Circuit Cellar Ink 219
October 2008

Table of Contents

4


CJ Abate

HTML Task Manager

What Makes an Engineer Tick?

8


John Gorsky

HTML New Product News

12


Neal Martini

DIY Signal Generation

Create a Signal Source for a Variety of RF Applications

Neal describes how he built an inexpensive and accurate variable-frequency signal generator on a two-sided PCB.The system delivers frequencies from 0 to 3 GHz with a frequency accuracy of less than 200 Hz.

Download: Martini-219.zip

Special Feature

24


Jeff Bachiochi

Get Started with PIC USB Connectivity

You can add USB to your next project with Microchip Technology's new array of parts. The 8-, 16-, and 32-bit microcontrollers will complement your designs with USB peripheral support, embedded hosting, and dual-role and OTG capabilities.

Above the Ground Plane

34


Ed Nisley

HT Audio, GPS for APRS, and What Works

Several years ago, Ed built a system that enabled him to communicate with a fellow rider via an electret microphone connected to an amateur radio during bicycle rides. This month, he explains how he rebuilt the interface and combined it with a GPS tracking system.

Download: Nisley-219.zip

42


Peter Montgomery

Dynamic Animatronic Remote

Part 2: Software and Menuing Code

Peter continues describing how he built an easy-to-use remote for his animatronic systems. This month, he describes the software and menuing code.

Download: Montgomery-219.zip

50


Matt Pennell
Aaron Thomas

Automated Data Mining

This well-designed embedded server application enables you to find airfare deals on the 'Net. The WIZnet W5100-based system uses Kayak, an online travel search engine, to search for flights. The data is then graphed to show you the best time of year to travel.

Download: Pennell_Thomas-219.zip

From the Bench

58


Jeff Bachiochi

Serial Terminal Solution

Jeff used to keep an old laptop in his lab just because it had a real RS-232 port. But he found himself in the lurch recently when the laptop broke in the middle of a design project that required an RS-232 port for operational verification. Fortunately, Jeff had another work in progress that involved the hardware he needed to fix the problem. In this article, he describes his serial terminal solution.

Download: Bachiochi-219.zip

62


Phil Laird
Jeff Shewan

Universal Machine Control

How Hardware Emulation Leads to Prototype Development

Hardware emulation is an effective phase of the prototyping process. The purpose of this project was to build a robust hardware platform to run the rule sets for old pinball machines. Using the PinMAME program, the design emulates the hardware for almost 500 pinball machines and runs the rule sets.

Download: Shewan_Laird-219.zip

The Darker Side

70


Robert Lacoste

Cable Shielding Experiments

Robert recently came across an old book about electronic design. After reading about the topic of noise coupling with various cables and wiring setups, he reproduced the cable shielding experiments described in the book. This month, he shares the results.

Silicon Update

78


Tom Cantrell

Hot Enough for You?

Seeing Red (Infrared, That Is)

As Tom explains, having all the MIPS and megahertz in the world means nothing unless your design has some meaningful real-world data to process. To gather such meaningful data, you need innovative sensors. This month, Tom introduces a handy option you should consider for your next temperature-sensing design -- an infrared noncontact IC thermometer.

93

Crossword Puzzle

94

Advertiser's Index / November Preview

96


Steve Ciarcia

HTML Priority Interrupt

Horses and Hard Drives

FTP Directory for INK 219
Follow this link to order a copy of INK 219

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