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Building a Handheld Retro Gaming Console With Local Wireless Connectivity

Building a Handheld Retro Gaming Console With Local Wireless Connectivity

In this project article, we design a handheld gaming console with wireless multiplayer functionality using ESP8266 microcontrollers. We then program a game for it with the Arduino IDE.


Using a Raspberry Pi Pico to Enhance a Vintage Radio Shack Microcomputer Kit

Using a Raspberry Pi Pico to Enhance a Vintage Radio Shack Microcomputer Kit

In this project, we’ll use a Raspberry Pi Pico to build an adjustable clock with an LED display. We’ll then integrate the clock with a Radio Shack Science Fair Microcomputer Trainer programmed to function as a 7-bit binary counter.


Projects Feb 11, 2024 by Don Wilcher
Introduction to the Class B Power Amplifier

Introduction to the Class B Power Amplifier

How does a Class B power amplifier work? What makes it more efficient than a Class A power amplifier? Learn the answers in this article.


Introduction to Pressure Transducers

Introduction to Pressure Transducers

Learn about pressure transducers: devices used in a variety of industrial, medical, automotive, and consumer applications to sense pressure and convert it into electrical energy.


A Raspberry Pi Pico Controlled Frequency Shift Audio Oscillator:  A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

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.


Projects Nov 26, 2023 by Don Wilcher
Understanding Hysteresis in Electronic Components and Circuits

Understanding Hysteresis in Electronic Components and Circuits

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


MOSFET Structure and Operation for Analog IC Design

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.


Bluetooth LE: Security Modes and Procedures Explained

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.


Understanding Bluetooth LE Pairing—Step by Step

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.


The Challenge of Integrating an Antenna Into Small IoT Devices

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.


Understanding Security Keys in Bluetooth Low Energy

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).


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

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.


ATT and GATT—How Bluetooth LE Devices Store Data

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.


Transistor Controlled Switching of an LED Display: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

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.


Projects Jul 09, 2023 by Don Wilcher
Securing BLE Connections—An Overview of the Security Protocol

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.


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

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.


Explore Negative Voltage Using LTspice and a Negative Voltage Generator

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.


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

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.


Multiphase DC-DC Converter Pros and Cons

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.


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

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.