Practical Analog Circuit Design—Craig L. King
Understanding a few basic analog design issues can go a long way in circuit design. Forget that old textbook, Craig’s project will take you from signal amplification to calibration using a standalone 12-bit ADC with an 8-bit MCU. pg. 12
Keywords: Analog, ADC, op-amp, MCP602, AD680, MCP3201, load cell, instrumentation amplifier
Build An AVR
Programmer—Stuart Ball
If you’ve been looking for an inexpensive way to program Atmel’s AVR
microcontrollers, then Stuart’s project is just what you need. With a little work and
only six ICs, you can build a programmer that is perfect for working with AVR parts. pg. 16 (code)
Keywords: Microprocessor, AVR, AT90S1200, AT90S2313, AT90S4414, AT90S8515, programmer, parallel port
Bridging the Gap—Interfacing
Resistive Sensors—Dana Romero
Although thermocouples and thermistors may be familiar, Dana heads into the great unknown
(or at least unfamiliar) and explains how to interface lesser-known sensors such as strain
gages and resistance temperature detectors. pg. 26
Launching the Roboat—Navigation by GPS and
Digital Compass—Riccardo Rocca
Riccardo’s first-prize-winning Design 99 project tests the feasibility of an
autonomous GPS-guided model. Step aboard for this stem-to-stern review of everything from
the details of construction to the software required for its maiden voyage. pg. 32 (code)
Keywords: GPS, digital compass, M68HC908GP20, GPS25-LVS, GA27A, boat, servo, PWM
Save Your Voice—A Digital
Sound Board—Duane Perkins
Tired of repeating yourself? With Duane’s project, you won’t have to worry about
that because he uses a PIC16C73 to make a sound board for your PC. Now you can record
speech and music signals with almost radio quality. pg. 40 (code)
Keywords: Digital, sound, PIC16C73, PC, ADC, DAC, DAC0801, DTMF, parallel port, amplifier, telephone
COLUMNS
MicroSeries—Tom Bishop
Rapid Gratification with FPGA Design—Getting Up to Speed
With current tools and the technology of today’s FPGAs, the process of designing and
developing systems is getting easier and faster. Don’t get left behind. Listen up as
Tom gets us up to speed on the topic. pg. 66
From the Bench—Jeff
BachiochiIn Theory and in Practice—Part 1: Digital Filters
This month, Jeff starts off with a bit of filter theory and before long he’s designing a clock-tunable digital filter using Linear Technology’s LT1068. pg 72 Keywords: Digital filter, LT1068, low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-reject, op-amp, Bessel, Butterworth, Chebychev, Elliptic
Silicon Update—Tom Cantrell
EZ-Mail Engine
While much of the embedded internet buzz focuses on web servers, everyone is ignoring a
far more cost-effective solution— e-mail capabilities. Stop surfing for a second and
read on. pg. 76
EMBEDDED PC
Real-Time PC—Ingo
Cyliax
A Matter of
Time—Part 2: Using IRIG Codes
Ingo sets out to explain the ins and outs of working with one of the most popular time
codes—IRIG. Once you understand the details, you’ll have your PC clock
synchronized with an existing time standard in no time. pg.50
Applied PCs—Fred Eady
A
Personalized Virtual Web
Putting source code and CAD copy on the ‘Net is a good thing for all, but what if you
wanted to pass "physical" information between a couple of pieces of hardware?
Fred uses EMIT and a PIC to show us just how easy that can be. pg. 57
The Best Way to Find What You Need!
Categorized listings of companies and a brief overview of what they offer with a
link to their site.
