All About Circuits

Latest Embedded Technical Articles

Categories

The FitByte: How to Make an ATtiny85 Powered Activity Tracking Wearable

The FitByte: How to Make an ATtiny85 Powered Activity Tracking Wearable

This is a protoype of a fitness wearable device designed to vibrate when it detects stagnation.


Projects Dec 13, 2017 by Demsey Kirkwood
High-Speed Waveform Generation with an MCU and a DAC

High-Speed Waveform Generation with an MCU and a DAC

In this article, we’ll evaluate different firmware strategies in our pursuit of maximum-frequency analog signal generation.


Projects Dec 08, 2017 by Robert Keim
How to Generate a High-Precision Waveform Using a DAC and a Custom PCB

How to Generate a High-Precision Waveform Using a DAC and a Custom PCB

In this article, we’ll develop firmware that will serve as the basis for high-precision, high-speed signal generation.


Projects Dec 01, 2017 by Robert Keim
Fixed-Point Representation: The Q Format and Addition Examples

Fixed-Point Representation: The Q Format and Addition Examples

Fixed-point representation allows us to use fractional numbers on low-cost integer hardware.


How to Check and Calibrate a Humidity Sensor

How to Check and Calibrate a Humidity Sensor

How accurate is your humidity sensor? Find out with this project.


PCB Layout for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

PCB Layout for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

In this article we’ll discuss the PCB layout for a custom-designed arbitrary waveform generator board.


Circular Buffer: A Critical Element of Digital Signal Processors

Circular Buffer: A Critical Element of Digital Signal Processors

This article discusses circular buffering, which allows us to significantly accelerate the data transfer in a real-time system.


Purpose and Internal Functionality of FPGA Look-Up Tables

Purpose and Internal Functionality of FPGA Look-Up Tables

This article explains the Look-Up Tables (LUTs) constituting Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).


The MIT-i Color Blender! RGB LED Color Blending

The MIT-i Color Blender! RGB LED Color Blending

Blending colors may sound elementary but it is vital in drawing attention to your project with RGB LEDs!


Projects Nov 08, 2017 by Ryan Jones
How to Interface an Ultrasonic Sensor with an LCD Using a Microcontroller Dev Kit

How to Interface an Ultrasonic Sensor with an LCD Using a Microcontroller Dev Kit

Let's interface an ultrasonic sensor and a lighting system! In this project, we'll design a sensor subsystem and then use it in a parking sensor application.


Projects Nov 02, 2017 by Nick Davis
DAC Output Circuitry for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

DAC Output Circuitry for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

How do you convert DAC output currents into a normal voltage signal? Let’s take a look.


All About BLDC Motor Control: Sensorless Brushless DC Motor Controllers

All About BLDC Motor Control: Sensorless Brushless DC Motor Controllers

Learn about sensorless brushless DC motor controllers, some example ICs, and some disadvantages of using such motors.


DAC Schematic Design for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

DAC Schematic Design for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

This article presents a custom digital-to-analog-conversion design built around a high-speed DAC from Analog Devices.


Arduino Multitasking! How to Use Milli in Arduino Code

Arduino Multitasking! How to Use Milli in Arduino Code

Delay statements are great and all, especially for their simplicity, but they can really put a damper on things when trying to multitask your Arduino. Forget delay and hop on the millis() train!


Projects Oct 11, 2017 by Ryan Jones
How to Build a Weighing Scale Using a Load Cell and a Microcontroller

How to Build a Weighing Scale Using a Load Cell and a Microcontroller

In this project, we're making a weighing scale using a C8051 microcontroller development kit, a load cell, and the Simplicity Studio IDE. The measured weight will be displayed on an LCD screen.


Projects Oct 10, 2017 by Nick Davis
Microcontroller Design for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Microcontroller Design for an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

In this article, we’ll look at general concepts and some design details for a circuit board that can output a wide variety of analog signals.


Testing for a Robot’s Collision Detection System with Varying Impact Resistance

Testing for a Robot’s Collision Detection System with Varying Impact Resistance

We’ll use real collision data to refine the detection algorithm, and even better, we’ll confirm that the system actually works.


Projects Sep 28, 2017 by Robert Keim
Build a Temperature and/or Humidity Controlled Fan with a Picaxe 08M2 Microcontroller

Build a Temperature and/or Humidity Controlled Fan with a Picaxe 08M2 Microcontroller

A Picaxe 08M2 microcontroller and an HIH6030 sensor team up to easily control a ventilation fan using temperature or humidity or both.


How to Protect Your Robot with Automatic Collision Detection

How to Protect Your Robot with Automatic Collision Detection

In this article, we’ll develop and test an algorithm for automatically shutting down a robot in response to a collision (or some other violent event).


Projects Sep 21, 2017 by Robert Keim
Adding an LCD and Keypad to a Tachometer and Speedometer

Adding an LCD and Keypad to a Tachometer and Speedometer

In part two of the tachometer/speedometer project, we'll add a keypad and LCD for easier user interaction.


Projects Sep 18, 2017 by Nick Davis