Electronics and Embedded Programming V3 - Developers

[QUOTE=Trumple;36041861]Out of curiosity, why do you think they're pathetic? They are indeed very nice and simple to work with but that doesn't necessarily mean they're pathetic (unless you intend to do some serious stuff with them, in which case you shouldn't be using an arduino!)[/QUOTE] Arrogant elitism :v:.

[QUOTE=ddrl46;36041484]Do you mean that you can only print black squares or that you have a row of black squares on your screen? If it's the latter, try adjusting the contrast of the screen.[/QUOTE] just a row, but i think it happens because some of my ports give me wierd voltages like 3.7v and 1.79v and others give 5v as they should, that should be the reason it happens, and i have no idea why it happens, and how to fix it. It's probably not the AC adapter..

[QUOTE=Lyoko2;36043121]just a row, but i think it happens because some of my ports give me wierd voltages like 3.7v and 1.79v and others give 5v as they should, that should be the reason it happens, and i have no idea why it happens, and how to fix it. It's probably not the AC adapter..[/QUOTE] Well that might be your problem since the logic high voltage for the HD44780 is 70% (e.g. 3.5v at 5v Vcc) of Vcc. Are you sure you have set your ports as outputs?

Has anybody here worked with CPLD's?

I've got an FPGA, if that counts.

[QUOTE=Lyoko2;36043121]just a row, but i think it happens because some of my ports give me wierd voltages like 3.7v and 1.79v and others give 5v as they should, that should be the reason it happens, and i have no idea why it happens, and how to fix it. It's probably not the AC adapter..[/QUOTE] Are you using an AVR/arduino in a breadboard? If so you need to hook the AVCC pin to 5V, or else PORTC isn't powered

Got my Arduino, waiting for all of the parts now.

What're you going to make with it? That 3x3x3 cube?

Well I guess so, I'm still thinking. Got my first program running, I got a led on. [editline]22nd May 2012[/editline] [img]http://i.imgur.com/WPkSO.jpg[/img] Oh shit, I got sound working, I can now play frequencies, though my wires and my soldering are like.. a total shitstain, I'm surprised it actually worked.

[QUOTE=Staneh;36053920]Well I guess so, I'm still thinking. Got my first program running, I got a led on.[/QUOTE] Yay :v: So how much programming experience do you have with C/C++? If you're a bit of a whiz I'd recommend trying to do stuff without the libraries, it's a little more work messing with the registries but I find it a lot more rewarding (and it helps to understand what's going on) If you fancy it, you can see all the pin mappings here [url]http://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/PinMapping168[/url] You could then take a look at this: [url]http://iamsuhasm.wordpress.com/tutsproj/avr-gcc-tutorial/[/url] and see how to control the pins using registers like PORTB How do you know which registers to set? Take a look at the datasheet for the microcontroller: [url]http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc8271.pdf[/url] Of course, Arduino is great in that you can use the libraries but when you get tired of that, take a gander at the information above. I wouldn't say it lets you access more features, but it certainly will in future if you find some limitations in the libraries (TCP protocol doesn't appear in the ethernet library, for example (though I'm sure it's on the web somewhere)) Either way, library or self coding, have fun! Slightly related question, does anyone have any project ideas for my arduino over summer? I was initially planning to make a door unlocking mechanism which would connect to the internet via UDP then I'd have a website that would be able to control it somehow using a bit of PHP. I've kind of gone off the idea (because I don't know how to make the physical attachment between the servo and the door mechanism without drilling into the walls/door) So yeah, something to do with ethernet/internet and an arduino and if it sounds good I might give it a shot!

Well, it's really my first time doing this language, though it is very similar to C#, and I program in that normally. I found it really easy to understand.

Seemed like the right place to post this? Been working on my "overkill" benchtop power supply, using an old computer PSU. It uses an Arduino to output the voltages (And my plan is to add amps being pulled using some Hall effect sensors and making the display multi-function) onto a display and provide control. The arduino is ran off the 5VSB rail so that even when it is "off" the display is on and working. The voltages are just sensed using the arduino's analog inputs with the built in 1.1V reference. A Simple voltage divider brings it into the correct range. It has a "soft" on/off switch and it beeps when you turn it on or off :D [t]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/SDC11500.JPG[/t] [t]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/SDC11503.JPG[/t] The voltages seem to be within +/-0.1V when compared to my actual multimeter which is close enough, it varies with temperature. Maybe more temperature stable resistors in the dividers are required.

I hope you're aware ATX supplies are not very good for some electronics work, high noise, earth referenced, etc. Why not build a linear power supply ? Anyway for accuracy you want to be using at least 1% metal film resistors, however ultimately this is limited by the resolution of the ADC and the precision of the ADC voltage reference.

Any arduino simulator recommendations while I wait for one in the mail?

[QUOTE=Chryseus;36059739]I hope you're aware ATX supplies are not very good for some electronics work, high noise, earth referenced, etc. Why not build a linear power supply ? Anyway for accuracy you want to be using at least 1% metal film resistors, however ultimately this is limited by the resolution of the ADC and the precision of the ADC voltage reference.[/QUOTE] Already have two very stable, isolated power supplies. I just want to build something completely nutty :v: Not that it matters to me, I don't think I've ever built anything where the power supply's noise was an issue.

[QUOTE=atl101;36060744]Any arduino simulator recommendations while I wait for one in the mail?[/QUOTE] Therer are AVR simulators but they're not what you think they are.

[QUOTE=Lapsus;36049618]I've got an FPGA, if that counts.[/QUOTE] Well, i dunno, i bought a cpld for a project (Lattice semiconductor ispMACH 4256ZE) but i'm having a hard time finding any useful documentation or tutorials for it online.

[QUOTE=Tezzanator92;36057640]Seemed like the right place to post this? Been working on my "overkill" benchtop power supply, using an old computer PSU. It uses an Arduino to output the voltages (And my plan is to add amps being pulled using some Hall effect sensors and making the display multi-function) onto a display and provide control. The arduino is ran off the 5VSB rail so that even when it is "off" the display is on and working. The voltages are just sensed using the arduino's analog inputs with the built in 1.1V reference. A Simple voltage divider brings it into the correct range. It has a "soft" on/off switch and it beeps when you turn it on or off :D [t]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/SDC11500.JPG[/t] [t]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/286964/SDC11503.JPG[/t] The voltages seem to be within +/-0.1V when compared to my actual multimeter which is close enough, it varies with temperature. Maybe more temperature stable resistors in the dividers are required.[/QUOTE] You might want to add a fuse in series with the output in case you ever short it and your circuit doesn't switch it off, melting wire smells like shit.

Can anyone help me out here, I need a circuit that can switch ground with vc and back, I want to switch the circuit with the arduino, I sort of came up with a design involving 4 transistors and 2 digital pins from the arduino but thats probably not going to work. Does anyone have a name for such circuits or can anyone post a scematic ? Thanks :3

[QUOTE=quincy18;36076603]Can anyone help me out here, I need a circuit that can switch ground with vc and back, I want to switch the circuit with the arduino, I sort of came up with a design involving 4 transistors and 2 digital pins from the arduino but thats probably not going to work. Does anyone have a name for such circuits or can anyone post a scematic ? Thanks :3[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_bridge[/url]

I knew I had seen this before when fucking arround with some stepper motors but I just couldn't remember the name, Thanks !

[img]http://www.8051projects.net/dc-motor-interfacing/bjt-hbridge.gif[/img] [editline]24th May 2012[/editline] Although buying a dedicated IC like the L293D is way easier than using loadsa transistors.

Or you could just use 4 power MOSFETs which don't require extra drive transistors.

Maybe I should explain a bit more in detail what I am trying to do, I found this ([url]http://www.cibomahto.com/2008/03/controlling-a-clock-with-an-arduino/[/url]) online and what I want to do is instead of connecting 1 clock I want 10 all on 2 pins, but I thought that would probably fry the pins so I need a external power source. So I wanted to use a external power source hooked to the h-bridge and then use the arduino to controll the h-bridge and connect the hbridge to the clocks. Is this a good solution ?

[QUOTE=quincy18;36077434]Maybe I should explain a bit more in detail what I am trying to do, I found this ([url]http://www.cibomahto.com/2008/03/controlling-a-clock-with-an-arduino/[/url]) online and what I want to do is instead of connecting 1 clock I want 10 all on 2 pins, but I thought that would probably fry the pins so I need a external power source. So I wanted to use a external power source hooked to the h-bridge and then use the arduino to controll the h-bridge and connect the hbridge to the clocks. Is this a good solution ?[/QUOTE] It will work just fine as long as you connect all the grounds together. Edit: [img]http://i.imgur.com/V6tzh.png[/img] Chryseus tried overclocking a 555 timer.

Just got all of my parts, now I have everything, except the breadboard.

[QUOTE=Chryseus;36077243]Or you could just use 4 power MOSFETs which don't require extra drive transistors.[/QUOTE] But then you need highside MOSFET drivers.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/TrDiF.jpg[/img] Picture of some of the parts.

I love those beefy toggle switches

Anyone who hasn't been to Dealextreme's Electronic DIY parts and components section in a while needs to check it out, they've added like 6 pages worth of stuff. Some highlights at a quick glance: 20 pack of 4mm binding posts: [B]$5.30[/B] (comes in many different shapes and colors) [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/diy-4mm-audio-speaker-binding-post-terminal-black-20-piece-pack-128817[/url] 400-piece pack of 1/4W metal film resistors (1%): [B]$5[/B] [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1-4w-resistance-metal-film-resistors-400-piece-pack-121339[/url] [b]1000 pack[/b] of tinned breadboard jumper cables: [B]$3.20[/B] (also comes in 100mm green) [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/double-ended-tinned-breadboard-5-core-jumper-cable-wires-green-1000-piece-40mm-131727[/url] 10 pack 5x7cm padboard [B]$4.10[/B] (comes in larger sizes too, also as glass fiber) [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/electrical-bakelite-circuit-board-5x7cm-10-piece-132480[/url] 16x2 character backlit LCD display module [B]$4.70[/B] [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/16-x-2-character-lcd-display-module-with-blue-backlight-121356[/url] 3.2" LCD module with english word stock [B]$13.40[/B] (dont ask me how it works) [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5v-3-2-lcd12864-screen-module-with-backlit-yellow-green-screen-english-word-stock-121820[/url] There's also a 5-pack of pics, a stepper motor driver IC, a boatload of DC and mains connectors, every kind of slide switch and push button imaginable, craptons of heatshrink tubing, audio connectors and amplifier modules, leds, led strips, crimp connectors, arduino accesories (chinese knockoffs no doubt), relays, usb connectors, crystals, motors, oh and a 10m roll of 40 pin rainbow ribbon cable. Deal extreme accidentally all of my money.