Latest Embedded Technical Articles

Introduction to the Arduino SPI Library with example sketch for the LTC1286 12 Bit ADC and the DAC714 16 bit DAC.

Introduction to the Arduino SPI Library with example sketch for the LTC1286 12 Bit ADC and the DAC714 16 bit DAC.

Many embedded applications benefit from a communications interface that allows for convenient data transfer between a PC…

Many embedded applications benefit from a communications interface that allows for convenient data transfer between a PC and a microcontroller. This article explains how to use the virtual COM port library from Silicon Laboratories to send data from a Windows application to an EFM8 microcontroller.

When you buy a Raspberry Pi, you just buy a printed circuit board which doesn’t even come with a power supply or…

When you buy a Raspberry Pi, you just buy a printed circuit board which doesn’t even come with a power supply or operating system. This tutorial is concerned with getting your Raspberry Pi set up and ready to use.

The 08M2 is the smallest member of the PICAXE family of microcontrollers; it is inexpensive, versatile, and easy to…

The 08M2 is the smallest member of the PICAXE family of microcontrollers; it is inexpensive, versatile, and easy to program using free software.

Learn how to design characters using an image editor and display them on an LCD controlled by an EFM8 microcontroller.

Learn how to design characters using an image editor and display them on an LCD controlled by an EFM8 microcontroller.

Fritzing is an open-source software package that makes designing a PCB a more attainable reality.

Fritzing is an open-source software package that makes designing a PCB a more attainable reality.

A simple LCD control project with an EFM8 evaluation board demonstrates basic principles of embedded development.

A simple LCD control project with an EFM8 evaluation board demonstrates basic principles of embedded development.

An introduction to the SiLabs EFM8 microcontrollers and related development tools.

An introduction to the SiLabs EFM8 microcontrollers and related development tools.

The LM35 is an ideal temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature. It provides a linear output proportional to…

The LM35 is an ideal temperature sensor for measuring ambient temperature. It provides a linear output proportional to the temperature, with 0 V corresponding to 0 degrees C and an output voltage change of 10 mV for each degree C change. LM35s are easier to use than thermistors and thermocouples because they are so linear and require no signal conditioning.

Since different colors reflect different levels of light, you can use a photoresistor or a phototransistor to sense…

Since different colors reflect different levels of light, you can use a photoresistor or a phototransistor to sense different colors.

These online sources not only help you find part data quickly, but can also help you determine availability and manage…

These online sources not only help you find part data quickly, but can also help you determine availability and manage bills of materials.

In some Arduino applications, it is advantageous to be able to store and retrieve information locally. You can do this…

In some Arduino applications, it is advantageous to be able to store and retrieve information locally. You can do this with a Secure Digital, or SD, card. An SD card is a non-volatile memory card used extensively in portable devices, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, GPS navigation devices, handheld consoles, and tablet computers. Another type of SD Card is the Micro SD card. Measuring only 15 mm x 11 mm x 1 mm, it is the smallest memory card available. It is about one-quarter the size of a normal-sized SD card, or about the size of a fingernail.

The ease with which an Arduino can obtain sensor values is one of the features that makes it so useful.

The ease with which an Arduino can obtain sensor values is one of the features that makes it so useful.

In this tutorial we are going to see how to use Arduino Joystick Shield. There are different versions but we'll be using…

In this tutorial we are going to see how to use Arduino Joystick Shield. There are different versions but we'll be using v2.4, which has some interesting features and some extra buttons which can be used in your application in different ways.

Use MATLAB to write a program to control a servo motor connected to an Arduino.

Use MATLAB to write a program to control a servo motor connected to an Arduino.

Keypads allow users to input data while a program is running. This tutorial shows you how to connect a twelve-button…

Keypads allow users to input data while a program is running. This tutorial shows you how to connect a twelve-button keypad to an Arduino and how to use the library Keypad.h.

How to connect your Arduino board to MATLAB and actually control and get information on the Arduino.

How to connect your Arduino board to MATLAB and actually control and get information on the Arduino.

An infrared (IR) light sensor allows the use of an Arduino to receive and decode signals from a TV remote control.

An infrared (IR) light sensor allows the use of an Arduino to receive and decode signals from a TV remote control.

Learn about various power electronic devices which act as solid-state switches in the circuits, meaning they act as a…

Learn about various power electronic devices which act as solid-state switches in the circuits, meaning they act as a switch without any mechanical movement.