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Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 2: Board-Level Integration

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 2: Board-Level Integration

This article covers the firmware that allows the EFM8 microcontroller to communicate with the DAC and the MAX31855.


Projects Feb 03, 2016 by Robert Keim
An Overview of Fitness Technology: Heart Rate Monitors

An Overview of Fitness Technology: Heart Rate Monitors

Wearable fitness technology has come a long way since the basic pedometers of yesteryear.


News Feb 02, 2016 by Alex Udanis
Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Invoke the power of the PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller)! The key components in this design are an EFM8 microcontroller, a DAC, and the MAX31855 thermocouple-to-digital converter.


Projects Feb 01, 2016 by Robert Keim
NXP’s New Stamp-Sized Radar Sensor for Automobiles

NXP’s New Stamp-Sized Radar Sensor for Automobiles

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has introduced the world's smallest, single-chip 77GHz radar transceiver. Roughly the size of a postage stamp, the new NXP chip can be “hidden” practically anywhere in the car


News Jan 15, 2016 by Murray Slovick
A Guide to the Applications of Hall Effect and Reed Switch Sensors

A Guide to the Applications of Hall Effect and Reed Switch Sensors

In the systems where custom sensors are required, it's imperative that the designer quantifies the environmental, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic parameters of the entire system so that a sensor which meets those operating conditions can be selected.


Galvanic Isolation: Purpose and Methodologies

Galvanic Isolation: Purpose and Methodologies

Galvanic isolation is a way to isolate functional sections of electrical systems to prevent current flow. A brief explanation of differing methods to create galvanic isolation.


How to Select a Custom Magnet Sensor

How to Select a Custom Magnet Sensor

Learn how to correctly select the right sensors for your project with this handy guide.


Getting Started with the Bosch BMP180 Sensor

Getting Started with the Bosch BMP180 Sensor

Learn one of the ways to get started with the BMP180 sensor and learn a simple way to improve the data.


Projects Dec 20, 2015 by Alex Udanis
Build a PICAXE ESP-01 Wi-Fi Communicator

Build a PICAXE ESP-01 Wi-Fi Communicator

A PCB for a Wi-Fi communicator using a PICAXE 08M2 and an ESP-01 module driven by interactive code makes a handy setup for data collection and IoT reporting.


Build Raspberry Pi Controllers: LED Flasher

Build Raspberry Pi Controllers: LED Flasher

In this project, you'll learn how to wire an LED and flash it using the Raspberry Pi. Also, to isolate the Raspberry Pi's + 3.3VDC compliant output pins from supply voltages greater than this power source, an opto-isolator will be introduced as well.


Projects Dec 11, 2015 by Don Wilcher
5 Great Sensors To Get You Motivated

5 Great Sensors To Get You Motivated

5 awesome sensors that you'll want to use on your next project!


News Dec 08, 2015 by Alex Udanis
Convert a Vintage Thermostat into a Modern Energy Saver

Convert a Vintage Thermostat into a Modern Energy Saver

Programmable thermostats can save a lot of energy and money. But you don't have to buy one- you can convert an old mechanical thermostat into a programmable thermostat using an Arduino and a servo.


NXP’s Thread Platform Makes Low-Power IoT Design a Cinch

NXP’s Thread Platform Makes Low-Power IoT Design a Cinch

NXP demonstrated its Thread Platform at ARMTechCon last week. Based on the JN5179 wireless MCU, with Secure Element, NFC, Thread encryption, its own dc/dc converter and featuring ARM's mbed OS, the Platform makes secure home automation application design a whole lot easier.


News Nov 19, 2015 by PatrickM
Use an Arduino to Convert an Old Mechanical Thermostat into a Programmable Thermostat

Use an Arduino to Convert an Old Mechanical Thermostat into a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can save a lot of energy and money. But you don't have to buy one. You can convert an old mechanical thermostat into a programmable thermostat using an Arduino and a servo.


Connect a PICAXE to the Internet of Things

Connect a PICAXE to the Internet of Things

Connecting a PICAXE to the IoT through an ESP8266 module is easy once you know the process. Here are the details you need!


Control Your AC Mains with a Microcontroller

Control Your AC Mains with a Microcontroller

Learn how to put together your own toaster oven controller with a handful of inexpensive, through-hole parts. The emphasis is on safety, low price, and minimal modification of the toaster oven.


Projects Nov 09, 2015 by Patrick Lloyd
Great Scott! Stanford’s Self-Driving Delorean

Great Scott! Stanford’s Self-Driving Delorean

We may not have hoverboards and pizza-expanding ovens, but we do we have a self-driving Delorean. Maybe the future isn't so bad after all.


News Oct 21, 2015 by Jennifer A. Diffley
How To Build A Thermostat with a PICAXE

How To Build A Thermostat with a PICAXE

An inexpensive PICAXE microcontroller makes it easy to read a temperature sensor, compare the temperature to a setpoint, and turn a heater or cooler circuit on or off.


Make an LED Light Strip AHRS with Arduino and MPU-6050

Make an LED Light Strip AHRS with Arduino and MPU-6050

Use a WS2812 RGB LED strip to visualize the pose of an MPU-6050 6-degree-of-freedom IMU in three dimensional space.


Projects Oct 13, 2015 by Patrick Lloyd
Make a BLE Temperature Sensor with the nRF51

Make a BLE Temperature Sensor with the nRF51

This article demonstrates how to use the built-in die temperature sensor on the nRF51. The die temperature is not the same as ambient temperature, but can be calibrated to ambient temperature by using a correction factor.