http://starlino.com/ Electronics and Robotics Tutorials en-us http://starlino.com/bus_pirate_i2c_tutorial.html Bus Pirate is a great tool for exploring new chips using your PC , without the need to integrate the chip into a MCU project. Once I received my unit, i decided to put it to the test by exploring an accelerometer with I2C/SPI interface - the MMA7456L from Freescale. I am writing this in hope that it will help other people get started with BusPirate and I2C protocol in particular. I will only describe the I2C interface in this article but BusPirate is capable of so much more !

]]> Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:34:45 EST http://starlino.com/bus_pirate_i2c_tutorial.html http://starlino.com/imu_kalman_arduino.html This article introduces an  implementation of a simplified filtering algorithm that was inspired by Kalman filter. The Arduino code is tested using a 5DOF IMU unit from GadgetGangster - Acc_Gyro . The theory behind this algorithm was first introduced in my Imu Guide article.

]]> Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:03:44 EST http://starlino.com/imu_kalman_arduino.html http://starlino.com/imu_guide.html This article discussed the theory behind accelerometer and gyroscope devices. It shows a simple  Kalman filter alternative, that allows you to combine accelerometer and gyroscope data in order to obtain more accurate estimates about the inclination of the device relative to the ground plane.

]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:39:13 EST http://starlino.com/imu_guide.html http://starlino.com/accelerometers_review_part2.html In this article I am testing another accelerometer from ST - LIS331AL. I am also touching the topic of filters and vibration response.

]]> Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:28:20 EST http://starlino.com/accelerometers_review_part2.html http://starlino.com/accelerometers_review.html This article is the first in a series of reviews of MEMS devices (gyroscopes, accelerometers). I start by testing 3 accelerometers side by side and testing their performance: Dimension Engineering DE-ACCM2G (ADXL322), LIS244AL, Pololu MMA7260QT.

]]> Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:42:30 EST http://starlino.com/accelerometers_review.html http://starlino.com/usb_gamepad_gyro.html I have received some feedback from my readers regarding my first usb gamepad project , so for the past few weeks I was working on a new imrpoved design.    There are plenty of new improvements that I hope will address many of your requests. The new device supports a wide range of gyroscopes and accelerometers that can be configured using  Configuration Utility for Windows. Have a look at this article as it features new suggested schematics as well as a full feature log. Firmware and configuration utility are free to download for private use.

]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:44:54 EST http://starlino.com/usb_gamepad_gyro.html http://starlino.com/surface_mount_reflow.html This article is a continuation of my series of SMT experiments. It describes the process of creating a custom PCB and reflowing a SMT device in home conditions.

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:12:08 EST http://starlino.com/surface_mount_reflow.html http://starlino.com/motor_driver.html This article describes how to create an inexpensive and easy to build motor driver that can drive two DC brushed motors. The driver holds  4A per motor  with  8A peak per motor. I'm including the circuit schematic and photos of a sample build on a perforated proto-board. Watch videos of motor controller in action mounted in my new wireless robot.

]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:09:16 EST http://starlino.com/motor_driver.html http://starlino.com/port_macro.html This article describes a series of techniques that facilitates defining and programming I/O ports in embeded C with the same ease you do these task in PBASIC/PicBasic. Macro definitions and sample code is given for PIC C18/C30  and  gcc-avr (ATMEL MCUs).

]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/port_macro.html http://starlino.com/opencv_qt_stereovision.html This projects is intended for those who would like to get started with OpenCV and  stereo vision. I created a simple StereoVision C++ class that simplifies the development of a 3D calibration and vision system.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:42:33 EST http://starlino.com/opencv_qt_stereovision.html http://starlino.com/nokia_lcd_connect.html Learn how to connect a Nokia LCD to your breadboard project without soldering.

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/nokia_lcd_connect.html http://starlino.com/smd_soldering.html Learn the technique of  soldering a wire to small pads without creating bridges.

]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/smd_soldering.html http://starlino.com/reverse_surface_mount.html A method of mounting leadless surface mount devices withoug having to create a custom PCB.

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/reverse_surface_mount.html http://starlino.com/usb_gamepad.html Schematics and code for construction of an accelerometer controlled USB gamepad based on a Microchip PIC microcontroller. 

]]> Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/usb_gamepad.html http://starlino.com/remote_pc_switch.html Create a device that allows you to turn on and off your computer using your regular TV remote.

]]> Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://starlino.com/remote_pc_switch.html