Project description:
This is a very small program to try the Sharp GP2Y0D340K infrared object detector.

Electronics used:
Sharp GP2Y0D340K

Link: Object Detector

Project description:
This is a sound playback system for a PIC or any other microcontroller. It uses a clever encoding system to mathematically model the actual performance of the RC filter when the signal is encoded. This allows playback of good quality sound with the absolute minimum software and hardware. The RC filter modeling (encoding algorithm) has been refined to be PIC friendly in binary math, giving the ability to playback AND RECORD in real time even on a PIC, even with high rates up to 150+ kbit/sec.

Electronics used:
LM741
Link: A system to record and/or play sound in a bit stream format

Project description:
The Devantech SFR04 Ultrasonic Range Finder indicates the distance to the closest object within range. Echo’s that arrive later are received and processed, but subsequently ignored. For a true radar all signals should be taken into account.

Electronics used:
Devantech SFR04

Link: Ultrasonic Radar, PIC16F877

Project description:
Climate Controller. This controller uses the Sensirion SHT11 combined temperature and humidity sensor. Measurement and Display:
Scale selectable between Centigrade and Fahrenheit
Humidity 0 - 100% temperature compensated
Temperature -40 to 123° C (-40 to- 254° F)

Electronics used:
SHT11

Link: Climate Controller, PIC16F873

Project description:
I recently had to make a guitar amplifier and thought it would be cool to include a PIC based guitar tuner.  I had an AIWA 3-disc stereo lying around with a non-functioning CD player.  The tuner and tape deck still worked fine, and  it was rated for I think 30 watts/channel.

Electronics used:
AD620
LM10

Link: PIC based guitar tuner and preamp

Project description:
These tubes were originally in a Wang desktop calculator, manufactured in 1969.  A PIC16F73 is the only IC used, although it was a stretch with all 22 IO being used. The timing reference is obtained from the 60 HZ AC line, although during a power outtage a 9 volt NiCad keeps the CPU powered and the timing is generated by an interrupt routine (10 MHZ clock crystal).  A 5 pin header on the main circuit board is used for ISP and allowed for easy debugging.

Link: Nixie clock, PIC16F73

Project description:
This project is based on ideas from Rickard’s electronic projects page and David B. Thomas VCR Pong. However, I have developed the simplicity even further, eliminating most of the external components. Using microcontrollers with internal 4MHz clock generator there is no need for the xtal. The 12f675 part also operates on wide voltage range, and the regulator can be removed. For game controller, I plan on using the old Commodore 64 style paddless. They include firing buttons, which I plan on using as power switch and game reset. 16F675 has a low power sleep mode with 1nA current consumption, so I plan on using that to switch off.

Link: 8-PIN PONG

Project description:
I needed a way to automatically control the main heating of our house. The basic idea is to start the heating at a certain time in the morning, and to switch it off at night. The switching points are different on various weekdays.

Link: DCF controlled time switch

Project description:
This one is using a 16F876 PIC, MCP1047A temperature sensor ( X2 ), MCP1541 voltage reference and MCP6022A opamp. The display is a 2 row HD74780 based 2X16 char, SII L1652BIJ2 but any other display based on HD74780 can be used.

Electronics used:
MCP1047A
MCP6022A
MCP1541
HD74780
Link: Dual Thermometer with serial output

Project description:
Some time ago I use to create an “Internet Plug” - it was useful except one aspect - no password protection was available for the Site Player. In order to solve this problem I have attached a 16F877 processor to the Site Player. Now the Internet Plug is Password Protected and also the status of the exits is saved in EEPROM so is not lost in case of a power failure. One of the simplest applications will be to control the lights from the distance, meaning from any computer connected to the Internet.

Electronics used:
SitePlayer Moule

Link: The Internet Plug II

Project description:
This project is a simple DTMF Remote control. The DTMF detector is integrated in software. All the logic requested to receive and decode DTMF Commands over the phone line is integrated in the 16F877 chip, only few external components are used.

Electronics used:
MCP6022
Link: DTMF Remote control

Project description:
A co-worker of mine wanted a small timer that ranged from 1s to 15s depending on what the user selected. They wanted to use a set of 4 dip switches to select the time. Needed to be as small as possible (weight being very critical) and run off of a 9V battery. Needed 2 failsafes to prevent accidental ignition of the second stage of the rocket.

Electronics used:
TC4422
Link: Rocket timer

Project description:
This project uses 16F628A as the microprocessor, TC-77 for temperature sensing and 24LC64 as storage device. The objective is to create a low power temperature recoding device. The entire device consumes 400uA of current. The power is supplied by a standard battery pack (3.6V) for cordless phone. Lower power comsumption is possible if the shutdown code is implemented for the TC-77 temperature sensor, however, due to the time limitation, it is not available in this version of the code.

Electronics used:
TC-77
24LC64

Link: Temperature recoding device

Project description:
The main thing I want to do in this bit is build a data communication system from a Palm to a PIC using IRDA (Infra Red). At first I was going to use just raw IR transmission with no protocol, so all the error correction would have to be taken care of by the software -no real problem there- but I found out than the newer Palm’s don’t support raw IR mode, apparently they are hard wired that way, the other option was to use the IRcomm protocol, it acts like a virtual serial port -you send ‘a’ in you get ‘a’ out.

Electronics used:
Palm Pilot

Link: Palm & PIC bidirectional IR communication

Project descrition:
Description how to use the PIC microcontroller to control a LCD with the SED 1300 controller.
Link: SED 1300 LCD

Project description:
This is a cyclic timer (24 hours clock) which may be programmed to turn on and off some device at programmed time. I made it because I’m too lazy to turn light in my aquarium in the morning and turn it off in the evening.

Electronics used:
74164N

Link: Timer

Project description:
This is a how-to project that shows you how to connect your PIC to the EM202, ethernet to serial module. Now you can communicate over the ethernet to serial port.

Electronics used:
EM202
Link: Ethernet to Serial module, EM202, PIC16F628

Project description:
This circuit receives the signal from a IR remote control, like those used to control your TV or DVD player and allows the signal to be repeated in another location.

Electronics used:
TSUS5400 Vishay

Link: IR Remote Control Repeater

Project description:
This PIC based circuit uses Red, Green and Blue high brightness LEDs that are pulse width modulated (PWM) to vary the intensity of each colour LED. This allows effectively any colour to be generated. The circuit is designed to fit into a low voltage Halogen light fitting.

Link: RGB LED Colour wash light

Project description:
The main reason I built this is because someone I knew wanted a stand alone device that is capable of measuring/test CPU Cooler Fans independent of the computer. And here it is, a PIC16F627 based CPU Cooler Fan Speed Tester. The speed is displayed on 4 units of 7 segment display as shown.

Link: CPU Cooler Fan Speed Tester