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Upgrading My Retro Handheld Gaming Console with Motion Control and an LCD

Upgrading My Retro Handheld Gaming Console with Motion Control and an LCD

Follow my upgrade of a handheld game controller as I add a new 1.8-inch color LCD for animated graphics and an accelerometer module for motion control input.


Building a Resistor Color Code Calculator and Ohmmeter Using Arduino

Building a Resistor Color Code Calculator and Ohmmeter Using Arduino

For this project, I built a handheld resistor color code calculator and ohmmeter using the ATmega328 microcontroller and a 1.8-inch color LCD display.


A Cortex-M Microcontroller-Enabled Electronic Timer: A Radio Shack Remix

A Cortex-M Microcontroller-Enabled Electronic Timer: A Radio Shack Remix

In this Radio Shack Classic Circuits Remix, we add modern microcontroller functionality to the vintage Electronic Timer project for the Science Fair 65-in-1 kit.


Projects Sep 15, 2024 by Don Wilcher
From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing a Finite-State Machine

From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing a Finite-State Machine

Learn how to implement finite-state machines in VHDL by creating a 4-bit binary counter. After compiling, it will run on an Altera CPLD development board connected to a custom PCB with input switches and an LED display.


The Wireless Alphabet Flasher: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

The Wireless Alphabet Flasher: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

In this project, we mix the old and the new by integrating present-day BLE technology with a vintage Science Fair computer kit.


Projects Jul 21, 2024 by Don Wilcher
Using Clever Techniques to Convert a Passive Audio Filter Into an Active Filter

Using Clever Techniques to Convert a Passive Audio Filter Into an Active Filter

This project covers two fascinating and useful circuit design techniques—the Burton Transform and Dualling—that allow us to transform a passive network into an active network while building an audio noise filter.


Projects Jun 02, 2024 by John Woodgate
Shake It Off! A Digital Drawing Pad Inspired by the Iconic Etch A Sketch

Shake It Off! A Digital Drawing Pad Inspired by the Iconic Etch A Sketch

In this project, which uses the Arduino IDE, we create and demonstrate a digital drawing pad using an ESP32-based e-paper display dev board, rotary encoders for drawing control, and an accelerometer for shake detection to initiate an erase.


Building a Handheld Retro Gaming Console With Local Wireless Connectivity

Building a Handheld Retro Gaming Console With Local Wireless Connectivity

In this project article, we design a handheld gaming console with wireless multiplayer functionality using ESP8266 microcontrollers. We then program a game for it with the Arduino IDE.


Using a Raspberry Pi Pico to Enhance a Vintage Radio Shack Microcomputer Kit

Using a Raspberry Pi Pico to Enhance a Vintage Radio Shack Microcomputer Kit

In this project, we’ll use a Raspberry Pi Pico to build an adjustable clock with an LED display. We’ll then integrate the clock with a Radio Shack Science Fair Microcomputer Trainer programmed to function as a 7-bit binary counter.


Projects Feb 11, 2024 by Don Wilcher
Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 4: Regulatory Compliance

Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 4: Regulatory Compliance

In the final installment of our series on the development of the Anthilla Controller, we look at the legal requirements for bringing the project to market in the European Union.


Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 3: Manufacturing and Testing

Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 3: Manufacturing and Testing

This four-part series walks through the development of the Anthilla Controller, an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) hardware platform. In Part 3, we cover the manufacturing, assembly, and product testing of the board.


Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 2: Open-Source Certification

Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 2: Open-Source Certification

In this four-part series, we walk through the development of the Anthilla Controller, an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) hardware platform. Part 2 explains the process and requirements of obtaining an open-source hardware certification.


Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 1

Building and Certifying an Open-Source IoT Controller, Part 1

In this four-part series, we walk through the development of the Anthilla Controller, an open-source IoT hardware platform. Part 1 introduces the project's specifications and explains key design decisions.


Building a Circuit to Measure the Effect of Noise on Audio Signals

Building a Circuit to Measure the Effect of Noise on Audio Signals

This project will cover the design, construction, and testing of an analog filter meeting the ITU-R BS.468-4 specification, which aims to evaluate the disturbing effects of noise on audio broadcast signals.


Projects Dec 10, 2023 by John Woodgate
A Raspberry Pi Pico Controlled Frequency Shift Audio Oscillator:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

A Raspberry Pi Pico Controlled Frequency Shift Audio Oscillator:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

A PIR sensor detects objects to allow a Raspberry Pi Pico running MicroPython code to adjust the frequency of a Science Fair electronic oscillator circuit with audio output.


Projects Nov 26, 2023 by Don Wilcher
An A-Weighted Analog Filter that Mimics the Response of the Human Ear

An A-Weighted Analog Filter that Mimics the Response of the Human Ear

In this project, we design an A-weighted analog noise filter for audio frequencies. The filter provides a variable frequency gain response that is similar to that of our hearing.


Projects Oct 29, 2023 by John Woodgate
From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing an 8-bit ALU

From VHDL Code to Real Hardware: Designing an 8-bit ALU

In this project we create an 8-bit arithmetic logic unit (ALU) in the VHDL language and run it on an Altera CPLD development board connected to a custom PCB with input switches and LED display.


Building a One-Shot Multivibrator with an ESP32 Terminal Display:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

Building a One-Shot Multivibrator with an ESP32 Terminal Display:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

In this hands-on project, we will update a 1980s version of a one-shot (monostable multivibrator) circuit by giving it a modern, colorful output while also examining the circuit's operation.


Projects Sep 17, 2023 by Don Wilcher
Design of an Unweighted Audio Filter with Flat Frequency Response

Design of an Unweighted Audio Filter with Flat Frequency Response

This article presents the design of an unweighted (Z-weighted) audio filter with a flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for the measurement of audio noise.


Projects Jul 23, 2023 by John Woodgate
Transistor Controlled Switching of an LED Display: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

Transistor Controlled Switching of an LED Display: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

Let’s modernize a circuit from a Science Fair 150-in-1 Electronic Project kit using a solderless breadboard, new electronic components, online EDA tools, and an M5Stack Core microcontroller.


Projects Jul 09, 2023 by Don Wilcher