Circuit Cellar Ink 134
September 2001

Table of Contents

6


Rob Walker

Task Manager

Wildfire or Controlled Burn?

8


Rick Prescott

New Product News

  • CPU-1231 Pentium MMX PC/104 module with SVGA, Ethernet and USB from Eurotech
  • VP4846 front panel with LCD and pushbuttons from Densitron Corp.
  • ZXE-x86 embedded controller with Linux from Zendex Corp.
  • Micro Skymaster active GPS antenna from Tri-M Systems

12


William Dowell

Hardware for Embedded Systems

When handling an embedded system project, the same old story doesn't apply. Traditionally, with parts list in hand, you were ready to build. But, embedded applications are more involved. William's examples will better prepare you to create successful designs.

20


Olaf Pfeiffer

Targeting Europe

Implementing CANopen

Better communication helps all relationships, right? Well, standardizing the way internal data communications are structured and exchanged can optimize your system. And, Olaf tells us that internetworking is the sign of the times and CANopen is the route to customization.

26


Brian Millier

Listen Anywhere

A Wireless MP3 Remote Jukebox

We've gone from records and 8-tracks to CDs and MP3s. Converting to MP3s has become popular, and how to store the files is an interesting topic these days. Tune in, because this project covers a storage scheme and extends your current MP3 listening area.

Download: millier134.zip

38


Gordon Dick

Pigeons, Pooches, and PICs

Melding an interest in hunting, dogs, and electronics, Gordon takes us on a transmitter/receiver trek. This month, he sets out to build a radio-controlled dog-training aid to help with his hobby. He's on the mark with this project, so gear up to find the answers you don't have to chase down.

Download: dick134.zip

48


Fred Eady

PDF HTML, HTML The Progress of 8051

The iKit2000

Borrowing a catch phrase from "Saturday Night Live," Fred thinks this month's project is "awesome." Demonstrating what can be done with the oldest, most popular microcontroller, he reviews the 8051. It's the story of a classic standard that still holds up admirably today.

60


Tom Napier

An Exponential Sweep Frequency Generator

When in the end your project doesn't exactly fit the formula of building x to complete y, often you can still benefit from the experience. Tom ended up coupling a silicon transistor and integrated circuit, and he's bold enough to say the result defies Murphy's Law.

66


Jeff Bachiochi

From the Bench

Technology That Improves with Age, Eliminate Senior Moments with SAMI

A growing technology in the quest for great voice reproduction, ISD is self-contained, versatile, and requires minimal processing. Teaming it with a microprocessor, Jeff improves his memory.

74


Tom Cantrell

Silicon Update

Bluetruth, Houston, We Have a Problem ...

Despite the bare shelves, Tom sees Bluetooth leading us toward a "wirelessly-wired" future. The road might be bumpy, but definitely worth the trip. So, it's time to start planning your new clever applications.

81


David Tweed

HTML Test Your EQ

95

Advertiser's Index / October Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML, HTML Priority Interrupt

After You've Thoroughly Infuriated Me ...

Circuit Cellar Online


Robert P. Bisey

PDF HTML S.O.S...Showing Off the Sequencer

Contemporary Design Execution

By combining old with new, Robert shows us how to build and use a user-programmable single board microcontroller system to generate automatic Morse code messages for use in Repeater Stations, Field Day Contests, and everyday Ham Radio CW activities.

Circuit Cellar Online


Noel Rios

PDF HTML Don't Get Caught in the Dark

Building a Darkroom Timer

Timing is critical, and when Noel's photographer brother asked him to build him a timer for his darkroom, he wasted none and got right down to business. He even found a few other uses for the timer, which he shares with us.

Circuit Cellar Online


Fred Eady

PDF HTML Fine-Tuning an Embedded Idea

Part 3: Armed and Ready

As a result of torrential rain on his vacation, Fred got the "opportunity" to check out a TV documentary on Colt weapons. This triggered an idea for the final installment of articles on Rabbit Semiconductor and Z-World computing modules. This article is loaded with information, so sit back and imagine a beach bungalow on the Gulf shore....

Circuit Cellar Online


James Antonakos

PDF HTML Analog Basics

Transistor Signal Amplification

Taking a break from ones and zeros, this month, James reviews the electronics world from the analog side. With his detailed look into the components of a common emitter transistor amplifier, we see how this circuit can truly be beneficial.

Circuit Cellar Online


Steve Ciarcia

PDF HTML Take My Computer, Please!

Part 6: Computerized Witch Doctor

Way back at the dawn of the microcomputer age, Steve Ciarcia was blazing a trail (sometimes literally) through the hardware and software issues of the era. At the request of many of our readers, we've brought back a series of articles, written by Steve, chronicling the design adventures of those early days in the Circuit Cellar. This month, it's chapter one from Take My Computer, Please!

Circuit Cellar Online


George Martin

PDF HTML Lessons from the Trenches

Never Miss an Opportunity, Getting the Most Out of Your New Product Ideas

Not every opportunity is golden, and unfortunately, neither is every idea. However, George shows us that, by following a few simple steps, we can weed out the bad from the good, and therefore, know which ones to run with and which to leave behind.

Circuit Cellar Online


Tom Cantrell

PDF HTML Silicon Update Online

XLR8R Part Deux

Tom takes us back in time to revisit a concept that'll have us thinking about the future -- micro-machined accelerometers. Although these structures aren't yet doing what you might see in a sci-fi movie, they are appearing regularly on the toy and car-manufacturing scene.

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

HTML What's Your Engineering Quotient?

Test Your EQ presents some basic engineering problems for you to test your engineering quotient.

Circuit Cellar Online


Jenn Belmonte

Resource Links

Each month Circuit Cellar's Resource Links provide helpful links and information on a variety of featured topics.

Circuit Cellar Online


Rick Prescott

New Product News

New Product submissions may be sent to Rick Prescott, 4 Park St., Vernon, CT 06066.
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