Circuit Cellar Ink 120
July 2000

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

Lend Me Your...

8


Harv Weiner

New Product News

  • PCMCIA Serial I/O cards from Sealevel Systems Incorporated
  • Model 5954 PC/104 4-axis motion controller from Technology 80 Inc.

10


James M. Conrad
Mark van Dijk

BEAMStiquito

A Simple Circuit for an Inexpensive Robot

With a versatile and practical design such as the Stiquito, it's hard to keep it from evolving into more advanced forms. This time, James and Mark have taken the Stiquito and applied concepts that provide a higer survival rating for robots.

Download: conrad.ZIP

14


Rob Walker

Beating the Heat

2000 Trinity College Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest

22


Jan Axelson

PDF USB Chip Choices

Finding a Peripheral Controller

Today, most peripheral devices are designed with USB connections. Designing USB peripherals can get tricky, but choosing the right chip can make a world of difference. Jan knows her USB, so you might want to choose to listen up.

28


Brian Millier

Back to BasicX

Part 2: NetSnoop Application

Now that we've met NetMedia's BasicX development system, it's time to put it to use. You can unplug the soldering iron for this one because Brian is taking us through the software for a background debug monitor that he developed.

34


Tom Napier

PDF 115 VAC, to Go, Please

Drive a Portable Inverter with a PIC16C54

If you have a small appliance that needs a portable power source, then you'll want to pay attention to what Tom has to say. When it came time to upgrade an earlier project, usign a PIC to drive the portable inverter was the obvious choice.

Download: napier.ZIP

Embedded PC

38


Harv Weiner

Nouveau PC

  • CPC-2245 '486-based SBC from Advantech Technologies, Inc.
  • PC190 PCI I2C adapter from Saelig Company LLC
  • PCI-COM-1S and PCI-ICM-1S asynchronous adapters from ACCES I/O Products, Inc.
  • VersaBox PC/104 or EBX development enclosure from VersaLogic Corp.

Embedded PC

41


Ingo Cyliax

Real-Time PC

Real-Time Executive for Multiprocessor Systems, Part 3: Running i386 RTEMS Applications

RTEMS has some great networking support features; this month Ingo covers those in more detail and shows us just what it takes to get an i386 RTEMS application up and running. And, it's easier than you think!

Embedded PC

48


Fred Eady

Applied PCs

Calling for Backup, The Value and Methods of Backing Up

Backing up things is a lot like long-term investing -- you may not see immediate benefits, but someday you'll be glad you did it. This month, Fred takes a look at PowerQuest's simple and practical backup imaging software.

54


Alan Kilian

PDF, PDF HTML, HTML Quick and Easy Motor Control

Implementing a PIC-SERVO Controller

Before you get your motor running and head out on the highway, you may want to listen to what Alan has to say about the PIC-SERVO from JR Kerr Engineering. If you need to control a DC motor with encoder feedback, this chip will fit the bill nicely.

Download: kilian.doc

Embedded Living

60


Mike Baptiste

Two Ports in a PIC

A Communication Thermostat

Getting your thermostat to communicate with your HCS-II may be easier than you think, according to Mike. He used a PIC16F876 to create the Stat-Link and now there's no lack of communication between his thermostat and his HCS-II.

66


Joe DiBartolomeo

PDF MicroSeries

Op-Amp Specifications, Part 4: AC Applications

Well, all good things must come to an end, so this month Joe wraps up this series on op-amp specifications. Of course, there's still a lot to be covered, but understanding the needs of AC applications will get you started.

72


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

DFPs: Riding the Wave of the Future

Jeff set out to build a reusable peripheral I2C device that he could recycle in future projects. The practicality of LED character displays made the application choice easy.

76


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

Swiss Army Chip, Programmable System Devices

When it comes to combo chips that have what it takes to make it, Tom thinks the success or failure of such chips may have a lot more to do with what else is going on in the world of silicon.

84


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / August Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

I Call It "Prospecting"

Circuit Cellar Online


Gerard Fonte

PDF HTML Looking at the Specs

With this article, Gerard helps us answer some of the questions about one of the defining characteristics of most engineering projects, showing us that, when engineers, marketeers, and customers all have a common goal, they can get the most out of specifications. But, is it really possible for all three to come to an agreement? See what Gerard has to say.

Circuit Cellar Online


Michael Chan

PDF HTML Build a Virtual Wireless Automation System

What is "real" and what is virtual reality? It's hard to tell nowadays. Similarly, Michael's project scheme is wireless, but is it really? It seems like it because there is little or no wiring or installation involved when you want to make a change to your system. Let Michael take you through the steps, then maybe you can get virtually wireless.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Novacek

PDF HTML Decisions, Decisions ...

Are you creative? Well, if you are the engineer who has to make the decision concerning a certain design, then you had better be. George discusses some of the more important aspects of decision making and shows us that, by understanding the problems and options available, we can decrease the risk and choose the right alternative.

Circuit Cellar Online

HTML Internet PIC 2000 Contest Winners

  • PIC WEB CAM
  • PIC X-10 Web Server
  • Web Chart Recorder
  • IDAPIC
  • UDP/IP INterface
  • SLIP Server
  • Environment Sensing

Circuit Cellar Online


Ingo Cyliax

PDF HTML Learning the Ropes -- FPGA & CPLD

Virtex Proto Board

Although Ingo had originally planned to follow up his last article about multipliers, he ran into a little problem. OK, so it was a big problem. But, that's to our benefit.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Number Crunching with Embedded Processors

This month, George walks us through binary numbers, embedded processors, and how different numbering systems work together with CPU instructions and the C language. He takes us through the steps and then encourages us to walk on our own with different examples. And remember, practice makes perfect!

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

I'm a Traveling Man

What season is it, anyway? I would say summer, but for Tom and many others it's conference and trade show season. So, pack your suitcase, kiss the spouse goodbye, and get ready for the ride because Tom is taking us on the road with him. Our first stop -- FPGAs.

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


David Tweed

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 120
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