Distinctive Entries

Circuit Cellar Contests always bring out the excellence in engineers and software designers. In this contest, PSoC’s versatility was the catalyst for some of the best design ingenuity that we’ve seen to date. Rather than let all of these great design examples languish, Circuit Cellar has purchased the publishing rights to the best projects and we present them here. By allowing us to post their entire handiwork including software, these distinguished entrants are truly demonstrating professional excellence while giving something back to the technical community. We applaud their contribution and we trust that you will learn a lot from these examples.

Using the PSoC to Drive the NKK Smartswitch
By Aubrey Kagan
Canada
akagan@weidmuller.ca

The NKK Smartswitch is a single-pole, normally open push-button switch with an LCD screen mounted in the button head. The LCD is configured in the form of a 36 × 24 pixel dot matrix with both red and green LED backlighting. The versatility of PSoC allows for simple graphics and text presentation.

Abstract | Published Article


Laser Diode Controller
By Seenath Punnakal
U.S.
seenat@hotmail.com

This project is a laser diode controller module. Because PSoC contains a high level of integration, it saves about $20 to $30 from the cost of a typical hand-held laser source. A complete laser controller can be built using just the analog functions of a PSoC controller. Functions like modulation are done in software.

Abstract | Full entry & software (254k)


Blood Pressure Recorder
By Dave Goodrich
U.S.
dbg@ieee.org

The circuit uses a pressure sensor to read and display the pressure in a blood pressure cuff and record systolic and diastolic pressures. The design uses one 8-pin DIP PSoC to replace an original design that used a microprocessor, EPROM, A/D converter, op-amp filters and amplifiers, and glue logic. A 4 × 20 serial LCD interfaces with the user.

Abstract | Full entry & software (266k)


Variable Color Street Number Sign
By Aubrey Kagan
Canada
akagan@weidmuller.ca

This project uses a single 8-pin PSoC to create a street number sign that changes from red to green through shades of orange and back again. It's an ideal example of PWM lighting control. The proportion of one color to the other affects the shade of color seen.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1.4M)


Programmable Signal Generator
By Seenath Punnakal
U.S.
seenat@hotmail.com

This project is a serial-input, bench-top programmable signal generator. Using timer interrupts, it generates sine, square, or triangular waves within a wide frequency range on command.

Abstract | Full entry & software (381k)


Reconfigurable Automated Test System
By Lindsay Meek
Australia
lindsaymeek@hotmail.com

This project describes an automated test system that consists of a string of test pod units, each with a PSoC controller. These test pods are daisy-chained together in a bus arrangement to create enough analog and digital I/O to exercise a device-under-test. Using a PC, the test pods interpret a test-vector scripting language, which dynamically reconfigures the PSoC I/O pins on each pod as either digital input, strong digital output, pulled-up digital output, pulled-down digital output, analog output, or analog input.

Abstract | Full entry & software (815k)


Bar Code Reading Attendance Register System
By Tejinder Singh
India
tejinder_marwah@hotmail.com

This project is meant to revolutionize attendance recording. Each student or employee is assigned a card with an enrollment ID number stored as a bar code. As students or employees enter a room they swipe the card in a reader. This information along with a time stamp is stored in EEPROM. Periodically the system is connected to a PC to download the data from EEPROM and update the attendance database.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1.3M)


Milling Machine Robust Digital Readout
By Scott Nortman and Scott Kanowitz
U.S.
scott.nortman@rcn.com

This project outlines the development of a four-axis digital readout for a milling machine. It uses SPI-connected quadrature decoders along with a touch-input LCD connected to a PSoC to make a robust machine display interface.

Abstract | Full entry & software (2.3M)


Lock-In Amplifier
By Seenath Punnakal
U.S.
seenat@hotmail.com

A lock-in amplifier provides a DC output directly proportional to the AC signal being measured. By low-pass filtering the DC and combining it with a reference signal of the same frequency, you can easily track the changes in frequency of a signal being measured.

Abstract | Full entry & software (243k)


Programmable Logic Controller
By Indranil Majumdar
India
fox1@vsnl.com

This project uses a PSoC to create a low-cost, limited-function programmable logic controller (PLC) for industrial applications. In this case, the designer sendsserial commands to the PLC to remotely control and operate a butterfly valve in a pipeline installation.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1M)


Multifunction Modules
By Peter Slodowy
Australia
pslodowy@ozemail.com.au

This project deals with configuration and programming of a PSoC as independent I2C functional modules for application circuits. The functional modules are of different hardware/software complexity. Included in this project are: a dual quadrature decoder; quadruple 12-bit ADC with adjustable input sensitivity; and a triple 8-bit DAC with voltage output.

Abstract | Full entry & software (475k)


Educating Mario
By David Nathan
Switzerland
dnathan@captigate.com

This project demonstrates how the marriage of a PSoC and the Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA) can open up exciting possibilities for the classroom and the science lab. GBA is an inexpensive, pocket-size device with a color screen and 256 KB of internal RAM for downloaded programs. A simple command interpreter was also incorporated into the PSoC flash memory; it permits PSoC functions to be exercised using a simple terminal software program.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1M)


PSoC USB Interface
By Seenath Punnakal
U.S.
seenat@hotmail.com

PSoC devices do not have USB interfaces. This project details the connection of a USB chip and the software necessary to provide one.

Abstract | Full entry & software (90k)


Poor Man’s Oscilloscope
By Elden Crom
U.S.
ecrom@qwest.net

This project is an oscilloscope, implemented in a single PSoC with a couple transistors and an RS-232 dumb-terminal (or hyperterminal on a PC). The current implementation has variable gain, history length, sample rate and trigger point. Currently, the maximum sample rate is 8K sample/second and the transmission is set to 9600 bps.

Abstract | Full entry & software (242k)


Santa’s Shop
By Michael Rigsby
U.S.
mrigsby@pipeline.com

Santa's Shop is an interactive display where Santa's mechanical arm assembles a Christmas tree on command. Santa's mechanical arm, a Lynxmotion five-axis arm kit, is composed of six servomotors controlled by a mini serial servo controller connected to a PSoC. A series of serial commands determine the position and path of the arm.

Abstract | Full entry & software (476k)


GPS Track Helper
By Fabiano Horn
Brazil

fhorn@bewnet.com.br

This project is a GPS locator with a twist. The system has both a dot matrix display and an audible speech chip connected to a PSoC. The system either displays a location code and announces the name of the present place or displays the direction to the next destination along with audible prompts to get there.

Abstract | Full entry & software (603k)


POCSAG Paging Protocol Decoder
By Mikhail Galeev
U.S.
mgaleev@core.com

POCSAG is a standard paging protocol commonly used for wireless data transmission. It utilizes two-level FSK modulation with NRZ data coding. It transmits binary data at a rate of 512, 1200, or 2400 bps. The decoder design is intended to be used as an interface between the receiver and a PC. Analog output of the receiver discriminator is used as input for the decoder. It automatically selects the receiving data rate and performs protocol synchronization. Decoded data packets are sent to a PC via an RS-232 interface at 9600 bps.

Abstract | Full entry & software (438k)


Localized GPS Tracker
By G.K.Siddhartha, Puneet Nayyar and Ajit Singh
India
gksiddhartha@hotmail.com

This GPS tracking device uses bidirectional communication between the server and client. The unique protocol allows the whole system to function on a single frequency using time division polling/multiplexing for data exchange. Designed specifically for use at a university, the server maintains a position map for each client. The tracking information is displayed as a visual map of the campus and any client can get the information about the position of any other client by requesting it from the server.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1.6M)


P(eek)SoC
By Chris Paiano
U.S.
chris@chrispaiano.com

This device is a PSoC debugger that uses a standard Palm-based hand-held display device. It uses an infrared LED to send bursts of data containing the readings of the four multiplexed analog input signals via IrDA. They are decoded by Microsoft Visual Basic routines, specifically written with the Appforge add-on program to PalmOS hand-helds, and then displayed on any Palm.

Abstract | Full entry & software (1.2M)


Embedded Controller Core
By Goran Panjkovic
Australia
goran@silchip.com.au

This design demonstrates how a PSoC can be used to build a versatile embedded controller with a minimum count of external hardware components and by employing a very basic knowledge of assembly language. Actually, the only essential external components are: an output buffer, small size 5-V relays, switches/buttons, and connectors. The control code is written in assembly language and organized as a template that can be easily tailored for many practical applications, such as process control, home automation, security alarms, and vending machines.

Abstract | Full entry & software (257k)


MagicBox Model Airplane Controller
By Gordon Anderson
U.S.
GAA@OWT.com

MagicBox is an accessory designed for the model airplane enthusiast. MagicBox connects between the aircraft receiver and the control servos, and automatically directs a number of flight functions. Each function has adjustable parameters and options that are custom designed for the specific mode.

Abstract | Full entry & software (7M)


Big Ben Strikes Again
By Dan Moss
U.S.
moss@pacifier.com

The PSoC synthesizes a natural, mechanical chime melody of the famous Big Ben clock in London’s Victoria Tower. All five of the chime notes used to produce the Westminster Chimes melody are synthesized in this manner, four notes for the melody and one note for the striking hour. Four 8-bit PWM counters are used to generate each chime note. The digital outputs of the four PWM counters are applied to a resistor-summing network and a voltage-controlled amplifier. A volume counter is applied to each chime note.

Abstract | Full entry & software (141k)


Remote-I/O Provides A Flexible Interface to Sensing and Actuation
By Thomas Kohan
U.S.
kohan@nccw.net

Sensing and actuation are key elements in embedded machine control. In an industrial setting, large manufacturing machines require sensors and actuators distributed over large physical spaces. Discrete wiring to each of these devices can be cumbersome and error prone. An alternative solution is an interface for sensors and actuators that can be daisy-chained around the machine. Each Remote-I/O device consists of a multipurpose, multi-point input/output node where each control pin can be configured as either a digital input, digital output, ADC input, DAC output, digital input event counter, a timed-on digital output, or PWM output.

Abstract | Full entry & software (298k)


PSoC485
By Ray Walker
Canada
rswalker@quik.com

This project is a basic RS-232/485 multi-drop data acquisition and control system. It uses a PC as the master station and a PSoC chip for remote station operation. There are up to four remotes with the following capabilities: two ADC and four digital inputs; two DAC (6 bit) and four digital outputs; two-position jumper-selectable ID (0-3); chip-selected LED; Tx/Rx UART 2400 bps, 8 data bits, one stop bit, parity enabled; and 5-V operation.

Abstract | Full entry & software (166k)


OCU-ESC: Electronic Speed Controller for an R/C Car
By Virachat Boondharigaputra

The favorite R/C model is the electric car that can easily have top speeds over 40 mph. In the old days, throttle control was done with a servo-controlled mechanical switch or variable wire-wound resistor. These techniques have limited resolution and high power loss. Today, most cars use a solid-state controller (ESC) with pulse width modulated speed control. The power lost is very little and the throttle response is significantly improved. The OCU-ESC is an ESC with one important feature added: an anti-lock braking system. The ABS senses speed with an optical sensor and adjusts the wheel brake accordingly.

Abstract | Full entry & software (7M)


All Purpose Tester
By Andrew McDowell
U.S.
andjoely@aol.com

This device has a rather interesting program structure; it has a different configuration for all of the types of test equipment that it implements. This use of dynamic configuration is very effective because it allows there to be very little external hardware. The program uses complicated algorithms for many different functions such as 24 × 24 bit multiplication, 16 × 16 bit multiplication, 16-bit binary-to-BCD conversion, and 32-bit binary-to-BCD conversion.

Abstract | Full entry & software (397k)

CONTEST RESULTS

1st Place
PSoC Range Finder

2nd Place
OnTV-21

3rd Place
Vector-SoC: A 1-GHz Vectorial Network Analyzer

Honorable
Mentions

Distinctive Entries

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