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Issue #203 June 2007 — Communications
Task Manager
Projects, Projects, and More Projects, by C.J.
Abate
Priority Interrupt
Technical Merit,
by Steve Ciarcia
New Product News, edited by John Gorsky
FEATURE ARTICLES
Network of Keypads
by Dhananjay Gadre, Anurag Chugh,
Parag Shah, & Sneha Lele
This integrated voting system includes several keypads that feature an ATmega8, a MAX485, a few LEDs, and push buttons. The keypads communicate over the RS-485 bus. A Java application runs on a PC that generates a bar graph similar to the one seen on TV game shows. p. 16
Keywords: Keypads, network, ATmega8, RS-485, voting, Java
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Video-Based Motion Sensor — Read
it now!
by Naubert Aparicio
A mixed-signal design and a lot of creativity helped Naubert build a handy video-based motion sensor. With just an analog front end and an Atmel ATmega88, this system is able to detect movement in real time. p. 24
Keywords: Video, motion, sensor, mixed-signal, ATmega88, camera, NTSC, AD9280, LM1881, LM6134B
Dew Point Monitor
by Peter Gibbs & Ramon Sargeant
Peter and Ramon built an accurate dew point monitoring system. The system cools a mirror and records the temperature the moment moisture forms on it. p. 32
Keywords: Moisture, dew point, temperature, moisture, chilled mirror, thermoelectric cooler, BasicATOM24-M, DS1620, IR, PWM
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Slave Flash Trigger
by Aleksander Borysiuk
Aleksander wanted a more powerful camera flash that could reach longer distances and reduce red eye. He built his ATtiny13-based external slave flash trigger to do that and more. p. 38
Keywords: Photography, flash, slave, ATtiny13, photodiode, BPW21, MOC3023M, OPA4340
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
USB-Controlled Pulse Generator
by Alun Hunt
With a field-programmable gate array and a low-cost PC, Alun designed a system for USB-interfaced test equipment. The pulse generator doesn’t require much external circuitry. All the hard work is done inside the FPGA. p. 46
Keywords: Pulse generator, USB, FPGA, FT232R, EP1K50TC144, VHDL, decoder, wxDev-C++
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
LIN-Based Ultrasound Parking Assistant
by Victor Kremin & Valeriy Kyrynyuk
This simple system takes the guesswork out of parking in crowded cities. Ultrasonic sensors detect possible obstacles. When an object gets too close, an alarm is activated. If you can’t see what’s in your way, an OLED indicates its location relative to your vehicle. p. 58
Keywords: LIN, ultrasonic, OLED, parking, filter, CY8C27443, PSoC, TH8080, TH8082, piezoelectric
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Power Supply Design: A PID-Based SMPS
by Fred Eady
Fred reminisces about his first attempt to build a switching power supply. Learn from his experience as he shows you an SMPS development board that will help you learn about and develop power supplies. p. 67
Keywords: Power supply, SMPS, PID, switching mode, linear, PWM, MOSFET, dsPIC30F2020, buck converter
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
COLUMNS
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE
Practical Photomicrography
by Ed Nisley
This month, Ed digresses from analog and RF topics to describe techniques for taking good pictures of small objects. The next time you modify a part, take a few pictures to improve your memory, your reports, and your documentation. p. 71
Keywords: Photomicrography, photography, camera, optics, focal lenght, aperature, f/stop, lens adapter, LED
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
FROM THE BENCH
Gearing Up to Go the Distance: Slotted Optical Switches
by Jeff Bachiochi
This is not your father’s odometer. With some modifications, including slotted optical switches, Jeff’s odometer measures the speed and distance traveled on his electric bicycle. The information is displayed on an LED. p. 75
Keywords: Optical switch, odometer, LED, distance, LIN, OPB625, PIC18F2420
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
SILICON UPDATE
Rock ’Em, Clock ’Em
by Tom Cantrell
Electronics have marched to the beat of quartz crystals for almost 100 years, but times they are a changin’. This month Tom takes a look at technologies that change the way crystals are used, replace them, or even eliminate the need for a clock altogether. p. 80
Keywords: Clocking, crystal, quartz, accuracy, CY24488, CY22800, overtone, MEMS, oscillator, atomic
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
PREVIEW
Issue #204 July 2007 — Internet & Connectivity
◊ Internet Password Manager
◊ MiniEmail: An MCU-Based Mail Client
◊ Multipurpose Automotive Gauge
◊ Motion Tracking & Analysis System
◊ Flash Drive Connection: Add a Flash Drive to Your Next Design
◊ LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES From “Hello World” to Big Iron
◊ FROM THE BENCH
Are You Up for 16 Bits?
◊ SILICON UPDATE
Pyxos Power
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