Circuit Cellar Ink 135
October 2001

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

It's Magic

8


Rick Prescott

New Product News

  • EECOM IDC ribbon cable terminator from Ranoda Electronics Inc.
  • F14 and F18 series rotary encoders from Danaher Controls
  • BL2000 Ethernet-enabled SBC from Z-World
  • CSE series capacitive actuators from Schurter Inc.
  • EmCORE-i6315 Pentium III SBC from Arbor Technology
  • S6 Candelabra screw base LED lamps from LEDtronics, Inc.
  • Serial port EEPROM from Methode Electronics, Inc.

12


Tom Napier

Considering an Analog Filter

As the ever-changing tech market continues to top itself, Tom reminds us not to forget the classics. Right now, all eyes are on digital processing, but analog filters are still useful. After hearing about the various types and benefits, you'll find analog filters simple to boot.

18


Andrew Lillie

Simultaneous Analog-to-Digital Conversions

After introducing queued analog-to-digital conversion, Andrew will have all of us programming modules and performing conversions in no time. As he shows us, versatility and flexibility are at the heart of QADC modules. And the result in your application is synergy.

Download: lillie135.zip

28


Eric Kesselring

The Need for Speed

An Accurate Speedometer

Problems often fuel great projects. Eric's trouble with gauging his truck's speed led to a design that is both interesting and practical. With electronics in vehicles, complications are a given. But, with some engineering know-how, you can devise workable solutions.

Download: kesselring135.zip

Note: Corrected URL in Ink #136 Reader I/O.

38


Daniel Ramirez

Robot Sensor Controller Board

Part 1: The Brain

What's the difference between a robot and the Scarecrow? The brain, of course. In this two-part series, Daniel focuses on what makes a robot tick -- artificial intelligence. By adding this sensor controller board, you get to be the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.

Download: ramirez135.zip

Note: Corrected URL in Ink #136 Reader I/O.

Embedded PC

48


Fred Eady

Applied PCs

The Basics of USB

The technology of USB won't plug into Fred's guitar, but the effort did give him an opportunity to impart his knowledge of USB basics. Although his work didn't change the world, you're in for a valuable lesson. And, as always, Fred's project isn't complicated, it's embedded.

Note: Corrected URL in Ink #136 Reader I/O.

54


Ed Nisley

HTML, HTML Above the Ground Plane

Learning from the Past, A Look at a Chrome Lollipop

When you accept anything as-is, it's always a gamble. Luckily for Ed, his gamble paid out and it meant finding a true treasure among the trash. His find: an Astatic D-104 chrome crystal microphone. Check out the circuit exercise that followed the finding.

Download: nisley.zip

60


Brian Merritt

Telling Time and Temperature

Building an All-Purpose Portable Device

Do you have the time and temperature? Ah, the most often asked questions. Well, how about a battery-powered portable device that displays both measurements using single-slope conversion? Armed with this this unit, you're prepared for small talk anytime, anywhere.

Download: merritt135.zip

66


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

A New Thermometer, Replacing Mercury with a Thermistor

Two months, two projects. Now you can combine them as one using a replaceable thermistor as a sensor. Perhaps auditory input from our appliances will be necessary someday.

74


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

High Five, An up and Coming Micro Supplier

Tom has dabbled in fuzzy logic before, but this time the claim that it does not live up to the hype may be the fault of impractical implementations, not absence of virtue for the concept. See what has him rethinking it.

83


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / November Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

No Unpopulated Territory

Circuit Cellar Online


Phil Anderson

PDF HTML Demystifying In-Circuit Serial Programming

As with many engineers, when it came to in-circuit serial programming, Phil was in a bit of a haze. But, through much researching and experimenting, the fog lifted and the concept became clear to him. In this article, he cuts through the red tape and demystifies ICP.

Circuit Cellar Online


Fred Eady

PDF HTML Introducing the Packet Whacker

Part 1: Hitching a Ride on the PICDEM.NET

As with every journey Fred takes us on, we can assume that, at times, it's going to be bumpy and there's going to be a lot of smoking going on. The PICDEM.NET was meant to be hotrodded, and he knows just how to get the most out of this beautiful machine, even if means designing a new product to do it.

Circuit Cellar Online


James Antonakos

PDF HTML Passive and Active Filters

Passing and Rejecting Signals Based on Their Frequency

Who knew that brewing a cup of coffee could be the first step in understanding a basic engineering concept? Well, James takes us through the different blends of filters, whetting our appetite for more. He also challenges us to taste them all-after all, variety is the spice of life.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

What's the Logic Behind the Design? Working with Programmable Logic

Last month, George gave us some great new product ideas. And, while watching CSPAN one evening, he got another great idea, which in turn got him thinking about logic devices. Join him, this month, as he takes us through the process of programmable logic.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

I-Way the Hard Way

Every system designer will eventually have to ask himself this question-should I do it in hardware or software? Tom tackles this question, revealing what he thinks is an inevitable migration toward hardware. However, although there's an exorbitant amount of information available, until all the players reveal their hands, the answer it seems is elusive.

Circuit Cellar Online


David Tweed

HTML What's Your Engineering Quotient?

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

Circuit Cellar Online


Jenn Belmonte

Resource Links

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

Circuit Cellar Online


Rick Prescott

New Product News

New Product submissions may be sent to Rick Prescott, 4 Park St., Vernon, CT 06066.
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