This month’s tech feature embarks on a journey through the evolution of aerospace and defense technology, contrasting the visionary fantasies of earlier decades with the realities of today. Using the iconic 1977 film Star Wars as a benchmark against which to measure modern advancements. I examine communications software, missile guidance systems, and integrated radar detection systems and compare their efficacy to that of the technology seen in the film. It’s remarkable progress given the complexities and nuances of real-world technological innovation verses the imagination of science fiction. Can’t help but wonder if the film inspired the innovation, or what led to the creative advancements often presented in Circuit Cellar articles.
An article by Abel Didouh uses wake-up receivers to conserve power in battery operated devices. In his article “Wake-Up Receivers: Extending Operational Periods in Battery-Powered Applications” Didouh showcases the cutting edge of wake-up receivers for IoT applications as a means to conserve power, and then goes on to discuss the integration of specific use cases.
For an interesting at-home project, Gamal Labib outlines their project to build a 3-phase energy meter in their article “A 3-Phase Energy Meter with Multicore Support.” Labib constructs the device using an ESP 32 microprocessor with voltage and current sensors to calculate and display energy consumption, and store the collected data to an SD card. Labib guides you through the hardware setup and programming of the device in a comprehensive and educational article.
In a joint effort Maheshwaran Sadasivam and Vairamani Kanagavel outline the design and at-home construction of a robotic actuator in “Design and Implementation of a 3D-Printed Robotic Actuator.” The design uses a simple, yet educational project for students seeking to become involved in robotics. For a budget of approximately $500, Sadasivam and Kanagavel give thorough instructions for an encoded stepper motor and 3D printed planetary gearbox to create a stepper motor controlled via the CAN protocol.
Alex Moore, Illia Pavych, Matthew Pearson, and Adam Schmidt, students from Camosun College, showcase their capstone project in “LapLogic Wireless Automotive Telemetry System” where they use a real-time OBD2 scanner connected to the LapLogic Hub app to wirelessly receive real-time information on traditional and obscure engine data. Follow along on their three-month journey as they prototype, build, code, and test all aspects of this project.
In “Implementing the Matter Protocol” Brian Millier follows up on previous articles regarding the use of Amazon Alexa. Millier outlines the features and uses of the Arduino Nano Matter board and Sparkfun’s Thing Plus board. As part of the Early Adopters program for Arduino, Millier gives first of its kind commentary on the functionality and capability of this new device, as he uses it to make and control various IoT devices from his Alexa smart speaker.
In “Experimenting With CHERI on the Sonata Board” Colin O’Flynn experiments with the CHERI extension for RISC-V using the CHERIoT architecture on the open source Sonata Board to create fundamentally secure systems running on C and C++ programming, without the need to create a soft-core processor. As a follow up to an article by O’Flynn in 2023, this article finally delivers an easy hardware solution to experiment with this exciting program.
Regardless of the source of inspiration technology developments continue to take fantasy to fact. I for one, look forward to seeing some of my favorite sci-fi movie tech in the real world.
Issue Table of Contents can be found here,
as articles are made available online they will be linked.
PUBLISHED IN CIRCUIT CELLAR MAGAZINE • May #418 – Get a PDF of the issue
Caleb Smith is a passionate technology enthusiast who joined the Circuit Cellar team as Editor-in-Chief in 2025, where he brings a fresh perspective to the world of embedded electronics. His academic journey began in mechanical engineering, where he developed a strong foundation in problem-solving and innovation. He later pursued studies in emergency medicine to fulfill his desire to help others, honing his analytical skills and ability to think on his feet.
Caleb has explored various facets of technology, including robotics and language development, allowing him to blend creativity with technical knowledge. His writing reflects a deep curiosity and an eagerness to engage with the latest advancements in the field.
When he’s not immersed in the latest tech trends, Caleb enjoys traveling to new destinations and indulging his passion for film as a self-proclaimed cinephile. His diverse interests and unique background fuel his commitment to making Circuit Cellar a leading voice in the industry.
