Circuit Cellar Ink 209
December 2007

4

CJ Abate

HTML Task Manager

We Hear You

8

John Gorsky

New Product News

BOTLOGIC 32-channel servo controller board from Efficient Computer Systems
iPAC-5010 ARM9-based, Linux-ready, programmable controller from Artila Electronics
621B40 high-frequency industrial ICP accelerometer from PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
MAX16812 high-voltage, switchmode, high-brightness LED driver from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
THS7314, THS7315, and THS7316 video amplifers/filters from Texas Instruments, Inc.
NL10276BC13-01C 6.5" amorphous silicon TFT LCD module from NEC LCD Technologies
UBL-CPA video/audio balun for Cat5/5e/6 UTP Cable from Hall Research Technologies, Inc.

12

Chris Cantrell

Tile Graphics

If you're a serious gamer, you've probably played a few rounds of "Battleship" -- but never like this. With tile graphics and a little "Propeller play," Chris found he could breathe new life into the classic game. For simple applications, this display technique makes more sense than the full raster approach.

Download: CCantrell-209.zip

Intelligent Energy Solutions

20

Steve Ciarcia

Solar-Powering the Circuit Cellar

Part 1: Preparing the Site

Have you considered installing a photovoltaic (PV) system at your home or office building? Steve recently took the plunge. In this series of articles, he describes the entire process, from site preparation to completion. Are you up to the challenge?

34

Dale Wheat

LCD Digital Voltage Meter

Talking to the Glass

Dale built a small, lightweight digital voltmeter around an Atmel ATmega48 microcontroller. The system measures the supply voltage of a rechargeable battery and displays the data on an inexpensive LCD.

Download: Wheat-209.zip

40

Sylvain Davaine

SD Card Display Controller

Sylvain's LM3S811-based SD card display controller enables you to input data to portable devices. The system regularly reads temperature and relative humidity data from an onboard sensor. The data is then displayed on a tablet PC as part of a picture slideshow.

Download: Davaine209.zip

46

Paul Ward

Programmable Voltage Source

Need a stable low-noise voltage source? Paul has the project for you. He designed a dual power supply with 4.5-digit displays with two ranges. When the output relay is open, the source is disabled and he can use the channel as a 4.5-digit voltmeter.

Download: Ward-209.zip

Above the Ground Plane

56

Ed Nisley

LED Power

Ed mounted white LED headlights on the back of his bike so motorists can see him as he rides. But after experiencing some problems on a recent trip, he had to tweak the firmware to keep the system's microcontroller from draining its power source. Read on to learn about the firmware fix as well as the boost-converter white LED power supply.

Download: Nisley209.zip

The Darker Side

60

Robert Lacoste

Are You Locked?

A PLL Primer

Do you cringe when someone mentions "phase-locked loops"? Robert demystifies the subject with this PLL primer. Get ready to use a PLL in your next design.

Download: Lacoste209.zip

From the Bench

70

Jeff Bachiochi

Collecting Solar Energy

Jeff has a dream: energy efficiency. This month, he introduces you to the topic and describes recent advances in solar cell technology. Get ready to dream green.

Download: Bachiochi-209.zip

Silicon Update

78

Tom Cantrell

Harvest Time

Tom began working on this column during fall harvest time. These days, the bounty includes more than just pumpkins and corn. Read on to see how one company, EnOcean, is adding energy to the harvest bounty. Instead of buying energy, why not just grow your own?

93 Crossword Puzzle

94 Advertiser's Index / January Preview

96