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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
Understanding and Using the SAM4S Digital-to-Analog Converter

Understanding and Using the SAM4S Digital-to-Analog Converter

Part Two in this three-article series explores the SAM4S DAC. We’ll look at hardware configuration, electrical characteristics, and the application programming interface.


Projects May 04, 2016 by Robert Keim
Build a 2-Digit Up/Down Counter with a PICAXE 20M2

Build a 2-Digit Up/Down Counter with a PICAXE 20M2

Counters using 7-segment LEDs are fun and useful projects for scoreboards and other numerical displays; here's one you can build.


Make a GPS Navigation System for a Boat with a Raspberry Pi

Make a GPS Navigation System for a Boat with a Raspberry Pi

If you are a boat owner, I'll guess you've seen some of the prices on the chart plotters and navigation tools. Some of them are pretty expensive. In this article I'll show you how I deal with that.


Non-inverting Configuration of an Operational Amplifier

Non-inverting Configuration of an Operational Amplifier

Mentioned in the previous article, the first of two most commonly used operational amplifiers, the inverting configuration is heavily used in audio mixers or digital-to-audio converters. In this article, we will discuss the second amplifier configuration, known as the non-inverting amplifier.


NES Controller Interface with an Arduino UNO

NES Controller Interface with an Arduino UNO

Learn about the NES Controller's data protocol, then use this knowledge to easily integrate into an Arduino Uno.


Projects Apr 29, 2016 by Joseph Corleto
DMA Digital-to-Analog Conversion with a SAM4S Microcontroller: The Timer/Counter

DMA Digital-to-Analog Conversion with a SAM4S Microcontroller: The Timer/Counter

Part One in this three-article series focuses on using the SAM4S timer/counter peripheral to precisely control the DAC’s sampling rate.


Projects Apr 28, 2016 by Robert Keim
Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classifying signals is a way to organize the signals that surround us. It focuses design, testing requirements, measurement tools, and expected results. There are many ways to classify signals!


C-BISCUIT: The Brains of the Operation

C-BISCUIT: The Brains of the Operation

In this article, we teach C-BISCUIT how to do important life things, such as booting into our OS of choice, and connecting to the Wi-Fi it'll come to know as the gateway to knowledge.


Projects Apr 26, 2016 by Trevor Gamblin
Control a Servo from Your PC with the Atmel SAM4S

Control a Servo from Your PC with the Atmel SAM4S

Learn how to communicate between your PC and the SAM4S using the Atmel Software Framework’s USB module and simple ASCII commands.


Projects Apr 25, 2016 by Robert Keim
Servo Control via USB with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

Servo Control via USB with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

Part One in this two-article series focuses on the hardware setup and on using a pulse-width-modulated signal to control a servo.


Projects Apr 22, 2016 by Robert Keim
Build a Desktop Industrial Automation Trainer

Build a Desktop Industrial Automation Trainer

In this project, the reader will learn how to build and program a desktop industrial automation trainer for experimentation in robotics, motor, and process control system concepts on their workbench.


Projects Apr 21, 2016 by Don Wilcher
Use a DC Motor to Power LED Headlights on a Longboard

Use a DC Motor to Power LED Headlights on a Longboard

Build a generator-powered LED headlight for a longboard for very cheap.


Projects Apr 20, 2016 by Jacob Smith
PWM Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

PWM Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

In this article we’ll use the SAM4S Xplained Pro development platform to get some hands-on experience with a PWM DAC.


Projects Apr 19, 2016 by Robert Keim