Tag Archives: programming

Salvage, Tested: An Elderly, Forgetful 120GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD

Posted on July 20, 2024 by lui_gough

In the modern world of NVMe SSDs, the Samsung 840 EVO is nothing particularly interesting. However, I was delighted when I recently stumbled across one in a salvage as this was one SSD I never owned. At the time, the … Continue reading →

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Project: Generate High-Quality Industrial Fire/Alarm Sounder Audio with Python

Posted on January 29, 2024 by lui_gough

I can’t believe how fast 2024 is going by … Australia Day long weekend has already come and gone. Unfortunately for me, I spent it being rather sick with a flu-like illness which I’m still recovering from … but that … Continue reading →

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Project: A WebSDR Recorder using Python, Selenium WebDriver, Geckodriver & Firefox

Posted on December 5, 2022 by lui_gough

Having recently reported receiving QSL cards for the Ghosts in the Air Glow program, I thought it would be nice to report on a little project I undertook just-in-time for the last transmission that occurred in October 2022. While ultimately … Continue reading →

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RoadTest Review: Microchip AVR-IoT Cellular Mini Development Board

Posted on October 16, 2022 by lui_gough

The internet-of-things is well and truly upon us, with smart-worlds relying on ever-increasing numbers of sensors providing data upon which intelligent decisions are made. In spite of this, connectivity for these sensors has always been an issue as these applications … Continue reading →

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Notes: VISA Layer Compatibility with PyVISA & Virtual Machines

Posted on February 12, 2022 by lui_gough

For many years, I’ve taken National Instruments NI-VISA for granted as the de-facto VISA layer that just seems to work with most vendor software and PyVISA. But perhaps I was misled by some old documentation from PyVISA‘s early days when … Continue reading →

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Project: Arduino-based Agilent/Keysight USB-to-IR Adapter to LAN Adapter

Posted on October 30, 2021 by lui_gough

It was many moons ago when I treated myself to a proper name-brand DMM with some decent accuracy, an Agilent/Keysight U1241B complete with a U1173 USB to IR interface cable and a few other accessories. In the intervening years, I … Continue reading →

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Experiment: NI-VISA+Win10 vs. pyvisa-py+pyusb+pyserial+Linux

Posted on October 4, 2021 by lui_gough

A couple of weeks ago, I posted my scpibenchv1 post about benchmarking SCPI commands on compatible test and measurement equipment. In that post, I did mention that the use of different VISA layers would likely affect the results in some … Continue reading →

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Project: scpibenchv1 – A Benchmark for SCPI Controlled Instruments

Posted on September 19, 2021 by lui_gough

I have been fortunate enough to have been selected as a reviewer for numerous types of test equipment over the years and have been a big advocate for the use of SCPI automation, I have seen differences between different products … Continue reading →

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Tips: Debugging SCPI & VISA Automation (Including NI I/O Trace)

Posted on July 4, 2021 by lui_gough

If I’ve lured you into the realm of SCPI automation using pyvisa to get the most from your test equipment, sooner or later, you’re probably going to end up in a situation where something doesn’t work and you don’t know … Continue reading →

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Notes: Tektronix PA1000 Power Analyser with pyvisa & SCPI Quirks

Posted on May 21, 2021 by lui_gough

I think it’s fairly self-evident that I think test equipment automation is awesome. If you’ve mastered the basics and learned a bit about the intricacies of status reporting, you’re well on your way to being able to drive almost any … Continue reading →

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Project: Implementing a (Proper) R&S NGM FastLog Client with pyvisa

Posted on May 16, 2021 by lui_gough

One of the key motivations to writing a post about understanding the SCPI Status Model was the need to use it for implementing proper code to perform high-speed instrument measurements. In the case of the Rohde & Schwarz NGM202, it … Continue reading →

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Tutorial: Understanding the SCPI Status Model with pyvisa Examples

Posted on May 15, 2021 by lui_gough

If you’ve got some decent test equipment, chances are that you’re going to be automating it sooner or later. While I covered most of the basics of sending and receiving commands in my first tutorial, there comes a time when … Continue reading →

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Project: Modified Car Fridge “Pro” Mk II – Sabotaged by Cheapness?

Posted on May 2, 2021 by lui_gough

Readers may have noted my fondness of my modified car fridge for battery testing experiments as I don’t have a proper environmental chamber as they’re expensive. Unfortunately, while the cheap car fridge may be capable of reaching 10 degrees C … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Project: Arduino-Based LAN-Controlled Input Scanner / Relay Multiplexer

Posted on April 18, 2021 by lui_gough

What happens when you have multiple signals you want to measure at a high accuracy but only one high-resolution digital multimeter? Assuming you don’t need to measure the signals simultaneously, you can opt to buy a scanning data acquisition system … Continue reading →

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Tutorial: Introduction to SCPI Automation of Test Equipment with pyvisa

Posted on March 28, 2021 by lui_gough

When it comes to running scientific experiments, your test equipment are your “eyes and ears” measuring the quantities you are trying to observe. A lot of the time, purchasers tend to focus on specifications such as accuracy and resolution, while … Continue reading →

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Review: CJMCU 8×8 (64) pixel WS2812B 5050 Addressable RGB LED Arrays

Posted on February 20, 2021 by lui_gough

For many years, as a child, I had looked up at various dot-matrix LED indicators in public transport installations wondering if ever I would have a dot-matrix LED display of my own. While common-anode/common-cathode modules and drivers modules have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Lighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Project: A USB-TMC to Ethernet (LAN) Bridge (with a Difference)

Posted on February 20, 2021 by lui_gough

Over the years, I’ve pursued my curiosity through running experiments of my own, enabled by a suite of test equipment that I have carefully curated over the years. Being a major beneficiary of the element14 RoadTest program and the generosity … Continue reading →

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Experiment: Exploring Ni-MH Charging with the Keithley 2450 SMU

Posted on January 17, 2021 by lui_gough

I’ve been involving myself with battery testing, at times quite intensively, testing various primary cells and rechargeable cells. Most of the tests of rechargeable cells have been Li-Ion, Li-Polymer and even Sealed Lead-Acid since they’re all similarly easy to test … Continue reading →

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Project: TSP-Scripted Battery Simulation for Keithley 2450 SourceMeter

Posted on December 13, 2020 by lui_gough

As one of the lucky recipients of a Keithley 2450 SourceMeter as part of the element14 RoadTest program, I had the opportunity to review this rather precise and versatile source-measurement unit. Unfortunately, during the review process, an issue was found … Continue reading →

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Project: Simple Python-based Controller for Tenda Beli SP3 Smart Wi-Fi Plugs

Posted on August 13, 2020 by lui_gough

The convenience and utility of remotely-controlled power switches is difficult to overlook once you’ve gotten used to having them around. Ever since the WeMo, I’ve realised just how useful they can be – for example, no more getting out of … Continue reading →

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Note: Capturing VGA Analog Component Frames with an Oscilloscope

Posted on July 26, 2020 by lui_gough

Call me slow, but I’ve only just come to realise that our beloved VGA has finally left us, to be banished to the depths of “legacy” technology. While the push to kill off the port had already been happening by … Continue reading →

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Project: Testing “Vintage” Carbon-Zinc AA Cells with the R&S NGM202

Posted on May 10, 2020 by lui_gough

I’ve always had an interest in batteries, which peaked just before my 2017 overseas trips with the posting of the “Great AA Alkaline Battery Test” series of posts. This series of posts used a B&K Precision Model 8600 DC Electronic … Continue reading →

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Quick Experiment: Running a MOSFET Backwards?

Posted on April 21, 2020 by lui_gough

After posting my experiment looking at measuring MOSFET Rds using a power supply, I received a comment which asked me about what I think about a MOSFET being used “backwards”, with current flowing from source to drain, rather than the … Continue reading →

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Experiment: Measuring MOSFET Rds vs. Vgs with a Power Supply (R&S NGM202)

Posted on April 20, 2020 by lui_gough

At long last, a return to a more technical sort of blog – this time, a little experiment in measuring MOSFET Rds versus Vgs using a power supply and why this might of interest. What is a MOSFET? The MOSFET, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Review: Seeeduino Nano + 16×2 LCD + BME280 + SGP30 + I2C Hub Grove Components

Posted on October 20, 2019 by lui_gough

Around a month ago, I was approached by Seeed Studio with an opportunity to review some of their products. As their slogan is “The IoT Hardware Enabler”, it sounded like something I would be interested in. After all, they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Analysis: Freeview TV Services (6-7th Sept 2019)

Posted on September 8, 2019 by lui_gough

It’s been almost a year since I last analysed what was on the air on Freeview in Sydney and a number of people have asked that I take another look to tally up the bitrates and formats on air. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Radio, Telecommunications | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tech Flashback: The CD+Graphics Format (CD+G)

Posted on March 31, 2019 by lui_gough

I think by now, everyone knows I like to go on a salvage. This includes going regularly into thrift shops to see what’s new (or old) and what could be had for a reasonable price. This week had been rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Computing, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments