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Measuring Temperature with an NTC Thermistor

Measuring Temperature with an NTC Thermistor

For this article, we are only concerned with one type of sensor that can measure temperature. This sensor is called a thermistor.


Projects Aug 15, 2016 by Joseph Corleto
DIY Synth Series Part 1 — The Exponential VCO

DIY Synth Series Part 1 — The Exponential VCO

Build a 1V octave voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) module and create your own analogue synth sounds.


Projects Aug 08, 2016 by Robin Mitchell
How to Build an Arduino-Controlled AM/FM/SW Radio

How to Build an Arduino-Controlled AM/FM/SW Radio

Combine the Si4844-A10 analog-tuned radio receiver with an Arduino to make a full-featured multiband radio.


Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

In this article, we’ll compare active and passive filters and look at some common second-order active topologies.


Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

In this article we will take a closer look at how to effectively low-pass filter a PWM signal into an analog voltage.


Build Programmable Time-based Switches Using a Real Time Clock

Build Programmable Time-based Switches Using a Real Time Clock

Use DS3231M RTC alarm functions to make programmable, time-based, switches to power devices on and off at precise times.


C-BISCUIT Power: 5V 3A Buck Regulator for Wandboard

C-BISCUIT Power: 5V 3A Buck Regulator for Wandboard

Design and theory behind the 5V-3A buck regulator based on the LM25575 to be used in the C-BISCUIT robot project.


Projects Feb 26, 2016 by Patrick Lloyd
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 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
Why the Capacitor in Your Power Supply Filter is Too Big

Why the Capacitor in Your Power Supply Filter is Too Big

The job of the capacitor in the output filter of a DC power supply is to maintain a constant DC value by removing as much power ripple as possible. Because these capacitors have a DC value, they are actually storing a lot of energy that never gets used.


AC-DC Converters - Disassembling a Linear Power Supply

AC-DC Converters - Disassembling a Linear Power Supply

An AC-DC wall adaptor gets disassembled to see what components are used to build it, then the purpose of each component is analyzed.


Design a Luxmeter Using a Light Dependent Resistor

Design a Luxmeter Using a Light Dependent Resistor

Take a few minutes to characterize a light dependent resistor (LDR) and you can build a simple and reasonably accurate light meter can be built using an LDR and an Arduino.


Projects Dec 13, 2015 by David Williams
Negative Feedback, Part 9: Breaking the Loop

Negative Feedback, Part 9: Breaking the Loop

A simple “break-the-feedback-loop” simulation technique makes for convenient stability analysis, especially with complex circuits.


Sinusoidal Steady-State Analysis

Sinusoidal Steady-State Analysis

Delve into phasor concepts and transforming a circuit with circuit analysis techniques to solve a given circuit in the frequency domain.


Practical PCB Layout Tips Every Designer Needs to Know

Practical PCB Layout Tips Every Designer Needs to Know

This article contains practical PCB layout tips that can help your PCB projects work correctly and reliably.


Understanding Electricity with Hydraulics

Understanding Electricity with Hydraulics

An overview of how the concepts of electron flow and the role of individual circuit components can be related to the flow of fluid in pipe networks. The analogy between hydraulics and electricity is a useful tool for teaching and for those who are struggling to understand how circuits work.


What is a Transmission Line?

What is a Transmission Line?

Explanation of what a transmission line is, and the conditions under which it exists. Uses lumped element model to derive differential equations and manipulates the equations to get telegraph equations. Uses solutions to telegraph equations to get characteristic impedance and propagation constant and looks at matched and unmatched load cases.


Make an Analog Sound Reactive LED Strip

Make an Analog Sound Reactive LED Strip

This analog design allows your LEDs to respond to your music. Just plug your music source into this which sends a channel to your sound system and some LEDs.


Projects Oct 28, 2015 by Fadi Kasem
An Intro to Power Systems and Reactive Power

An Intro to Power Systems and Reactive Power

A brief introduction on some of the technical aspects and theories about power systems.


Choosing and Using Ferrite Beads

Choosing and Using Ferrite Beads

This article provides practical guidance on using ferrite beads to improve your PCB’s power quality.