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Table of Contents
Task
Manager
Engineering
for Everyman—by
Jennifer Huber
Priority
Interrupt
The
New Conspiracy Theory—by
Steve Ciarcia
New
Product News—edited
by John Gorsky
—Sponsored
Article —
Stealth
Telephone Screener
Mad Dash for Flash Cash
Grand Prize Winner
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Read
it Now!
by Richard
Wotiz
Tired of receiving
bothersome automated phone calls from telemarketing
companies armed with predictive dialing systems,
Richard decided to fight technology with technology.
The result? A PIC-based call screener that’s
been consistently successful at blocking unwanted
automated calls.
Keywords:
Telephone,
screener, contest, voice detection, speech,
PWM, PIC16F872
Sponsored
by: Microchip
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A
Minimal Flash PIC Programmer
by
Tom Napier
It’s time to expand your suite of
programming tools. In this article, Tom shows you
how to use one of your old PICs to improvise your
way to a minimal flash memory PIC programmer. p.
18
Keywords:
Programmer, PIC, PIC16C57, memory, modular, serial
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here for password)
Analog's
New High-Flying DDS Family
by
Brian Millier
Thirty-five years ago, Brian commonly
used LC oscillators to generate RF signals. But
today the RF landscape is changing, particularly
because direct digital synthesis (DDS) devices are
poised t0 become regulars in high-end RF designs.
This month, Brian describes his journey from LC
to DDS and explains how Analog's AD985x family may
change the way engineers approach their future FR
designs. p. 22
Keywords:
DDS, direct digital synthesis, RF, AD983x, AD985x,
oscillator, DAC, frequency, filter, PLL, VCO, CSX-750AB,
SCLF-380
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here for password)
Build
a Three-In-One Measurement System
MSP430 Design Contest Entry
by Salvador
Perdomo
No home electronics lab is complete
without a signal generator, logic analyzer, and
digital oscilloscope. But why purchase the measurement
devices separately, when you can build one system
that houses all three? Salvador shows you how. p.32
Keywords:
Signal generator, logic anaylzer, digital oscilloscope,
MSP430F149, contest, serial, LabWindows, PC
(If you have pop-ups disabled click
here for password)
Construct
a Classroom-Friendly Evaluation Board
MSP430 Design Contest Entry
by
Bert Korthof
If you’ve been searching for an MSP430-based evaluation
board, look no further. Bert built an inexpensive
battery-powered board that even students and novices
will find extremely easy to use. In this article,
he walks you through the development process. p.
42
Keywords:
MSP430, evaluation board, educational, contest,
LED, buzzer, NTC, IR, serial, MSP430F1121, Kickstart,
TSOP1836
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here for password)
SHORT
SOLUTION
The Perfect PCB Prototype
by
Richard Haendel
Richard holds the key to constructing perfect PCB
prototypes. Are you interested? With this short
solution, you’ll learn how five simple steps—print,
mount, punch, fit, and evaluate—can save a lot of
time and money. p. 48
Keywords:
PCB, prototype, board, foam board, evaluation
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here for password)
Let's
Get Small
Code Compresssion Saves 32-Bit Chips
by
Jim Turley
Most major CPU vendors offer code compression because
it has saved 32-bit chips from code bloat. Thus,
it has nearly become a standard in most CPUs, which
is great for consumers. But an important question
remains: With so many companies offering comparable
CPUs, can you choose one based on its compression
system alone? The answer, you’ll soon learn, is
that you cannot. In this article, Jim explains why.
p. 50
Keywords:
Code compression, bloat, RISC, size, instruction
lenght, memory usage, Thumb, MIPS16, CodePack,SHcompact,
ARCtangent, Xtensa, speed,
(If you have pop-ups disabled click
here for password)
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—Sponsored
Article —
Build
a Coyote Protocol Converter
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Read
it Now!
by Fred Eady
To prepare for this month’s column, Fred devoted a lot of time to
thinking about an appropriate project for
Z-World’s Rabbit 3000-based Coyote. After
mulling over plans for sprinkler controllers
and water heater monitors, he decided to leave
the brainstorming up to you. This month, Fred
surveys the Coyote’s capabilities in an effort
to prepare you for future projects. p.
58
Keywords:
Protocol converter,
Coyote, Rabbit 3000, ADC, DAC, PWM, RCM3010,
packaging, I/O, Ethernet, RS-232, RS-485
Sponsored
by: Z-World
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Spread
Spectrum: Theory and Practice
by
Shlomo Engelberg & Elyehoshua Shekalim
Understanding the science behind spread spectrum
techniques could greatly enhance your next communications
design. But comprehending the theory doesn’t necessarily
mean you’ll produce a great product. Understanding
this, Shlomo and Elyehoshua will help you bridge
the proverbial gap between spread spectrum theory
and praxis. p.66
Keywords:
Spread
spectrum, FHSS, DSSS, theory, CDMA, FDM, TDM, PN
sequence, filter, ADSP2106x EZ-KIT Lite, SHARC,
feedback
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here for password)
FROM
THE BENCH
D-Classifying Your Audio
by Jeff Bachiochi
If you’re the type of person who pines for amplifier
efficiency and low THD, you may well be diagnosed
as an audiophile. This month, Jeff—a certifiable
audiophile himself—explains why he believes you
shouldn’t shun Class D amplifiers. To make his case,
he focuses on Zetex’s approach to “D-classification.”
p. 72
Keywords:
Amplifier,
Class D, ZXCD1000, audio, coupling, comparator,
filer, PWM
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here for password)
SILICON
UPDATE
What's the Buzz?
by Tom Cantrell
What’s ZigBee? And what’s all the buzz about? Apparently,
ZigBee is a fresh wireless standard, which, some
industry analysts say, has huge market potential—possibly
greater than Bluetooth’s. It remains to be seen
whether there’s any truth to such an assertion.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at what Tom thinks.
As usual, he has the inside scoop. p. 78
Keywords:
ZigBee,
wireless, HomeRF, IEEE 802.15.4, frequency, DSSS,
power consumption, throughput, latency, ASTRX1
(If you have pop-ups disabled click
here for password)
Test
Your EQ
Advertisers
Index
PREVIEW
August #157
Wireless
Communication
Wireless
CAN Yard Lamp Control
The WiFi Snifi: Sniffing In and Out of Wireless
Networks
A USB-CAN-Based Distributed Dual-Axis Motion
Controller
Build Your Own Four-Function Calculator
Palm-Enabled Telescope
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE: IR Sensing
APPLIED
PCs: Mission Possible: Achieve Cheap USB Connectivity
FROM THE BENCH: Spotlight on the Renesas
H8 Family of Micros
SILICON UPDATE: Switch Hitter
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