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Issue #222 January 2009 — Embedded Applications
Task Manager
New Year, New Content, by C. J. Abate
Priority Interrupt
’Net-Centric Computing, by Steve Ciarcia
New Product News, edited by John Gorsky
FEATURE ARTICLES
Microcontroller Clock-Locking
Frequency Reference Synchronization
by Michael Mullins
Michael built an accurate frequency reference synchronized to a GPS clock. The frequency counter can count to 50 MHz with 1-Hz accuracy. You can also use it to generate GPS-locked output signals as a frequency reference or as a component in a radio receiver. The device can display GPS information such as time, location, and velocity. p. 14
Keywords: Frequency reference, clock, locking, GPS, counter, PIC24J64GA, LCD, serial, PC, TCXO, PWM, PID
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Virtual Audio Control — Read
it now!
Build a Virtual Instrument Interface
by Clemens Valens
The Real Virtual Instrument Interface design controls any musical instrument with a MIDI input and captures its audio output over the Internet. The streaming media device interfaces to virtual music studio software and can also simply record audio if you don’t need MIDI. p. 22
Keywords: Audio, instrument interface, MIDI, Ethernet, VRS51L3074, W5100, codec, VersaKit-30xx, SPI, I2C
Digital Radio Reception
Build a Longwave AM Radio Receiver
by Krzysztof Klimaszewski
Follow Krzysztof as he constructs a digital direct-conversion receiver for long waves. Tuning is controlled by a USB serial connection with a computer running terminal-emulating software. The LM3S811-based system proves you can build a radio receiver with a few discrete components. p. 30
Keywords: Software radio, AM, digital, LM3S811, mixer, local oscillator, DAC, R-2R, display
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Designing with FPGAs
A Guide for Embedded Development
by Sharad Sinha
FPGAs are becoming increasingly popular in embedded systems. Sharad presents several useful methods for designing a system with FPGAs. He also addresses concerns that come up during FPGA design on a complex board. p. 38
Keywords: FPGA, design, requirements, operating conditions, reliability, compliance, tools, testing, anaylsis, verification
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Power Switching in the Real World (Part 1)
Basic Applications and Safety Precautions
by Steve Hendrix
How well do you understand solid-state power switching? In the first part of this series, Steve introduces the method and provides important safety precautions. Use his tips and tricks to work safely with high-power devices. p. 44
Keywords: Power switching, control, high power, safety, rules of thumb, FET, IGBT, high-side, low-side
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
COLUMNS
FROM THE BENCH
Access SD Memory Cards (Part 1)
Solid-State Storage Media in Embedded Apps
by Jeff Bachiochi
Jeff uses SD solid-state storage media in embedded designs. In this series of articles, he provides a thorough introduction to SD technology. Read on to learn how he gets real data in and out of the SD card with the FAT file format. p. 50
Keywords: SD memory, FAT, file system, interface, initialization, state machine, PIC24FJ64
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES
More on Pointers?
by George Martin
This month, George responds to reader requests for a thorough explanation of pointers in C language. He includes several examples and homework assignments. To get you started, George explains the connection between CPU address bits and memory address bits. p. 58
Keywords: C, pointers, addressing, structure
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.
SILICON UPDATE
Hot Chips 20
by Tom Cantrell
Like Circuit Cellar, the Hot Chips conference just celebrated its 20th birthday. This month, Tom takes a look at today’s bleeding-edge silicon that may find its way into tomorrow’s mainstream designs. And the 20th birthday is also a good time to look back and reminisce about the hits and misses. Tom says “it’s been a fun ride and it ain’t over yet.” p. 64
Keywords: Hot Chips, conference, memory, Terabyte Bandwidth, Initiative, through silicon via, VR processor, A1010, AsAP, voltage and frequency scaling, SpursEngine
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
PREVIEW
Issue #223 February 2009 — Wireless Communications
◊ Wireless Module Control: An MCU-Based Watering Control System
◊ Change a Processor: Put the Flexibility of Soft-Core Processors to Work
◊ Power Switching in the Real World (Part 2): Easy-to-Implement, Practical Switching Arrangements
◊ THE DARKER SIDE Microstrip Techniques
◊ ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE — INTELLIGENT ENERGY SOLUTIONS Solar Measurements
◊ FROM THE BENCH Access SD Memory Cards (Part 2): Use the FAT File Format to Move Data
◊ SILICON UPDATE Here Come the Wadgets
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