Blog
Raj wrote a tutorial on how-to implement servo control on PIC16F microcontrollers. The article starts off with some servo theory, and is followed with an open source practical example. [via]
A servo motor is a special geared DC motor equipped with an electronic circuit for controlling the direction of rotation, as well as the position, of the motor shaft. Because servo motors allows precise angular positioning of their output shaft, they are used extensively in robotics and radio-controlled cars, airplanes, and boats to control the motion of their various parts. In this lab session, we will first explore what a servo motor consists of and how it works and then illustrate how to interface it with a PIC microcontroller.
Using servos with PIC16F microcontrollers - [Link]
Hazim Bitar writes in about the GOduino II motor driver project. In addition to the Atmega328p w/Opti bootloader, he uses a L293D h-bridge and various supporting caps and resistors giving the project a total estimated cost of about $20. [via]
GOduino II motor driver - [Link]
Arup Basak writes: [via]
O.S.S.D.A.S v1 stands for Open Source Solar Data Acquisition System. I have been working on this project since last few months. The picture above is the not the first prototype, but the first working prototype that looks like quite complete. There will be further revisions to the hardware and software for best efficiency and accurate results. Moreover, the recorded digital data should be rich enough to reflect the real world data’s mirror.
Features:
- Logs everything into attached SD card for data analysis in PC. A typical 1GB SD card can store years of data. Data is recorded in frequency of few seconds. Enough to plot a graph to analyze performance of short periods of ten minutes too.
- Keep track of the solar panel voltage, battery voltage, charge current and other parameters
- Keeps track of other data such as temperature, etc
- Can work without the LCD and still record information to the SD card and vice versa.
Open Source Solar Data Acquisition System - [Link]
The Essentials of Electron Tubes
dangerousprototypes.com writes:
Kelvin informs us of an online stash of vintage engineering docs at tubebooks.org. He especially recommends you check out the technical books section/link.
Tubebooks is “a collection of vintage engineering texts, vacuum tube datasheets, and other obsolete information, presented free of charge and without annoying advertisements.”
Online vintage tech library - [Link]
Company Wago comes with the spring offer, which enables you to buy the whole set of tools and terminals for the convenient price.
Cutting and stripping tools for wires and cables of various diameters – this is naturally the basic equipment for effective electric installation assembly.
Wago Profi set contains all tools necessary for a quality and quick work – wire cutters, stripping tool, stripping tool for round cables with a diameter up to 11 mm and the stripping tool for cables with diameters up to 45 mm. When we add to them 5 types of the most often used push-wire connectors 2273 series (850 pcs in total), we´ll get a set, which will make perhaps every fitter happy. For the price, which is significantly more convenient, than a purchase of single items separately, you have a possibility to gain a complete set. Wago Profi set 1-2012 is available for you directly from our stock.
Assemble professionally – with the Wago profi set! - [Link]
T&M Atlantic offers full line of Aktakom Benchtop Multimetrs ranging from 41/2 to 61/2 digit displays.
Miami Fl., April 17, 2012 – T&M Atlantic, distributor of the test and measurement equipment today introduced a full line of benchtop digital multimeters. These new products will complement a very successful line of over 20 handheld digital multimeters available on tmatlantic.com. The new digital benchtop multimeter product line features 3 different instruments: Multimeter ABM – 4081 is an A/C and D/C True RMS 41/2 digit high quality precision instrument. It is ideal for students, small repair shops and hobbyist, Multimeter ABM-4082 is a True RMS 51/2 digit fully loaded model, ideal for small engineering shops, home laboratories and electronics design studios. Multimeter ABM-4083 is professional high precision, high accuracy device. It is well suited for any research laboratory as well as any electronics engineering and design shop. Prices start from $419.00.
For more information visit http://www.tmatlantic.com
Aktakom Bench-top Multimeters - [Link]
SYM-RFT-77 DCF77 module with standard antenna (60x7mm)
Using a better antenna to improve DCF77 reception on long distances
We are in the prototyping phase of building a Nixie clock using 1N-14 Nixie tubes. The clock is designed around a PIC16F886 MCU, 74141N BCD decoder/driver and CNY74 optocouplers using common circuit topology. High DC voltage (+ 180VDC ) is generated using MAX1771 step-up switching regulator, which is quite efficient (if you use appropriate components).
Our clock will have some nice features:
- Compact design
- Manual time configuration
- DCF77 time synchronization
- Sync success indicator
- HV shutdown during sync (to reduce noise received by DCF module)
- Super-capacitor time backup
- Thermal protection
- ICSP connector etc.
When clock is complete we will release it as open source-hardware here at Electronics-Lab.com
We decided to use DCF77 signal as time reference for two main reasons, it’s quite easy to receive it and it’s very accurate for the reason that carrier signal is generated from atomic clocks.
But, what about receiving and decoding DCF77 signal? Read the rest of this entry »
OpenLog is an open source data logger. Simple to use, simple to change. We wanted to create a serial logger that just worked. Power up this device and it will start logging any received serial data at 9600bps. Sending Ctrl+z three times will drop out of logging and in to command mode. ‘new’ will create a new file. ‘md’ makes a directory. ‘?’ brings up the list of commands. OpenLog doesn’t do a lot, but it does log serial streams extremely well.
Example:
- >new testfile.txt
- >append testfile.txt
- <(send large amounts of text followed by three ctrl+z characters)
That’s really it! OpenLog firmware is open source and is based on Bill Greiman’s sdfatlib. OpenLog currently supports FAT16 and FAT32 microSD cards (we’ve tested up to 16GB!).
OpenLog – an open source data logger - [Link]
Two independent touch switches housed in a single 8 pin chip. Power supply between 2V and 5V. New version 2.0 has Individually configurable momentary or latching operation.
Have you have ever wanted to add a simple touch switch to your project? Well now you can with our touch switch IC you can now add momentary or locking touch switch functionality.
Outputs can be momentary or latching
- For momentary operation connect the CFG1 / CFG2 pin to Ground.
- For latching operation, connect the CFG1 / CFG2 pin to +VDD.
Touch Switch IC - [Link]
