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Tales of Project Troubleshooting: Solutions from a Problem-Magnet

Tales of Project Troubleshooting: Solutions from a Problem-Magnet

This article covers the various roadblocks encountered in a new design and how they were troubleshot and overcome.


Building a Capacitive Touch Interface with the Texas Instruments MSP430FR2633

Building a Capacitive Touch Interface with the Texas Instruments MSP430FR2633

The MSP430FR2633 is a low-power microcontroller with multiple GPIOs and capacitive touch pins. This project creates a circuit that supports a custom capacitive touch panel with LED and haptic feedback.


Projects Jan 12, 2018 by Mark Hughes
Using Low-Voltage Drivers to Boost RF Power Amplifier Efficiency

Using Low-Voltage Drivers to Boost RF Power Amplifier Efficiency

The growing use of wireless data is driving demand for communication systems that can transmit more data with greater energy efficiency, in order to both cut operating costs and, in mobile devices, to increase battery life.


The FitByte: How to Make an ATtiny85 Powered Activity Tracking Wearable

The FitByte: How to Make an ATtiny85 Powered Activity Tracking Wearable

This is a protoype of a fitness wearable device designed to vibrate when it detects stagnation.


Projects Dec 13, 2017 by Demsey Kirkwood
Handling Fragile and Irregular PCBs in Processing and Testing Machines

Handling Fragile and Irregular PCBs in Processing and Testing Machines

Manufacturers can use fixtures or panels to secure or frame fragile, thin, or oddly shaped PCBs. This allows them to easily fit the boards in the standard assembly or inspection machines.


Wide Input Voltage Range in a Small 6-Pin Package: ON Semi’s New LED Dimmer

Wide Input Voltage Range in a Small 6-Pin Package: ON Semi’s New LED Dimmer

Take a look at ON Semiconductor's new LED constant-current dimmer, which is designed for middle- to high-power LED lighting applications.


News Nov 21, 2017 by Nick Davis
A nanoPower and Tiny Voltage Supervisor from Maxim (and They Aren’t Kidding about the “Tiny”)

A nanoPower and Tiny Voltage Supervisor from Maxim (and They Aren’t Kidding about the “Tiny”)

A look at the MAX16140—a tiny device that uses a tiny amount of current, but one that promises a lot.


News Nov 15, 2017 by Nick Davis
A New Analog Accelerometer for Industrial Applications

A New Analog Accelerometer for Industrial Applications

Some accelerometers are designed for industrial applications, and some are easier to use than others.


News Nov 09, 2017 by Nick Davis
PCB Copper Trace Finish: Materials and Plating Methods

PCB Copper Trace Finish: Materials and Plating Methods

In this article, we discuss why PCB copper traces should be plated, and we’ll review various plating materials and plating methods.


The History and Basics of IPC Standards: The Official Standards for PCBs

The History and Basics of IPC Standards: The Official Standards for PCBs

Learn about the industry-adopted IPC standards that govern every step related to the design, assembly, inspection, testing, and documentation of printed circuit boards (PCBs).


News Oct 20, 2017 by Nick Davis
Get Out of My Space! PCB Keepout Areas in the Z-Axis

Get Out of My Space! PCB Keepout Areas in the Z-Axis

In this article, we'll discuss the importance of PCB enclosure design by considering enclosure design.


News Oct 12, 2017 by Nick Davis
Molex MID Chip and Ceramic SMT Antennas | New Product Brief

Molex MID Chip and Ceramic SMT Antennas | New Product Brief

Molex offers MID chip and ceramic SMT antennas that provide excellent RF performance, and are easy to implement.


Teardown Tuesday: Square Chip and NFC Reader

Teardown Tuesday: Square Chip and NFC Reader

In this Teardown Tuesday, we are going to take a look at the insides of a Square chip reader.


News Oct 03, 2017 by Alex Udanis
Teardown Tuesday: Solar Powered Ultrasonic Dog Repellent

Teardown Tuesday: Solar Powered Ultrasonic Dog Repellent

In this teardown, we examine the innards of the solar-powered ultrasonic dog repellent, complete with solar panel and PIR sensor.


News Aug 29, 2017 by Nick Davis
Teardown Tuesday: Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier with Bluetooth

Teardown Tuesday: Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier with Bluetooth

In this teardown, we examine the Lepy LP-168 Hi-Fi Stereo USB Audio Amplifier with Bluetooth, by NKTECH.


News Aug 15, 2017 by Nick Davis
Teardown Tuesday: Sumo Jumping Robot

Teardown Tuesday: Sumo Jumping Robot

In this teardown, we're going to take a look a sumo jumping robot!


News Jul 18, 2017 by Alex Udanis
Teardown Tuesday: USB CD Drive

Teardown Tuesday: USB CD Drive

Check out the insides of a USB CD drive in this Teardown Tuesday!


News Jun 13, 2017 by Robin Mitchell
Tools and Techniques for Hot Air Soldering Surface-Mount Components

Tools and Techniques for Hot Air Soldering Surface-Mount Components

The best way to solder surface mount devices (SMDs) onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) is with a reflow oven, but when that's not possible, a hot-air station can be successfully used.


How to Flash ESP-01 Firmware to the Improved SDK v2.0.0

How to Flash ESP-01 Firmware to the Improved SDK v2.0.0

Learn about SKD v2.0.0 and how flashing your ESP-01's firmware just got easier.


PLC DCS Analog Input Module Design Breaks Barriers in Channel-to-Channel Isolation and High Density

PLC DCS Analog Input Module Design Breaks Barriers in Channel-to-Channel Isolation and High Density

This article will briefly discuss isolation in the process control analog input module and the traditional approaches to achieving this. It then outlines an alternative high density, easy to design channel-to-channel isolation analog input module architecture.