Circuit Cellar Ink 123
October 2000

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

Better Vision Through Landscaping

8


Harv Weiner

New Product News

  • WORLD-BEAM photoelectric sensor from Banner Engineering Corp.
  • DMU-H6X 3-axis inertial measurement unit from Crossbow Technology, Inc.
  • TSP POTS and T-1 line simulator from Teltone Corp.
  • Clarity-18 UHB sunlight-readable LCD monitor from Computer Dynamics, Inc.

11

Reader I/O

Letters to the Editor

12


Edward Cheung

A Winning Combination

PIC Internet Connectivity

Edward's winnings in the Internet PIC2000 design contest turned out to be quite a treat for him, but now we're in for a treat of our own as he explains some fo the tricks that went into designing these award-winning Internet projects.

Note: Update to software archive location in INK #125 Reader I/O.

22


Jeff Stefan

HTML Navigating with GPS

If you're going to be heading out with a minivan full of little ghosts and goblins this Halloween, you may want to brush up on some GPS navigation background info. Luckily, Jeff has all the details that you'll need to find your way.

Download: stefan123.ZIP

28


Alan Singer

HTML Internet Connectivity

Do-it-Yourself or Off-the-Shelf?

Implementing Internet connectivity into products can be a gamble, but as Alan explains, you've got to know when to roll your own... Understanding the different factors that need to be considered can take the chance out of playing the I-card.

34


George Novacek

The Joys of Writing Software

Part 3: Design Tips

In this final segment of George's series, he'll delve into the third aspect of creating excellent software. He tackled planning and testing in Parts 1 and 2, and now George addresses the ultimate test of software quality: fault-tolerance.

Note: Additional discussion from Ingo Cyliax in INK #125 Reader I/O.

Embedded PC

40


Harv Weiner

Nouveau PC

  • DV-104 PC/104-plus digital video input module from Adastra Systems
  • UDASTM USB data acquisition system from Intelligent Instrumentation, Inc.
  • PCM-9574 Pentium III SBC with audio from Advantech Technologies, Inc.
  • Micro WebTarget Java technology solution from Smart Network Devices

Embedded PC

43


Ingo Cyliax

Real-Time PC

Catching the PCI Bus, Part 2: Configuration

Getting up to speed on the PCI bus takes more than just an understanding of the protocol. This month, Ingo digs into PCI configuration to show us how the puzzle comes together. Listen up, because this is Ingo's last stop on the PCI bus, for now.

Note: Additional comments by Trevor Pearce in INK #124 Reader I/O.

Embedded PC

50


Fred Eady

Applied PCs

Rabbit Season, Part 2: Jackrabbit Development Board

Last month, we met the Jackrabbit dev board; now it's time to dig a little deeper. After a little C, then it's on to some IP, and before this series is done, you'll have all the info you need to get your Ethernet interface hopping along.

56


Dan Harrison

Routine Checkup

An Automotive Diagnostic Scan

If your last trip to the mechanic involved opening your checkbook and saying "Aaaagh!", then listen up because Dan designed a scan tool that enables you to troubleshoot today's digitally-enhanced engines in the comfort of your own garage.

Download: harrison123.ZIP

66


Tom Napier

PDF One Small Step

Part 2: Liftoff!

After describing the model rocket and its capabilities in Part 1, Tom gets down to the details. He notes that despite frustration along the way, the project was satisfying because it confirmed years of speculations about rockets. So, Tom's ready for liftoff.

70


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

They Just Haven't Caught On Yet

Jeff's report from this year's MASTER conference shows that Microchip is successfully pulling off a one-of-a-kind performance when it comes to educating engineers.

76


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

Who's Nexus?

Although Tom's no Perry Mason, it didn't take him very long to uncover the who, what, when, where and why behind Nexus. No matter what you call it, implementing a global standard is no easy task.

84


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / November Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

Imputed Liability?

Note: Additional comments by Jim Fitzgerald in INK #124 Reader I/O.

Circuit Cellar Online


Venu Kosuri

PDF HTML UML in a Product's Life Cycle

Intended to be an introduction to UML, this article focuses on illustrating how to use its concepts in the development life cycle of a product. UML is a state-of-the-art modeling methodology useful for real-time systems, so if you're still a beginner, Venu will guide you through to the end.

Circuit Cellar Online


Thomas Richter

PDF HTML A Better Battery Charger

It seems logical that there would be a push for smaller, lightweight, high-capacity batteries with today's outcropping of all kinds of portable equipment. Battery technology is making strides towards enhanced algorithms for faster charging and minimal battery damage. In this article, Thomas looks at the next generation of microcontrollers leading the way past the competition.

Circuit Cellar Online


Fred Eady

PDF HTML The Ethernet Development Board

Part 1: Putting it all Together

Fred moves the Florida room online as he follows through on the recent promise he made in the print version of Circuit Cellar to look at some simple, valuable Ethernet hardware. He makes things easy with a step-by-step process to get your Ethernet engine fully functional. This is part one of the series, so look for his upcoming articles to round out the picture.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Everything Changes, Using the Const Modifier

Sometimes we have the knowledge, but don't utilize all the tools we have available to us. George looks at the forgotten modifier beyond char, int, long, and float for writing code in C. Remember the often overlooked const qualifier? Well, it can be used to ensure that the data won't be modified during execution, eliminating unexpected changes.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

Anygate in a Storm

This month, Tom sets us afloat with Micrel's SY55851U (AnyGate). Rather than letting you sink in a sea of ones and zeros, AnyGate can act as a lifejacket of sorts, making up for its lack of features with bipolar process and differential signaling for fast action. Musing about his recent reports about ON Semiconductor's OneGate, Tom wonders about the future of gate delay, and ultimately how high prices will climb.

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.
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