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Issue #201 April 2007 — Embedded Programming
Task Manager
The Cruelest Month?, by
C.J. Abate
Priority Interrupt
Only Real Events Lead
to Real Trends, by Steve Ciarcia
New Product News, edited by John Gorsky
FEATURE ARTICLES
ATir Keyboard Interface —
Read it now!
by Steven Savage
Steven’s well-designed ATtiny45-based ATir interface device is a convenient
cross-platform solution to interface an IR remote control to type keyboard
macros to a PC. The system features an infrared receiver/demodulator and
a few discrete components. p. 12
Keywords: Keyboard, IR, ATtiny45, PC, remote, communications, GP1UM27XK
Java-Base EarthBox Watering System
by Tom Kibalo
Tom was tired of watering his plants by hand, so he built a Java-based
1-Wire distributed watering system. The expandable system can water six
EarthBoxes. p. 20
Keywords: Java, EarthBox, plant, watering, Javelin Stamp, 1-Wire, solenoid, LCD, DS24803, DS1302, MAX6301, relay
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Build a Three-Axis CNC Mill Machine
by Gordon Dick
Gordon shows you how to design and build a computer-controlled wood mill
machine. The system includes an old medical X-ray machine, a Galil DMC-2133
three-axis intelligent motion controller, and an old 386 laptop. p. 28
Keywords: Mill, DMC02133, lead screw, servo amp, motion controller, power, cabling, joystick
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Reverse-Engineered ECP Bus
by Miguel Sanchez
Miguel wanted to build a system to simulate strokes on a keypad so he
could trigger modes on an alarm system. But first he had to learn about
ECP buses. In this article, he explains what he learned. p. 38
Keywords: ECP bus, keypad, alarm, DS1M12 Stingray, EasyLog, USB, SVG, vector graphics, RCM3710
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Uncomplicated RF Communication
by Fred Eady
You don’t have to build or run an official ZigBee stack to use the new
900-MHz and 2.4-GHz transceiver ICs. However, knowing what the radio is
capable of and how to use its features will enable you to easily understand
what a ZigBee stack is doing. This month, Fred teaches you all about ZigBee
stacks. p. 45
Keywords: CC2420, ZigBee, IEEE 802.15.4, SPI, PIC18LF4620
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Generic Modbus Simulator (Part 2): Create
a Modbus Master Using Visual Basic 2005
by Aubrey Kagan
This month, Aubrey continues with the topic of a Modbus implementation
on a PC. He covers creating the user interface to realize communication
with Modbus slave units. p. 60
Keywords: Modbus, VB, Visual Basic, serial port, Excel, user interface
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
COLUMNS
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE
Battery Capacity: Charge
by Ed Nisley
Occasionally, paying attention to datasheet footnotes can make the difference
between a successful charger and a fire hazard. This month, Ed takes a
look at why NiCD and NiMH automatic battery chargers occasionally goof
up. p. 56
Keywords: Batteries, capacity, charging, NiCD, NiMH, charging current, temperature
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
FROM THE BENCH
Local Interconnect Network
by Jeff Bachiochi
Instead of a controller area network (CAN), try a local interconnect network
(LIN) the next time you need to control a limited area within a machine.
Jeff gets you working with a low-cost LIN system. p. 70
Keywords: LIN, local interconnect network, UART, CAN, NCF, LDF, descriptor file, API, physical layer, PIC18F2455, MCP201
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
SILICON UPDATE
USB: (Wire)Less is More
by Tom Cantrell
Tom covers new developments in wireless power technology, tells the story
of ultra-wideband technology, and cuts through all of the “wireless” USB
hoopla. Will you be the next designer to bring wireless power to the masses?
p. 78
Keywords: Wireless USB, Falcon module, CYRF6936, Express visual programming language, UWB
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
PREVIEW
Issue #202 May 2007 — Measurement
& Sensors
◊ Proton
Precession Magnetometer
◊ Energy
and Load Analyzer
◊ Being an
Embedded USB Host
◊ Circuit
Board Plotting
◊ Temperature
Calibration System
◊ The Witness
Camera: Build a Self-Recording Surveillance Camera
◊
LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES More "Hello World": C Program
Flow
◊ FROM THE BENCH
What's the Slope?: Using an Accelerometer to Measure Slope
◊ SILICON UPDATE
Be All You Can Bee
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