Did anyone here ever get in touch with the GSM call alarm or GSM SMS alarm before? If you did, then the Tiny GSM alarm system is going to be the masterpiece combination of the call alarm and SMS alarm!

The main purpose of the tiny GSM alarm system is a device, which is can be used to operate standalone or as a module for existing alarm system. The tiny GSM alarm system is much more advanced than the previous, as it’s not only can arm or disarm the system with “enable” pin, but you can do the same task by simply calling from your own phone! Sounds like a cool add-on, isn’t it?

Well, the tiny GSM alarm system is built on a very popular microcontroller, the PIC16F84A. In this case, you don’t have to bother with external EEPROM memory for SMS storage, as you have the option to use phone’s SIM SMS storage and phonebook memory for the storage task!

Well, the GSM phone that is best compatible with the device is Siemens M35i. To be honest, it’s better to modify the phone first, so that it can be easily powered and turned on by the device. Furthermore, you should make sure that the SIM PIN code request are disabled, as you don’t want to be bothered by it, especially when you’re dealing with the wiring and coding processes!

Oscilloscopes are one of the most familiar electronic components, which most of the home hobbyists might have got in touch with it, at least once in their life!

Ok, maybe you’ve been done multiple experiments with Oscilloscope before, but have you ever try to use it for scrolling text? Yep, even though it’s not a new method, however, it would give you a several “surprises” that you’re not expected at all!

So, it’s a very simple project that based on a PIC micro PIC16F628A. Why we said it’s a very simple project? It’s because it only have one component plus the battery!

Basically, the main purpose of the circuit is to show a scrolling text on oscilloscope. In this case, those characters, which are going to be displayed can be stored by user in EEPROM.

The first EEPROM location with 0xFF value is considered as the end of text. The last EEPROM location with 0×7F is containing the scrolling speed in 20mS steps.

Normally, a jumper would be placed between the pins Vdd and Vpp, after programming the micro via the ICSP connector. The oscilloscope is then will be set for 2mS/div on X-axis and 1V/div on Y-axis.

Guys, PIC USB Interface is not longer a fresh stuff, as many of you have been created this project before, maybe not once, but twice or more…

However, each of the PIC USB Interface is having its own specialty, like this PIC 16F877 microcontroller. Well, it’s a simple design, which is using the PIC16F877 microcontroller and the FTDI FT245 USB FIFO device as the main parts.

Basically, it has been designed using a single-sided PCB with only one surface mount device. Since it used the FTDI FT245BM FIFO device in the project, the part is able to handle all the details of communicating via the USB bus. By only a simple 1Kbit serial EEPROM, it holds most of the USB configuration information.

After you’ve assembling the PCB, you must doing the inspection for solder shorts. You can remove the PIC microcontroller and plug in the PCB + USB device + EEPROM into a USB hub on your PC!

Keep in mind that the release of the FTDI Common Driver Model (CDM) driver setup is very easy. Well, you just had to install the D2XX drivers to use MPROG, un-install them, install the VCP (Virtual COM Port) drivers and run your application for the final test!

Many of you here might have heard about the oscilloscope before, or maybe have frequently using them in your daily electronic project! However, have you ever used the scrolling text on oscilloscope?

To be honest, it’s nothing different, except you are using the scrolling text on oscilloscope. For your information, the project is built with only one component, the Microchip PIC16F628A!

You must be shocked and wondering, “Oh, is it possible to build a device with one electronic component?” Hehe, anything is possible, as long as you knew the proper ways!

When you’re using the scrolling text on oscilloscope, the characters that are going to be displayed are stored in EEPROM. Normally, the first EEPROM location with 0xFF value is considered as end of each text, while the last EEPROM location (address 0×7F) contains the scrolling speed in 20mS steps.

You must know that the configuration word for this application (address 0×2007) is 0×3F34. Hence, you need to place a jumper between the pins VDD and VPP, after you’ve programmed the micro via the ICSP connector.

Mostly, the oscilloscope will be set for 2mS/div on X axis and 1V/div on Y axis. By the way, please take note that one full screen contains 10 characters!

Many people always claimed how smart and intelligent they’re in electronics niche. If you’re one of those that have the talent, then would you dare try to create this S.M.A.R.T. HVAC monitor?

As it already mentioned earlier, HVAC monitor is a project that involved making an S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) Thermostat. It has the ability to access over the internet without any further modification!

Well, this project had already combined with several elements of embedded electronics, and it keeps on the theme of Home Automation.

By using the S.M.A.R.T. HVAC monitor, you’ll have the chance to control and monitoring the HVAC system via the web. Furthermore, it could be easily interface with most commercial and residential systems.

The project is based on a PIC18F452, where is capable of using the standard 2-wire hardware I2C. To be honest, you’ve to figure out the way overcome the small downside here, as these pins were not made available on the extension header, as the PIC-WEB uses I2C on-board to communicate with an EEPROM.

In overall, this S.M.A.R.T. HVAC monitor is a marvelous tool, and everyone should build one for himself/herself!