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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.

2 days ago by Don Wilcher

Understanding Hysteresis in Electronic Components and Circuits

Learn about the behavior and benefits of hysteresis in comparator circuits, magnetic components, and high-power devices.

November 19, 2023 by Robert Keim

MOSFET Structure and Operation for Analog IC Design

Learn about the theory and implementation of MOSFETs, a key component of today’s analog integrated circuits.

November 01, 2023 by Nicholas St. John

Bluetooth LE: Security Modes and Procedures Explained

In Bluetooth LE (BLE), security is a multifaceted beast. Learn the three main security modes of BLE, along with five critical BLE security procedures.

September 24, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Understanding Bluetooth LE Pairing—Step by Step

Pairing is an important concept in Bluetooth LE. Let’s examine the fundamentals of Bluetooth LE pairing, outlining how LE devices securely share keys between trusted devices.

September 10, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

Designing antennas for compact IoT devices is a tricky task, but an increasingly important one. Learn more about this challenge and how to meet it.

August 18, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Understanding Security Keys in Bluetooth Low Energy

Learn the roles of the three security keys in Bluetooth LE—Long Term Key (LTK), Connection Signature Resolving Key (CSRK), and Identity Resolving Key (IRK).

August 13, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Whitening Filters Help Low-Power Radios Tackle Issues Caused by Long Identical Bit Sequences

Learn how whitening filters solve problems in low-power radios when transmitting long identical bit sequences. Explore their significance in protocols like BLE and ZigBee.

August 02, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

ATT and GATT—How Bluetooth LE Devices Store Data

Learn how ATT and GATT protocols help Bluetooth LE devices store and manage data, making it easier for connected devices to work together seamlessly.

July 21, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

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.

July 09, 2023 by Don Wilcher

Securing BLE Connections—An Overview of the Security Protocol

Learn about Bluetooth LE's security features and tools, how to use them, and understand how they keep connections secure.

June 23, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Breaking Down the BLE Link Layer—The 7 States of Bluetooth LE Radio

Explore the seven states of the Bluetooth LE radio, how the link layer state machine manages the LE radio, and the roles of these states in wireless communication.

June 16, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Explore Negative Voltage Using LTspice and a Negative Voltage Generator

In this article, we’ll use SPICE simulations to explore the theory and behavior of negative voltages.

May 26, 2023 by Robert Keim

A Primer on Power and EM Side-channel Attack Countermeasures and Prevention

Get a high-level understanding of designing electronics to prevent the threat of side-channel attacks (SCAs), namely power- and EM- (electromagnetic) based attacks.

May 12, 2023 by Jake Hertz

Multiphase DC-DC Converter Pros and Cons

This article will help you decide when to consider a multiphase approach to step-down, switch-mode voltage regulation.

March 19, 2023 by Robert Keim

Exploring the Basics of Bluetooth Low Energy: A Beginners Guide To BLE

Learn about the Bluetooth low energy (BLE) wireless communication protocol, namely its features, protocol stack, and how it communicates with devices.

February 19, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Mismatch Loss and Mismatch Uncertainty in RF Systems

Learn more about RF wave reflection parameters, namely mismatch loss and mismatch uncertainty.

February 10, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

RF Design Basics: VSWR, Return Loss, and Mismatch Loss

Learn about voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), return loss, and mismatch loss, which helps characterize the wave reflections in a radio frequency (RF) design.

February 05, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Double Date Rate (DDR) Memory

Learn about double date rate (DDR) memory key concepts and applications surrounding this digital communication technique, where two data words are transferred during one clock cycle.

February 03, 2023 by Robert Keim

Transmission Line Theory: Observing the Reflection Coefficient and Standing Wave

Learn about radio frequency (RF) wave propagation and reflection via transmission lines, equations, and example waveforms.

January 29, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar