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How to Build an Arduino-Controlled AM/FM/SW Radio

How to Build an Arduino-Controlled AM/FM/SW Radio

Combine the Si4844-A10 analog-tuned radio receiver with an Arduino to make a full-featured multiband radio.


UART Double Buffering Technique: Interrupt-Friendly

UART Double Buffering Technique: Interrupt-Friendly

UART is a great transmission protocol for both hobby and professional projects but, in time-critical systems, UART can be tricky.


Build a Development Platform for a PICAXE 40X2

Build a Development Platform for a PICAXE 40X2

The PICAXE 40X2 features 32 I/O ports and speeds up to 64MHz; a development platform simplifies project design using this workhorse.


Introduction to Capacitive Touch Sensing

Introduction to Capacitive Touch Sensing

In this article, we will take a detailed (but not too detailed) look at the electrical principles that allow us to detect the presence of a human finger using little more than a capacitor.


Undesired Effects of a Window Function in FIR Filter Design

Undesired Effects of a Window Function in FIR Filter Design

A smoother transition band and ripples in the passband are the most important differences between the ideal filters and those designed by window method. This article tries to provide a deeper insight into how truncation leads to these features.


Characteristics of Junction Diodes

Characteristics of Junction Diodes

In this article, we will look at the characteristics of junction diodes and learn how to analyze circuits containing diodes that operate in the forward, reverse, and breakdown biases.


Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

In this article, we’ll compare active and passive filters and look at some common second-order active topologies.


Getting Started with OPENOCD Using FT2232H Adapter for SWD Debugging

Getting Started with OPENOCD Using FT2232H Adapter for SWD Debugging

Learn how to make flashing your ARM-based MCU easy by using OpenOCD debugger with an FT2232H adapter.


Building Raspberry Pi Controllers: Interactive Graphics Controllers

Building Raspberry Pi Controllers: Interactive Graphics Controllers

In part 7 of the "Building Raspberry Pi Controllers" series, readers will learn how to make an interactive graphics bouncing ball using a Raspberry Pi and physical computing techniques.


Projects May 18, 2016 by Don Wilcher
Choosing the Right Oscillator for Your Microcontroller

Choosing the Right Oscillator for Your Microcontroller

Internal or external? Quartz or ceramic? Crystal oscillator or silicon oscillator? So many clocking options . . . which one is right for your design?


Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks Part 2

Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks Part 2

Most hobbyists and many professionals use EAGLE CAD as a daily tool in designing schematics and laying out PCB. I’m going to share with you more of the most important tips and tricks for using EAGLE CAD, which make my work much easier and faster.


Turning on a Light with Ultrasonic Motion Detection

Turning on a Light with Ultrasonic Motion Detection

This project will show you how to connect an ultrasonic sensor and an Arduino to turn on a light when motion is sensed.


FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

In this article, we'll review the basic concepts in digital filter design. We'll also briefly discuss the advantages of FIR filters over IIR designs, e.g. stability and linear-phase response. Finally, we'll go over an introduction to designing FIR filters via the window method.


Choosing the Right LDO: Beyond the Basic Specs

Choosing the Right LDO: Beyond the Basic Specs

Learn about some of those less-than-obvious specifications found in datasheets for linear voltage regulators.


Finite State Machines & Microcontrollers

Finite State Machines & Microcontrollers

Using Finite State Machines (FSM) is a common industrial practice in coding but their use extends beyond everyday software. They can easily be used in projects, help prevent bugs, stop infinite loops hogging the processor, and ease debugging.


Create an Object Tracking System: Integrating Servo Control with Object Detect

Create an Object Tracking System: Integrating Servo Control with Object Detect

This project covers integrating servo control and object detection.


Projects May 10, 2016 by Michael Stock
Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks

Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks

Most hobbyists and many professionals use EAGLE CAD as a daily tool in designing schematics and laying out PCB. You're going to learn some tips and tricks for using EAGLE CAD, which will make your work much easier and faster.


Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Peripheral DMA Controller

Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Peripheral DMA Controller

Part Three in this three-article series shows you how to generate values for a discrete sinusoid and continuously convert this data into an analog signal without overburdening the CPU.


Projects May 09, 2016 by Robert Keim
Characteristics of the Ideal Silicon Diode

Characteristics of the Ideal Silicon Diode

In this article, we will discuss some characteristics of the ideal diode. We'll also learn how to analyze circuits that contain more than one ideal diode in conjunction with resistors and DC power sources.


Do-It-Yourself Soldering Station with an ATmega8

Do-It-Yourself Soldering Station with an ATmega8

The mighty soldering iron. If you need one, want one, or just love to build stuff, then this project is for you.


Projects May 05, 2016 by Cezar Chirila