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Issue #211 February 2008
Real-World Apps
by C. J. Abate
Last year, we challenged the embedded design community to get creative and make a concerted effort to design real-world applications that would make waves in 2008. This issue proves that the community has stepped up to the challenge and has begun to address the major technological topics of the twenty-first century: user-friendly wireless applications, cost-effective embedded applications, code efficiency, and renewable energy solutions.
This month, we start with wireless network design. On page 12, Diego Mendez Chaves and his team from Los Andes University introduce you to a flexible platform for wireless sensor networks. This article will help you get a wireless network up and running.
In keeping with the wireless communications theme, we include two articles that will help you develop wireless designs that feature simple master-to-slave interaction. Carlos Cossio describes his RFID payment terminal design on page 34. The well-designed, handheld terminal can be used for contactless payments in a variety of settings, ranging from a convenience store to a subway station. On page 60, Robert Lacoste covers antenna technology and familiarizes you with impedance matching and antenna simulation. After reading this column, you shouldn’t be wary of incorporating antenna technologies in your projects.
On the topic of intelligent energy solutions, Steve Ciarcia wraps up his series about the installation of his home photovoltaic (PV) system (p. 22). The system is now installed and racking up kilowatt-hour credits on the meter. This month, he describes the wiring and electronics behind this complex renewable energy project.
In the second part of his series on cashing in on code, Richard Hoptroff explains how to publish firmware and create an opportunity to make some big bucks (p. 44). To do so, he draws on his firmware development experience. He covers the topics of firmware copyright protection, pricing, and publishing.
On page 52, Cass Tyler explains how to implement a TCP/IP socket server on a Rabbit RCM2200. As you’ll see, TCP/IP communication with embedded processors is quick and easy when using text commands.
Ever wonder how transformers really work? Ed Nisley’s column on transformer basics is a great primer for young and old engineers alike (p. 70). He covers several essential transformer equations and more.
On page 74, Jeff Bachiochi delivers the second part of his series on his portable poll server. The MCU-based design maximizes the power of SitePlayer to ask questions, gather responses, and compile results.
In the last column of the issue, Tom Cantrell brings you up to speed on all of the exciting new chip technologies that he discovered at the most recent Hot Chips and Embedded Systems conferences (p. 78). With chips like these, you’re sure to be able to take your 2008 designs to the next level.
Good luck! I look forward to learning about all of your 2008 design projects.
cj@circuitcellar.com
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