Waveform generators (also called function generators) are useful for testing and debugging circuits. They can be used to test the frequency response of electronic components like op amps and sensors or to characterize and troubleshoot audio effects boxes and pedals. This waveform generator shield is powered by an Arduino. It outputs four waveforms: sine, triangle, […]
Arduino Waveform Generator Shield Read More »
Note: By “beginner’s guide”, I mean a guide written by a beginner. (I made it at TechShop SF, during my first weeks!) I have some technique tips to share, but for more in-depth questions, Google is your friend. Solder paste allows you to populate a board with many tiny components, without straining your eyes and
Beginner's Guide to Solder Paste Read More »
This Design Idea describes a 9V battery-voltage monitor whose total parts cost less than 34 cents (Figure 1). You configure transistor Q1 as a 10-mA current sink. LED1, a Kingbright WP7104IT, is on when the battery voltage is good. When the battery voltage nears the threshold voltage, the LED gradually dims. It goes out once
Configure a low-cost, 9V battery-voltage monitor Read More »
This is useful tip for anyone making or using surface mount components on PCBs. It relies on access to a laser cutter, so if you don’t have one, look away now….. I cut a plastic stencil on the laser, align it with the PCB pads and then squeegee a thin layer of solder paste through
Soldering stencils for DIY circuit boards. Read More »
Double PCB terminal blocks of the PDSV series from company Euroclamp enable to better utilize a space and to connect more leads on a small area. If we need to connect several leads on one side of a PCB and we can´t or don´t want to use terminal blocks with a smaller pitch, then the
Double terminal blocks PDSV can be more than 4 Read More »
This is a little project I made recently, I call it USB A to micro USB bridge and it does what the name says: it’s just a bridge between the USB A female connector and the female micro USB. In the middle there is a DIL pin header that allows you to connect or disconnected
USB A to micro USB bridge Read More »
WiFi is something we have wanted to do for a long time, but there are a lot of technical and regulatory challenges around it. If you’re running an OS on an embedded PC like the Raspberry PI, WiFi is simple, you buy a cheap dongle and the intelligence is in the driver. For a low
WiFi DipCortex An embedded WiFi module to power your next product Read More »
The LTC3639 step-down regulator integrates key high performance features into one compact IC. It is capable of up to 150V input voltage and 100mA output current, utilizing synchronous rectification and low quiescent current to maintain high efficiency over a broad spectrum of load current. Its adjustable output can be programmed from 0.8V to VIN, while
A Step-Down Regulator Requires Only Three External Components Read More »
Just for the fun of it I’ll try do design and order a Seeedstudio 5×5 cm PCB every week. I’ll do the design and layout during the week and weekend and then submit the order on Monday. I’m not 100% sure that I’ll actually will be able to do this every week, but I’ll try
PCBAWEEK – A PCB every week Read More »
I received my Mini 7-Segment Clock PCBs. I’m pretty excited to put one together. I think it’s going to look pretty cool, being so tiny. I’ve always liked 7-segment displays. With the popularity of LCDs, TFTs, and touch screens, etc, you’d think these displays would be obsolete by now. If you keep an eye out
Mini 7-Segment Clock, Part III Read More »
