Have you ever think to develop a high-tech and sophisticated US2B radar by yourself? You might think that this totally a mission impossible project, then you is wrong here.

Before you starting the task, you’re better prepare these following components:

• PIC18F4550 microchip (microcontroller)
• An ultrasonic range sensor
• A old bipolar stepper motor (This for the motor turning purpose)

Below here is the figure for the finished radar with the USB missile launcher beside it.

The stepper motor will turn the ultrasonic range finder in 360 degrees and reverse (Cool, isn’t it?). When two measurements have been made, the PIC will send out the data to the PC by using an asynchronous interrupt transfer. The timer in the PIC controls the stepping motor turning speed. Read more »

If you’re looking for a good thermometer that can assists you in the electronic works, why don’t you spare some time and develop a “programmable AVR 1- Wire Thermostat” for your own use?

First of all, you will need the following hardware components:

• A Dallas DS18S20 1-wire thermostat (for measure the temperature)
• A standard PC floppy drive cable (for connect the DS18S20 to the development board)
• 12V power supplies
• Atmel AVR JTAG ICE mkII programming and debugging tool
• Squid cable
• A standard cable to connect the thermostat to the PC

For the assembling process, plug the floppy cable to the EXT1 and EXT2 headers, where the key is on the cable pointing away from the center of the board. At this point, the floppy cable will fit on the headers perfectly without any small space to spare.

After it, plug the DS18S20 into the other end of the cable, which as shown in the below figure. However, you have to ensure that you pay attention to the direction the key on the cable is pointing. It is a very critical situation that you must plugged the thermostat chip into the exact socket holes which shown as below figure.

Lastly, don’t forget to wire up the JTAG cable directly to the back of the board. Voila, you’re now ready for programming the device!

Note: you can find the software releases at here.

Do you wish to have a “Giant electronic Spider” crawling and bringing some fun to your home? If you’re answered yes, then let’s meet this incredible “Eigenbau” Robot Spider.

You need to have these following materials for making this “Eigenbau” Spider:

• Javelin Stamp microcontroller with Ubicom Sx48AC
• One ultrasonic sensor with Deva-tech SRF04
• Two sensors with micro-switches
• A Micro servo to the pan of ultrasonic sensor
• Three Standard Model servos for the musculoskeletal purpose

This Eigenbau is well-programmed with Javelin Stamp microcontroller, which the three main tasks:

1. Review or control of the ultrasonic sensor and the sensor
2. Calculate the action, whether is to be forward, flight or Dodge, which based on the sensor data
3. Control of the three servos for the musculoskeletal, where it’s mainly according to the require action to be performed

Read more »

You’re too tired or lazy to wake up at 6:00, rush to your backyard and watering the plants? Well, you can always having a longer and quality sleep without need to wake up early just for the watering purpose, by creating a “Garden Monitor Outdoor System”.

Before you starting the project, you need to pay attention to these following factors:

• The sunlight intensity at the surface
• Temperature at the surface
• Humidity at the surface
• Temperature at three inch depth
• Moisture content at three inch depth
• Temperature at two foot depth
• Moisture content at two foot depth

Ok, let’s the project started…

Firstly, you need to apply the code for the Remote Programming Module 08M Code, which you can get it Here.

Beside that, you have to follow the below instructions:

1. Blinks the LED three times on power up
2. Waits for it’s address and grabs the Requested Function and Data
3. Lights the “Addressed” LED and returns what it’s read
4. Executes the requested Function by using the supplied Data
5. Turns the “Addressed” LED off
6. Repeats the No1- No5 steps

Since the Remote Programming Module has sensitive electronics and connections, which it can be affected by the bad and unexpected weathering, you need to make a protective casing for the outdoor electrical box. Now, you can have a good assistant for helping you at the soil moisture’s matter.

Do you know most of the cartoons are create based on this Persistence of Vision method? This Persistence of vision is the common phenomenon of the eye, which in nanoseconds of exposure to an image that result in milliseconds of reaction from your retina to the optic nerves.

The persistence of vision is always being compared with the related phenomena of beta movement and phi movement. In the point of view for POV, your eye/brain system functions as a motion detectors rather than camera. That’s why this POV has widely being used in the Film, video, cartoon animation and optical toys production.

You main goal for today is to mount the POV in a bike wheel and it will display a fascinating views while you ride on it. Read more »