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The Santa Cam! An Arduino PIR Motion-Activated Camera System

The Santa Cam! An Arduino PIR Motion-Activated Camera System

The motion-activated Santa Cam is sure to catch who is stealing your milk and cookies this holiday season! You can even use it for a photo booth this New Year's Eve!


Projects Dec 19, 2016 by Ryan Jones
How the Boost PFC Converter Circuit Improves Power Quality

How the Boost PFC Converter Circuit Improves Power Quality

A boost power factor correction (PFC) converter can significantly improve both the power factor and the harmonic distortion.


Circular Touch Sensing with an EFM8 Microcontroller

Circular Touch Sensing with an EFM8 Microcontroller

In this project we will develop an algorithm for precisely locating a touch event that occurs somewhere on a circular capacitive sensor.


Projects Dec 15, 2016 by Robert Keim
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
Capacitive Touch Sensing with an EFM8 Microcontroller

Capacitive Touch Sensing with an EFM8 Microcontroller

This project explores capacitive-touch-sense technology using an evaluation board for an EFM8 Sleepy Bee microcontroller.


Projects Dec 12, 2016 by Robert Keim
Power Factor, THD, and Why Linear Power Supplies Fail to Meet Power Standards

Power Factor, THD, and Why Linear Power Supplies Fail to Meet Power Standards

A discussion of international electrical quality standards and why basic linear power supplies fail to meet them.


An Overview of Using Makeblock in Arduino Programming

An Overview of Using Makeblock in Arduino Programming

Makeblock allows young inventors to have early success in electronics through intuitive color-coded connections and an easy-to-use programming interface.


The Holiday Season Analog Alarm! A Gift-Defending System

The Holiday Season Analog Alarm! A Gift-Defending System

Nowhere to hide presents this holiday season? No problem! This alarm will sound anytime a loved one tries to get a sneak peek at his or her surprise.


Projects Dec 05, 2016 by Ryan Jones
Custom Microcontroller Design: Assembling, Measuring, Programming

Custom Microcontroller Design: Assembling, Measuring, Programming

This is part 2 of a step-by-step guide to bringing your custom microcontroller design to life.


Tesla’s Towers: Pikes Peak, Wardenclyffe, and Wireless Power Transmission

Tesla’s Towers: Pikes Peak, Wardenclyffe, and Wireless Power Transmission

Even a genius like Tesla couldn't escape the market rules of product success: Be first to market, offer good value, and best the competition.


Create a PID Controller on the NI myRIO—The Software

Create a PID Controller on the NI myRIO—The Software

In this short project article series, we will implement a simple PID controller using LabVIEW on a hobby DC servo motor and the NI myRIO.


Projects Nov 29, 2016 by Mark Narvidas
C-BISCUIT: System Integration and Testing

C-BISCUIT: System Integration and Testing

Finally, we have everything we need for a functional robot. Let’s put the pieces together and see what the C-BISCUIT demo bot can do.


Projects Nov 28, 2016 by Robert Keim
Custom Microcontroller Design: Hardware, Tools, and Toolchain

Custom Microcontroller Design: Hardware, Tools, and Toolchain

This is Part 1 of a step-by-step guide to bringing custom microcontroller designs to life.


Convenient, Robust Data Transmission with RS-422 and RS-485

Convenient, Robust Data Transmission with RS-422 and RS-485

This article introduces the RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces and explains why you might want to use them in your designs.


Understanding Automatic Gain Control

Understanding Automatic Gain Control

How do designers cope with a system that has highly variable input amplitude yet requires fairly constant output amplitude? Let’s take a look.


The Zambroombi: Roomba’s Next Ultrasonic Competitor

The Zambroombi: Roomba’s Next Ultrasonic Competitor

The Zambroombi is the next step up from your neighbor's fancy Roomba. Set it and forget it!


Projects Nov 21, 2016 by Ryan Jones
The Importance of Complex Conjugates

The Importance of Complex Conjugates

This article provides insight into the importance of complex conjugates in electrical engineering.


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.


LED Arrays: One Resistor or Many?

LED Arrays: One Resistor or Many?

When you have multiple LEDs with a common anode or common cathode, can you use just one current-limiting resistor? Let’s take a look.


Flash Freeze Photography with an Arduino

Flash Freeze Photography with an Arduino

Freeze moments in time to easily produce extraordinary close-up pictures with your digital camera, an Arduino, and these simple circuits.