Circuit Cellar Ink 279
October 2013

Table of Contents

2


Mary Wilson

HTML Editor's Letter

A Fresh Focus on Programmable Logic

Questions & Answers

10


Nan Price

Communications Specialist

An Interview with Alenka Zajic

From building RF components for cell phones to teaching signal processing and electromagnetics at Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Alenka Zajic has always been interested in engineering and communications. Alenka and I discussed her fascination with a variety of communication technologies including mobile-to-mobile, computer system, energy-efficient, and wireless. She also described her current research, which focuses on improving computer communication.

16


CJ Abate

HTML New Product News

24


Devlin Gualtieri

Improving Microprocessor Audio

Digital circuitry and square waves are not always the best methods of producing audio alert signals. Analog circuitry and sine waves are another option. This article provides some simple techniques for generating high-quality sine waves without excessive filtering.

28


Walter Krawec

Experiments in Developmental Robotics

Part 2: Robot Reflex and Instinct Systems

The first part of this article series introduced artificial neural networks, described an evolving neural network used in a robot development project, and explained how a short-term memory system evaluates a network. Part 2 explains how to add data to a short-term memory system and discusses how a robot is equipped with minimalistic "instincts" and "reflexes," which are used by the evolving neural network to guide its evolution.

Download: 279-Krawec.zip

34


Graig Pearen

Solar Array Tracker

Part 1: SunSeeker Hardware

The SunSeeker system tracks, monitors, and adjusts solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays based on weather and atmospheric conditions. It identifies conditions, measures PV and air temperature, compiles statistics, and communicates with a local server that enables software algorithm development and refinement. Diagnostic software monitors the design's motors to show both movement and position.

Download: 279-Pearen.zip

Programmable Logic in Practice

46


Colin O'Flynn

Using Internal Logic Analyzers for FPGAs

Sometimes you need to debug an FPGA design in a physical device. Many integrated logic analyzer tools enable you to probe signals inside a running design. This article introduces integrated logic analyzer tools and shows you several tips for a more enjoyable debugging experience.

The Darker Side

52


Robert Lacoste

Bipolar Transistor Biasing

Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are not a new technology, but they can be a useful tool in many designs. For example, you can use an inexpensive BJT to build an amplifier. This article explains how.

Download: 279-Lacoste.zip

The Consummate Engineer

58


George Novacek

Battery Basics

Part 2: Battery Back-Up Power

A rechargeable battery's life cycle depends on whether it has been properly charged. This article describes how to construct a floating back-up power source with a lead-acid battery and a charger.

Download: 279-Novacek.zip

Embedded in Thin Slices

62


Bob Japenga

Embedded File Systems

Part 1: Linux File Systems

This is the first installment in a multipart article series about embedded Linux file systems. This article introduces the topic and plunges into some important details about flash file systems.

From the Bench

66


Jeff Bachiochi

Robot Simulation

Part 1: RobotBASIC Basics

You can use a free robot control programming language with an integrated simulator for robot communication. This article introduces RobotBASIC and explains how to use this IDE.

Download: 279-Bachiochi.zip

72

Crossword Puzzle

73


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ - Answers for Issue 278

78

Crossword Puzzle - Answers for Issue 278

80


Collin Ladd
Michael Dickey

Tech the Future

3-D Printing with Liquid Metals

FTP Directory for INK 279

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