Turn your designs into reality! Once you have a solid design that you’ve prototyped, you should look into getting your board mass-produced. It’s a lot cheaper than you may believe and the results are often more than you ever could expect for the amount you pay. More on this to come shortly.
Yeah, we’re going to make that! The basic circuit for the Knight Rider LED sequence can be accomplished with a CMOS solution such as the 4017 or with a more complicated microcontroller such as the Arduino or (good luck) a PIC. More to come on this one soon!
Projects page more content coming soon!
Experiments home page
Here are some new pictures from a breadboarded PT2399 circuit I have been using to experiment with. Get yourself a PT2399 datasheet, buy your components, and start getting down with some delay! [caption id=“attachment_546” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] A nice shot of the breadboard I have been using to mess around with the PT2399![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_549” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] The switch, voltage regulator, power supply capacitors, and some hookup leads. This is pretty much a standard way of getting a steady regulated 5V from a higher voltage. Fun, fun![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_550” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Just a standard 9V Battery powers this 5V circuit. All you need is a 7805 regulator and you can start messing around with CMOS devices such as the PT2399![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_548” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] A simple LED/resistor combo to indicate when the power is ON or OFF. It’s a good setup to use to troubleshoot your circuit and avoid drained batteries.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_552” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Connecting power rails on different sections of the breadboard lets you space out your design for easier testing![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_547” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Trimpots are used like multiple variables in algebra. I got a good grip on how the PT2399 reacted by messing around with the controls.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_551” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] This is the section of the breadboard where the input and output audio are located. This could be improved…[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_554” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Another shot of the PT2399 Echo Processor Digital Delay IC. It’s fairly easy to set up![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_558” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] The very cramped op amp filtering components can be laid out with a little bit of careful planning.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_557” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] A little experiment! By messing with the Vref and the GND levels, the digital clock output (visible with an LED/resistor combo) can be slowed to a crawl. The resulting audio output gives clues on how to best utilize this chip![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_556” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Just a nice overhead shot of the main schematic.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_553” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] The Mix, Feedback, and Voltage Reference trim potentiometers used for tweaking the output! Cool stuff, try it out![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_555” align=“aligncenter” width=“650”] Reference Voltage and Delay Length trimpots for experimenting.[/caption] ...
Make Your Own Parts - In this tutorial, I’ll show you how you can easily make your own Eagle CAD parts with footprints for both schematic and layout!
(Download coming soon) Description: Over several years of designing PCBs, I have come to learn a few things. First off all, never trust a schematic until you’ve tried it out. The second lesson: never trust a parts library to be accurate. I have been burned and thrown off production schedules due to trusting component libraries that were just plain wrong. I have been slowly accumulating a collection of components that I use on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to keep a library of components organized for easy access. Several components are custom made and others are mere copies from other large libraries. My standard for addition to the parts library is proving each part through manufacture. Once a PCB design benefits from a solid part design, it becomes a welcome addition to the parts library. This page will have a download along with a short description of the parts included (Mouser part numbers, PCB design, etc.) Some future additions: Mouser part numbers If you would like to see a certain part made, send me an email. Depending on the complexity, I can make it available for free or an affordable minimum donation. If you like my parts library, show your appreciation by donating any amount you like.
Teach Yourself Electronics! If you’re just starting out learning how to build your own circuits or modify your gear, there’s a wealth of information out on the Internet that will open up a whole world of possibilities. How far you want to take your education is up to you; start with an in-depth tutorial or find what you need to know right now. Below are some great Electrical Engineering resources: ...
Portland Electronics Resourcess - They call this place the Silicon Forest, but you’d be surprised how difficult it can be to immerse yourself in electronics. Find places to source parts, meetups to meet like-minded people, events, and other great stuff that make Portland a tech-friendly place! DIY Resources - Places to help get your next project off the ground. DIY Audio Circuits Eagle CAD Library - I’ve been working with Eagle CAD for a number of years now, and I have built a parts library for my own work after having to deal with the bland/clunky default and just-plain-wrong 3rd party libraries. ...
(this page is currently under construction and will be totally awesome) Electronics manufacturing companies like Texas instruments and Maxim want you to use their components in your design. That’s right, they’re just giving them away. However, there’s a catch (there’s always a marketing angle). It’s the same reason that Microsoft will give out computers to school districts and Tektronics sponsors labs and provides them with damn good oscilloscopes Take advantage of the deals these companies give you. There is nothing wrong with getting free stuff from these companies, as they make millions of dollars annually and this is a small way for them to get new customers. Try out that new DSP or that hard to find op amp. Maxim sent me a couple of switch bounce ICs that worked perfectly for my sequencer design. Texas Instruments will be elated that you’re using their chip in your designs.