Here is an all-analog, all-through-hole, cheap & cheerful preamplifier for that perennial problem of getting the microphone amplification just right, which is a challenge not only with the faithful reproduction of lead vocals during concerts and recordings, but also with campfire and karaoke-ish performances specially when the beer takes hold.
KaraOkay Microphone Amplifier – [Link]
Felix of LowPowerLab posted an update on his DoorBell Mote project:
My first DoorBell Mote prototype was working nicely and it allowed monitoring the door bell (while also triggering it remotely – toddlers love it). But I wanted more. On weekends the family likes to get a well deserved nap during the day and often those pesky solicitors ring the bell and wake everyone up. So naturally the doorbell has to be disabled also, without major effort or any disconnected wires. Sounds like the perfect addition to the Door Bell Mote. So I made a new revision and a proper PCB for this, below is the schematic with the changes and the proto PCB from OSHPark. Actually I made more changes to the schematic after putting together the PCB, so there are some differences. I’ve tried a LTV814H optocoupler for AC detection instead of the more expensive H11AA11, it works just as well, but both can be used on this PCB
More awesome DoorBell control – [Link]
by Matt Venn:
A wristband that tells you energy changes in your home. It connects via a Raspberry Pi computer to a base station like a ‘current cost’ or similar. When a change in energy usage occurs, the wristband vibrates and a small LED bargraph shows your current usage from 1 to 4.
Energy Wristband monitors energy usage on home – [Link]
by toptechboy.com:
This series of lessons will teach you how to take your Arduino projects to the next level by having the Arduino interact with the Python programming language. Python is a free program you can download. Since you have already learned the fundamentals of programming through our first 20 Arduino lessons, learning Python will be a snap!
Using Python with Arduino – [Link]
by elektormagazine.com:
Microchip has introduced two new 8-bit MCU families with integrated Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs). You may be thinking that 8-bit processors are unlikely to cut the mustard for many of today’s applications but built-in interconnected CIPs combine to perform functions autonomously, without intervention from the processor. This makes these new 8-bit families suitable for a much broader range of applications. Functions are deterministically and reliably performed in hardware instead of software so the system performance is much better than you could otherwise expect from a typical 8-bit MCU. 8-bit architecture also leads to a simpler system design and reduced memory costs.
2 New Families from Microchip – [Link]
An automobile plays an important role in a community. Aside from being a major option for transport, automobile also saves life, which is designed to give support in medications and hospitalizations. These machines are now embedded with electronic technology in which this advancement brings security and convenience to people. The engine and the steering wheel are major parts, which made an automobile useful in transportation. This design features the benefits of a FlexRay to automotive networking protocol. It is capable of 1Mbps to 10Mbps communications system. It has high ESD protection, excellent EMC performance, improved power-on reset concept, improved ElectroMagnetic Emission (EME), support of 60ns minimum bit time, and improved bus error detection functionality. It also monitors system performance using dedicated error and status information that is readable by any microcontroller.
The design is comprised of a TJA1080A transceiver, which is the main component of the system. It provides the interface between the protocol controller or MCU and the physical bus. The chokes serve as a protection from high frequency spikes that flow through the network bus. The 1N4007 diode manages the correct polarity of current and voltages to the FlexRay transceiver. The capacitors stabilize the supplies while the resistors are used for pull-ups and current limiter components.
The design is applicable to different parts of automobile in which it can serve as a backbone of the automotive network communications. Aside from automotive application, it is also applicable to other types of machineries that require real-time status of engines and gears. It is also suitable for further development in automotive application that additional parameters to be considered are expected
Engine and Steering Wheel Automotive Networking Protocol – [Link]
by Susan Nordyk @ edn.com:
Housed in a tiny 3×3-mm QFN package, the MIC24046-H synchronous step-down regulator from Micrel offers efficiency of greater than 90% peak and pin-selectable output voltage, switching frequency, and current limit. A wide input voltage range of 4.5 V to 19 V makes the part useful for distributed 12-V point-of-load applications.
The switching frequency of the MIC24046-H can be programmed to one of three options: 400 kHz, 565 kHz, or 790 kHz. Programmable output-voltage choices include 0.7 V, 0.8 V, 0.9 V, 1.0 V, 1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V, while an internal divider is used to achieve ±1% voltage-output accuracy. The current limit of the regulator can be programmed to 3 A, 4 A, or 5 A.
Buck converter is pin-programmable – [Link]
by Graham Prophet @ edn-europe.com:
LT8494 is a current mode, fixed frequency SEPIC/boost DC/DC converter with an internal 2A, 70V switch. Quiescent current of 7µA suits the device for always-on automotive or other industrial battery powered systems.
The LT8494 starts up from an input voltage range of 2.5V to 32V and once running it operates from inputs from 1V to 60V, making it suitable for applications with input sources ranging from a single-cell Li-Ion to automotive inputs. The LT8494 can be configured as a boost, SEPIC or flyback converter. Its switching frequency can be programmed via a single resistor to between 250 kHz and 1.5 MHz, enabling designers to minimise external component sizes. The combination of a thermally enhanced TSSOP-20E or 4 x 4 mm QFN package and small externals ensures a very compact footprint.
2A, 70V SEPIC/Boost DC/DC converter with 7µA Iq – [Link]
by Valentin Kulikov @ edn.com
This article describes simple constant current driver module with fast PWM input that can be used for driving medium and high power LEDs. The module uses an integrated constant-current output, DC-DC buck converter with output current configurable from 0.1 to 0.5A. This article outlines the schematic, design guidelines, operation, and performance of the low cost LED driver.
A low-cost 0.5A 33V LED driver module with 90+% efficiency – [Link]
A programmable 8-character LCD module and digital voltmeter project from Tuxgraphics:
Our 3 digit LED digital voltmeter module has been quite successful over the years. This new LCD module is basically an advanced version with a lot more capabilities. You can power it with the same voltage source that your signal is derived from. You can load your own code into this module but it has even some nice features for people who just need a voltmeter module and don’t want to play with C-code.
Programmable 8-character LCD module and digital voltmeter – [Link]
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