Posted October 27, 2010 by Chris

If you’re curious about how telephones work and how to actually record and play back sound files using a microcontroller you’ll want to read this project write-up. The phone line is connected to a PIC which collects that data and can save it as a wave file for you to play back and listen to.

Posted October 18, 2010 by Chris

If you have ever been interested in how your TV remote control works, this write-up will give you all the knowledge you need. It goes through the top-level theory of how all remotes work, then has the specifics for most commercial remote controls. Take a look if you are curious!

Posted October 16, 2010 by Chris

The Super Probe shows you how to make your own handheld multi-meter. This probe is more than just a DVM, it can also test capacitance, inductance and perform many types of signal generation. The source code and hardware schematic is included in the project write-up.

Posted October 13, 2010 by Chris

IR sensors (emitters/receivers) have the unique quality that they can sense things that are in front of them. This project goes through the theory and shows you both how to use them and what to expect from the sensors.

Posted October 12, 2010 by Chris

If you’ve ever been curious about simple breathalyzer theory this project is for you. They used a MQ-3 alcohol gas sensor and an arduino board to build it. The write-up has the software, hardware and a video of the working project in action.

Posted September 27, 2010 by Chris

The Kill-a-Watt is a small device that plugs in to any standard household outlet and provides power data for any connected device. Each “Kill a Watt” can accept up to a 15-amp load. Take a look at this project below.

Posted September 24, 2010 by Chris

This project shows you have to use the Arduino to pass webcam data as well as control pan and tilt through your network. There are a lot of cool parts in this project but it is still completed on a modest buget.

Posted September 22, 2010 by Chris

The poorman’s oscilloscope uses an arduino to process incoming signals and to send it off to your PC for some visualization. It only works on low frequency circuits, but for the poorman, that’s usually the best you can get.

Posted September 21, 2010 by Chris

Using some ATMEGA power, this project is able to do some frequency measurements. The meter maxes out at 40 MHz and is accurate to +/-1%. The project write-up has the firmware to download, schematic and hardware design all waiting for you.

Posted September 19, 2010 by Chris

This project shows you how to build a continuity tester using less than 20 parts. The schematic and build is very straight forward and the result is a test tool that goes ‘beeeep’ when two test points are connected with a wire.