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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
An RMS Detector for a Wideband Voltmeter—Design and Operation

An RMS Detector for a Wideband Voltmeter—Design and Operation

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband voltmeter. The RMS detector is useful for measuring certain signal types, including noise, since it provides an indication of the energy in a signal.


Projects Jun 25, 2023 by John Woodgate
Controlling a Potentiometer-based Servo Motor Using a M5Stack Core

Controlling a Potentiometer-based Servo Motor Using a M5Stack Core

In this project, learn how to use a potentiometer's reading on the M5Stack core to control a servo motor.


Projects Jun 04, 2023 by Don Wilcher
Designing a Wideband Analog Voltage and Current Meter

Designing a Wideband Analog Voltage and Current Meter

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity from 1 mV to 100 V, while the ammeter has a selectable current sensitivity of 10 mA to 10 A.


Projects May 03, 2023 by John Woodgate
Creating a DCO-based Audio Synthesizer With an Arduino Nano

Creating a DCO-based Audio Synthesizer With an Arduino Nano

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or an Arduino Uno.


Projects Apr 09, 2023 by Darby Hewitt
Learn to Build a Photoelectric Sensor System Using an Arduino Uno and OpenPLC

Learn to Build a Photoelectric Sensor System Using an Arduino Uno and OpenPLC

Since photoelectric sensing can be achieved with electrical, electromechanical, and electronic components, learn to build, test, and implement a prototype photoelectric switch using off-the-shelf components with Arduino OpenPLC.


Projects Mar 12, 2023 by Don Wilcher
Designing a Quadrature Network Using an All-pass Filter

Designing a Quadrature Network Using an All-pass Filter

Quadrature networks convert a single input signal into two outputs with a 90-degree phase difference. This article explains how to design quadrature networks using all-pass filters.


Projects Dec 23, 2022 by John Woodgate
Magnetic Field Strength Meter and Calibrator

Magnetic Field Strength Meter and Calibrator

This project will explain how to develop a system to measure magnetic field emissions at frequencies up to 150 kHz from high-current power cables without cutting or disturbing the cable.


Projects Oct 28, 2022 by John Woodgate
TinyML In Action—Creating a Voice Controlled Robotic Subsystem

TinyML In Action—Creating a Voice Controlled Robotic Subsystem

We’ll be walking you through creating a robotic subsystem with a voice-activated motor leveraging machine learning (ML) and an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense.


Projects Jul 03, 2022 by Jake Hertz