Owner: Scienceprog - Embedded Related Info URL:http://www.scienceprog.com Join Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 02:24:58 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Site is loaded with AVR, ARM microcontroller related information. Many projects including UV exposure box manufacturing, AVR signal generator, DTMF decoder.
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Microwire compared to SPI and I2C 2007-09-25 15:57:12 Microwire is a three-wire serial interface used by National Semiconductor in its COPS processor family. The three signals are SI (serial input), SO (serial output), and SK (serial clock). SI and SO are input to and output from the processor, respectively. The processor clocks data to the peripheral on SO and receives data on SI. Data in both directions is captured on the rising clock edge. Peripheral devices that transfer data in only one direction (such as display drivers that are only written, never read) may implement only one data line, SO or SI.
Microwire is older protocol than SPI and it has some differences from it. Original Microwire has fixed fixed clock polarity and clock phase. While SPI can be configured to any clock polarity and phase.
Unlike I2C, the Microwire protocol has no device addressing built into the serial bit stream. Microwire peripherals require a separate chip select input, one per device. This allows data to be transferred more quickly since address informati
Measurement of electrical energy consumption today 2007-09-12 08:35:02 Electromechanical energy counters were popular for more than 50 years, but today you can find them only in older houses or in low budget appliances because today electronic energy counters taking their place. And there are meny reasons to do so. For instance measurement accuracy, flexibility, multi-rate support, memory, statistics, remote reading and control, automatic register and so on. All these features can be buil in to one small chip which will serve with high reliability and low price.
Lets see how energy (active power) consumption is measured. Active power which is required in form of alternate current (AC) can be calculated as average power over one period:
(more…) Read more:Measurement
, electrical
Interfacing microcontrollers to external devices 2007-10-11 04:30:38 There can be any external device that may be connected(interfaced) to microcontroller. They may be for control input like buttons, keypads, touch or for information output eg. display, sound, motor, relay, modem. Also output devices may be further chips like transmitters, frequency generators, memory. Interfacing with chips is not that hard because most of all (especially digital ones) are TTL level compliant that allows to connect chips one to another directly. Other wise there are TTL level converter chips if needed – like RS232 to TTL converter MAX232 chip.
Lets take simpel device LED. Probably many of you are thinking that there is nothing more easier that connecting LED to microcontroller. Yes its true. Considering AVR microcontrollers Led can be connected directly to port pin via limiting resistor either as source either as drain because chip is capable to provide enough current to light diode without damaging port. But what if you need to connect like 10 LEDs when each require
DIY pulse soldering iron 2007-10-09 16:26:04 The biggest benefit I see when working with pulse soldering iron is speed and effectiveness. Of course when you don’t work, it stays cool this means it saves energy, doesn’t evaporates poisonous steam and there is no risk accidentally to burn yourself. Well this one even has has light source for better view when soldering. If you like to hack things you may try this challenge on building a pulse soldering iron.
This iron may be powered from 220V supply and consumes about 70-100W of power. Efficiency reaches about 50%. Heating time takes 5 seconds while cooling to 50 ºC takes about 15 seconds.
Soldering iron maybe used in variety tasks including repairing home appliances, replacing electronic parts and other.
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Precise USB2.0 temperature sensor with minimum components 2007-10-09 04:35:56 The idea of reading temperature via USB is very simple. Construction is reliable, precise and requires few components. Circuit is very simple as there is USB to UART converter IC used.
USB to UART conversion is performed via F232RQ chip from FTDI (Future Technology Devices International). Besides ability to convert this chip also can work in bit-bang mode (bit controlled transfer). In bit-band mode I/O lines work as both direction data-lines that can be easily controlled by user. So there can be any digital circuit connected to F232RQ pins in this case AD7814 temperature sensor from Analog Devices is connected. Temperature sensor uses only three data lines: SCK, SS and SDO of four SPI data bus. SDI line of AD7814 has to be grounded as we do not need to send any data to sensor. FT232 works as SPI master which emulates AD7814 protocol. Data from temperature sensor reads together with other bus signals on FT232. Chip allows to read data while write. Sleep signal is used to power
Kick start guide to start working with Programmable Logic Devices from Altera 2007-10-05 16:20:58 Probably everyone knows what are logical IC’s and how to use them in the design. But if design is more complex, electronics enthusiasts more likely are going to choose microcontrollers as they minimizes the count of external components. But problem is that not everything is possible with microcontrollers. They have many disadvantages when fast response to input signals is needed. Microcontrollers execute operations one by one in sequence (conveyor). So output result will occur after some number of clock cycles. One way is to use hard logic IC’s. But when complexity grows – number of IC packages also increases. This way design board becomes tremendous. So where programmable logic devices (PLD) comes to help. CPLD devices have a number of base elements (gates) without strict electrical interconnection. So designer can program these connections to combine any logical combination. Programmable
logical devices allow to construct any logical device including counters, triggers Read more:working
, Logic
, Devices
DIY simple band-pass filter 2007-10-05 08:35:41 This filter was designed to filter 1kHz frequency of telemetric signal from environmental noise. Filter itself is very simple built with acceptable electronic parts worldwide. This filter can be used in any circuit because of it’s simplicity.
Circuit contains minimal amount of parts including one general purposes NPN transistor with coefficient 50…70 an more. Such filter blocks may be connected in series directly one to another(second IN first OUT). This way filter gain may increase up to 1,2…2.
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How does RFID tag technology works 2007-10-16 05:15:56 RFID introduction
RFID taging technology is successfully used among us, but we don’t notice them always and do not think about them as they are not noticeable because we do not have directly to take any actions to transfer or read any information from RFID tags. But probably everyone notices in big supermarkets, book stores two parallel frame antenas and thicker labels on products you buy, or maybe you have RFID entrance card at your work. So lets see how this technology works.
RFID is so called Radio Frequency Identification system which consists of two main parts: transmitter and receiver. The labels, access cards and even passports in some countries they have RFID transponders integrated. These transponders are called “tags”.
Each tag has information programmed in it. This information can be read by reader via Radio Frequency link. Tags can be very miniature like thicker paper sheets. Simplest ones have only antena and diode. These tags only reflect signals incoming from
The Digital House 2007-10-26 16:19:04 The development of new tech-based products and systems has given rise to new ways to do business. Moreover, continuous drops in prices of these products and systems as well as their increased versatility have made integration of traditional gadgets possible. Merging devices has resulted to flexible, multi-functional business and/or entertainment systems that are capable of sharing, retrieving, and transferring digitized information among devices - and they do so with utmost control, convenience and security.
Digitized Home
A new tech-based segment in the market is gaining more popularity in businesses and households because of its simple yet flexible applications; functions that could change the way people communicate, transfer information and enjoy the comforts of their home are being developed.
Digital
home is a term that refers to a system where data and information storage, sharing and transfer (using networks of various devices and computers) exist. It is usually comprised of t Read more:House
The Autonomous Flying Ambulance 2007-10-25 16:09:07 The autonomous flying ambulance, nicknamed the Mule, is a creation of Rafi Yoeli, who used to work for Boeing and Israeli Aerospace Industries. He later founded his own company, Urban Aeronautics, in Yavne, Israel.
The Mule is the smaller version of another Urban Aeronautics product, the X-Hawk. The former vehicle has been designed for the purpose of carrying injured military personnel (hence the name ‘flying ambulance’) out of combat areas, while the latter is aimed for urban and personal use.
Several of Yoeli’s patented inventions are integrated into the Mule, including his VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle technology and the hybrid drive-powered lift platform. Both the Mule and the X-Hawk, for instance, are classified as VTOL vehicles.
(more…)
>>>: Embedded projects from around the web Microcontroller projects everyday Read more:Flying
Embedded Electronics and CTX Imaging 2007-10-25 02:33:38 CTX imaging is an image capture process that integrates the traditional techniques of computed tomography (CT) scanners and X-rays. The system is still in prototype stage and is far from small (at present, it’s still as big as one whole room), but Dr. Elizabeth Brainerd of Brown University, who heads the project, hopes that it will become commercial by the first decade of the 21st century.
Problems with Previous Technology
The two origin technologies of CTX imaging, CT scanner and X-ray, each had their own problems with regards to capturing images. CT scans produce high quality images which can be viewed in three dimensions, at the cost of speed; subjects being observed have to stay still for up to an hour. X-rays use a method called fluoroscopy which takes images in quick succession, but at the cost of quality; images produced by x-rays can be pieced together to create a video, but they’re of much lower quality and are limited to two dimensional views.
New Features of CTX Imag Read more:Imaging
Healthcare Service Using Embedded Electronics 2007-10-30 16:11:49 Embedded electronics technology has been actively and rapidly being developed to transform traditional devices into adaptive and more useful ones. Whether the equipment is an automatic water heater or a GRPS-powered diesel wheelchair, embedded electronics technologies are entering all possible aspects of human life and are being used to improve them.
Digitized Healthcare
Healthcare is also benefiting from the development in embedded electronics technology. Advanced medical equipment is being developed to improve response to emergency medical situations. The integration of several types of medical equipment is also being done to create digitized operating rooms and diagnostics areas that can respond to medical needs more efficiently and accurately.
(more…) Read more:Service
DIY AVR Graphical LCD test board 2007-10-30 14:16:50 Once I’ve got several HQM1286404 graphical LCD displays around so I decided to build a prototyping board where I could easily plug LCD to it, read data via ADC and display graphs, plug keypad if needed for some menu functions. Earlier I was testing graphical LCD on prototype breadboard, but dealing with multiple wires (GLCD needs 20 of them) resulted in many failures. It is OK to do simple tasks, but more serious applications require more stable platform. So here it is:
This type of GLCD is standard 128×64 pixel matrix controlled by KS0108 LCD controller. Ones I have comes with smaller non common pin-header where pins have 2mm step, so I had to draw it for Eagle library which you will find in project files. I decided to make very simple circuit so it could fit in 100×50mm single sided PCB. As base MCU I used Atmega16 which can be replaced with Atmega32 which is pin compatible with Atmega16 just have more data memory.
(more…) Read more:Graphical
The Wellness Mobile Phone 2007-10-30 03:37:15 The Wellness
mobile phone from the Japanese mobile solutions provider, NTT DoCoMo and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation was launched at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC), which was held in Japan on the first week of October this year (2007). According to the company spokesman, the Wellness mobile phone is a device that is suited to busy yet health-conscious individuals as health and fitness checks can be provided on the go using a very convenient device.
Traditional Fitness Features
The Wellness mobile phone is equipped with a pedometer that uses a built-in motion sensor. This motion sensor can detect the number of steps, the distance traveled and the type of activity (running, walking or climbing) being done by the phone user. Using all collected by the motion sensor, the inbuilt programming can calculate the amount of calories that has been burned. The phone can then generate a daily activity summary.
The phone also has a body mass calculator function. This Read more:Mobile
Embedded Electronics for the Handicapped 2007-10-27 16:32:27 Embedded electronic technology is all around. One may live in a digitized house, ride a car or subway train that has embedded sensors and detectors and work using an integrated company network. One can eat lunch in restaurants or play in amusement centers that have integrated computers, screens and controllers.
Embedded electronics technology is not limited to data transfer, sharing and storage. Many health-care related products also utilize embedded electronics to improve the quality of life. More advanced prosthetic limbs with microprocessors are being developed to bring comfort, stability and balance to handicapped but active members of society.
Embedded Human Body Systems
Newer forms of prosthetic limbs are entering the market. Otto Bock Healthcare is the first to develop and sell artificial limbs - the DynamicArm and C-Leg.
The DynamicArm is the world’s first microprocessor-controlled adaptive arm. Its processor uses a microcontroller to enable communication among
Embedded Electronics in Prosthetic Limbs 2007-10-31 16:12:50 Advancement in embedded electronics has transformed the way people work, communicate and unwind. It has paved the way for the integration of home and office device networking so people can share, transfer and save data and information in rates that are faster than ever. It has also promoted safety, comfort and efficiency in aviation as well as in land and sea navigation.
Embedded electronics, however, can also improve lifestyle and over-all well-being by providing new and better equipment to help people, especially those who are physically challenged.
The DARPA Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program
Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program is an ambitious effort of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (or DARPA). The main goal of the program is to help rehabilitate members of the armed forces who have been injured in the line of duty. It is a costly project that intends to develop an integrated, life-like prosthetic limb that can be controlled using residual nerves, provide feedba Read more:Limbs
The BrainSUITE neuro-imaging 2007-11-08 15:25:33 Brain tumors are one of the most difficult medical conditions to diagnose and treat. Brain surgery, for obvious reasons, is complicated and very risky. Luckily, modern day developments in the field of medicine can make performing brain tumor diagnosis and, more importantly, brain surgery easier and less risky. With a combination of advanced electronic tools and a doctor’s skills as well as technical knowledge, there can be better prognosis for brain cancer patients.
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Embedded Electronics in Medicinal and Biological Sciences 2007-11-08 07:14:21 Embedded medical and biological application refers to the use of technology and computers for observing certain events or generating a response when certain events occur. ‘Embedded’ points to the fact that such devices are either small or very passive, or both, such that the subjects of the observations are not continuously aware of it.
(more…) Read more:Medicinal
, Biological
, Sciences
Green Embedded Electronics 2007-11-07 15:05:54 ‘Green
electronics’ is an ideal that refers to environmentally friendly digital devices. Before the idea was brought forward, a considerable percentage of components involved in the manufacturing process of most electronic and digital devices were very toxic. Chemicals such as lead and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were commonly used in the manufacture of items like LCD screens and laptop computers. The green electronics initiative is often seen as an extension of a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) plan because of its environmental core ideas.
The concept is currently being pushed by many environmentalist organizations, most notable of which is Greenpeace International. In August 2006, Greenpeace released a list of the top ten ranked corporations that were actively reducing toxic components from within their products and improving the recycling process for their merchandise. Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia and computer giant Dell share the top spot on the said list
Radio Frequency Identification 2007-11-06 16:24:12 Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an identification system that uses radio waves to send data, and RFID tags or transponders. The first patented RFID device was a passive radio transponder with an integrated memory by Mario Cardullo. At present, the technology has many applications, particularly in the retail industry because of its small size, low power demands and high levels of efficiency offered. The application of RFID is seen as the next generation of the barcode technology that is currently in use.
(more…) Read more:Radio
, Frequency
, Identification
Embedded Electronics Technology in Automobiles 2007-11-05 09:01:29 As automobiles become increasingly user-independent and ‘intelligent,’ the demand for embedded electronic devices for use in cars is steadily increasing. This was indicated by increased demand for printed card buses (PCBs) that were destined for use as embedded devices in automobiles. PCB production rose in several parts of Europe, and experts in the industry are predicting moderate growth worldwide in the near future.
Embedded systems, because of their small size, low power consumption and rapid response rates have become valuable to the automotive industry as parts of safety components, sensors and on-board computers.
Virtual Mechanisms Powered by Embedded Systems
Car manufacturer, Porsche, in cooperation with dSPACE of Germany, has developed an electronics system that simulates the forces at work when one shifts gears. The shift force simulator simulates the normal operating conditions of a car from a driver’s perspective. Available inputs include the gear stick an Read more:Technology
, Automobiles
Bi-color LED indication 2007-11-12 15:05:36 Bi-color LEDs are same LEDs as uni-color just there are more than one LED housed in one package. Bi-color LEDs may have two or three leads depending on intentional connection method.
Three lead LEDs have common cathode lead to which both LEDs are connected internally.
Â
In order to tun one of the LEDs or both at the same time connect cathode to ground via current limiting resistor which value is equal to one LED required limiting. Of course you can connect current limiting resistors to each of anodes and control current individually. Then you can apply power to one of anodes or both at same time to have bi-color amber illumination.
Two leads bi-color LEDs have two LEDs connected in parallel but in opposite sides. One LEDs anode is connected o another LEDS cathode and other lead same way. So by applying power you will be able to light only one LED. For instance if you connect to microcontroller you will need to use two microcontroller pins to control both LEDs.
So you cant turn
Using NVRAM in embedded projects 2007-11-12 06:26:45 NVRAM(Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) is one of non-volatile memory selections. This may be alternative to EEPROM back up memory. NVRAM chips can be used for nonvolatile memory storage with many benefits comparing to EEPROM. Main benefit is that NVRAM chips work like static RAM. Actually they are RAM just they contain lithium cell battery for retaining RAM contents when main power is switched off. The backup memory can store contents as long as battery provides power. NVRAM chips doesn’t require much power, backup can be guaranteed for up to ten years.
For instance lets take Dallas NVRAM chip DS1225.
It contains 64k(8k x 8) of RAM memory. (more…)
>>>: Embedded projects from around the web Microcontroller projects everyday Read more:embedded
Sherpa Robot codename BigDog 2007-11-10 08:45:05 The Sherpa robot (codename
d "BigDog') is supposedly the most advanced four-footed robot in the world. The project is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and is being developed in cooperation with other agencies and organizations. Other DARPA-funded robot projects include that of the tree-climbing robot.
The BigDog project aims to create a robot that could mimic animal movement, mechanics, control, and structure. The robot is being developed for the primary purpose of developing a robotic “pack mule” - a robot that can be used in a battlefield to carry heavy loads and go over rough terrain. Thus, this robot would function like a real animal that can carry the military unit’s supplies and ammunitions, although unlike real animals, the robot will not go hungry, become thirsty or get weary.
(more…) Read more:Robot
Embedded Electronics in Space and Medicine 2007-11-15 09:00:48 Embedded medical and space systems make use of miniaturized computers that are designed and programmed to do only one or a very limited number of functions. Their minute size and very low energy demands allow them to be used in several environments. Combined with other systems, they can be used to create any number of new devices.
Embedded Systems in Medicine
Because of their small size and their specificity in function, embedded systems have been widely used in medicine, especially when used as a relatively large component. Current computer tomography (CT) scanners use application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that span a few square inches; this is quite big in comparison to other implementations of embedded systems which cover a mere fraction of an inch.
Photodiodes are yet another embedded system that is critical to CT scanners. Photodiode arrays (photodiodes arranged in a linear fashion on an integrated chip) are responsible for detecting different wavelengths of light Read more:Space
Robotic Assistance for the Disabled 2007-11-20 08:19:09 Embedded devices – particularly digital ones – that are specially designed to assist individuals with disabilities are often seen as the next step in that particular field of technology. Such embedded devices generally have several advantages over the previous wave of embedded devices that have monitoring functions, control capabilities and the ability to access and use communication protocols like the internet. The modern embedded applications devices do not stop at monitoring, tracking and relaying information; they almost always directly assist the user, such as in the form of a prosthetic limb or a personal transport assistance vehicle.
Advancements in Embedded Devices
Although research on embedded devices – especially programmed computer systems designed to do a limited number of tasks – has been ongoing since the creation of the computer itself, great advances have only been achieved in recent years as a consequence of the developments in computing and computer chip Read more:Robotic
, Disabled
Intestinal Robots 2007-11-27 08:01:51 Intestinal robots are artificial electromechanical systems – robots – that were designed for exploring the inner cavities and organs of the body, particularly the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. Built to replace or provide an alternative to colonoscopy, currently the only option for taking a look inside the human body (this is done by inserting a tube through a convenient orifice), intestinal robots have gained much attention from the medical community. Due to the minute size of the circuitry that has to be used in intestinal robots, they are seen as a field for technological development and as an application of Moore’s Law.
First-Generation Robots
The first wave of intestinal robots was mostly designed to pass through the body passively. The primary component of these robots was a miniaturized camera that took still images or video as it passed through the patient’s body. An early example of this kind of robot was the camera that was integrated into Read more:Intestinal
Increase wireless signal strength in few minutes 2007-11-26 05:35:32 Florin from YouriTronics have taken a video where he shows how to make very simple WiFi signal
reflector and this way increase the signal level to one direction. For this he used soda can cut in half. Probably everybody know parabolic antennas and ho do they reflect signal from focal point. If WiFi antenna is placed along can shape focal point, the signal waves will be directed to one direction. Of course soda can isn’t parabolic shape, but this cheap solution gives noticeable results.
WPvideo 1.10
Download!
[link] Read more:strength
, minutes
Ocean Embedded Electronics Systems 2007-12-04 07:13:47 Embedded systems for ocean applications are comprised of small, function-specific computers that are designed to operate in the rough environment of open water, to withstand both pressure and weather, and to use as little energy as possible. While development of such technology has been ongoing for a long time, research and implementation have been stepped up due to the increased demand for ocean-based monitoring and warning systems; this demand is a direct result of the 2004 tsunami disaster. Embedded systems are also being developed for purposes of tidal power generation as well as improvement of navigation systems aboard ocean-going vessels.
Embedded Systems
for Disaster Prevention
One of the technologies that have been designed after the 2004 tsunami was a buoy that could detect disturbances or irregularities in the ocean currents; these irregularities could indicate an impending natural disaster so their early detection can significantly improve early warning systems.
The sea Read more:Ocean
Radio, alarm clock and thermometer - all in one system 2007-12-03 12:11:15 Original project by: Владислав Шаповалов
Such multi-purpose device is a nice example of of using microcontroller for combined tasks. The idea of radio-clock-thermometer
came up when authors car audio head-end was stolen. He decided to use what’s left left from car radio and build something nice. So the project has started.
(more…) Read more:Radio
, alarm
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