All About Circuits

Latest Optoelectronics Technical Articles

Categories

Build Your Own LED Saber—Audio and Power Systems

Build Your Own LED Saber—Audio and Power Systems

In part 2 of the LED saber project, we'll assemble the power and audio systems.


Projects Oct 19, 2016 by Jeremy Lee
How to Build the Brightest LED Saber in the World

How to Build the Brightest LED Saber in the World

The brightest blade in the world. Fluid sound effects generated in real time. Any colour, changeable on the fly. If you want to know what it feels like to hold a Lightsaber, this project is the closest you can get today.


Projects Oct 18, 2016 by Jeremy Lee
Retro Builds: DIY Photolithography Microfeature Fabrication

Retro Builds: DIY Photolithography Microfeature Fabrication

Learn how to use photolithography to shrink a design by as much as a factor of 40.


Projects Sep 07, 2016 by Robin Mitchell
Laser Diode Tripwire Alarm… A Launchpad Security System

Laser Diode Tripwire Alarm… A Launchpad Security System

The Launchpad-Based Laser Tripwire Alarm turns your next security system into a secret agent's dream.


Projects Aug 26, 2016 by Ryan Jones
The Basics Behind Constant-Current LED Drive Circuitry

The Basics Behind Constant-Current LED Drive Circuitry

This technical brief discusses the reasoning behind and implementation of constant-current drive circuitry for illuminating LEDs.


Build a Wireless “Tipping Bucket” Rain Gauge, Part 3—Receiver, PICAXE, and LCD

Build a Wireless “Tipping Bucket” Rain Gauge, Part 3—Receiver, PICAXE, and LCD

Here's a rain gauge that empties itself and that you can read from your easy chair. Best of all, you can build it, yourself.


How to Build a Raspberry Pi Camera

How to Build a Raspberry Pi Camera

In part 8 of the "Building Raspberry Pi Controller" series, readers will learn how to attach a camera board to a Raspberry Pi and write Python code for photo imaging projects.


Projects Aug 01, 2016 by Don Wilcher
Driving LED Arrays with an Arduino

Driving LED Arrays with an Arduino

All you need to know about LED arrays. If you want to learn about them, drive one using an Arduino, or build them, this is the place to start.


Build a 4-Bit Binary Counter with 5x7 LED Matrix

Build a 4-Bit Binary Counter with 5x7 LED Matrix

In this project, you'll learn how to build a 4-bit binary counter using a 5x7 LED matrix for data count value visualization. The project will use a combination of standard electronic and surface mount components.


Projects Jun 20, 2016 by Don Wilcher
How to Build a Simple Arduino-Based Calculator

How to Build a Simple Arduino-Based Calculator

Learn how to use an Arduino in combination with an LCD display and a keypad to make a calculator.


Turning on a Light with Ultrasonic Motion Detection

Turning on a Light with Ultrasonic Motion Detection

This project will show you how to connect an ultrasonic sensor and an Arduino to turn on a light when motion is sensed.


Use a DC Motor to Power LED Headlights on a Longboard

Use a DC Motor to Power LED Headlights on a Longboard

Build a generator-powered LED headlight for a longboard for very cheap.


Projects Apr 20, 2016 by Jacob Smith
Build an Automatic Computer Display Rotator With an Arduino

Build an Automatic Computer Display Rotator With an Arduino

Learn how to build a device which senses when your computer monitor is physically rotated, and automatically tells your computer to rotate the display accordingly.


Projects Apr 12, 2016 by Matthew Davis
How to Create a Gaming System with the Atmel SAM4S Xplained Pro

How to Create a Gaming System with the Atmel SAM4S Xplained Pro

This article provides additional details related to code development, hardware configuration, and the OLED interface.


Projects Apr 01, 2016 by Robert Keim
Building Raspberry Pi Controllers Part 6: Displaying Messages on a LCD with a RPi

Building Raspberry Pi Controllers Part 6: Displaying Messages on a LCD with a RPi

Readers will learn how to wire a standard 16x2 LCD (liquid crystal display) to a Raspberry Pi to display messages.


Projects Mar 04, 2016 by Don Wilcher
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.


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
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.


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