AppNote: Ethernet theory of operation

If you’re interested in how an Ethernet device works, maybe to better understand my tutorials about Arduino’s ethernet shield, Microchip has just published an application note about the Ethernet protocol: http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1824&appnote=en533903 Microchip is also the manufacturer of enc28j60 chip I described and used in my tutorials… Via: DangerousPrototypes

Led matrix with HT1632C controller (1)

Few weeks ago I brought from SureElectronics a led matrix display. The product is made by 4 8×8 led matrices and an Holtek HT1632C controller: In this first tutorial, I’m going to show how to communicate with control chip… COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL HT1632C chip implements a protocol similar to SPI; you can control the chip through 3 pins: CS (chip select)…

MiniPiio

Tony is working on small expansion boards for the famous Raspberry Pi. You can read about the development of those modules, called MiniPiio, on his blog: [checklist] Protoboard RS232 Full H bridge Relay … [/checklist] Tony wrote also a very good article on Instructables about how to create a breadboard adapter for Raspberry Pi.

Cheap PCB services comparison

In the past, I’ve already wrote about two cheap PCB services: FusionPCB by SeeedsStudio OpenPCB by iTeadStudio On YourITronics you can find an interesting blogpost which compares those two services, including the one offered by OSHPark. PCB quality offered by Seeeds and iTead seems very similar; some users suspect they use the same PCB fabric. The time it takes to realize…

Saturn PCB Toolkit

Saturn PCB Design Inc, a US company industry leader in PCB design, released for free a useful utility called PCB Toolkit.   The software has many functions, for example: via properties (capacitance, resistance, power dissipation…) calculator; conductor properties calculator; planar inductors inductance calculator; tables with informations about AWG values; … Via: DangerousPrototypes