All About Circuits

Latest Embedded Technical Articles

Categories

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 4: The Scilab GUI

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 4: The Scilab GUI

With USB communications and a Scilab graphical user interface, we can really see what the PID controller is doing.


Projects Feb 19, 2016 by Robert Keim
Create an Arduino Controlled Battery Charger

Create an Arduino Controlled Battery Charger

In this project, we use an Arduino and an attached charging circuit to control the charging of NiMH rechargeable batteries.


Create a Laser Detection System Using a PICAXE

Create a Laser Detection System Using a PICAXE

Lasers are plentiful, inexpensive, and fun to use. Here's a target that reacts when it's hit by a laser beam.


Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 3: Implementation and Visualization

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 3: Implementation and Visualization

We will implement a basic PID (proportional–integral–derivative) controller in firmware and observe the results using an oscope and LEDs.


Projects Feb 15, 2016 by Robert Keim
Create an Object Tracking System Part 2: Controlling a Servo

Create an Object Tracking System Part 2: Controlling a Servo

This project explains the basic operation of servo motors and how to interface with them using an Arduino Uno.


Projects Feb 11, 2016 by Michael Stock
C-BISCUIT: Design Choices and Justification

C-BISCUIT: Design Choices and Justification

While the C-BISCUIT project is far from complete, it's already come a long way, seeing numerous ideas and design goals in the process. This article will discuss some of these.


Projects Feb 10, 2016 by Trevor Gamblin
Building Raspberry Pi Controllers Part 5: Reading Analog Data with an RPi

Building Raspberry Pi Controllers Part 5: Reading Analog Data with an RPi

Learn how to read electrical signals and data from an analog device using the Step Response technique in Part 5 of the Building Raspberry Pi Controllers series.


Projects Feb 09, 2016 by Don Wilcher
Why You Should Use Unit Tests to Write Better Embedded Software

Why You Should Use Unit Tests to Write Better Embedded Software

An introduction to software unit testing for embedded systems developers.


Controlling a Toaster Oven with a PICAXE - Part 2

Controlling a Toaster Oven with a PICAXE - Part 2

Soldering surface mount components by hand can be done, but reflow soldering in an oven is much quicker and produces more consistent results. Building a microprocessor controlled reflow oven is well within the abilities and budget of many hobbyists.


Create an Object Tracking System: Using Built-in Arduino Libraries

Create an Object Tracking System: Using Built-in Arduino Libraries

We'll learn Arduino library implementation and establish the firmware framework for the 7-part project series. We'll use Microsoft Visual Studio Express for library editing.


Projects Feb 04, 2016 by Michael Stock
Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 2: Board-Level Integration

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 2: Board-Level Integration

This article covers the firmware that allows the EFM8 microcontroller to communicate with the DAC and the MAX31855.


Projects Feb 03, 2016 by Robert Keim
Learn LabVIEW FPGA on NI myRIO - Hello World!

Learn LabVIEW FPGA on NI myRIO - Hello World!

Learn LabVIEW FPGA by programming the on-board Xilinx FPGA of the student-focused embedded device NI myRIO.


Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Invoke the power of the PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller)! The key components in this design are an EFM8 microcontroller, a DAC, and the MAX31855 thermocouple-to-digital converter.


Projects Feb 01, 2016 by Robert Keim
Controlling a Toaster Oven with a PICAXE - Part 1

Controlling a Toaster Oven with a PICAXE - Part 1

A toaster oven can do more than just make toast; guided by a PICAXE microcontroller, it can make a sweet reflow soldering station.


Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 2 - Implementing Your Filter

Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 2 - Implementing Your Filter

Implementing a FIR filter designed in Octave or Matlab on an N-bit microprocessor


Make a GPS Clock With a PIC Microcontroller

Make a GPS Clock With a PIC Microcontroller

In this article I'll show you one way to use a PIC microcontroller to get the time and date from a GPS module.


How to Eliminate Ground Loops with Signal Isolation

How to Eliminate Ground Loops with Signal Isolation

This project explains how to isolate signals to eliminate ground loops in electronic systems.


Projects Jan 29, 2016 by Orrin Bigelow
Using Scilab GUI for RGB and Lux Measurements

Using Scilab GUI for RGB and Lux Measurements

Gather data via USB from a BH1745NUC optical sensor and then display color characteristics and illuminance values.


Projects Jan 28, 2016 by Robert Keim
What’s the LabVIEW FPGA? Learn It Now!

What’s the LabVIEW FPGA? Learn It Now!

Learn LabVIEW FPGA by programming the on-board Xilinx FPGA of the student-focused embedded device NI myRIO.


C-BISCUIT: A Robotics Platform for the Hacker and Hobbyist

C-BISCUIT: A Robotics Platform for the Hacker and Hobbyist

This is the beginning of a multi-part, multi-author series on how to build your own robotics platform called C-BISCUIT, an acronym for Collaborative Bot with Integrated System Core, Unmanned Interactivity, and Telemetry -- based on the Wandboard Quad computer.


Projects Jan 25, 2016 by Patrick Lloyd