Sunday, 03 November 2013 17:49

Sharp GP2Y0A21 IR distance sensors

Sharp GP2Y0A21 is an infra-red distance measuring sensor unit,  it is extremely effective, easy to use, very affordable and has low power consumption. specification as follow:

  • Distance measuring range: 10 to 80cm (4" to 32")
  • Operating voltage: 4.5V to 5.5V
  • Output type: Analog voltage
  • Average power consumption : 35 mA
  • Peak power consumption : about 200 mA
  • Output voltage differential over distance range: 1.9V 
  • Maximum allowable Angle : > 40 °
  • The frequency of updates/cycle : 25 Hz/40 ms
Wednesday, 25 September 2013 18:40

Using 74HC595 Shift Registers with Arduino

The 74HC595 is a very handy IC used in many microcontroller projects, it is a 8-bit serial-in, serial/parallel-out shift register with output latches.
 
Data is shifted on the positive-going transitions of the shift register clock input (SHCP). The data in each register is transferred to the storage register on a positive-going transition of the storage register clock input (STCP).
 
The shift register has a serial input (DS) and a serial standard output (Q7S) for cascading. Data in the storage register appears at the output whenever the output enable input (OE) is LOW.
 
This is incredibly helpful if you need more digital outputs then the 14+6 that the ATmega328 on the Arduino Uno provides, with only 3 data pins, you can control an almost unlimited amount of outputs.
 
Upon completion of this tutorial, you should be able to controlling the 74HC595 as below:
  • Using 74HC595 Shift Registers with Arduino
  • Daisy chaining 74HC595 shift registers
  • Different ways (binary, decimal, hex) to hold the data using an array
  • Using bitshift, bitwrite operators
  • Direct port access for faster manipulation of the IO pins 
Saturday, 17 August 2013 16:51

Minimal Arduino with 8MHz internal clock

Build your own DIY Arduino board with only one passive component, it is very easy and simple. This is probably the most minimal ATmega328 based Arduino.
 
Part list
  • ATmega328
  • 28 pins IC socket
  • 10K resistor
  • Strip board 
This is a tutorial shows you how to build your own Arduino, I name it as SalMonDuino which is derive from my name (SM Ching). SalMonDuino is an modified version of original post written by Serisman, features include:
  • Using stripboard eliminate the trouble of drilling PCB holes
  • Simple circuit design uses minimum of components
  • Using 16MHz resonator as clock source
  • Prototype area
Aarduino communicate with Vixen
Vixen is a free and popular light show creator software. With a PC and some hardware, anyone can have a professional-looking lighting display synchronized to music.
 
The latest version is Vixen3, the most attractive feature is supported for preview. Compare to Vixen2, Vixen3 is a bit difficult to use & lack of some features in Vixen2. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
This tutorial is based on Vixen2, please download Vixen2 and install it to your computer. Prior to Vixen2, you must have install Microsot.NET Framework 2.0 in your computer.
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