Circuit Cellar Ink 125
December 2000

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

How Will You be Paying for That?

8


Harv Weiner

New Product News

  • Model 237 high-isolation amplifier from TDL Technology, Inc.
  • TSL3301 linear image sensor from TAOS, Inc.

11

Reader I/O

Letters to the Editor

12


Mark Balch

SDRAM: The New Embedded Solution

The next time you're designing a small, low-power embedded system, you might want to consider using an SDRAM controller. As Mark shows us, an embedded SDRAM controller just might be the simplest and most cost-effective solution.

20


Michael R. Smith
Laurence Turner

Make Your Data Comfortable

Get Bit Cushions

What does it take to determine if your algorithm matches the characteristics of the processor you want to use? Tune in while Michael and Laurence illustrate the best ways for implementing algorithms on both integer and floating-point DSPs.

32


Paul Kiedrowski

Design2K Winner

QuizWiz: A Hand-Held Scoring Device

When it comes to making the grade, Paul's Design2K project passed the test with flying colors and won a grand prize. With the QuizWiz, a teacher has a simple and cost-effective tool that can reduce the time spent grading quiz forms.

Note: See corrections in INK 127 Reader I/O.

Embedded PC

40


Harv Weiner

Nouveau PC

  • SBC-386 single-board computer with Ethernet from Arcom Control Systems
  • CPU-1220 '486-based PC/104 board with SVGA from Eurotech SpA

Embedded PC

43


Ingo Cyliax

Real-Time PC

A Cup of Java, Part 1: Embedded and Real-Time Applications

Whether you're starting your morning at Starbucks or capping off the evening at Borders, a cup of joe can make a lot of things better. Don't know beans about Java? Then try Ingo's fine blend of theory and application on the subject.

Embedded PC

50


Fred Eady

Applied PCs

Rabbit Season, Part 4: The Wonderful World of TCP/IP

With only one more part to go in this series, Fred wants to cover a few more of the Rabbit Etherent project details. So, this month he shows us how the board handles TCP/IP and everything from collisions to pointers to calling home.

58


Brian Millier

Using a T6963 Controller-Based Graphics LCD Panel

With the latest advances in display-panel technology, you wouldn't think that Brian would have a hard time finding a simple 200x64 pixel display. But, finding one that was easy to design into a micro-based project had its challenges.

Download: millier125.ZIP

Note: See corrections in INK 127 Reader I/O.

68


George Novacek

PDF Designing for Reliability, Maintainability and Safety

Part 1: Getting Started

If you think that designing for reliability and maintainability are just steps in the development process that eat up more budget without adding any value, then you might want to listen up, because George has evidence that proves otherwise.

Download: novacek125.ZIP

Note: Additional comments by Steve Modena in INK #126 Reader I/O.

74


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

Sharing Technology with Mother Nature, Out of State with an Internet-Compatible Cell Phone

Out of the office for three weeks meant that Jeff needed a way to stay connected. The recipe for success? Take one new cell phone, one old motorcycle battery...

Note: See corrections in INK 127 Reader I/O.

78


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

Hot Chips 12

Hot Chips is one of Tom's favorite conferences because nothing is more exciting than the latest and greatest. There's no question that the hottest new chips have potential, but just how practical are they?

84


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / January Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

Continuing the Plan

Circuit Cellar Online


Stuart Ball

PDF HTML Breadboarding

With this offering, Stuart pumps new life into the dying technique of prototyping. For electronics experimenters, the cost of making a circuit board is too high for building only one. There is another choice. One-of-a-kind prototypes can be produced without having to lay down the cash for printed circuit boards. Hand-wiring may seem laborious, but you'll end up with an effective low-cost alternative.

Circuit Cellar Online


Stuart Allman

PDF HTML Implementing a Simple USB Interface for an Embedded Processor

When connecting modules in your embedded system, decisions need to be made. The universal serial bus (USB) may help you make up your mind and ease the aches of development. With the news that Intel is phasing out the good old RS-232 and replacing it with the USB, Stuart shows us that all is not lost, because the USB should work just as well. He supplies us with all the info and leaves no room for excuses, so get ready to make a game plan for your next design.

Circuit Cellar Online


Hristo Stefanov

PDF HTML Determining Measurement Accuracy

To measure different signals, you've got to define the terms of measurement. Most of us use the term "error" in assessing uncertainties. Because every measurement has some amount of error, there is always inaccuracy, which can be attributed to many factors. In this article, Hristo takes us through a series of different types of errors, from random to systematic.

Circuit Cellar Online


David Brobst

PDF HTML Through the Looking Glass

Taking a Look at the PIC18Cxxx Series

If you're looking for high-end, look no further than Microchip's PIC18Cxxx family of 8-bits. Designed with the future in mind, its direction seems clear -- with increased clock speed, hardware multiplier, and higher resolution A/Ds, this new unveiling is positioned as a low-end DSP solution. With intriguing features like the table read/write capability, David shows that the PIC18Cxxx is a valuable addition to the growing line of controllers.

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Simple Things, Prime Numbers Revisited

This month, George looks at design problems and examines where to look for the answers. He explains that, typically, he calls on a hardware engineer for logic problems and the like, and a software engineer for help with pure software tweaking. Sometimes he's led down a blind alley, but shows us that by tapping into all of the sources available, you could be surprised to find that the answers may come from the most unlikely places.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

Ramblin' Man

The name of the game is networking and automotive electronics is the target. In this article, Tom predicts a time when cars will be Internet-enabled, but the standards for such road warriors are in the limelight as well. Cars and chips together open up a wide array of possibilities, but when car manufacturers roll their own standards, you could find yourself tripped up on new wires.

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 125
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