most recent 30 from http://chiphacker.com 2010-03-11T08:04:53Z http://chiphacker.com/feeds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://chiphacker.com/questions/1184/diy-smt-reflow-toaster-oven-skillet-or Cymen 2009-12-21T16:40:39Z 2010-03-11T02:05:34Z

<p>I've read quite a few write ups on converting toaster ovens or skillets for reflowing SMT components. The important parts appeared to be:</p> <ul> <li>Attempting to match a reflow profile (temperature pattern to ramp up and then down that gets hot enough to reflow but not hot enough to damage components/PCB)</li> <li>To make applying paste easier to specific areas: use a template (laser cut appears to be popular)</li> </ul> <p>SparkFun even offers a kit to con[link text][1]trol an oven or skillet but apparently due to liability concerns, the kit uses a 12v relay instead of a 110/120v or 220v relay (adapting it to full voltage is left up to the DIYer).</p> <p>What is your personal experience with this? It would be great to hear actual experience on what works and what to avoid.</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1808/should-i-get-the-pickit-2-or-3 Darren Landrum 2010-03-10T02:36:30Z 2010-03-10T22:28:00Z

<p>Okay, having decided to pitch myself at the PIC family (including dsPIC), I now have a question about programmers. I've been hearing a lot of bad things about the new PICKit 3, and am wondering if I should get that or the apparently more venerable PICKit 2? If I want to be able to use the newest PICs, I think I might need to buy the latest, but I'm not so sure. Thank you!</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1820/mysterious-piece-of-metal-shipped-with-a-soldering-iron JonathanD 2010-03-10T20:28:54Z 2010-03-10T20:48:47Z

<p><a href="http://imgur.com/WVhCg" rel="nofollow">This piece of metal</a> was packaged with my new soldering iron.</p> <p>Does anybody know what is it ? Is it a stand ?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1815/arduino-pcb-etchable-pdf Rick_2047 2010-03-10T14:58:47Z 2010-03-10T19:50:55Z

<p>Hi, where I live one cannot buy an arduino very ceap. I figure if I make one for my own purpose on a pcb that would be much cheaper and would be much more fun. Now I cannot find any etch-able pdf on the internet so can anyone point me to some?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/984/best-serial-monitor Hristos 2009-12-10T22:32:15Z 2010-03-10T17:45:10Z

<p>I just recently started using a Sparkfun serial lcd. I am able to control it through an arduino, but I want to be able to control it through a terminal on my computer. To be able to move the cursor or clear the screen, you need to be able to send hexadecimal code to it, for example, 0xFE. I am unable to find an open source terminal program for windows that will give me this functionality. An example of a program that works very well is Eltima serial port monitor, although it is rather expensive for just a student. I have a usb to serial FTDI breakout board to get the signal to the lcd. Any suggestions as for programs, under Windows 7, will be greatly appreciated.</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1770/suggested-exercises-for-learning-with-arduino mattmillr 2010-03-07T03:38:11Z 2010-03-10T14:49:17Z

<p>I just got an arduino and have been working through some of the exercises in the tutorials, making good progress.</p> <p>When I'm learning a new programming language or tool, I usually work through a few steps: (1) do the tutorials, (2) modify the tutorial programs, get them to do new stuff, and (3) solve a problem not covered in the how-to to make myself figure out how to do stuff.</p> <p>With Arduino, I have a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem. I don't have a good enough idea what I <em>can</em> do with it to come up with interesting problems to solve.</p> <p>What are some good problems/exercises I can tackle as a beginner to help myself learn more about what Arduino can do and how to do it?</p> <p>Problem statements only, please. Any instructions for solving them would defeat the purpose (though, it might make sense to point out what hardware is required.)</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1807/redesigning-the-arduino-duemilanove-and-ethernet-shield-in-to-a-single-board Funvill 2010-03-09T23:44:39Z 2010-03-10T10:06:26Z

<p>Hello</p> <p>I have build a prototype with the Arduino Duemilanove and a Ethernet shield. It works great, now I want to get it redesigned in to a single board with a few extra connectors. </p> <ul> <li>Screw terminal for power, </li> <li>Screw terminal for a few of the digital pins, </li> <li>RS232 connection to the serial port. </li> <li>RJ-45 port </li> <li>I also want an enclosure for this new board.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Q: Why do I want to redesign the board?</strong> I can't have a barrel connector for power, its a requirement from the site where I want to install this product. I also want a nice metal enclosure ( I couldn't find one for the Arduino that was reasonably priced. <p><strong>Q: How many units would you be making</strong> 100-250 to start and more as time goes on. </p> <p>My question is; Where should I post this job posting?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1098/how-to-make-money-without-working-for-someone-else-patents endolith 2009-12-18T04:41:57Z 2010-03-10T04:00:43Z

<p>This is intended to be the hardware equivalent of this question: <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/questions/34785/when-if-to-seek-a-patent" rel="nofollow">"When/if to seek a [software] patent?"</a>.</p> <p>What are some possible ways to make money from a hardware project that you've worked on yourself? Do patents make sense for individual inventors? Is it easy or lucrative to work as a freelancer? What other options are there?</p> <p><a href="http://www.adafruit.com/" rel="nofollow">Selling open source kits</a> seems to be very successful for a small operation, but is sort of a specialty niche.</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/25/analogue-gauge-with-arduino littlebirdceo 2009-10-30T11:04:38Z 2010-03-10T03:00:53Z

<p>How do you make / connect an Analogue gauge with Arduino?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/183/servo-torque-calculator mad_z 2009-11-03T21:46:57Z 2010-03-10T03:00:27Z

<p>Does anyone have an easy to use Servo Torque Calculator?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/430/what-sort-of-things-can-a-ardunio-do Joel 2009-11-14T01:48:08Z 2010-03-10T02:58:49Z

<p>Sorry for the question, Im just starting out in robotics - as a hobby- and I was just intrested in what I'll be able to actually do, please let me know, </p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1145/connecting-a-lilypad-to-a-wifi-network funk_e 2009-12-21T05:40:47Z 2010-03-10T02:58:29Z

<p>Hi All,</p> <p>I would like to connect my Lilypad Arduino to a WiFi 802.11 network that provides internet. What is the best way of achieving this? Can I use a XBee module and somehow interface with my home router? Is there a WiFi option available?</p> <p>Thanks so much all!</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/159/serial-enabled-lcd mad_z 2009-11-02T23:20:57Z 2010-03-10T02:58:20Z

<p>What sort of LCD should should i be using to go with my Arduino?</p> <p>I have used the HD44780-compatible LCD in the past, but heard that the Serial Enabled LCDs make life a lot easier.</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1151/how-do-you-cut-pcb littlebirdceo 2009-12-21T07:19:30Z 2010-03-09T21:40:49Z

<p>I just spent about 20 minutes trying to cut through a PCB with a hacksaw. These things are really tough.</p> <p>What is the correct tool to cut PCB material, and get a nice straight line?</p> <p>I saw something about a guillotine, but can't find a vendor.</p> <p>Cheers, </p> <p>Marcus</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/966/which-electronics-components-should-i-always-have-on-hand jadiaz 2009-12-10T01:30:24Z 2010-03-09T21:31:35Z

<p>I am thinking about ordering up some parts for every day use. I am thinking about making one big purchase so as to minimize on shipping and other charges. </p> <p>What are some of the components that any electronics hobbyist should have around ALL the time?</p> <p>To put a little more scope: typically working with Arduino's, PICs and sensors. 5V - low current projects. </p> <p>Looking for: component, value or range (if any), manufacturer (optional) </p> <p>For example - Resistors, 1K through 100K 5W</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1388/what-are-the-best-electronics-soldering-techniques mad_z 2010-01-06T22:55:40Z 2010-03-09T19:38:57Z

<p>Is there a tutorial that shows different techniques and the dos/don't of soldering?</p> <p>I was doing a kit last night that just said heat up both components for 5 seconds then put the solder close and let it oose into the join -> they all worked nicely....but as instructions go they are a bit basic, and from past experience there are certain components that you shouldn't heat up too much.</p> <ul> <li>I was doing Through-hole soldering but Surface Mount would also be great to learn about.</li> </ul>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1781/usb-scope-probe-request-for-comments-and-ideas Adam Davis 2010-03-08T15:23:18Z 2010-03-09T18:41:38Z

<p>Idea:</p> <p>Take one oscilloscope probe, and one USB cable. Cut the BNC connector off the oscilloscope probe, and the USB B connector off the USB jack and splice them together.</p> <p>Mount all the USB &lt;--> analog circuitry inside the scope probe body and/or the USB A connector body. It would essentially compete with all the other USB oscilloscopes out there, but it would be in a single cable design - no extra boxes, etc.</p> <ol> <li>Is this a product you would like?</li> <li>What are your minimum specifications for this type of product?</li> <li>What are your ideal specifications for this type of product?</li> <li>Would this be any more useful or desirable than the current USB oscilloscopes available?</li> </ol> <p>My biggest concerns are:</p> <ul> <li>Obtaining the speed necessary to be reasonably useful without requiring a lot of components</li> <li>Synchronizing multiple probes into the computer (Getting nS accuracy without wiring the probes together seems problematic...)</li> <li>Fitting it all into the form factor and power limitations of a USB port (ideally 100mA unpowered hub ~0.5W)</li> <li>Keeping the assembled cost low</li> </ul> <p>I'd appreciate feedback on any or all of the above (what you want vs how to implement it). Ideally it'd be completely open source, but using very tiny surface mount parts it might not be easily assembled by hand.</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1792/reading-rtd-temperature-sensor mjh2007 2010-03-08T21:11:29Z 2010-03-09T17:26:00Z

<p>I've had a number of issues getting good stable analog readings from an RTD temperature sensor. Typically the sensor/circuit/software works fine at my desk then when it is installed on our industrial equipment the temperature readings have a tendency to bounce as much as +/- 5 Deg C. The circuit is very basic, a voltage divider is formed between a fixed resistor and an RTD connected to ground. The voltage at the RTD is then fed into a programmable gain amplifier set at 16 V/V. The analog signal output from the programmable gain amplifier is then fed into a 10-bit ADC on a PIC microprocessor. I've implemented a low pass filter in software to attempt to fix the problem, but the temperature readings are still very unstable. Does anyone have any suggestions about where I could look to find the source of the problem and correct it?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1536/avr-stick-data-logger-usage Evs 2010-01-27T05:58:39Z 2010-03-09T16:49:11Z

<p>has anyone used this data logger(or similar) with v-usb to collect data?</p> <p><a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9147" rel="nofollow">http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9147</a></p> <p>If so, what is the maximum times per second voltage data can be sent at HID messages? (I can't understand the spec sheets) And can it work with an ultrasonic rangefinder (or similar) also from sparkfun?</p> <p>Thanks</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1746/precise-motor-positioning penjuin 2010-03-05T12:04:14Z 2010-03-08T22:04:56Z

<p>Hi all,</p> <p>I am trying to make a device that uses several motors all with an arrow fixed on top that has 8 fixed positions (N,NE,E,SE,S,SW,W,NW). I am trying to avoid servos and steppers because of the price, so I was wondering if anyone had ideas on how this could be achieved. The only way I can think of is to calibrate pulses to the amount of rotation that the motor would experience. It seems like there should be a better solution than this!</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1782/what-is-the-difference-between-pic-and-picaxe Darren Landrum 2010-03-08T15:48:37Z 2010-03-08T21:57:42Z

<p>The impression I get is that PICAXE is based on the PIC cores, but geared to beginners, but I wanted to make sure before committing to any particular platform. Thank you!</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1696/anyone-recommand-a-good-intel-hex-viewer-reader Seidleroni 2010-02-26T00:52:37Z 2010-03-08T19:39:55Z

<p>Lately I've been doing a lot of work with intel HEX files. I want a program that can import an Intel HEX file and allow me to view the byte contents at each address. There are a handful of programs I've seen that do this, but are there any that are good which are free and also allow you to see the contents at an absolute address, not a relative address to the start of the hex file (for example, if the intel hex file starts writing at address 200, the application should signify that addresses 0-199 are blank and not show as if it starts at address 0).</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/43/capacitive-sensing littlebirdceo 2009-10-30T21:40:46Z 2010-03-08T19:30:54Z

<p>Is there a way that I can make an Arduino or other Micro-controller detect a change in capacitance. I'm thinking of having a screen on my door that only turns on when you touch the metal door handle. </p> <p>Cheers, </p> <p>Marcus</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1738/whats-the-simplest-linux-capable-board-i-could-make-at-home Joby Taffey 2010-03-04T23:37:36Z 2010-03-08T18:58:25Z

<p>I'd like to make a single board computer capable of booting Linux, with my low-tech garage tools (2 sided PCBs, reflow skillet, no plating through holes).</p> <p>What's the simplest hardware design I could choose?</p> <p>Are there any microcontrollers with enough onboard flash/RAM to run Linux/uCLinux?</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/622/bi-directional-step-up-and-step-down-3-3v-5-etc cyphunk 2009-11-23T23:30:15Z 2010-03-08T18:49:34Z

<p>So I've been reading a few threads here and on other forums. I understand there are various solutions for stepping down or up a voltage. What I have found are the LVC series shift regs that give a constant ouput, <a href="http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en531457" rel="nofollow">MCP1825</a> which will step down 5 to 3.3 (and other versions which have different increments) the 74LCX245 which will step 2.5 or 3.3 to 5v and perhaps some others I am forgetting. Then there are ready made boards such as the <a href="http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product%5Finfo.php?products%5Fid=8745" rel="nofollow">Sparkfun converters</a> or this <a href="http://www.futurlec.com/Mini%5FLogic.shtml" rel="nofollow">8 pin to 8 pin converter</a>. But all of these are one direction only, or bi-direction switched by a jumper.</p> <p>How would I convert voltages down or up in both directions without requiring a pin select. </p> <p>5--3.3</p> <p>5--2.5</p> <p>5--1.8</p> <p>thanks</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1748/how-does-the-linistepper-open-source-linear-stepper-motor-drive-work Kevin Boyd 2010-03-05T14:12:14Z 2010-03-08T16:30:20Z

<p>I have been trying to get the <a href="http://www.sxlist.com/techref/io/stepper/linistep/index.htm" rel="nofollow">Linistepper</a> to work, however I can't seem the understand the working of the circuit. </p> <p>The circuit is <a href="http://techref.massmind.org/images/member/RB-ezy-Q33/LiniV2_sch.gif" rel="nofollow">here</a>. </p> <p>The issues that I'm unclear about are: </p> <ol> <li>What are the diodes D1-D6 for? </li> <li>How does one calculate the resistors R18 - R23 for setting different microstepping current levels? (It is currently set to 0, 25, 55 ,100 % respectively). </li> <li>How does current regulation in the circuit work.</li> <li>PWM is used to achieve 3600 steps, how is this done? </li> </ol>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1776/what-is-the-largest-embedded-linux-community mook 2010-03-07T23:45:22Z 2010-03-08T11:16:16Z

<p>Which uclinux community has the largest userbase/is the most active? Is it the ARM9 one? </p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/1707/how-much-current-do-you-require-in-arduino-and-embedded-systems-projects jluciani 2010-02-27T17:18:11Z 2010-03-08T09:10:14Z

<p>How much current do you require in Arduino/Sanguino or other embedded systems projects?</p> <p>After responding to the LM2575 inductor question I started to take a closer look at the TI power DC-DC converters. It would not be difficult to replace the linear regulator + or'ing diodes on all my Arduino/Sanguino compatible boards with a TI step-down converter.</p> <p>This would provide a >90% efficient conversion, input voltages from 5-15V and a 2.5A output that is regulated and adjustable. What would be sacrificed would be the ability to power off of the USB. The incremental cost would be in the $5-$8 range. Wider range inputs are also possible. </p> <p>Is the 500mA you can get from the USB port all you ever need? Would this be useful in your projects or is it too little current?</p> <p>Thanks.</p> <p>(* jcl *)</p> <p><a href="http://www.wiblocks.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.wiblocks.com</a></p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/59/dsp-recommendation-for-beginners Dominik 2009-10-31T15:02:52Z 2010-03-07T17:15:32Z

<p>I am considering a project involving a fair share of digital signal processing. As far as I know, the best type of IC suited for this are the Digital Signal Processors. I have never worked with them before - can you recommend me any model that is simple enough for beginners? The project involves filtering hi-fi digital audio (44100Hz, 16 bit stereo) in several ways.</p> <p>Also, do I need an additional uC to for example control an UI with an LCD panel and some buttons, or can the DSP handle this along its signal processing task?</p> <p>Cheers</p>

http://chiphacker.com/questions/22/vga-output-from-arduino littlebirdceo 2009-10-30T10:58:41Z 2010-03-07T12:07:49Z

<p>Is there any method to output VGA with Arduino?</p>