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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.


Teardown Tuesday: Baofeng Amateur Radio Transceiver

Teardown Tuesday: Baofeng Amateur Radio Transceiver

This teardown looks at some of the circuitry inside Baofeng's dual-band handheld transceiver.


News Feb 28, 2017 by Mark Hughes
Controlling a Stepper Motor with an SIRC TV Remote and a PICAXE: Infrared Capabilities

Controlling a Stepper Motor with an SIRC TV Remote and a PICAXE: Infrared Capabilities

Remote controls for electronics often use IR (infrared) radiation in a very precisely coded sequence for channel surfing, volume adjustments, and more. One of the most popular codes is the SIRC (Sony Infrared Remote Code) which may be used with a PICAXE microcontroller to manage a stepper motor, or most any other electronic or electro-mechanical device.


Testing a Custom IoT Framework by Controlling an LED: RIOT (RealTime Internet of Things)

Testing a Custom IoT Framework by Controlling an LED: RIOT (RealTime Internet of Things)

Using a custom framework (RIOT) to control an LED with a networked computer.


Projects Feb 08, 2017 by Robin Mitchell
How to Use Inductive Touch Sensors: TI’s New Development Board Gives a Needed Update

How to Use Inductive Touch Sensors: TI’s New Development Board Gives a Needed Update

A new development kit from Texas Instruments can give you some hands-on experience with inductive-touch-sense technology.


News Feb 01, 2017 by Robert Keim
Build Your Own LED Photography Ring Light

Build Your Own LED Photography Ring Light

LED ring flashes and lights can be a valuable tool for photographers. In this tutorial, we are going to build our own ring light out of LEDs!


Projects Jan 26, 2017 by Alex Udanis
Building an Infrared Tracker with a PICAXE 14M2 and a Stepper Motor

Building an Infrared Tracker with a PICAXE 14M2 and a Stepper Motor

Tracking an infrared light source is not as difficult as you might think; a 14-pin PICAXE, a stepper motor with a driver IC, three phototransistors, and a few other components will do the trick.


Controlling a Servo with a PICAXE and an IR Sensor

Controlling a Servo with a PICAXE and an IR Sensor

A PICAXE 08M2 can be used to read the amount of IR (infrared) light falling on a phototransistor and respond by moving a servo to a predetermined position.


DIY Arduino-Based Sous-Vide Machine

DIY Arduino-Based Sous-Vide Machine

Learn how to build your own sous-vide machine. Say goodbye to overcooked steak!


Projects Dec 13, 2016 by Cezar Chirila
The Why and How of Differential Signaling

The Why and How of Differential Signaling

Learn about the important characteristics, benefits, and applications of differential signaling, as well as the proper layout techniques for differential signals.


C-BISCUIT: Layout and Assembly for the Robot Control Board

C-BISCUIT: Layout and Assembly for the Robot Control Board

We’ll discuss some important layout and manufacturing concepts as we look at the PCB for the Robot Control Board.


Projects Oct 25, 2016 by Robert Keim
How to Design a Bluetooth Low Energy Circuit with Sensor Technology

How to Design a Bluetooth Low Energy Circuit with Sensor Technology

Tutorial on designing a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) circuit with the ability to measure 9-axis motion, humidity, and temperature.


C-BISCUIT: Schematic Design for the RCB—Power, Stepper

C-BISCUIT: Schematic Design for the RCB—Power, Stepper

We’ll continue our discussion of the C-BISCUIT demo bot by looking at portions of the RCB schematic that weren’t covered in the previous article.


Projects Oct 07, 2016 by Robert Keim
C-BISCUIT: Schematic Design for the RCB—Microcontroller, Motor Controller

C-BISCUIT: Schematic Design for the RCB—Microcontroller, Motor Controller

In this article we’ll take a close look at two sections of the custom-designed control board for the C-BISCUIT demo bot.


Projects Sep 21, 2016 by Robert Keim
Build an Arduino BLE-Enabled Indoor Air Quality Monitor

Build an Arduino BLE-Enabled Indoor Air Quality Monitor

Use an Arduino/Genuino 101 with iAQ-Core air quality and HIH-6131 temperature/humidity sensors to make an Indoor Air Quality Monitor with Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connectivity.


C-BISCUIT: Robot System Architecture

C-BISCUIT: Robot System Architecture

The C-BISCUIT saga continues as we combine the various system components into a demo bot.


Projects Sep 08, 2016 by Robert Keim
Inspecting Electronic Circuits with an Audible Circuit Probe

Inspecting Electronic Circuits with an Audible Circuit Probe

When inspecting electronic circuits, most measurements are displayed visually. This tool provides audible feedback to augment your analyses.


Build a Wireless “Tipping Bucket” Rain Gauge, Part 2—Adding the Transmitter

Build a Wireless “Tipping Bucket” Rain Gauge, Part 2—Adding the Transmitter

A tipping bucket rain gauge is a clever way to measure rainfall. Learn how to add wireless capability, a PICAXE microcontroller, and an LCD display to your weather station.


A Walkthrough of the Texas Instruments WEBENCH

A Walkthrough of the Texas Instruments WEBENCH

TI offers a variety of design tools. The WEBENCH Power Designer provides end to end solutions for your single and multiple power design needs.


News Aug 06, 2016 by Mark Hughes
Digi-Key’s Scheme-It: Schematics and System Diagrams

Digi-Key’s Scheme-It: Schematics and System Diagrams

This article will provide a brief overview of the capabilities and advantages of using Scheme-It when starting a new project, especially when working with a group.