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Issue #233 December 2009 — Programmable Logic
Task Manager
Looking Back While Moving Forward, by C. J. Abate
Priority Interrupt
Home Automation: Everything and Nothing, by Steve Ciarcia
New Product News, edited by John Gorsky
FEATURE ARTICLES
iMCU W7100 — Read
it now!
Embedded Networking Made Simple
by Dave Tweed
2010 WIZnet iMCU Design Contest Primer
The hardware TCP/IP stack of the W5100 has been enhanced in the W7100 with the addition of an on-chip 8051 application processor core, eliminating the need for a separate processor chip in many applications. Here’s an introduction to the new chip and an evaluation module that’s based on it. p. 14
Keywords: W7100, TCP/IP, Ethernet, 8051, contest, development tools,
iMCU7100EVB, GPS, time, NTP
Retrocomputing on an FPGA
Reconstruct an ’80s-Era Home Computer with Programmable Logic
by Stephen A. Edwards
If you’re interested in preserving legacy digital electronics and integrating them with modern systems, this article is for you. Get ready to reconstruct the venerable Apple II+ with programmable logic. p. 24
Keywords: Apple II+, FPGA, VHDL, DE2, clock generator, 6502, CPU, video generator, line doubler, color, disk emulator, keyboard
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
Building Microprogrammed Machines with FPGAs
by Thomas Mitchell
You can try microprogramming as an alternative to hardwired finite-state machines. Microprogrammed controllers are advantageous for numerous reasons, one of which is that FPGA implementations can be built without a finished microprogram. With this introduction to microprogramming, you’re well on your way to a design that is easier to implement and maintain. p. 36
Keywords: Microprogramming, FPGA, finite state machine, sequencer, control store, pipeline, Am2910, DMA, Spartan-3E starter kit, XC3S500E
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
COLUMNS
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE
Memories Are Not Forever
by Ed Nisely
Are you having digital-related problems with a piece of bench-top equipment such as a spectrum analyzer? Some digital logic and firmware can be just the solution. Just keep in mind that something made only of bits won’t last forever. p. 44
Keywords: Memory, spectrum analyzer, 6800, ROM, MK36000, 2716, 27HC641, Arduino, ATmega168
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
THE DARKER SIDE
Digital Modulations Demystified
by Robert Lacoste
Today’s blinding data transmission speeds aren’t due solely to advances in processor technology. Digital modulation plays an important role, although it can be a difficult topic to understand. What is digital modulation, and how does it factor into your designs? This article introduces the subject and demystifies the complex mathematics involved in the theory. p. 54
Keywords: Digital modulation, NRZ, OOK, ASK, baseband filtering, FSK, MSK, GMSK, BPSK, QPSK, OQPSK, QAM, OFDM
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
FROM THE BENCH
Extend and Isolate the I2C Bus
by Jeff Bachiochi
When you have a multiple-board application—such as a growing robotics design—you can use the I2C bus to move data while keeping the wiring simple. This review of the I2C communication protocol shows why the uncomplicated architecture can make a complex project a little easier. p. 64
Keywords: I2C, protocol, bus, master, slave, loading, rise time, bus expansion, extension, hot-swapping, LTC1694, P82B715, PCA9306
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
SILICON UPDATE
IP Unplugged
by Tom Cantrell
Internet everywhere. Do you share that vision? Before you answer this question, consider 6LoWPAN, an adaptation layer between the Internet and a wireless sensor network. p. 70
Keywords: 6LoWPAN, IPV6, AT86RF230, IEE 802.15.4, AVR Raven, RZUSBSTICK
(A link to the article will be emailed to you.)
BONUS FEATURE ARTICLE
The Evolution of Rabbits— Read
it now!
Five Generations of Rabbit Microprocessors
by Monte Dalrymple
How do IC designers deal with changing technology? To answer that question, let’s review the evolution of a processor family over time.
(As appeared with Circuit Cellar Digital Plus December issue. Subscribers get immediate access to Bonus Materials. Click here for Digial Plus subscription options)
PREVIEW
Issue #234 January 2010 — Embedded Applications
◊ The CtrlBox: An Ethernet Control System Interface
◊ Three-Axis Stepper Controller
◊ Multichannel Touch Sensors: Implement Scalable Capacitive Touch Sensing
◊ FPGA Embedded Microcontroller Environment
◊ Teletext-Based TV Interface
◊ A Practical Parallel CRC Generation Method
◊ LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES Debugging Techniques
◊ FROM THE BENCH Good Vibrations: Wave Shaping and Theremin Design with an MCU
◊ SILICON UPDATE SoC with a Capital “P”: A Look at the PSoC 3 and PSoC 5
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