Circuit Cellar Ink 117
April 2000

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

Digital Becomes Analog

8


Harv Weiner

New Product News

  • PresencePLUS Pixel-Counting Sensor from Banner Engineering Corp.
  • LCD Displays from Apollo Display Technologies, Inc.
  • MC2800 Series motion controllers from Performance Motion Devices, Inc.
  • Model 6229 signal processing module from Pentek, Inc.
  • CMI-5015-12 Motor Control Module from Composite Modules
  • 8051 software development suite from Crossware

12


Kizito Tshilumba Kasengulu

Getting Your Signals Straight

Walsh-Hadamard Encoders and Decoders in MATLAB

Not up to speed on Walsh-Hadamard encoders and decoders? No problem, Kizito was kind enough to give us some Hadamard code background before explaining how to implement these helpful encoders and decoders in MATLAB.

20


Jan Gray

PDF HTML, HTML Building a RISC System in an FPGA

Part 2: Pipeline and Control Unit Design

In Part 1, Jan introduced his plan to build a pipelined 16-bit RISC processor and System-on-a-Chip in an FPGA. This month, he explores the CPU pipeline and designs the control unit. Listen up, because next month, he'll tie it all together.

Download: gray.zip

28


George Novacek

The Shocking Truth about EMC

Part 1: Design for Compatibility

Designing for electromagnetic compatibility shouldn't just be an afterthought. As George shows us, if you wait until EMC causes a problem, you just might find yourself doing quite a bit of redesigning. Listen up and save yourself the trouble.

Embedded PC

39


Harv Weiner

Nouveau PC

  • Redundant power supply for CompactPCI from Ziatech Corporation
  • DIO-16.PCI digital I/O interface from Sealevel Systems, Inc.
  • SCRAMNet+ SC78 realtime network from Systran Corporation
  • Chico PCI data acquistion board from Innovative Integration
  • Atlas-C multiprocessor CompactPCI board from General Micro Systems, Inc.

Embedded PC

42


Ingo Cyliax

Real-Time PC

POST It, Build a Power-On Self Test Card for PC/104

Setting out to weed through an ever-growing pile of "spare" boards and resurrect his backup laptop motherboard, Ingo discovered that a POST card would make the task easier, especially if the card was PC/104 compatible...

Embedded PC

46


Fred Eady

HTML Applied PCs

Under the Covers, Part 1: Get Embed(ded) with Windows NT 4.0

What's so great about Windows NT Embedded 4.0? According to Fred, it all depends on how you look at it. This month, Fred's looking at it via Ampro's Little Board/P5x SBC (which came with some other goodies, too).

52


Markus Desgronte

A Quick Meter Made

Fast Frequency Meter for Low Frequencies

When it comes to measuring frequencies, as the frequency you are measuring drops, so does your accuracy. In this article, Markus shows us how to make a frequency meter that's quick and has no problem handling lower frequencies.

58


Ron Tipton

All About Correlation

If you need to perform signal analysis, Ron takes a graphical approach to explaining the details of correlation. By the time you finish this article, you'll be more than ready to downlaod the software and start working with these data-analysis tools.

Download: Tipton.zip CORRELAT.ZIP

64


Joe DiBartolomeo

PDF MicroSeries

Op-Amp Specifications, Part 1: Served Italian Style

If you're a digital or software designer who only delves into the realm of analog and op-amps when absolutely necessary, grab a cappuccino and a pastry, and then get ready for an earful on op-amps. Andiamo!

70


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

Drop the Incredible Bulk, Using Capacitors as Isolation Components

If your application needs a modem, you may want to consider the Si2400. Before you scoff at 2400 bps, Jeff has some pretty good support for the less-is-more argument.

76


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

A Winter Timer Tale

The weather outside may not exactly be frightful, but that won't stop Tom from settling down with his TTL Cookbook and reflecting on what made the '555 so delightful. It's not as old-fashioned as you think.

83

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / May Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

All Things Considered

Circuit Cellar Online


Edward Steinfeld

PDF HTML Making the Change

From Standalone to Internet Appliance

Plenty of devices have made the transition from standalone product to Internet appliance, but Edward looks at why you might consider making the change in your next project and how you can get the most out of Internet appliances.

Circuit Cellar Online


Stephen Bowling

PDF HTML Recycle Your Code

Conversion and Optimization Techniques

Portable code and design reusability have become increasingly important as designers are given shorter design cycles and time-to-market goals. As Stephen explains, the PIC18Cxxx architecture lets you get more mileage out of your programming efforts.

Circuit Cellar Online


Michael R. Smith

PDF HTML The SHARC in the C

In a recent project, Mike set out to develop DSP algorithms suitable for producing an improved sound stage for headphones. Using the Analog Devices 21061 SHARC, he modified the phase and amplitude of the audio signal before it is sent to the ear, thus creating "virtual" speakers that give the effect of listening via room speakers.

Circuit Cellar Online


Bob Perrin
Tak Auyeung

PDF HTML Considering the Details

Looking Good, Using a Graphics-Based LCD Module

Advances in technology have brought graphics-based LCDs into the budget range of many embedded applications. Unfortunately, graphics modules aren't as easy to work with as the ubiquitous character-based display. Using C, Bob and Tak explain what it takes to implement a graphics-based module.

Download: c0400cdcode.ZIP

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Embed This PC, Part 4: Designing Peripherals In

George has covered the CPU options and selected DRAM and BIOS flash memory devices for the embedded '486 project. In the final part of this series, he ties it all together and takes a look at what kinds of peripherals you might want to add on.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

The Retreat of Silicon

Most of the attention being paid to the march of silicon is focused on the mega-chips. But, with the latest in less-is-more solutions, things might be about to change.

Circuit Cellar Online


Jeff Bachiochi

HTML Ask Us, The Engineer's Tech-Help Resource

Let us help keep your project on track or simplify your design decision. Put your tough technical questions in front of the ASK US team. In an engineering predicament? Read questions & answers from other engineers.

Circuit Cellar Online


Bob Perrin

What's Your Engineering Quotient?

Test Your EQ presents some basic engineering problems for you to test your engineering quotient.

Circuit Cellar Online


Bob Paddock

Resource Links

Each month Circuit Cellar's Resource Links provide helpful links and information on a variety of featured topics.

Circuit Cellar Online


Harv Weiner

New Product News

New Product submissions may be sent to Harv Weiner, 4 Park St., Vernon, CT 06066.
FTP Directory for INK 117
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