Latest Consumer Electronics Technical Articles

This article presents Scilab code that allows you to generate I/Q, noise, and chirp signals from your PC’s headphone jack.

This article presents Scilab code that allows you to generate I/Q, noise, and chirp signals from your PC’s headphone jack.

In this article, we’ll use Scilab to generate numerical signals that can be converted into analog waveforms by a…

In this article, we’ll use Scilab to generate numerical signals that can be converted into analog waveforms by a computer’s audio hardware.

In this Gentleman Maker project, we will use Particle Photon boards to power a motion-sensing trebuchet that can fend off…

In this Gentleman Maker project, we will use Particle Photon boards to power a motion-sensing trebuchet that can fend off all your mischievous intruders.

This article will review the common FPGA resources that allow us to efficiently generate and distribute clock signals…

This article will review the common FPGA resources that allow us to efficiently generate and distribute clock signals throughout a system.

This article will try to develop a better insight into wave reflection that can occur when driving a relatively long wire…

This article will try to develop a better insight into wave reflection that can occur when driving a relatively long wire with a fast logic gate.

Learn how to build your own Class D power amplifier—one of the most efficient ways to listen to music.

Learn how to build your own Class D power amplifier—one of the most efficient ways to listen to music.

Learn about integrated circuits that can help you to design customized RF communication systems.

Learn about integrated circuits that can help you to design customized RF communication systems.

In this episode of the Gentleman Maker, we're using a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino Uno to stave off the onslaught of dogs…

In this episode of the Gentleman Maker, we're using a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino Uno to stave off the onslaught of dogs trying to eat every single plant in our garden.

Could you concisely define "embedded system design" off the top of your head? This article looks at the essential…

Could you concisely define "embedded system design" off the top of your head? This article looks at the essential characteristics of an increasingly prominent specialization within the field of electrical engineering.

This article examines some subtle details associated with the high-frequency performance of decoupling capacitors.

This article examines some subtle details associated with the high-frequency performance of decoupling capacitors.

Antennas provide the wireless linkage required for any satellite-based system. Here's a look at the many antennas of GPS.

Antennas provide the wireless linkage required for any satellite-based system. Here's a look at the many antennas of GPS.

This article explores the somewhat complicated issue of how exactly to connect a decoupling capacitor to a power pin.

This article explores the somewhat complicated issue of how exactly to connect a decoupling capacitor to a power pin.

This article discusses the importance of proper grounding techniques in PCB design.

This article discusses the importance of proper grounding techniques in PCB design.

The Texas Instruments DLPDLCR2000EVM is a demonstration cape designed to plug into a BeagleBone Black (BBB) and provide…

The Texas Instruments DLPDLCR2000EVM is a demonstration cape designed to plug into a BeagleBone Black (BBB) and provide instant-on projection capabilities using a digital micromirror device and a relatively high-power RGB LED.

Connecting power with incorrect polarity is an easy mistake to make. Fortunately, protecting your device from reverse…

Connecting power with incorrect polarity is an easy mistake to make. Fortunately, protecting your device from reverse polarity is also quite easy.

This project demonstrates and discusses the performance and functionality of an inductorless ±5 V power-supply circuit.

This project demonstrates and discusses the performance and functionality of an inductorless ±5 V power-supply circuit.

In this project, we’re using an Arduino Uno and a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B to create an automatic wildlife camera. And,…

In this project, we’re using an Arduino Uno and a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B to create an automatic wildlife camera. And, as an added bonus, this camera works at night. Make one of your own to snap photos of local birds, parading pups, or sneaky humans.

This article discusses some details—efficiency, noise, etc.—that influence the choice of operational frequencies for…

This article discusses some details—efficiency, noise, etc.—that influence the choice of operational frequencies for switch-mode power supplies.

This article discusses the PCB layout for a power-supply circuit that generates a regulated 3.3 V rail from a small solar cell.

This article discusses the PCB layout for a power-supply circuit that generates a regulated 3.3 V rail from a small solar cell.