Circuit Cellar Ink 115
February 2000

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

What's in Utah?

8


Harv Weiner

New Product News

  • CL2001 ChamberLog recording system from JC Systems, Inc.
  • DS80C390 dual CAN microcontroller from Dallas Semiconductor
  • Voice Dialer 364 ASSP from Sensory, Inc.
  • EM1000 Ethernet Modem from Z-World

11

Reader I/O

Letters to the Editor

12


Craig L. King

Practical Analog Circuit Design

Understanding a few basic analog design issues can go a long way in circuit design. Forget that old textbook, Craig's project will take you from signal amplification to calibration using a standalone 12-bit ADC with an 8-bit MCU.

16


Stuart Ball

PDF Build An AVR Programmer

If you've been looking for an inexpensive way to program Atmel's AVR microcontrollers, then Stuart's project is just what you need. With a little work and only six ICs, you can build a programmer that is perfect for working with AVR parts.

Download: Ball.ZIP

26


Dana Romero

PDF, PDF Bridging the Gap

Interfacing Resistive Sensors

Although thermocouples and thermistors may be familiar, Dana heads into the great unknown (or at least unfamiliar) and explains how to interface lesser-known sensors such as strain gages and resistance temperature detectors.

32


Riccardo Rocca

PDF HTML, HTML Launching the Roboat

Navigation by GPS and Digital Compass

Riccardo's first-prize-winning Design 99 project tests the feasibility of an autonomous GPS-guided model. Step aboard for this stem-to-stern review of everything from the details of construction to the software required for its maiden voyage.

Download: Rocca.zip

40


Duane Perkins

Save Your Voice

A Digital Sound Board

Tired of repeating yourself? With Duane's project, you won't have to worry about that because he uses a PIC16C73 to make a sound board for your PC. Now you can record speech and music signals with almost radio quality.

Download: Perkins.ZIP

Embedded PC

48


Harv Weiner

Nouveau PC

  • SBC1486 PC/104 format '486 computer from Micro/sys, Inc.
  • EPC-350 industrial PC/104 '386 SBC from Octagon Systems
  • Panel PC flat-panel computer from WinSystems
  • Panther PC/104-plus Pentium SBC from VersaLogic Corp.

Embedded PC

50


Ingo Cyliax

Real-Time PC

A Matter of Time, Part 2: Using IRIG Codes

Ingo sets out to explain the ins and outs of working with one of the most popular time codes -- IRIG. Once you understand the details, you'll have your PC clock synchronized with an existing time standard in no time.

Embedded PC

57


Fred Eady

Applied PCs

A Personalized Virtual Web

Putting source code and CAD copy on the 'Net is a good thing for all, but what if you wanted to pass "physical" information between a couple of pieces of hardware? Fred uses EMIT and a PIC to show us just how easy that can be.

66


Tom Bishop

MicroSeries

Rapid Gratification with FPGA Design, Part 1: Getting Up to Speed

With current tools and the technology of today's FPGAs, the process of designing and developing systems is getting easier and faster. Don't get left behind. Listen up as Tom gets us up to speed on the topic.

72


Jeff Bachiochi

PDF From the Bench

In Theory and in Practice, Part 1: Digital Filters

This month, Jeff starts off with a bit of filter theory and before long he's designing a clock-tunable digital filter using Linear Technology's LT1068.

76


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

EZ-Mail Engine

While much of the embedded internet buzz focuses on web servers, everyone is ignoring a far more cost-effective solution -- e-mail capabilities. Stop surfing for a second and read on.

82

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / March Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

You've Got to be Y2Kidding

Circuit Cellar Online


Shawn Arnold

PDF HTML Designing a DSP-Based RAS Server

Part 1: RAS Server Background

Learn all you need to know about Remote Access System servers in Shawn's introduction to RAS servers. If you've ever considered implementing a DSP-based RAS server, you're going to want to start by reading this article.

Circuit Cellar Online


Duane Perkins

PDF, PDF HTML Making the SmartPIC Serial Programmer

When picking a PIC programmer, you may find that there are as many choices as there are PICs. The more versatile it is, the more money you have to lay out, right? Not if you follow Duane's plan. He gives you more bang for your buck with his new serial programmer.

Download: 16cxxprg.zip

Circuit Cellar Online


George Novacek

PDF HTML DEFECTS FOR SALE REVISITED

George expounds on Software Reliability. Go with him as he kicks the tires and puts some software through the paces. Before he's done, you'll know how you how you can quantify software reliability.

Circuit Cellar Online


Bob Perrin

PDF HTML Considering the Details

Motors: A Lost Art?

How would you get identical performance out of 1-hp motors operating at different line frequencies? The answer led Bob to satisfy a driving curiosity of the inner details of motors. If you ever wanted to know more about motors, then Bob's got what you need.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Embed this PC, Part 2: Emulator and EPROM Basics

Continuing with his latest project, George shows us how to use emulators in an embedded '486 project to monitor the design. There are a few options to choose from, he'll show you how to make the best choice.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

Twenty Years Ago, Today

Tom takes us back to the dawning of the DSP. Follow him as he marks important moments in DSP development leading up to today's modern DSP chips.

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 115
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