An excellent in-depth look at theTL084 op amp by Ken Shirriff: Some integrated circuits have very interesting dies under a microscope, like the chip below with designs that look kind of like butterflies. These patterns are special JFET input transistors that improved the chip’s performance. This chip is a Texas Instruments TL084 quad op amp and […]
Category Archives: components
Dirty terminal sample pack
Crimp Terminals for Cables Crimp terminals lock to the end of a wire and attach to an electrical connection such as a screw or terminal block. There are tons of different styles out there, but we found a handful that every Chinese cable manufacturer stocks. This is important because while reels of crimps are cheap, […]
DIRTY CABLES: Cheap custom cables available now
Dirty Cables is a drag and drop cable builder that gives you access to cheap custom cable services from China. Build a custom cable, get an instant quote, and checkout. Your custom cables should ship in 3 to 7 work days. Huaqiangbei is full of cheap custom cable vendors with a big pile of samples […]
DIRTY CABLES: What’s in that sample pile?
In the bustling Huaqiangbei market, custom cable manufacturers tout their wares in massive piles that serve as a live catalog of the connectors available within the robust Chinese manufacturing ecosystem. Just like the way the best online casinos display their most popular games front and center, these piles indicate what’s standard and in demand. For […]
Cross section and analysis of a SMT inductor
A look at the cross section of a surface mount inductor from Electronupdate.
BGA Reballing Practice Kit
@joegrand tweeted, “Practicing BGA reballing with the @dangerousproto BGA Reballing Practice Kit.” More resources and instructions available here. Get your own kit for $79 at Seeed.
Die photos of the ICs on a EEVBLOG uCurrent
electronupdate writes, “Managed to destroy one of my EEVblog ucurrent adaptors. Took the opportunity to remove the IC’s and de-cap them to study the dies.” More details at electronupdate blog. Check out the video after the break.
Failure analysis of a dead MOSFET and a power diode
This video discusses the failure analysis of a MOSFET and power diode by Electronupdate.
The SK6812 – another intelligent RGB LED
Tim writes: During the last months, a new WS2812 alternative appeared on the market: The SK6812. I finally managed to get my hands on some of them to take a closer look. In most aspects these devices are basically clones of the WS2812. What is interesting however, is that the manufacturer came up with a […]
Dirt Cheap Dirty Reels: cheap component reels from China
Component reels shouldn’t be overpriced or difficult to come by. Dirty Reels connects you to cheap Chinese component suppliers in the Huaqiangbei electronics market. Add a reel of resistors to your next DEV shop order for under $4! A dirty reel of 5000 100ohm 5% 0603 resistors from a major Chinese manufacturer like Super Ohm is only $3.97. […]
Search Github projects by component, find design references
Search Github hardware by component to find examples and references for your next project. Big schematic and PCB previews mean quick and easy browsing without opening a CAD program. TomKeddie first mentioned this idea at Hacker Camp Shenzhen, and later in the forum and on WeChat. Tom generously shared his scraping/search method. Eagle 6+ […]
ESP8266: Arduino compatible $5 MCU with WiFi
MAKE has posted Alasdair Allan’s three part series concerning the ESP8266 MCU. Alasdair highlights the capabilities and limitations of this chip, the installation and use of a supporting version of the Arduino IDE, and how to create a breadboard adapter for the ESP-01 breakout board (pictured above.) Via MAKE.
TAPR/DCC video: System on a Chip – Programming FPGAs for Mixed Signal Systems
Here is the first of a four-part video series recently posted from the 2014 TAPR/DCC conference in Austin, TX. This is from the DCC’s Sunday Seminar, “a four-hour deep dive” into a single subject, in this case FPGA programming for mixed signal systems. “The presenter is amateur radio operator Chris Testa KD2BMH who is designing […]
First impression on the ESP8266 serial-to-WiFi module
Ray Wang has been experimenting with the ESP8266 Serial-to-WiFi module, which has gained much hype recently. “The module is very compact, easy to interface with, and inexpensive. I wrote an Arduino program to show how to use the Arduino to communicate with the WiFi module and set up a very simple web server.” Check out […]
ESP8266 WiFi chip module
Richard Sloan writes in to highlight his site featuring info on the ESP8266 WiFi module. There is a new IC on the market that is creating a lot of stir, ESP8266 very low cost WIFI chip, available are boards now from China for $5 or less, we are supporting these new IC over at www.esp8266.com […]
On-chip decoupling capacitors
Ralph Doncaster writes: In virtually all of my micro-controller projects, I’ll use 0.1uF ceramic capacitors between Vcc and Gnd. Depending on the power draw of the MCU and inductance on the power lines, they may not be necessary, at a cost of a penny or less each there’s little reason not to use them. I […]
NTSC video signal generation demystified
Sagar has posted the final installment on his blog series demystifying the NTSC video standard. NTSC progressive scanning mode and simpler sync methods are not well documented and this issue is addressed here. Producing video signals by going to lowest hardware level is fun and satisfying. With the number of very capable digital controllers available […]
Op-Amp based linear regulators
Warren Young of Tangentsoft writes: Experienced audio DIYers are familiar with monolithic linear regulators like the 78xx series and the LM317. Here’s a simplified block diagram of a standard linear regulator, from National Semiconductor’s Application Note 1148 Let’s see… We have an op-amp, a couple of transistors, a voltage reference, and a few resistors. Can we […]
Defcon 21 video: Hardware hacking with MCUs
At last years Defcon conference in Las Vegas, NV, hardware hackers Joe Grand, Mark ‘Smtty’ Smith, LosT, RenderMan and FirmWarez discussed their experiences in using various microcontrollers. Interesting stuff, particularly If you’re just getting started with electronics and are trying to navigate the sea of available microcontrollers, microprocessors, and modules.
MDO4104B-6 Intro, Probe calibration & license transfer
KF5OBS writes: Quick overview of the Tektronix MDO4104B-6. Also showing how to properly calibrate the passive probes and debunking the myth that license modules enable theft of options.