Before I introduce this issue, I’d like to bring your attention to our recently redesigned website, CircuitCellar.com. It enables engineers and programmers around the world to communicate and share ideas via project articles, videos, and social media. The site’s features range from project posts (how-to articles, videos, and photos) to daily updates about products and industry news. We also run short write-ups on actual circuit cellars and workbenches in the well-received “Workspaces” section of the site. I encourage you to submit photos and info about your workspaces. Share your space with the design community!
Now let’s focus on this issue, which has articles on both human-to-machine (H2M) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Topics as diverse as smart switch management and human motion-sensing systems are covered.
Kevin Gorga kicks off the issue with his “AC Tester” project (p. 14). It is an isolated variable voltage power source that includes an electronic circuit breaker for testing and debugging equipment. An mbed controller displays voltage and current, and it controls the breaker’s trip point and response time.
Circuit Cellar published 15 of Aubrey Kagan’s articles from 2000 to 2010. In an interview on page 24, Aubrey shares some of his engineering experiences from designing controllers for mines in Africa to helping create specs for the remote control arm on the International Space Station.
On page 28, Fergus Dixon presents a ’Net-connected controller for up to 50 smart switches for lighting systems. The controller’s RTC pulses a 24-V AC line once or twice to turn off the smart switches at the end of the day.
Final PCB with a surface-mount Microchip Technology ENC28J60 Ethernet chip (Source: F. Dixon, CC263)
Turn to page 36 if you’re interested in computer vision technology. Miguel Sánchez introduces depth camera technology, and describes how he used Microsoft’s Kinect in an interactive art project.
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On page 44, columnist Bob Japenga starts an articles series on the subject of concurrency in embedded systems. In this article, he defines concurrency and covers some concurrency-related pitfalls.
Last month columnist George Novacek examined the topic of product testing and simulation. In this issue, he tackles a different yet equally important topic: diode ORing (p. 48).
On page 52, columnist Ed Nisley carefully explains MOSFET channel resistance. He describes power MOSFET operation and explores the challenges of using a MOSFET’s drain-to-source resistance as a current-sensing resistor.
A serious RF designer should have a sound understanding of frequency mixers. On page 58, columnist Robert Lacoste summarizes the basics of RF mixers and presents real-life applications.
A simple single-diode unbalanced mixer and its simulation done with Labcenter’s Proteus. The RF and LO frequencies are 340 MHz and 300 MHz respectively. You can see on the output spectrum that these two frequencies are still visible, but as well as the difference 40 MHz and sum 640 MHz, among others. (Source: R. Lacoste, CC263)
Jeff Bachiochi wraps up the issue with an article about a DIY, MCU-based blood pressure cuff project (p. 68). He converted a manual blood pressure cuff into an automatic cuff by adding an air pump, a solenoid release valve, and a pressure sensor.
Circuit Cellar Issue 263 (June 2012) is now available on newsstands.
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Circuit Cellar's editorial team comprises professional engineers, technical editors, and digital media specialists. You can reach the Editorial Department at editorial@circuitcellar.com, @circuitcellar, and facebook.com/circuitcellar
