Circuit Cellar CD 2013
January 2013
Theme: Embedded Applications
EDITOR’S LETTER—Forward Progress, by C. J. Abate, p. 2
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 18
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 19
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 20
MCU-Based Altitude Control: An IR Protocol for Helicopter Commands, by Akshay Dhawan and Sergio Biagioni, p. 22
Open Source Hardware Development, by Josh Davis, Tomas Carvalho e Silva, and John Vaughn, p. 30
DIY Function Generator, by Larry Cicchinelli, p. 38
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Sensory Innovation: An Interview with Stephan Lubbers, by Nan Price, p. 46
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Failure Mode and Criticality Analysis, by George Novacek, p. 50
EMBEDDED SECURITY—Embedded Authenication, by Patrick Schaumont, p. 54
FROM THE BENCH—Web-Based Tools for Energy Efficiency, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 60
FROM THE ARCHIVES—Gotcha! Alarming the Alarm System, by Jeff Bachiochi and Steve Ciarcia, p. 70
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—Can MoS2 Outperform Silicon? by Saptarshi Das, p. 80
Issue #271
February 2013
Theme: Wireless Communications
EDITOR’S LETTER—Got Range? by C. J. Abate, p. 2
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 17
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 18
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 19
Build a Digital Dip Meter, by Stuart Ball, p. 20
3-D Paint: A Complete Hardware and Software Package, by William Myers and Guo Jie Chin, p. 26
Digital Camera Controller (Part 3): Build a Generic Front-Panel Board, by Richard Lord, p. 32
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES—Concurrency in Embedded Systems (Part 5): Designing Robust Systems with Linux, by Bob Japenga, p. 37
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Engineering & “Pure”Research: An Interview with Colin O’Flynn, by Nan Price, p. 41
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER— Fault-Tree Analysis, by George Novacek, p. 46
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—Arduino Survival Guide: Digital I/O, by Ed Nisley, p. 49
THE DARKER SIDE—Introduction to Standing Waves, by Robert Lacoste, p. 54
FROM THE ARCHIVES—The Wi-Fi SniFi: Sniffing In and Out of Wireless Networks, by Roy Franz, p. 70
FROM THE BENCH—QR Coding for Engineers, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 68
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—Open-Source Hardware for the Efficient Economy, by Catarina Mota and Marcin Jakubowski, p. 80
Issue #272
March 2013
Theme: Robotics
EDITOR’S LETTER—Issue of Ingenuity, by Mary Wilson, p. 2
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 17
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 18
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 19
RIP-Roaring Fun: Rotational Inverted Pendulum Design, by Nelson Epp, p. 20
Markov Music Box: Build a Microcontroller-Based Music Device, by Bruce Land, p. 28
Energy Monitoring System, by Dean Boman, p. 34
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Problem Solving, Programming, and PSoC-Based Design: An Interview with Chris Paiano, by Nan Price, p. 41
EMBEDDED SECURITY—Chip Biometrics, by Patrick Schaumont, p. 45
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Quality and Reliability in Design, by George Novacek, p. 52
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—Arduino Survival Guide: Analog I/O, by Ed Nisley, p. 56
FROM THE ARCHIVES—SOPHOCLES: A Solar-Powered MSP430 Robot, by Jens Altenburg, p. 62
FROM THE BENCH—Microcontroller-Based Morse Coding, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 68
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—The Future of Data Acquisition Technology, by Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio, p. 80
Issue #273
April 2013
Theme: Embedded Programming
EDITOR’S LETTER—Necessity and Invention, by Mary Wilson, p. 2
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 18
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 20
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 21
Control Center Software Design: Using a Model-View-Controller Paradigm, by Scott Weber, p. 22
G-Code CNC Router (Part 1): G-Codes and Motion Control, by Brian Millier, p. 30
Weatherize Your Embedded App, by Tom Cantrell, p. 36
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Engineering and Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Michael Hamilton, by Nan Price, p. 44
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES—Concurrency in Embedded Systems (Part 6): POSIX FIFOs and Message Queues, by Bob Japenga, p. 48
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Calculating Software Reliability: Determine Firware Fault Probability, by George Novacek, p. 51
THE DARKER SIDE—Analyzing a Case of the Jitters?: Tips for Preventing Digital Design Issues, by Robert Lacoste, p. 54
FROM THE BENCH—Build a MIDI Communication Device: Introduction to MIDI, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 60
FROM THE ARCHIVES—Microprocessor Glue Logic with Verilog HDL, by Mark Balch, p. 70
CROSSWORD, p. 75
TECH THE FUTURE—The Future of Open-Source Hardware for Medical Devices, by Fergus Dixon, p. 80
Issue #274
May 2013
Theme: Measurement & Sensors
EDITOR’S LETTER—A Sensory Experience, by Mary Wilson, p. 2
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 15
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 16
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 17
Wi-Fi-Connected Power Monitor: Design Delivers Energy Data, by Donald Kunzig and Robert Kunzig, p. 18
Build an Embedded DNA Sequencer, by Fergus Dixon, p. 26
The S2S Dongle: A Serial Port-to-SPI Programmer, by Jesús Calviño-Fraga, p. 34
G-Code CNC Router Controller (Part 2): Axis and Host Control, by Brian Millier, p. 42
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS— Engineer, Author, and Innovator: An Interview with Clive “Max” Maxfield, by Nan Price, p. 48
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—Hall Effect Sensor Calibration, by Ed Nisley, p. 52
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Testing and Testability (Part 1): Design a Dedicated Tester for an Electronic Device, by George Novacek, p. 56
FROM THE ARCHIVES—Construct a Hand-Held Radiation Monitor, by Mikhail Galeev, p. 60
FROM THE BENCH—Build a MIDI Communication Device (Part 2): MIDI Output, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 68
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—Linux Home Automation, by Neil Cherry, p. 80
Issue #275
June 2013
Theme: Communications
EDITOR’S LETTER—Shape the Future, by Mary Wilson, p. 6
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 15
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 16
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 17
DIY Surface-Mount Circuit Boards: Tips and Tricks for Building SMD Prototypes, by James Lyman, p. 22
Build a Signal Frequency Counter, by George Adamidis, p. 28
“Smart” Electronic Accessories: Design an RGB LED Pendant, by Chris Coulston, p. 34
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Testing and Testability (Part 2): PCB Testing, by George Novacek, p. 42
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Engineering a Way to Clean Solar Mirrors: An Interview with Scott Potter, by Mary Wilson, p. 46
THE DARKER SIDE—UML State Machines, by Robert Lacoste, p. 50
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES—Concurrency in Embedded Systems (Part 7): Software Signals Explained, by Bob Japenga, p. 58
FROM THE ARCHIVES—Network of Keypads, By Dhananjay Gadre, Anurag Chugh, Parag Shah, and Sneha Lele, p. 62
FROM THE BENCH—Real-Time Fuel Consumption Monitor: Data Collection and an On-Board Display, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 70
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—The Growing Importance of Control Theory for DIYers, by Brian Douglas, p. 80
Issue #276
July 2013
Theme: Internet & Connectivity
EDITOR’S LETTER—Not a Hockey Fan?, by Mary Wilson, p. 6
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 13
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 13
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 15
MCU-Based Prosthetic Arm with a Kinect, by Jung Soo Kim, Nika Zolfaghari, and James Andrew Smith p. 16
NBTI and FPGA Design, by Sharad Sinha, p. 30
Systematic Digital Processing (Part 1): Combining Embedded DSP with SQL, by Emily Marasco, Mike Smith, and Maddie Lowe, p. 34
DIY Single-Board Computers (Part 1): Design and Expansion Options, by Oscar Vermeulen and Andrew Lynch, p. 44
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Engineer to the Core: An Interview with Joe Grand, by Nan Price, p. 48
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Testing and Testability (Part 3): Testability Design Issues, by George Novacek, p. 52
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—LED Characterization: Arduino-Based Curve Tracer, by Ed Nisley, p. 56
FROM THE ARCHIVES—Wireless Data Exchange: Build a 2,700-lb Bluetooth Headset, by Tom Struzik, p. 62
FROM THE BENCH—Serial Displays Save Resources (Part 1): Routines, Registers, and Commands, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 70
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE—Using Socially Assistive Robots to Address the Caregiver Gap, by David Feil-Seifer, p. 80
Issue #277
August 2013
Theme: Embedded Development
EDITOR’S LETTER—(Re)Discovering Embeded, by Mary Wilson, p. 6
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 17
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 18
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 19
Systematic Digital Processing (Part 2): DSP-SQL Analysis Functions, by Mike Smith, Emily Marasco, and Maddie Lowe, p. 20
DIY Single-Board Computers (Part 2): Logic Design, by Oscar Vermeulen and Andrew Lynch, p. 30
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Raspberry Pi: One Year Later, 1 Million Sold: An Interview with Peter Lomas, by Clemens Valens, p. 38
Raspberry Pi I/O Board (Part 1): Introduction to an Inexpensive SBC, by Brian Millier p. 42
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES—Concurrency in Embedded Systems (Part 8): Using Files in Concurrent Linux Designs, by Bob Japenga, p. 48
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Testing and Testability (Part 4): Self Diagnostics, by George Novacek, p. 52
THE DARKER SIDE—Simulate and Design a Switched-Capacitor Filter, by Robert Lacoste, p. 56
FROM THE ARCHIVES— Advanced USB Design Debugging, by Colin O’Flynn, p. 64
FROM THE BENCH—Serial Displays Save Resources (Part 2): Button Commands, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 70
CROSSWORD, p. 76
TECH THE FUTURE— The Future of VeryLarge-Scale Integration (VLSI) Technology, by Chris Kim, p. 80
Issue #278
September 2013
Theme: Data Aquisition
CC WORLD, p. 8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Electronics Entrepreneur: An Interview with Jack Ganssle, by Nan Price, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 14
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 15
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 23
Rubik’s Cube-Solving Robot, by Nelson Epp, p. 24
Raspberry Pi I/0 Board (Part 2): ISO-Pi Circuit Description and Firmware, by Brian Millier, p. 32
Experiments in Developmental Robotics (Part 1): Artificial and Evolving Neural Networks, by Walter O. Krawec, p. 42
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Battery Basics (Part 1): Battery Types, by George Novacek, p. 48
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—Pulsed LED Characterization, by Ed Nisley, p. 54
GREEN COMPUTING—Energy-Efficient Cooling Strategies for Servers Analyze and Control Leakage and Fan Power, by Ayse Coskun, p. 60
FROM THE BENCH—Serial Displays Save Resources (Part 3): BMP Files, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 64
CROSSWORD, p. 72
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 73
TECH THE FUTURE—Electronics Beyond Silicon, by Jeremy Ward and Oana Jerchescu, p. 80
Issue #279
October 2013
Theme: Signal Processing
EDITOR’S LETTER—A Fresh Focus on Programmable Logic, by Mary Wilson, p. 2
CC WORLD, p. 8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Communications Specialist: An Interview with Alenka Zajić, by Nan Price, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 14
PRODUCT NEWS, p. 16
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 19
Improving Microprocessor Audio, by Devlin Gualtieri, p. 24
Experiments in Developmental Robotics (Part 2): Robot Reflex and Instinct Systems, by Walter O. Krawec, p. 28
Solar Array Tracker (Part 1): SunSeeker Hardware, by Graig Pearen p. 34
PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC IN PRACTICE—Using Internal Logic Analyzers for FPGAs, by Colin O’Flynn, p. 46
THE DARKER SIDE—Bipolar Transistor Biasing, by Robert Lacoste, p. 52
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Battery Basics (Part 2): Battery Back-Up Power, by George Novacek, p. 58
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES— Embedded File Systems (Part 1): Linux File Systems, by Bob Japenga, p. 62
FROM THE BENCH— Robot Simulation (Part 1): RobotBASIC Basics, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 66
CROSSWORD, p. 72
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 73
TECH THE FUTURE—3-D Printing with Liquid Metals, by Collin Ladd and Michael Dickey, p. 80
Issue #280
November 2013
Theme: Analog Techniques
CC WORLD, p. 8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS— Electrical Engineer, Entrepreneur, Author: An Interview with Jeremy Blum, by Nan Price, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 14
NEW PRODUCTS, p. 16
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 19
Calibration (Part 1): Linear ADCs and DACs, by David Cass Tyler, p. 20
Analog Serial Communication Duplex Data and Power Over One Pair of Wires, by Dick Cappels, p. 32
Solar Array Tracker (Part 1): SunSeeker Software and Installation, by Graig Pearen, p. 40
GREEN COMPUTING—Application-Aware Power Capping, by Ayse Coskun, p. 45
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Battery Basics (Part 3): Battery Management ICs, by George Novacek, p. 50
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE—Low-Loss Hall-Effect Sensor Testing, by Ed Nisley, p. 54
FROM THE BENCH—Robot Simulation (Part 2): Translating RobotBasic, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 60
CROSSWORD, p. 72
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 73
TECH THE FUTURE—Natural Human-Computer Interaction, by Ying Yin, p. 80
Issue #281
December 2013
Theme: Programmable Logic
CC WORLD, p. 8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS— Embedded Computing Expert: An Interview with Marilyn Wolf, by Nan Price, p. 10
MEMBER PROFILE, p. 14
PRODUCT NEWS, p. 16
CLIENT PROFILE, p. 19
UDP Streaming on an FPGA, by Steffen Mauch, p. 20
Calibration (Part 2): Polynomial Curve Fitting, by David Cass Tyler, p. 26
THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER—Impedance Matching, by George Novacek, p. 42
EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES—Embedded File Systems (Part 2): File System Integrity, by Bob Japenga, p. 48
PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC IN PRACTICE— Connecting FPGA Hardware to Virtual Test Benches, by Colin O’Flynn, p. 52
THE DARKER SIDE—Amplifier Classes from A to H, by Robert Lacoste, p. 58
FROM THE BENCH— Unleash Your Android Device’s Potential, by Jeff Bachiochi, p. 66
CROSSWORD, p. 74
TEST YOUR EQ, p. 75
TECH THE FUTURE— Low-Cost SBCs Could Revolutionize Robotics Education, By Kyle Granat, p. 80