrate insulation of common leads (without damage), thus enabling to measure a voltage in a given lead without its stripping. Similarly for example PRUF series testing probes are able to reliably penetrate a PCB protective lacquer or through an oxidized layer and enable a precise measurement even in relatively dense PCBs without risk of tracks short-circuit.
With the Micro-SMD Clip it is possible to measure signals on all common 2-pole SMT components. Various crocodile probes enable a reliable connection with wires or PCB terminals. A big benefit of SKS-Hirschmann crocodile probes is the fact, that their jaws enable a reliable grip even of very thin wires.
A common feature of all SKS-Hirschmann components is a high quality being reflected even in such common products like banana plugs and sockets (2mm and 4mm, including reductions). A useful accessory for every workplace can also be measuring leads and cost-effective sets.
In case of interest in any SKS-Hirschmann product, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.
SKS – measuring and testing with pleasure - [Link]
Scott W Harden writes:
I re-vamped my DIY ECG project. This new project is fully documented and uses extremely common and cheap parts, all of which could be purchased at RadioShack. It serves at both an ECG *and* a pulse oximeter, depending on which leads are attached. It uses a single chip (LM324, a quad operational amplifier) with a virtual ground to eliminate the need for a negative voltage. As a pulse oximeter with a 12V supply it outputs clean 10V swings when pulses occur. It’s intentionally unsophisticated, and made to be easy to replicate by anyone interested in electronics. Although you could view its output on an oscilloscope, it’s designed to be output into a PC sound card for recording (if attenuated to microphone levels). I even describe how to spectrally process the data on the computer to clean it up, downsample it, and graph it in Excel or with a Python script.
Simple DIY ECG + Pulse Oximeter - [Link]
This AVR-based Frequency Meter is capable of measuring frequencies from 1Hz to 10MHz with 1 Hz resolution. The hardware of this project consists of seven 7-segment displays, AVR ATtiny2313 uController, and a few transistors and resistors. The AVR counts input pulses for a precise 1 second interval (generated using the built-in Timer) and displays the result on the multiplexed seven segment LED displays. [via]
1Hz to 10MHz frequency meter using ATtiny2313 - [Link]
