Blog
j3tstream build this Teensy GPS logger:
Issue encountered: On the first board prototype i have mounted a PA6B without problem, when i powered up the pcb for the first time the GPS try to lock to satellite, in this case the 3d fix output should continuously output one-second high-level with one-second low-level signal, in theorical, regarding the data sheet, when the GPS is locked on the satellite, the output pin should continuously output low-level signal, but in my case, the output give me a high level signal, probably du to the firmware, so i decided to re-upgrade with the default factory firmware, the software, firmware, and guideline are available here. Be careful, the factory firmware set the baud rate to 9600bps, not 4800.
[via]
Teenlogger, a Teensy-based GPS logger - [Link]
Here’s an amazing new DNA testing chip by Panasonic together with the Belgium-based research institution IMEC. It delivers DNA results within an hour:
This is the chip we’ve actually developed. As you can see, it’s less than half the size of a business card. It contains everything needed for testing DNA. Once a drop of blood is inserted, the chip completes the entire process, up to SNP detection.
New chip delivers DNA results within an hour - [Link]
Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) released a new version of its popular ADIsimRF design tool:
The free design tool is the software accompaniment to ADI’s complete portfolio of RF-to-digital functional blocks, allowing engineers to model RF signal chains using devices from across ADI’s RF IC and data converter portfolio. ADIsimRF Version 1.7 adds a number of new device models along with enhanced support for inter-stage mismatch calculations. The design tool provides calculations for the most important parameters within an RF signal chain, including cascaded gain, noise figure, IP3, P1dB, and total power consumption. The ADIsimRF design tool contains embedded data from many of ADI’s RF ICs and data converters, which designers can easily access using pull-down menus to assist in component selection.
[via]
Analog Devices releases free version of RF design tool - [Link]
Well-proven graphic displays Bolymin BG series represent a very suitable and cost-effective choice for applications, where we need not only character- but also graphic output.
Series BG from company Bolymin belongs to a group of universal displays with an excellent price / performance ratio. Each type contains some of standard LCD controllers, that´s why it is relatively simple to control them.
Graphic displays naturally provide an advantage of possibility to display any characters and symbols. BG series displays are suitable mainly for applications, where a display serves as an informative interface for example with various values about the status of a measured parameter, including pictograms and other graphic symbols. As these displays don´t comprise powerful graphic processors, they feature a relatively very low power consumption. To a low power consumption also contributes the built-in LED backlight (white or color depending on a type).
Detailed information can be found in datasheets at particular types. In case of interest in any Bolymin product, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.
Spice it with graphics! – [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]
Linear announced a new voltage drop compensator IC. The LT®6110 is a precision high side current sense with a current mode output, designed for controlling the output voltage of an adjustable power supply or voltage regulator. This can be used to compensate for drops in voltage at a remote load due to resistance in a wire, trace or cable.
The LT6110 cable drop compensator improves voltage regulation at remote loads without the need for Kelvin sense wires. The LT6110 can be used with most types of voltage regulators and can provide several volts of load regulation compensation. The LT6110 will compensate for the voltage drop due to resistance in a wire, circuit board trace or cable and can improve regulation at the load by a factor of 10. It operates with supply voltages that range from 2V to 50V, making it suitable for high power USB, Power over Ethernet (PoE), remote instrumentation and remote industrial applications. The LT6110 reduces costs by eliminating sense wires which may be prone to misconnection or damage and it makes load regulation independent of wire size or length.
LT6110 cable/wire drop compensator - [Link]
Teardown: Samsung Galaxy S4 - [Link]
USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable enables for example a simple connection of USB slave devices with a smartphone.
As we know, USB communications operates in such a way, that a Master (Host) device (usually a PC) controls all communication on the bus and Slave devices are only able to require attention. Slave devices are all common peripherials like printers, scanners, mouses, cameras, USB drives, mobile phones etc.
However, naturally there are situations, when we´d like to interconnect also devices, which usually operate in a Slave mode, for example a printer with a USB key, mobile phone with a USB key or with a keyboard etc. In this case we want one of the devices to act as a Master.
USB OTG solves this problem and enables to use a given USB device in a Master and in a Slave mode as well. A mode in which a device will operate is defined by wiring of an interconnecting cable itself (pin ID grounded or left floating). USB OTG is supported by many nowadays mobile devices, which can be switched to a Master mode by using of such a cable. That´s why, when you´ll use the USB-OTG cable, you can connect a USB drive, mouse, keyboard and other USB slave devices directly to your smartphone.
In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.
USB OTG – it´s better to be a master than a slave – [Link]
Tom Hausherr’s blog is dealing with component package technology and libraries standards and providing lots of great and clear information. If you are designing your own libraries for your next project you definatelly have to check it out!
Tom Hausherr’s Blog - [Link]
If you have used LCDs in projects before you have realized that to use the backlight on a LCD display you need large positive and negative voltages. This circuit will help you create the voltages you need from a simple 2.5V to 6V input. I chose this circuit since many of my projects run off of two AA batteries. The one IC in this circuit, LT3587, generates two positive and one negative high voltage supply.
Here is the circuit.
LCD Display Backlight Power Supply Circuit - [Link]
