Electronics-Lab.com Blog

Boris Ribov, Georgi Bakalski writes:

If you have a website, blog or any other web service then the etherfeed is for you. The etherfeed is a small standalone network device, it connects to the Internet and displays statistical data about your website like number of unique visitors, number of pageviews, PayPal sales (SUM of sales via the PayPal IPN), Facebook likes for your brand / group and weather data like temperature, humidity for your location.

How it works?

The system consist of two parts. The first part is a set of php scripts responsible for collecting data from Google Analytics, PayPal, Facebook and Google weather data. These scripts shall be installed on the target website.

The second part is the etherfeed device which connects to the internet via a router, and access one of the above mentioned php scripts, collects the data and displays it on the etherfeed 16×1 Blue backlight LCD Display.

Etherfeed – tickling your ego or statistics? - [Link]

Mr. Georgi Bakalski writes:

Irdroid is a universal infrared remote control for smartphones, tablets and other devices, working with the Google Android operating system.  To control your favourite TV, STB or DVD, you need to download the Irdroid APP for Android and to purchase a Irdroid module.

The Irdroid application is available for download from the Android Market and from Appslib (for android tablets) The biggest benefit of Irdroid is that it is compatible with the LIRC project in which database, there are a lot of supported equipment vendor’s some of the famous are Samsung, Sony, Motorola, LG, Panasonic, Philips and many, many more (see here – > http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/).

Another benefit for the Public is that the Irdroid application is free, open source and the source code can be downloaded from http://www.github.com/irdroid

Irdroid – universal remote control for Android - [Link]

The SimpleLink GPS CC4000 family of drop-in GPS modules from Texas Instruments were designed to simplify the addition of GPS functionality to products. They feature a hardware controlled push-to-fix function; simply switch on the general-purpose I/O (GPIO) line to receive standard NMEA strings containing location, time and velocity information. The modules can be used with any microcontroller or microprocessor and feature a sub-100-mm² form factor.

The modules provide better than 2.5 meter accuracy and pulse-per-second output functions to enable precise location and timing. The “watchful-eye” feature optimizes device memory utilization by automatically reusing previously decoded satellite information to deliver ultra-fast time to first fix (TTFF) and minimize overall system power consumption. The key features of the new modules are code size requirement less than 1% of competitive GPS solutions, maximum memory requirement of 1 KB RAM and 1.5 KB flash for slim driver, NMEA protocol support, 35 s autonomous cold-start TTFF under open-sky signal conditions, approximately 1 s autonomous hot-start TTFF under open-sky signal condition, and timing accuracy better than 100 ns. [via]

Drop-in GPS modules make localisation easy - [Link]

revoltlab.com writes:

This how-to takes you through all the steps of making your own arduino on a perfboard or perfduino! Arduino microcontrollers are great for learning about physical computing and are very useful for rapid prototyping. Arduino’s simple programming language makes it a favorite of hobbyists and diy-ers around the world. Because arduino boards range in price from 30 to 70 dollars, it can be very cost effective to make your own. This lets you customize the layout of the board and brings down the cost so you can embed your perfduino in a final iteration project without losing your precious professionally made arduino board you had to wait so long for by the mailbox. The perfduino in this tutorial is designed to closely mimic the original arduino functionality without any specific project layout in mind.

Perfduino: Build Your Own Arduino Microcontroller! - [Link]

chris @ pyroelectro.com writes:

Standard DC motor control can be tricky enough if you are new to electronics, but how about wireless dual dc motor control? A while ago I introduced you to a simple dual dc motor control design that used the SN754410NE IC to control some off-the-shelf 3v or 6v motors. Let’s take a look beyond just motor control and see if we can’t make that same system wirelessly controlled.

This article will explain how to build a dual DC motor control system, combined with a wireless receiver and transmitter which will tell the motors at what speed they should move forward, or backward. We will use standard and widely available parts so that anyone can follow along.

Wireless Dual DC Motor Control - [Link]

The TPS65135 is a high-efficient, single-inductor, dual-output converter. Due to its single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) technology, the converter uses a minimum of external components. The device operates with a buck-boost topology and generates a positive and a negative output voltage above or below the input voltage rail. The SIMO technology enables excellent line and load regulation required to avoid disturbance of a mobile phone display as a result of input voltage variations that occur during transmit periods. The device can also be used as a standard ±supply as long as the output current mismatch between the rails is smaller than 50 percent.

TPS65135 – Single-Inductor, Multiple-Output (SIMO) Regulator - [Link]

The Ard-Vark is a basic electronics box that can be remotely controlled by an app on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone. It is Arduino compatible. Have you ever wanted to build a project that needed electronics but you didn’t know how to start? Would you like to add motion to one of your creations, and be able to control it with your phone or tablet and not have to learn electronics, soldering, programming and a few hundred other things? Then the Ard-Vark is for you.

The Ard-Vark – control devices using iPhone or Android - [Link]

Samsung describe YOUM as thinner lighter and unbreakable! The flexible AMOLED features a TFT Film, Organic Layer Encap (Film) and a Polariser. Samsung Mobile display don´t use a glass substrat they use a special plastic material to reach the high resolution and the bending property. Samsung is ready to mass produce flexible AMOLEDs in Q2 2012!

Samsung introduce YOUM unbreakable Flexible AMOLED Display - [Link]

This project is a converter from DCF77 to USB, including Windows Software.

USB DCF77 - [Link]

LadyAda some time ago build a low-cost AVR ISP. In μC.net there was a further development of the project under the name “AVR ISP Stick” or “People’s Programmer” I take up the project and develop it further with the permission of Ada.

AVR ISP Stick - [Link]