By embedding a PIC microcontroller into an NES controller, it can be converted into a replacement for Apple’s iPod remote. (Only 3rd and 4th Generation iPods have this, it is a the small oval port next to the headphone jack). Update (8/26/2011): It’s been quite some time since iPods have used this iPod remote connector, […]
Keypads are a very commonly used input device in microcontroller-based systems. In a keypad, multiple switches are arranged in rows and columns so that they could be interfaced to a microcontroller with a minimum number of I/O pins. For example, a 12-key keypad is arranged in a 4×3 format, which allows to interface the 12 […]
This device will trigger a camera or flash unit to automatically take a picture when an object (target) enters a specific location. It uses two, crossed infrared light beams to detect the presence of the target and close a relay that trips the camera or flash unit. Response time is about 2 ms from detection […]
Connected to a burglar alarm or fire alarm in the event of making phone calls playing voice messages. Controlled via DTMF actuators can operate on the spot. In recent years we have introduced several telecontrols based on the SIM900 GSM module. We released schematics and code for a gate opener (that activates when receiveing a […]
The Nixie Tube Ornament is a homage to the light-up&motion ornaments from the early 90’s. The ornament looks cool on a tree and makes a great gift. Finally, a use for IN-12/15 top view tubes! I used an IN-15A symbol nixie in this ornament. An IN-12 works great too. A video of the ornament alone: […]
“Ready for PIC“ is one of MikroElektronika‘s compact prototyping boards for 28 and 40 pin PIC microcontrollers. The board comes with PIC16F887 microcontroller which is preprogrammed with an UART bootloader firmware and thus eliminates the need of an external programmer. The on-board USB-UART module allows the serial data transfer between the PIC and a PC […]
Normally one tact switch requires one digital input pin of a microcontroller. Some designs implement keypad style multiplexing to get multiple switches on fewer inputs. However, there exist other techniques that allow you to connect many switches on a single input pin of a microcontroller. This tutorial demonstrates one such technique as applied to PIC12F683 […]
A microcontroller comes with a limited number of general purpose input and output (GPIO) ports. However, some applications may require more ports than are available on the microcontroller. In such a case, GPIO expanders can be used to increase the I/O capability of the microcontroller. MCP23008 is one such device (manufactured by Microchip Technology) which […]
In this video we step through a an updated version of the USB demo board. Changes include: -circuit board will only contain bare minimum parts to demonstrate USB communication from host to device and device to host -for both firmware and host software, we will make the projects from scratch, import downloaded USB function libraries, […]
And yet everyone wants one!!!? AKA: The Ultimate Machine! Get Your Useless Machine: Purchase Useless Machine Kits Here! Update Oct 31, 2012: “Weird Al” Yankovic Sez: “I never realized till now how much I needed one of these.” AS SEEN ON TV! Make Magazine’s amiable editor-in-chief, Mark Frauenfelder demonstrated The Useless Machine on the Colbert […]
