Circuit Cellar Ink 249
April 2011

Table of Contents

4 CJ Abate	HTML Task Manager Keeping It Professional
8 John Gorsky	HTML New Product News PIC32MX5/6/7 family of 32-bit microcontrollers with integrated Ethernet, CAN, USB, and serial connectivity from Microchip Technology, Inc. Freescale Tower System development platform from Freescale Semiconductor GP-24116 and GP-24132 USB high-speed digital-pattern generator, logic analyzer, and bidirectional (SPI/I2C) host adapter from Byte Paradigm testing services for ZigBee Remote Control (ZRC) devices from TRaC Global Ltd. EquaStat ESD Roll fabric for static protection of work surfaces from JNJ Industries, Inc. SIM-030/031ST and SIM-040/041ST surface-mount 850/870 nm IR LEDs from ROHM Semiconductor QMUX16X2 16 x 2 data-acquisition multiplexer from Bitwise Systems Scribbler S2 Propeller-based pen robot from Parallax, Inc. phyCORE-AM3517 ARM Cortex-A8 AM3517-based system on module from PHYTEC America, LLC new portfolio of 28-nm FPGA devices from Altera Corp. FMD88-10 and FMD1616-10 PLCs with Ethernet from Triangle Research International, Inc. Model JSB375 USB-based AC voltage monitor and switch from J-Works, Inc. Vaccine USB memory stick with McAfee antivirus software for embedded computers from Hagiwara Sys-Com Co., Ltd.
13 David Tweed	HTML Test Your EQ - Answers for Issue 248
16 Thomas Mitchell	Getting Started with Microprogramming Part 1: The Architecture, Programmer Model, and SMP You can build a custom microprogrammed processor suitable for an FPGA. This article details how to define a microword, tie a microword definition to actual signals in the FPGA, write a microprogram, and merge a microprogram with a VHDL design. Download: Mitchell-249.zip
24 Mariano Lizarraga Renwick Curry Gabriel Elkaim	Reprogrammable UAV Autopilot System Part 1: System Hardware and Software This two-part article series covers the design, development, and testing of a reprogrammable UAV autopilot system. Here you get a detailed system-level description of the autopilot design, with specific emphasis on its hardware and software.
38 Mark Csele	DSP-Based Color Organ Use the Convolution Technique to Create High-Performance Filters Modern technology is employed to create a colorful light show. The project demonstrates the use of a classic DSP technique -- convolution -- to create high-performance filters. Download: Csele-249.zip
The Darker Side 46 Robert Lacoste	Noise Figures 101 What is the noise figure of an RF amplifier and how do you measure it? This article introduces the concept of a noise figure and presents how it's linked to a signal receiver's sensitivity.
The Consummate Engineer 54 George Novacek	Reliable Programming Work Toward Fault-Free Software Whether you're a freelance developer or part of a corporate design team, you know that specification changes (by clients or team leaders) are common occurrences. In such situations, software requirements can fall through the cracks. Thus, developing reliable programming skills is essential.
Above the Ground Plane 56 Ed Nisley	Thermal Performance Understanding the principles of heat transfer and having the ability to work out heat transfer problems are essential skills for any serious electronics engineer. The techniques detailed in this article will enable you to figure out the origin of a project's heat and how to measure its progress. Download: Nisley-249.zip
From the Bench 64 Jeff Bachiochi	Boot Up Bootloading Essentials Flash-based microcontrollers enable upgrades via external media, such as giving a host program access your design. Thus, you have the ability to upgrade virtually any design and enhance its usability. This article details the basics of bootloading, and you learn about a technique that you'll find useful at your workbench.
74	Crossword Puzzle
78	Crossword Puzzle - Answers for Issue 248
79	Advertiser's Index / May Preview
80 Steve Ciarcia	HTML Priority Interrupt A Guess to Come

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