PROJECTS @ THEORY ® APPLICATIONS CIRCUITS m TECHNOLOGY Brot EVERYTHING FOR ELECTRONICS Sa BUILD AN AM Transmitter DR DUINO EXPLORER A ReviewFull feature custom PCB manufacturing service CUSTOM PCB SERVICE * Rogers, HDI, aluminum and rigid-flex PCB Us EXC OU iy bead tcels (Meta ua a2 sa ULES Pa sCoe Mateo) SMT & THT ASSEMBLY * Free shipping + Free stencil Peete) pea Urol)CALLING ALL ARDUINO UNO & NANO USERS SAVE A TON OF TIME ON ‘ YOUR NEXT PROJECT Explorer e,e@ Edition PROTOTYPING PLATFORM Pioneer e,e Edition LEARNING PLATFORM ARDUINO COMPATIBLE KITS FOR THE BEGINNER OR ADVANCED USER RF FIELD PROBE ADVANCED STRENGTH METER FRIENDLY MUSIC& SFX tesTiNG FEATURES AND MUCH MORE LEARN MORE AT WWW.DRDUINO.COM/NVMAG ARDUINO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ARDUINO AG. DR.DUINO IS NOT AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY ARDUINO AGIssue-1 2020 yeeze More Poni Go-Kart! Part 1 of this mini-series was also Part 3 (last Issue), whore we started designing a programmer for our Small Engine Ignition Timing Controller. So, consider this installment really Nextion Part 4. Now, we build the Tune and DataLog Pages. 1m by Mike Holler 16 ‘There's a lot to the new P2.This article gives an easy preview and shows you how some of the neat new features in the long-awaited Propeller 2 can be leveraged in your applications. 1B by Jon MePhalen 26 ‘Stop spending hours fighting your breadboard! With the Dr. Duino Explorer, you'll save a ton of time on your next Arduino project. Whether you're a novice or experienced Arduino user, the Explorer offers an array of commonly used sensors and modules with the ability to connect and disconnect what you need at will It has ‘a novel mechanism for routing digital 4 MSO 2020/ssu0%1 ‘and analog VO pins to wherever you need them. by Joe Jaworski 34 Wouldn't it be handy if you remembered to bring everything you need when you leave home without having to remember to remind yourself to remember? Well, the MEMO_BOX is just what you need! It will alert you with custom messages with its motion detector when you pass by it when you leave your house. Plus, you can use the motion detector to do other things like set off a recording of spooky sounds to delight trick-ortreaters when they ‘come to your front door. by Douglas A. Booth 42 One hobby that's prevalent today is restoring antique radios. Once you have an antique radio, it’s nice to listen to it, Unfortunately, the content of present day AM radio stations leaves a lot to be desired. There's nothing ‘comparable to the type of programming that was on the air in the heyday of radio broadcasting. The solution to this dilemma is to use a low power crystal-controlled AM transmitter to broadcast age-appropriate material to the antique radio. Such an AM transmitter is the subject of this article Bi by Lyle Russell Williams 48 ‘As a final class project for a course we all took, we created a very unique device. We wanted to design something fun, aesthetically pleasing, and interactive, and since we all ‘enjoy listening to music, we decided on a music visualizer. Our vision was to create a unit that listens to music being played, then in real time displays a dynamic and colorful visual representation of the music based on the volume and pitch of the notes. Additionally, our music visualizer provides an alternate avenue for experiencing music for the hearing impaired. Here's how we did it, so you can make one too! i by Asena Ulug, Cynthia Zelge, and Jocelyn Gilbert(06 DEVELOPING 31 BENCH & BUILDER, PERSPECTIVES, 32 NEW PRODUCTS, The Joys of Retooling 76 NV WEBSTORE = Again 94 TECH FORUM. 07 READER FEEDBACK 97 AD INDEX aphing Thermometer. f you care about the weather and enjoy creating graphs that give all kinds of details, then you'll really enjoy this sequel to the original graphing thermometer presented in Issue-2 2019. Features include indoor and outdoor temperature, indoor and ‘outdoor humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, and barometric pressure, 1 by Vietor Chaney Organizing a Program While getting the correct answer to a programming problem is crucial when designing a program, it should not be your only objective. You also want to write it with sufficient clarity that someone else can read your code and easily understand what the code does. Let's take a look at an example program to show the square of a number. 1 by Dr. Jack Purdum 70 In this article, I'd like to share how the primitive crystal sets Of the '50s and ‘60s worked and hopefully stir some distant memories for those of you who also built one of these mysterious listening devices. | hope that you'll consider introducing your kids and/or grandkids to the world of, crystal sets. 1m by David Goodsell Subscription Information 2279 Eagle Glen Parkway #112-481 Corona, CA 92883, Call (800) 783-4624 or go to www.nutsvolts.com Subscribe + Gift + Renewal + Change of Info. For more details on subscribing, see our ad on Page 97. 78 Most LED projects involve some wiring, some resistors, 1a solderless breadboard, and a bunch of jumper wires. Not this one! You can create bright, stunning colors by literally just plugging LEDs directly into the Arduino pins No wiring, no resistors. Just your Arduino and a handful of LEDs. The is the absolute simplest and lowest cost way to {got started manipulating light and color. Ill show you how to do it safely in this article, 1m by Eric Bogatin 84 ‘Teardowns of vintage gear in which you carefully note component values, construction techniques, and create a schematic from scratch are a great introduction to vacuum tubes. The next level (and the focus of this article) is to restore tube-type devices, starting with a tabletop radio. Not only will you learn to work with the technology, but you'll have something of value when you're done. 1 by Bryan Bergeron H(i Ml 2o20jissue-1 MUBWOS 5by Bryan Bergeron, Editor DEVELOPING PERSPECTIVES The Joys of Retooling — Again fter decades of focusing on microcontrollers, MEMS, and barely visible SMDs, I've fetumed — at least for the next year or two — to the danger zone of high voltages, high temperatures, and heavy metal. Over the past 18 months, I've refurbished a DX-608 ham receiver from my childhood; three Zenith table-top radios from the 1950s; a Mcintosh tuner, preamp, and amp; and a handful of analog instruments. haven't given up my benchtop DMM, digital oscilloscope, or digital function generator. However, there’s something about aligning an old tube radio with a Simpson 311 vacuum tube voltmeter (VTVM) that can’t be beat. My once mainly empty parts bins are now overstuffed with chunky 600V capacitors, 2W resistors, and, of course, vacuum tubes. One of the ‘odd results of shifting to vintage tube ‘gear from modern electronics is that there is no place for radial capacitors. Virtually every electrolytic capacitor that I've run across in vintage gear has axial leads, reflecting the reliance of point-o-point wiring instead of circuit boards. My ESD mat now serves as a desk protector, scarred from my handling one sharped-edged heavy metal chassis after another. I've become hooked on contact cleaner — especially CRC QD and Deox!T — for cleaning scratchy potentiometers and rotary contact switches. © MBO 2020/ssu0-1 Then, there are the hand tools. We given up ruining my 4.5” CK antistatic diagonal cutters on 18 gauge component leads buried below layers of point-to-point wiring. Now | ‘work with 6” channel lock pliers with extra long snouts that enable me to pluck a component from the bowels of a circuit without disrupting other ‘components. ‘And my Weller WD station and pinpoint tips designed for SMD work just don’t cut it for heavy terminals and wires. I've moved to a simple 100 watt Weller 100P that’s capable of soldering to a bare chassis if| need to. My Rolodex for go-to supplies has also evolved. While | still rely on the big parts houses — Mouser and Digi- Key — I save time by visiting curated collections of high voltage capacitors, wire, tubes, and switches from the likes of Antique Electronic Supply (tubesandmore.com), TubeDepot (tubedepot.com), Hayseed Hamfest (hayseedhamfest.com), Parts ConneXion (partsconnexion. ‘com), and Sa’s Capacitor Corner (tuberadios.com), Sal's offers affordable kits of capacitor values most often found in vintage radios and test gear. ‘Antique Electronic Supply offers just about everything you could need for a vintage radio repair, including schematics, Hayseed Hamfest is my go-to for custom electrolytic can capacitors, and the Parts ConneXion caters to high-end audiophile hardware. @) Z Ss PUBLISHED BY ‘T& LPublications, In. CONTACT 2278 Eagle Glen Pkwy #112-481 Corona, CA 92883 OFFICE: (961) 371-8497 PAX: (961) 371-3052 www.nutevolts.com ‘SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES/ WEBSTORE ORDERS TOLL FREE: (800) 783-4628 subscribegnutsvolts.com store.nutsvolts.com PUBLISHER, Larry Lornioux Publishergnutsvolts.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER! ADVERTISING SALES Robin Lemieux [email protected] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION ‘Sean Lemisux seanenutsvolts.com EDITOR Bryan Bergeron [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS. Mike Holler sack Purdum Victor Chaney Joe Jaworski Eric Bogatin David Goodsell Jon McPhalen Russ Willams Dougles Booth Cynthia Zelga ‘Asena Ulug Jocelyn Gilbert WEBSTORE MARKETING/ COVER GRAPHICS Brian Kirkpatrick briananutsvolts.com Copyright © 2020 byT &L Publications, nc. All Rights Reserved Al eavertiing is subject 16 publoners spore. Sseumes no reeporalty for Me evslbity oF ondton of adverizad ems o forthe honey of ‘te aaverines The publener makes no lama or be lap of any term averied in Nes & Tse ‘he sol rosponsily of ta aevertar Advorinre Indemnity and protest ‘ho publehor tom any and al elo, action of fxpenseoring Wom advising paced in Nts & oon arwort 1: 22709 Clon PyPethaps the biggest retooling of all is my thought process — including ‘my appreciation for safety. Most of the devices I work with are directly connected to the power mains, without an intervening transformer. ‘That means | never plug a piece of vintage gear directly into a power socket, but minimally use an isolation transformer to keep me and my test equipment safe. With a non-polarized plug, the ‘odds are 50-50 that the chassis is hot ‘And there is the issue of heat. The tubes and power resistors are easily hot enough to cause blistering burns, 1s retooling your shop and your mind to the world of vacuum tubes worth it? If you're contemplating expanding your knowledge base or revisiting your past, should you invest in a new infrastructure or stay the course? Well, there’s certainly more for anyone to learn about the ever- expanding world of microcontrollers, drones, and the like. However, there's just something, magical surrounding a simple tube device, with maybe two to six active ‘components that you pluck from an attic or eBay. NW READER FEEDBACK Comments on the Issue-5 2019 article, “LEDs for Operational Status and Troubleshooting” by Klaus Spies Asa designer of electronic systems that used microprocessors and a variety of IC circuits, | always led a collection of LEDs on the circuit board for diagnostics was sometimes overruled since LEDs cost pennies, but in production ‘work pennies are not allowed by the number crunchers. When overruled, | would try to assure the pads (or holes) for the resistor LED ‘would remain for test probing during troubleshooting, Paul Haug ‘The use of LEDS likely could be called an operational use, however, we refer to it asa safety or “SAFE” indicator. A tiend of mine and | design and build model rocket launch controllers for youth to use. The simplest version uses a single 12V 30A contact rated automotive relay. Should the NO relay contacts “weld” closed, it would result in a launch as soon as the clips were connected to the igniter. ‘Asa safety (SAFE) indication, he added a yellow LED and resistor in series with the NC contacts to indicate the relay had returned to the normal contact position. A red LED and resistor is also used in series with the NC contacts and the igniter as a continuity indicator. The test current for the continuity LED is designed to be less than 20 mA with measured currents typically on the order of 15 MA to 17 mA. The threerod version uses three relays, three SAFE LEDs, and three continuity LEDs with individual rod (relay) enable switches in series with the relay coils. Three of these controllers have been in use for over 10 years now, providing launch control for several different TARC teams. G. Shaiffer Comments on the Issue-5 2019 article, “Newton's Apple” by David Goodse! Great article! Great mix of disciplines (analog/Arduino/ mechanical). Pet peeve original equation was ‘P's the Greek Rho, for momentum). However, momentum=mass x velocity, and he erranily assumed mass couldn't change. So, he re- wrote it F = M x (dv/dt), which is acceleration. So, the next question is, how much mass did the ball gain as itfelle With all respect, | just started watching the Mr. Carlson's Lab Videos, also multi-discipline like your article. You're doing the next generation a great service. George Bernius I'm a retired laser systems engineer from Lockheed and enjoy working across a number disciplines. My dad was a mechanical engineer and it warped me. I'm happy as a clam when 'm working on a part with the milling machine. Although some programming languages give me fits. Whatever happened to punched IBM cards? | t00 watch Mr. Carlson’s lab and love it. Il give the “mass gain” factor that you mentioned some serious thought and get back to you in a year or 50. Thanks for the good words. Keep safe! Dave Goodsell Answer to the question: Of course you band sawed the box! ‘Awesome article! Incredible device! Congrats on a superb job. ‘Zmrotu Zargon Glad you enjoyed the article. It was a fun project, sorta. Although at times, | wondered if it would ever get finished. | called it, “The project that would never end.” Yes, | band sawed the case. BTW, that extra little gap at the bottom served as a drain for any extra electrons that got loose in the case. Thanks for your kind comments. Dave Goodsell That is a great project! This was a fascinating read. We may be kindred spirits. | also did an experiment to measure the Earth’s gravitational field Continued on page 47 2o20jIssue-1 MIBWOS 7OCT ULE Squeeze) More) Ponies)from)Your, Go-Kart! (Part 4) ly 9 Part 1 of this mini-series was also Nextion Part 3 (last issue), where we started designing a programmer for our Small Engine Ignition Timing Controller. So, consider this installment really Nextion Part 4. Now. we build the Tune and DataLog Pages. The Art of Tuning Since the mid-1990s when Bowling & Grippo released their open-source MegaSquirt standalone fuel injection and ignition timing controller, tuning tools and strategies, have evolved. Many companies offer tuning software for OEM MCUs like Hondata, Diablo, and HP Tuner. till others offer stand-alone MCUs to take 100% control ‘of engine functions: MegaSquirt, Link, and MOTEC, Many books have been written on using these tools to improve performance. A couple examples are “Maximum Boost” and “How to Tune & Modify Engine Management, Systems.” Kart racing has a following, with some of the top contenders spending more on a race season than most of us spend on our daily driver. They add fuel injection, tion timing control, and other features, squeezing 22+ HP from a5 HP engine! The most effective HP/S modification is an ignition timing controller. In this installment, we'll build on last issue's Nextion programmer by adding a Tuning screen and Data Logger. To get up to speed, review Parts 1-3, as well as the new Nextion Editor Guide. Again, a huge “Thank You" to Patrick Martin of Nextion for his help. 8 MTSWVOU. 2020/ssue-1 By Mike Holler ing Table Let’s reload our project from last issue. Click on page3 in the Page pane (top right) for our Tune Page. We need (8 x 4) 32 cells (Numbers) for our X-Y table, plus a cell for Dwell. We need a way to change these values, highlight the cell we are changing, and indicate which cell is actively influencing timi Grab a Number from the Toolbox and give it the {ollowing properties: vscope=global, style=border, font=1 (Arial_32), bco=65520, X=10, Y=280, W=45, H=30, with all other values at the default. From the top header, click ‘on Copy, then Paste. With your mouse, place it (n1) just to the right of n0. Repeat this process for eight cells total. Set all of them to Y=280. We want two pixels of space between each block. So for n1, X=57 (X=10 + W=45 + 2). Go through n2 >> n7 and just add 47 (W+2) to the previous X value: n2 X= (57 + 47) 104, n3 X= (104 + 47), 151... n7 X=339, Select all eight cells, then Copy and Paste. You will get Numbers n8 >> n15. Position them so Y=240. All X values should be the same as our first row. Repeat for Y=200 (016 >> n23) and Y=160 (n24 >> n31). We now have our skeletal X-Y table. Next, let’s add labels. From the Toolbox, grab a Text {10}: font=1 (Arial_32), starcrop image, picc=[backdrop], xt=RPM, txt_maxk3, X=395, Y=280, W=75, and H=30. ‘Add a second Text (t1) with the following changes: txt=Load%, teLmaxle5, X=0, Y=120, and W=85. This tells Us our X axis is RPM and the Y axis represents engine load (vacuum). Refer to Figures 1-4 Weill need a cell for Dwell. Grab another Number (n32) from the Toolbox. Configure it the same as the other cells with the following changes: X=324, Y=120, and W=60. Grab a Text (12) from the Toolbox to label our Dwell cell. Configure it the same as Load% but with thesest comments on this article and find any associated files and! or downloads at www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/issue/2020/01. changes: txt-Dwell, xt_maxl=5, X=339, Y=120, and W=75. Weill need six variables and a timer. In the Attribute pane, rename vad simply “X” and va5 “Y.” To change Pages, we'll need some buttons. The first (b0): sta=image, pic and pic2=[generic button] (see Part 3), font=0 (Arial_16), 1pco2=63488 (red), txt=Gauges, txt_maxin6, X=395, Y=240, W-=75, and H=30. In the Event pane Touch Release(0) tab, type: 10No changes Since save JIsoto Gauges Page 1/*Do You Want to Save?” Vixes 1iNo 7/Requested Page Nunber From this code, it's obvious we need more Tools. For now, ‘grab another Button (b1) and set it up the same as the last one except: txt=Menu, txt_maxl-4, and Y=200. In the Event pane, copy Settings but change dp=2 to dp=1 and val.vale2 to =1 {the complete code is in the downloads). For the third Button (b2): txt=DataLog, txt_Maxl-7, and ‘Y=160. In Events: dp=5 and val.vale5, copying the rest of the code ass, Note that the “Copy” and “Paste” features work with the Buttons the same as with Numbers. Grab another Button (b3) and configure it the same, except: txt=Save, txt_maxl-4, pco=50712, and Y=120. In the Event pane, type: prints 73,1 J {save Command Prints 1,1 Wsave=1 B3.pc (Might Grey b3.font=0 ViBzial_16 This is our "Save" button. “Prints” is the Nextion command to send UART data; “73” is one of the commands we'll create for our PIC (review Part 2) Changing Values We need a way to modify the values in our Table. We'll use two methods: “+” and *” buttons; and a keypad. To start, ‘grab a Number from the Toolbox (n33). Give it the following Attributes: vscope=global, style=border, key=numeric keyboard\ keybdB, borderw=3, font=2 (Arial_48_Bold), bco=65504, X=164, Y=10, W=100, and H=50, The selected nX.val will be displayed in this Number box. For incremental changes, we need two more Buttons (b4 and b5), Set b4: bco=2016, font=1 (Arial_32), txt=- (the minus sign), txtmaxl=1, X=20, Y=10, and W and H=50. This should place a green button with the minus sign directly to the left of ‘our 33 Number. In the Event pane Touch Release tab, type: i£1n33.vai>0) sistay Positive i Coot o Sooo LoL « Gar) Figure 4 Do You Wish to Save? 2o20/Issue-1 MMSIVOLTS 9n93.val prints sys0,1 prints n33.val,1 ‘{foecrenent our value Ufsend Cellt 71Send Cell. val 7/Save" Button txt (rxial_32 1 n33>0, this Button will decrease the value by 1, then send the new value to our PIC controller. The cell number (nX) is stored in a non-volatile Variable sys0 (see the Ector Guide Section 6.15 for nonvolatile variables). Next, we need a way to increment cell values. Back to the Toolbox, for another Button (b5). Configure like “" except: bco=31, bco2=33823, t= {plus sign), and X=334. The Event pane code is also the same except: if(n33.val<25) and n33.val+=1. When we click on a Table cell its value is displayed in 1n33. Using the 4/- buttons, we increment and decrement, this value and send it back to the PIC. To make big changes quickly, we need .. The Keypad In the n33 Number Attribute pane, we selected yscope=global and key=numeric keyboard|\keybdB; “vscope=global” means Numbers retain their value even when we move to another screen. (This was the setting for n0 >> n33,) For key, we chose a numeric keyboard. You'll notice in your Pages pane there is indeed a new keyboard: keybdB. Click on it. By default, it’s locked. In the top header, lick ‘on the unlock icon. Next, click on the “OK” Button b210, on the Keypad. In the Event pane Touch Release Event(48) tab, you'll see a bunch of code. Count five lines down from the top where you will see covx input.txtplload. Put your cursor at the end of that line and hit Enter to create a new line below it. Next, type: covx input. ‘xt91,0,0. This will allow us to convert the show (input) text value to a numerical value (covx), and put it in non- volatile Variable sys1. IV's now available after the keypad closes and we return to the Tune Page. When we open the keyboard, technically we're closing the Tune Page. When we hit “OK” on the Keyboard, it closes and re-opens our Tune Page. Anything in Event Preinitialization/Postinitialization of our Tune Page will execute. Since we need to tell the PIC we changed something, that something is put in sys0/syst. Set Up Our Cells Numbers n0 >> n32 are our Timing Table (and Dwell) values. We need the Nextion to do something when we click on a cell. This involves lots of copy/paste/modify code, but please follow along. Start with the bottom left cell, nO. Click on it. In the 10 MTBIVONS 2020/5561 Event pane Touch Press Event(35) tab, type: /fCopy 20 Value to n33 //This ie our Cell# for the /iorking Cell=green 7ipl1 other cells= // light Yellow (/sane code for nl >> n32 1n32.beo=65520 Copy/paste this code into the Event pane for n1 through n32, changing the first line to n33.val=nX.val; only the active cell should read nX.boo=2024. Additionally, sys040 needs to increment for each cell: for m1, sys0=41; 12, sysO=42 ...32; and sys0=72. (Our UART decoding routine in the PIC will use that sys0 number to determine what it just received. Cell UART numbers range from 40 (for nO, cell0) to 71 (for n31, cell31) plus 72 (for n32, Dwell Lastly, copy n0.bco=65520 >> n32.bco=65520 to page3 Postinitialize Event, with all values =65520. This turns all cells yellow when returning from the Keyboard, Commands and Global Variables Take a look at the Nextion instructions. At the end are the various Errors and Information codes. It starts with (0x00 invalid and moves upward. There is no 0x07 or 0x08. In fact, there are lots of gaps. Notice that 0x24 is Serial Buffer Overflow, but the next entry is 0x65 — Touch Event. This gap offers 65 usable command codes we can assign as anything we want. With that in mind, here is the Command List used for this project 0x25 (37 decimal): Command for PIC to send RPM, Vacuum, and Timing in rotation 0x26 (38a): For Data Logging, Change Data Send Rate 0x27 (39a) ¢ Send Complete Timing Table + Dwell 0x28 (40a): Timing Table [0], Nextion x47 Taming Table [31], Nextion n3l; Last Cell Oxd8 (72a) + Dwell Value, Nextion n32 0x49. (73d) Save Connand oxes (104d) Touch XY on Wake from Sleep owas (134a) Sleep Mode x87 (35a) ¢ Awake sleep Nextion offers Toolbox Variables (va0, vat, vaX), but they are Local. They only hold their value while on that page. If we want a Variable that’s available on other Pages, we need a Global Variable. The Basic Nextion series has three: sys0, syst, and sys2. When we open a new Page or activate the Keyboard, these Variable values persist. We are using sys0 for our ‘Command Code and sys1 for the value itself,When we send UART messages to our PIC (Part 6), it typically follows the format: sys0, sys1; Byte0, Byte1; Command Code, Value; Hin0, Hin1. In the code for nd, you see sys0=40, Now you know why. Monitoring RPM and Vacuum For tuning we need to see RPM and Vacuum (kPa) values. Alas, we need two more Numbers and three more Text tools. Start with a Number (n34). In Attributes, change 134 to “rpm” to make our PIC software easier. The rest of the Attributes are: sta=crop image, font=2 (Arial_48_Bold), picc= [background], X=75, Y=70, W=100, H=47. For Vacuum, rename the next Number (n35) “vac,” and set it up the same, except: X=315, W=80. For labels, we need a couple Text tools. For the first (13): sta=crop image, font=1 (Arial_32), picc= [background], ‘txt=RPM, txt_maxl=3, X=0, Y=70, W=75, H=47. For the next Text (Id), it’s the same Attributes except: txt=Vac, X=240, For the last Text 15): txt=kPa, X=395, Y=77, W=75, H=30. Highlight the Active Cell Click on the tm0 Timer. In the Event pane, type the following: ££ (xpm.val>600) fi X.val=zpm,val/600 VVengine is running //8ind X CelL Column nunber if (k.val>7) i x.val=? J/ezevents Math Overflow } jelse c x.val=0 “engine not running , Y.valevac.val/25 //We have 4 Rows iftY.val>3} i veval=3 {/erevents Math Overflow , va2.val=¥.val*8 /feach Row has 8 columns va2.val¢=X.val (fAda our RPM X,Value (offset) va2.val ‘Nextion IDE Offset for(va3.val=1) va3.val<39;va3.val++) ( (/Make RL Cell Borders Black biva3.val] -border , b(vaz-val] bordere=63488 Border=Red //Boxde: ack /{nctive Coll ‘The above code does nothing more than highlight the active Table cell in red, based on RPM and Vac (in kPa) values received from the PIC. The X.val=rpm.val/600 line reduces RPM to one of eight possibilities (capping at 4,800 RPM). Since we have four Y axis rows, Y.val=vac-val/25 yields four options. Each Y- row has eight X- cells, so: va2. valeY.val’8 finds the active row in the Table. Next, we add our X- (RPM) offset: va2.val¥=X.val to get the exact cell. If vac>99 or if rpm>4799, a Nextion math error occurs, thus the iff) filters. “va2.valt=7" requires some explanation. If you click on the bottom left cell (n0), the Attribute pane lists it as ID 7 {at least in the order 1 added Tools). Click on nt and its ID is 8; n31 is 38. The line va2.val*=7 adds an offset to account for Nextion’s ID assignments. This is for pointers: blva3.val.borderc=0 and b[va2.vall.bordere=63488. The b uses an ID number in brackets: b[va3.val]. We are using a fort) loop to turn all of the borders black first; bborderc=0. Last, we turn our active cell border red: blva2 val borderc=63488. That's all Timer (tm0) does. CONSIDER THIS: The bottom left cell is denoted as n0 with an ID of 7. For our UART protocol, it’s 40. In the PIC software, it will be known as “TimTab[0}.” Think of it this way. To most folks, 'm Mike. My mother calls me Michael; my wife calls me hubby. Strangers may address me as Mr. Holler, and I'm hoping eventually some little guy reaches for Pappy. Multiple names for the same thing (or person) is actually quite common. Save Before we go for a test drive, we need a safety net. Nothing worse than spending hours tuning, only to lose it because we forgot to save. Add another Text (16): font=2 (Arial_48_Bold), bco-65504, pco=63488, tx_maxl=20, ‘txt=Do You Wish to Savet, X=10, Y=60, W=460, and 0. Next, we need two Buttons (b6 & b7). For b6: (Arial 32), beo=2016, bco2=1024, pco2=63488, txteYes, tet_maxl=3, X=58, Y=112, W=80, and H=40. For the second Button (b7], use the same values except: beo=64543, beo2=8, txt=No, txt_maxl=2, and X=237. Click ‘on b6 and in the Touch Release tab of the Event pane, type: prints 73,1 prints 1/1 dp=val-val /isaye Command //Goto Requested Page Click on b7 and type dp=va1.val. Refer to Quick Test Click on page3. In the Preinitialize tab of the Event pane, type: ure 4. //conmand code //cormand Value prints sys0,1 prints sysi,1 vis t6,0 //*Do You Want to Save?" vis be,0 dir%es” vis B7;0 1%" 2ozovissue-1 MMSAVONS 119) V/Return from Keypad 3488 1 /Red | bovfoneet Vireial_32 Remember from last issue we added sys0=39 to all Tune Buttons? That enabled us to tell the PIC to load the complete Timing Table plus Dwell. When we use the Keypad, we don’t want a total reload, just the cell ‘we modified. When we click on Table cell nO, the Touch Release code starts with sys0=40. So, when we return from the Keypad, only the new cell value is sent to the PIC. Notice we aren’t actually changing the cell (nO >> n32) value with Nextion code. When the PIC receives a new cell (TimTab[0>>31] and Dwell) value, it automatically mirrors it back to the Nextion. That changes the cell value. I's a way of verifying the PIC received the new value. (Ignore the vis code for now.) Click Save, Compile, and Debug. From the Menu. screen, click Tune (refer back to Figure 1). Now, click ‘on nO. It should turn green. Press the “+” button; “n33” cchanges from 0 to 1. Click again and it goes to 2 In the lower rightof-center pane, you see what the Nextion is sending our PIC. Values are hexadecimal. When the Page first opened, the UART message was 27 01 {prints 39) telling the PIC to send the entire Timing Table plus Dwell. We wrote sys0=40 (decimal) and the UART {transmission is 28 01 (40d=28h). The Save button had light gray text with Atial_16 font. Once you clicked on n0 and “+ the Save Button text turned red and grew to Arial_32 (see again Figure 2) Click on 1n33 (our value display, top center) and the Keypad pops up. Click Del 6, then OK (Figure 3). When the Keypad disappears, we see “6” in n33; the UART sent 28 06 indicating the new value was sent to the PIC. Also, ‘nO is no longer green Inthe Instructions pane, type rpm.val=2345 (Enter), then vac.val=78 (Enter). Now n11 (up 1 over 4) is bordered in red. The RPM value reads 2345 and Vac shows 78 kPa (Figure 2). Data Logging Most tuning products offer data logging for later analysis. Nextion sports a Waveform tool to make this easy. Let’s build a data logger! In the Page pane, click on pageS. In the Preinitialize tab of the Event pane, type: tm0.ene0 vis 56,0 vis BT; vis b8,0 vis b3,0 vis 13/0 vis t4y1 vas £350 12 WITBIVONS 2020V1ssue-1 Mvefault 10% vis t6,0 From the Toolbox, add a Waveform (s0). Give it the following Atributes: dirright to left, ch=3, gdw=40, gdh=40, pco0=63488, pco!=65504, pco2=2024, dis=100, W=480, and H=240. Next, add a Timer (tmO) and six Variables. Rename va3 “qpm/" vad “vac,” and va5 “tim.” In the Event pane for tm0, type: vay add 1, 0, vad val.val-vac add", 1, val va2.valoxpm. add 1, 2,va2. //scales Timing //Displays Timing on cho //Scaies Vacwun //Displays Vacuum on Chi //scales REM /fbisplays RPM on ch2 The Waveform scaling yields 0 >> 240 range (the way it’s configured). Timing values range from 0 to 25, 50 “*10" allows Timing to scale the entire screen top to bottom, Similarly, KPa ranges from 15 to 115. Multiplying by 2 allows it to fill the Waveform. Same concept for RPM. Notice RPM answers to the same rpm.val= command no matter which Page is displayed, whether rpm is a Variable or Number. This makes PIC code easier, as does, vac.val= and tim.v Grab a Text (t0}: sta~crop image, font=1 (Arial_32), backdrop], pco=63488, txt-RPM, txt_maxls3, 40, W=80, and H=30. Add a second Text (t1) and configure it the same except: pco=65504, txt=Load, ‘txt_maxl=4, and X=90. Add another Text (t2): pco=2024, txt=Timing, txt_maxl=6, and X=175 and W=110. These three Texts are the legend identifying the colored lines on the Waveform. We need to add some page-changing Buttons. Add a Menu Button (b0) as we have already done on numerous ‘occasions, with X=10 and Y=280. Add a Gauges Button (b1) with X-95 (same Y=280), and a Tune Button (b2) Where X=180. They line up along the bottom to the left. In the Touch Release tab of the Events pane, Menu (b0), type: prints 37,1 prints 0/1 ap=1 /{Disable Data send Gauges (bl): dp=2; and Tune (b2) type sys0=39 //ioad Table Command. sysi=1 op=3 Controls Data logging requires the ability to start and stop recording, plus set the data acquisition rate. Grab another Button (b3], label it Start, and place it at X=310, Y=280. In the Touch Release tab, type: cm0.en=1 //start Timer//Rotation Command Add another Button (b4), label it Stop, and place it at X=395, Y=280. In the Event pane, use similar code as Start, but tm0.en=0 and prints 1,0 (Stop). (CHANGING RATE Sometimes you want to capture a brief spurt with high resolution and a rapid refresh rate. Sometimes you just want trends over a longer duration with a slower refresh rate, Let's add that feature. Grab another (generic) Button (b5) and label it Rate, Put it at X=395 and Y=245. In the Touch Release tab of the Event pane, type: //change Rave Command 7 /Show Rate Buttons //Disable Time //Clear AL1 Waveforms 8 loads the “Change Send Rate” command into the Global Variable sysO, The vis commands show Buttons we will create. Turn the Timer (tm0) off tm0.en=0, and clear the Waveform data cle 1,255. Next, add another Button (b6): sta=solid color, font=1, bco=63504, bco2=64543, pco2=2024, ‘txt_maxl=18, txt20X per Sec (Fast), X=170, Y=10, W=300, 10. In the Touch Release Tab, type: 0.time50 Mnaveform Refresh Rate = 50 en=1 //enable tm0 3,1 4,0 i i ec) Figure 5 DataLog showing 10x ogged values. I /tiide Wiie Add another Button (b7) and set it up the same, but with the following differences: bco=65543, bco2=65504, ‘txt_maxl=17, txt=10X per Sec (Med), Y=70. In the Touch Release Tab, copy the above code but change the following: sys1=10, tm0.tim=100, vis 13,0, and vis t4,1. Next Button (b8): bco=33823, bco2=50712, pco2=65535, txt_maxl=16, txt=5X per Sec (Med), and 30. In the Touch Release Tab, copy the previous code and change: syst=20, tm0.tim=200, vis (4,0, vis t5,1 For the last Button (b9): beo=34784, bco2=2024, 1pco2=63488, txt_maxl=17, txt=2X per Sec (Slow), and Y=190. With sys1=50, can you fill in the rest of the Touch Release code? Rate Indicator Let’s create an indicator(s) to show our chosen acquisition rate. Add another Text (t3) with the following Altributes: bco=63504, xt=20X, txt_maxle3, X=270, 84, W=30, and H=22. Add another Text (t4) with all the same Attributes except: bco=64543 and txt=10X. Yes, size and location are the same as 13, but our Button (b6 >> b9) code shows and hides these Texts with the vis command, Next, Text (t5) is the same except: bco=33823, WKt=5X, and txt_maxl=2. Lastly, t6: bco=34784 and txt=2X. We just added four Teats in the same spot, but only ‘one will be visible at any given time, depending on the Waveform acquisition rate we select. When reviewing data, it's nice to know resolution, which now we can. Test Drive Click Save, Compile, and Debug. From Menu, click on DataLog. When it opens, click the Start Button and type into the Instructions pane: rpm.val=2345 (Return), vac. val=34 (Return), timval=10 (see Figure 5). Figure 6, Rate change buttons. 2o20VIssue-1 warsiors 13You'll see the three lines scrolling across the Waveform. Change any of the values and watch the corresponding line change. Click Stop, then Rate. The Buttons for different rates will appear (see Figure 6). Click on any one and watch what happens. Play with it, changing rate and individual values. The only thing missing is a Clear Screen Button. My son pointed that ‘out when | asked for his input. Sooo0o, let's add another Button (b10}, Conclusion COM! I IAI + Everything you need to learn to program PIC® micro- controllers is included inthis package + Learn the fundamental concepts of programming, including program flow, oops, coding techniques, binary ‘manipulation, device-to-device communication, uset interface design, in-circuit debugging, and more! + Includes all the necessary the software, compiler, $99: pale eared Se eet he lot ea am ‘heck out ou other popular products for PICS developers including: U2 Programmer PB BPS Cons rene L-A-B-S cree wwwsmelabs.com [ MAGI RECO onnctealle finging ham radio ONT) Se) A weekly program with guests from around the world. SS Pe MEd Join us at WSKUB.COM Cee coronas Prete io aa Tuesday night at 8:00 PM Central 14 MITBIVONS 2020/1ssu8-1 Use the generic Button image and configure it to: txt=Clear, txt_maxl*5, X=310, and Y=245. In the Touch Release tab, add cle 1,255. Try it in Debug, This wraps up the Nextion Programmer portion of the Small Engine Ignition Timing, Controller. So far, we leamed to add tools from the Toolbox and get them to do stuff (Part 1). Then, we learned how to talk to a PIC processor (Part 2). Next, we learned how to add pizzazz to the Nextion tools (Parts 3 and 4). Alas, we have created a rather capable programming tool Some additional thoughts: You could add resolution to the Timing Table with eight MAP rows, or even 0 to 16x16. You could also add timing retard. Last issue, | added alternative Buttons and Gauge faces in the downloads for that article. if you haven't already, check them out. With a larger Nextion screen, you can fit more “stuff” and/or make objects larger (easier to click and see) ‘With what you now know, you can create attractive touch screens for practically any project. Just be aware, the Nextion is not automotive rated (limited temperature range) or waterproof, and can be difficult to see in direct sunlight. Next issue, we tackle the circuit board with all the controlling hardware (Part 5). Following that, we breathe life into our project with PBP3 PICBASIC PRO code (Part 6). Finally, we bolt and wire everything to a real go-kart and take it for a “test thrash,” tuning as we go (Part 7) A few things were omitted from this article, plus | probably typed a mistake or three; therefore the complete working Nextion code is in the downloads for this article. 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The pinstart() method is used to configure the smart pin; it takes the pin number, mode, and x and y register values as parameters. Internally, smart pins use the DIRx bit to enable the circuitry; hence, floating the pin by writing, 0 to the DIRx bit will disable the smart pin. If we want to revert a smart pin to standard I/O, the pinclear() method handles that. It disables the smart pin circuitry and writes zeroes to the mode, x, and y registers. With many devices (e.g,, motors), we don’t want to reconfigure the pin to change duty cycle. Once the PWM pin is up and running, changing the duty cycle is a matter of writing the new value to the pin’s y register; the update will take place on the next PWM cycle. We can wrap n() in a nice method for ease of use:Figure 2 This updates the duty cycle and ensures the value writen is legal (i.e,, constrained between 0 and 255). We can now, of course, do the obligatory LED throb as seen in so many TV and movie props: pub throb(pin, cycles, delay) | level Les peat level from 0 to 254 Ted.write (level) waitms (delay) L from 255 to 0 Experienced LED users are thinking to themselves, “Veah .. but that’s not going to look very good.” They're right. Our eyes don’t perceive brightness ina linear manner; if you run the code above, the LED will seem to get very bright at first and then not change much. Thankfully, this is easily corrected with a look-up table (gamma correction). 1 do a lot of work with LEDs and movie/TV props, so | created an object for them that uses smart pin PWM ‘output and includes gamma correction to make the output appear linear to our eyes. Here's a better version of the LED throb routine: pub throb(cycles, delay) | level repeat cycles repeat level from 254 ‘Led. gamma (evel) slay) from 255 to 0 Ted. write (led. gamma (level) waitms (delay) The final version of that object — which is included in the downloads — allows gamma correction by default which simplifies the code even further. pub : s_tx(pin, ond, bits) nsmit Sony TRC code LED pin ~ connects to IR LED anode » *"cathede to ground end reve 32 irled.start (pin, 128, 38_000, false! waieus (2400) itled, ai repeat bits irled.urite(128. waitus (((omd rol= 1) @ 1) ? 1200 : 600) Lzled.weite(o) wastua (600) Listed the ability to specify PWM frequency as an advantage. Let’s say we want to send a command through an IR LED. So long as we know the modulation frequency of the receiver, sending IR with the Propeller 2 is as easy as, what you see in Listing 2. I'm using the Sony IR protocol here because it’s so ‘well known, but this process extends to other protocols as well. Figure 2 shows an oscilloscope trace of the output when transmitting %00001_0010101 which is command 21 (power) for device 1 (TV) using 12 bits. Before we move on to look at other smart pin modes let’s do one more thing with PWM: servo output. With a hobby servo, the frame time (period) is 20 milliseconds and the pulse output for position will be from 600 to 2400 microseconds wide. This is the primary configuration method from my P2 servo object pub startx(pin, us) | x oseconds (600 to align emd.bito to bit3i + 508 de, 3ekHz, no gamma s 2.4ns start bit S stop modulation * Ovens gap * Loop through bits S enable pm S set bit delay (1.2 or 0.6ms) Led off » v6 gap 2oronssue-1 WASIVOUS 21By using the P2's smart pins to handle servos, we can ‘un as many as we want on any pins that we want, and there's no impact on the execution of our main program because all of the pulse generation is happening in the smart pin circuitry. It doesn’t have to be “bitbanged” in an interrupt or another cog. | think this method very clearly illustrates the relationship between the high (1) and low (0) words in the x register. As you can see, the high word is set to 20_000, which is 20 ms in 1 ps units, The low word of xis the system ticks in one microsecond. This lets us set the pulse width via the y register directly in microseconds. ‘big part of the fun in creating libraries is crafting methods/functions to make the enchuser’s life alittle easier, ‘Many servo libraries allow the user to specify position in degrees. | like flexibility, so my write() method allows - : i : 3 8 $ zi a : ‘There's so much more to explore with the PWM modes of the P2. I think the next year is going to be very exciting seeing those modes exploited. Now, | know that some of you are saying, “Hey, Jon, I want to read a potentiometer — can I do that without a Jot of fuss now?" Yes. Yes, you can. Connect one side to ground, the other to 3.3V, and the wiper to an 1/O pin. The flexibility of the P2 means that we can turn any pin into an analog input, and we even have choices of range and resolution. To keep things easy, | created a simple analog library that lets me do this: The start() method configures the pin for analog input using what we would consider the “normal” range of ground to 3.3V (interestingly, the analog circuitry can read below ground and above 3.3V). The pin is calibrated, 22 MMSLVONS 2620/1ssu0-1 and range constants are set up. The current value of the potentiometer is accessed with the read() method: If the wiper of this pot is connected to ground, panSpeed will be set to -100. If the wiper is moved to 3.3V, panSpeed is set to +100. Of course, values between the extremes are scaled for the defined range. What I've done is crafted code that is identical to the Arduino’s, analogRead() and map() functions, and made them very ‘easy to use through the methods in my analog object. I'l leave you to explore that code; you'll find it’s very simple. There's so much more to smart pins, but no space in a single article to cover them all — but let me list some of the other options: + Asynchronous serial I/O (UART) + Synchronous serial I/O (SP!) + DAC output = NCO + Counters + Quadrature encoder input + USB host/device ‘Smart pins add a lot of horsepower, and most modes require very little code to use. Tools. Tools. Tools. 'm an unabashed Spin programmer, but for those of you who are not, there's good news: You have a choice of languages with the P2. We'll start with Forth, because it’s, built in. You can begin to work with the P2 with nothing more than a USB connection and a terminal program. So long as your board is not configured to boot from Flash or an SD card, open a terminal, set it to 115200 baud, and press “>", the space bar, then Esc to boot into TAQOZ, the Forth environment built into the P2. Why Forth? The main reason is that Forth isa self hosting language — no special tool is required, so it can be accessed using a genetic terminal from any OS. TAQOZ — was created by Peter Jakacki, a man who loves Forth, and uses it on the Propeller (P1 and P2) in his consulting work. Peter is a big contributor to the Propeller forums and, seems quite happy to assist those wanting to give his Forth engines a go. He’s also created his own P2 board called the P2D2. You can see a photo of it in Figure 3. ‘Another regular in the Propeller forums, Eric Smith, has created a native compiler called FastSpin that understands Spin 1, PASM (P1), BASIC, C, and is now supporting Spin 2 and P2ASM. Many programmers use Eric’s compiler to get more speed from their existing Spin programs. For those who prefer C, Eric also has you covered withthe advantage of being able to mix code from other languages. For example, | wrote a test program in C for the PY that used several of my Spin 1 object libraries. Like Peter, Eric is very helpful with forum members, and always seems keen to incorporate good ideas and suggestions provided by those using his compiler. ‘One of the first C compilers for the P1 was Catalina by Ross Higson. It has been updated for the P2, and as with the other tools, that development (especially libraries) continues. Ross puts together a nice installation package that provides a version of Code::Blocks that is ready to produce Propeller code. This simplifies getting started for new programmers. For those who love BASIC, I already mentioned that FastSpin understands a dialect of BASIC, and recent forum posts suggest that Terry Hitt is porting his popular PropBASIC to the P2 This was welcome news by many in the forums. Jon MePhalen FlexGUI / FlexSpin Finally, if you're a Python programmer, you'll be happy [email protected] Compiler to know that microPython runs on the P2. This is very htips://sithub.com/ exdting given tha muhi-core approach of the P2. Hopeful, totalspectrum/flexgui/ the folks at Adafruit will make a port of their CircuitPython Parallax releases (derived from microPython) available for the P2 as well. www.parallax.com Python is becoming very important in education, and having it run on small micros is beneficial for students who Ross Higdon have an interest in embedded design and coding. Peter Jakacki Catalina C Compiler It's fair to say that Parallax tends to be Windows- TAQOZ / P2D2 PCB https://sourceforgenet/ centric. That said, they're doing what they can to help TEE ee Projects/catalina-c other tool builders. The first version of the Spin 2 compiler ric Smit (called PNut) was written by Chip in x86 assembly fa ae a | ey Tay geile ar ee eae eee egret Pret ceed cars JCA e Poca ae or Sad Eolas eet24 WSIVONS 2020/Issuet language — about 13,000 lines worth, We all have our favorite language, and x86 is Chip’s. Still, he recognizes that this doesn’t work for those wanting to craft tools that run in Linux or on the MacOS, so he’s in the process of porting that compiler to C. Aside from allowing for cross platiorm tools, having the compiler source and the Spin 2 interpreter source will serve as a template for those who want to create a custom bytecode compiler and interpreter for the P2, P2 Eval boards (Figure 4) and associated accessory kits, ete, are available at httpsi//www.parallax. com/product/64000-es. Before long, ‘we can also expect to see something on the order of a P2 Activity Board considering Parallax’s commitment to education and small robotics. As | wtite, some early adopters/ testers are creating their own printed circuit boards. 'm working with thvo friends in the film industry on a board that we can all use for our SFX projects. By the time this isin print, there will be some nice reference designs to get started with. Lock and Load Should you consider the P2 as a weapon for your arsenal? Absolutely! You certainly wouldn't choose it to blink a couple LEDs when an ATtiny will do. On the other side of that are projects like 3D printer controllers, robotics, industrial controls, drone flight controllers — advanced projects that will be easy to code given the P2’s multi-core architecture. I've already started porting, some of my big PI client projects to the P2 and finding now that I'm having a much easier time of it. Yes, some of that is experience; a big ‘chunk, though, is the unique and wonderful design of the P2 and how programmerriendly it really is. The P2 is flexible, powerful, and hides nothing from those wanting to explore. Give it a look, then give ita try. You'll have fun with the P2 and have a great new tool in your kit. NWTS-7100 Our smallest single board computer measuring only 2.4" by 3.6" by 1.7" 2 NXP i,MX 6UL 696 MHz ARM CPU with FPU 1512MB RAM 24GB eMMC Flash Storage 22 KB FRAM Storage % NimbeLink/Digi Cellular ” WiFi and Bluetooth & microSD Card Socket ” 2x USB Host Ports 2x Serial Ports ” 2x 10/100 Ethernet Ports 2 RS-485 Port CAN Port ATS-SILO Supercapacitors 2 Optional 2.8" touch LCD enclosure “560 ‘Qty 100 () EE aaa Coons nes UOBYXs SE 2o20)\ssue-1 MUTSVONTS 25,The Dr. Duino EXBy Joe Jaworski thappens to the best of us. You get your Arduino sketch done. You start wiring up your hardware on a breadboard or your shield. Next, you upload and run your sketch, and low and behold, nothing works. It's hard to tell at this point whether it’s a software or hardware issue. After much troubleshooting, you discover that you have a bad jumper wire. Or, pethaps you soldered a wire to the wrong pin, (Or, your temperature sensor has SDA and SCL reversed, The list is endless, Meet the Explorer The new Dr. Duino Explorer board takes aim at both novice and experienced Arduino users. If you're a beginner, the Explorer is a complete learning tool with builtin sensors and ready-to- go programs. It even comes with an Arduino Nano, so there's nothing else to buy. However, for those of us with many Arduino projects under our belts, it's worth a hard look as a great hardware development and troubleshooting rig. The board contains an array of commonly used sensors and modules with the ability to connect and disconnect what you need at will. Ithas a novel mechanism for routing digital and analog I/O pins to wherever you need them. Figure 1 shows a top-down view of the Explorer. There are general purpose LEDs, switches, and potentiometers that can be used for either troubleshooting or to test your sketch Figure 1 - Dr. Duino Explorer board top-down vie showing major ‘components. Post comments on this article and find any associated files and/or downloads at www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/issue/2020/01. on the breadboard. In addition, popular sensors and modules are installed that will likely be used in many of your projects. Here's a rundown of each component on the board: + Four general-purpose LEDs. A set of four red LEDS with 330 ohm currentiimiting resistors that are tied to I/O pins D10 through D12. + Four pushbutton switches. These are micro: switches tied to 1/O pins D4 through D8, with the other switch contact tied to ground. There are no pulhup resistors, so be sure and use the PULLUP option when defining these inputs with the pinMode() function, + Three 10K potentiometers. These 10K ohm pots are tied to analog 1/O pins AO, A1, and AA2, You can read their values as a 0-1023 number using the analogRead| ) function. One photoresistor. This isa light sensitive resistor also called an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) that is tied to analog I/O pin A3. By varying the amount of light, the resistance changes dramatically from a few megaohms in total darkness to a 100 ohms or $0 in bright light. The analogRead() function will return a value based on the brightness of the light striking the surface, + 128x64 OLED display. If you're used to those ancient 16x2 LCD backlit displays, this monochrome blue OLED will be a breath 2oz0jissue-1 MISIVOLTS 27The Dr. Duino Explorer — A Review of fresh air. It’s based on the popular $SD1306 chip, where there are many Arduino libraries available to display text in various sizes, fonts, as well as images. BLE Bluetooth module. This module is the newer (Bluetooth Low Energy) type that supports, communications with both Android and iOS devices. Ituses an asynchronous UART interface to send and receive data between the connected device and the Arduino, It’s connected to the hardware UART /O pins (DO and D1). These pins are also used to program your Arduino and for use by the serial monitor, so you'll need to change jumpers after uploading your sketch to use this module. Piezo buzzer. This isa tiny piezoelectric speaker connected to 1/0 pin D9. It can be used to make tones and sounds by sending square waves to the YO pin, Note that these types of devices typically have very low audio quality and are not suitable for music playback. + 2812 LED strip. if you haven’t messed around with the 2812 addressable LED arrays yet, here's your chance. Each LED contains a red, green, and blue LED that can be tweaked in software to create millions of colors that, make for nice analog indicators or simply to create a light show. The LED array on the board has eight positions, Ifyou opt for the Expansion Pack, you'll also get a servo, motion detector, MP3 player module, atmospheric sensor, and more Dupont-style jumper wires than you could possibly need ‘The Explorer accepts either an Arduino Uno or Nano, The Uno actually plugs in on the bottom of the board, leaving the top side opened for plugging in your own custom shield or for use with the mini breadboard (Figure 2), You can’t use both an Uno and Nano at the same time 28 MMSLVONS 2620/1ssu0-1 as there is only one set of hardware, A Nano is included in the kit. This is a plus if you're a beginner as there is nothing else to buy to get started. If you're a seasoned Arduino user, its nice to have another Nano in your arsenal. Some Assembly Required The Explorer board comes as a kit. If you have some experience with a soldering iron, you shouldn't have any problems putting it together. Most of the soldering involves installing the many headers for switching the hardware in and out. Everything is through-hole (there's no SMD_ devices) and all parts are on .1 inch (2.54 mm) centers. You don’t get an assembly manual with the product. Instead, you go to a section of the Dr. Duino website for instructions. | usually prefer a hard copy of the assembly with kits ike these. However, | was pleasantly surprised at the 50+ web pages that steps you through the assembly process with lots of photos and detailed instructions at every step. You get a picture of the component, a picture ‘of where it goes on the board, and additional info such as solder it now, wait until later, as well as color code markings for each resistor. The board comes with a generous supply of test points which are little soldered.in loops for your scope or multimeter probes. The test points are at voltage in/out points and several ground points all over the board. You won't be searching for a place to connect your ground probe using this board. It took me a little over an hour to fully assemble the board. I would guess most people would use anywhere from one to three hours, depending on your soldering experience. The good thing about building it yourself is that you learn about all the peripherals and components, ‘on the board as you go. And believe or not, this kit comesFigure 3 - Three amp adjustable power supply. Up fo 24 VDC input voltage with 3-20 DC output. with some extra spare parts After the board is finished, you install the Dr. Duino library and run a testing sketch. The test sketch steps through the entire board interactively via the Arduino IDE (integrated development environment) serial monitor to make sure all the soldering is correct and everything works as it should. All the parts come in a plastic case that doubles as an electronic enclosure. There are a handful of fully working projects included. Step-by-step details are provided in building these projects, including drilling and mounting instructions of the sensors to the case. While experienced users may not use this feature, i's great for the beginner to create complete ‘working projects without trying to modify sample code or search the Internet for help. Nano is connected to a three-way header. The center pin of the headers connects to the Arduino. The left pin ‘on the header connects to one of the onboard sensors 3A Power Supply and the right pin goes out to rows of female connectors The board comes equipped with an adjustable surrounding the breadboard area. You can use jumper three amp power supply. It’s a high efficiency step-down _| wires to the breadboard or plug an Uno shield into these switcher (low heat generation) that will accept up to 24 connectors. volts input with a potadjustable output. Figure 3 shows the Figure 4 shows all the rerouting jumpers running along, power supply module installed above the prototype area. Aside from a power-on LED, this supply is not connected to anything on the board. It’s up to you to use it however you see fit. Pethaps you need a high current 5V or 12V supply to drive a motor, some servos, or a fan. The power supply inputs and outputs are routed to several holes in the prototype area, Surrounding this area are pads that go to every Arduino digital and analog /O pin, so its easy to build up say, a MOSFET or H-bridge driver or wherever you need a high voltage and/or high current power source. Be careful though. The instructions caution to use a fuse with the power supply. A reverse power/ground connection on a component or a short circuit at three amps can do some serious damage to your circuit or the power supply itself. Reroute It Technology This is what the company calls its connect, disconnect, and rerouting system. It’s a simple concept and works really well Every digital and analog 1/O pin from the Uno/ Figure 4 - Jumpers and headers run across the top edge of the board for rerouting signals and disconecting ‘onboard sensors. 2ozayissue-1 MUSIVOLTS 29The Dr. Duino Explorer — A Review the top of the board. Table 1 lists Table 1 - Here's a cross reference all the sensors and their associated | Red LED 1 O13, that shows which I/O pins jumper settings for more details. | Red LED 2 Dia are connected fo the various Ifyou don’t want touse or Red EDS Gir onboard sensors and modules, as need one of the onboard sensors, well os the jumper JPxx number Jou simply disconnectit by [RedLEDS bio controling each connection. moving a jumper. You can also 10K Potentiometer 1 AO break a connection from any /O [40K Potentiometer2 | At 1P15__| separately). However, just about pin to the breadboard area. This | 40K Potentiometer3__ | A2 yp16 | any PC device of your choice can is useful if you have a strange be “Dupont-wired” into these Pushbutton Switch 1 [D8 Pa voltage or other issue with an / headers. pin and want to measure it out of [Pushbutton Switch 2_| D7 Je? ure 5 shows the headers. circuit. Pushbutton Switch | D5 1P5; The pin functions are clearly No need to pull wires out of — [Pushbutton Switch 4 | Da Pa marked on the silkscreen, wee a jumper. 2612 LED Strip (Power) _|~ 1P2, ummary You can even use aheader _|[ 2812 LED Strip (Signal) [D6 PS. Ve got to admit "ve never with a jumper wire to route a Bluetooth Module «RX used any Arduino learning kits or signal to another /O pin or to demo boards before. Maybe I've the prototype area. This rerouting | Puuetooth Module “TX done too many Arduino projects scheme is probably the best Photoresistor ‘to get any benefit out of them. feature of this board. OLED Display ‘While you can look at the Interestingly, even the Explorer as another beginner's hardware UART RX/TX pins go board, after working with it through headers, creating an easy This table shows alist of di for a while, llook at it as a way to disconnect the Arduino _Bins that connect tothe builtin sensors and thelr tr beshooting tool to help me IDE program after uploading. I've SMe tenn oie Feat fix hardware problems and get my had at least one project in the Puen a project done faster. past where I needed to use the And the faster | get it done, hardware UART and this jumper the faster I can start my next scheme would have saved me a Arduino project! NW Ultrasonic Sensor lot of time. ° 4 ee Suse) rerouted. In particular, the rik eh en 2 hardware PC pins on analog ml as t pins At and AS, However, Bay MOREA ty) there really isn’t a need to do 3 HO (D3) this because IPC devices share a common bus and are only activated by sending an °C address In fact, the OLED display and ultrasonic rangefinder are tied together using the same ’C pins. Nothing prevents you from adding your own FC device to this shared bus, as long as your FC device uses a different address There are additional ‘multiple headers for PC devices PW that are meant to be used Figure 5 - Headers for connecting Expansion Pack with the Expansion Pack (sold _$8”80r8 or use for connecting your own FC devices. 30, MSIVOXS 2620/1ssue-1 For more information about the Dr. Duino Explorer and other products, please visit https:// www.drduino.com. Ree ca errs| Saeneuu Builder Susi Progressive Concepts has wh EM Br i Digital Equipment Corp and Ser poles eee Buy - Sell -Trade = or email USB feesirnomaets: CLP. y ler Boards PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC DESIGN a sTnENGTH ees aes “nee Feat ea ian cece coca eat Pesaran) Projects, and anything you Resin tin ea IEAM NVA ees or hutsvolts.com eae Ties)new PRODUCTS tm HARDWARE tm SOFTWARE GADGETS TOOLS ANALYZERS FOR HIGH CHANNEL COUNT APPLICATIONS Jeasurement Computing [Corporation announces the release of four new devices in the DT9857E Series of Dynamic Signal Analyzers. These products feature 8 or 16 highesolution, 24-bit, simultaneous analog inputs, and sample rates Lup to 105.4 kS/sec per channel. They provide highly accurate measurements for portable vibration, sound, and acoustic applications. ‘Also included are one tachometer input and 16 digital /O. Each device features convenient BNC connectors {or attaching IEPE-compatible sensors like accelerometers and microphones. These devices do not include analog output channels. Users requiring analog outputs can consider other similar devices in the DT9857E Series. Software support for the DT9857E Series is extensive and includes QuickDAQ data logging and FFT analysis software that allows users to easily acquire data, record to disk, display, and read a recorded data fie Data can be exported to other applications like Microsoft Excel and MATLAB for more advanced analysis. Drivers are also included for developing applications in Visual C# or Visual Basic .NET, Visual Studio, NI LabVIEW, and MATLAB. For more information, contact: Measurement Computing ‘www.meedaq.com 32 MASWVOTE 2020%5510-1 LEARNING PLATFORM FOR ARDUINO DD aie ts errand its tine of rapid learning and prototyping platforms with its latest Explorer edition and an updated Pioneer version Building and tinkering with electronics is much easier with these ‘Arduino compatible shields. They are complete compact learning and prototyping systems which are perfect for anyone interested in electronics. Designed with the beginner in mind, the Pioneer Edition helps you easity learn about the world of electronics through hands-on projects. Designed with the experienced user in mind, the Explorer edition helps you build and test your electronic concepts quickly. Ws jam-packed with powerful features, which include: + 128x64 line character and graphics OLED + Power options + Bluetooth LE + Prototyping area + Eight channel addressable LEDs + Mini breadboard + And more .. The Pioneer is Arduino Uno compatible, while the Explorer is ‘compatible with the Uno and Nano versions. Expansion packs are also available for both the Pioneer and Explorer. Both platforms are currently on sale For more information, contact: Dr. Duino www.drduino.com PROGRAMMABLE USB KEYBOARD CONTROLLER MODULE Sv Company, Inc, has introduced the KeyWarrior28: the smallest controller of the KeyWarrior family with a great deal of functionality that is more than just standard keyboard functions. The KeyWartior28 — available as 2.3.3V QFN28 chip of DIL28 module = conitols up to 64 keys in an 8x8 matrix. Just a USB cable and the keys are connected to the module. The functionality of the keys is programmable via a USB port and stored in internal Flash memory. For instance, it can offer a key-operated mouse function or media and application controls like Play, Pau Mute, Start Browser, etc: Each individual key can be programmed with either a single key code, a key code plus a modifier (shift, ctl alt, gui), a macro, a mouse function, a media/application control, Continued on page 93MOD 0.8 PINION GEAR 36 TOOTH he 36 tooth & mm REX bore pinion gear is now available from g0BILDA. The bore perfectly matches their 8 mm REX shafting to create a positive drive. While little work is left for the set screws, goBILDA put two of them in for good measure. This particular gear is able to be meshed with an 84 tooth hub gear spaced 48 mm away for a 2.33:1 ratio, or it can mate to a 24 tooth ‘gear to create a very compact 1.5:1 ratio only 24 mm apart. If your build provides the freedom to adjust the spacing between your sears, i's able to mesh to any MOD 0.8 gear that suits your needs. The counterbore on the top side of the gear allows you to run right up against an 8 mm bearing without the use of a shim, Price is $8.99. MOD 0.8 PINION GEAR 40 TOOTH the 40 tooth 8 mm REX bore pinion gear is also now available from goBILDA and perfectly matches the 8 mm REX shafting to create a positive drive as well. There are two set screws. This gear is able to be meshed with an 80 tooth hub gear spaced 48 mm away for a 2:1 ratio, or it can mate to a 20 tooth gear to create a very compact 2:1 ratio only 24 mm apart. If your build is able to adjust the spacing between your gears, it's able to mesh to any MOD 0.8 gear you choose. The counterbore on the top side of this gear allows you to run right up against an 8 mm bearing without the use of a shim as well Price is also $8.99. MOD 1.25 MITER GEAR 30 TOOTH he 8 mm REX Bore Miter Gear from goBILDA is able to mate with any other 2315 Series Miter Gear. A miter gear is a specitic type of bevel gear. Two mating miter gears create a 1:1 ratio, and transmit power at a 90 degree angle due to the 45 degree pitch cone angle. The underneath side of this gear has been dished out to allow a thrust bearing to set the location of the gear (relative to the inside wall of an 1120 Series U-Channel) and counteract the potential spreading forces in the most extreme applications. Additionally, the 32 mm shelf on the back will allow a 32 mm diameter component such as goRAlL, goTUBE, or a Sonic Hub to nest down in the cavity and fasten with M4 socket head screws. Price is $12.99. 38 MM PITCH STEEL SET SCREW SPROCKET his 10 tooth sprocket from goBILDA has a 6 mm D-bore to perfectly match 6 mm D-shajting, as well as the D-shafts used on goBILDA’s 5202 Series Gear Motors. The steel construction provides excellent strength and wear resistance. Price is $7.99. 8 MM PITCH STEEL SET SCREW SPROCKET his 10 tooth sprocket from gOBILDA has an 8 mm REX bore to perfectly match their 8 mm REX shafting. Its steel construction also provides excellent strength and wear resistance. Price is $7.99 as well. For more information, contact: goBILDA www.gobilda.com 2020/issue-1 MIBIVOUS 33BUILD THE By Douglas A. Booth Vy = @) SOD IFIGURE |.The completed MEMO_BOX, mounted on my door frame. have one next to my front door (Figure 1) on which | record voice such asi “Do you have your phone and did you take your medicine?’ Dentist appointment on Wednesday. Pick up Noah at 3 pm, ‘34 MITSEVOUS 2o20/ssue = The MEMO_BOX is a battery powered, motion-detector triggered, audio record/playback project that will help you to remember what you might forget; be that appointments, taking medicine, etc. Before you stop reading because you see the words ‘battery powered, you should know that this | device may well last many months on three AAA batteries, depending (of course) on how often it’s triggered.Post comments on this article and find any associated files and/or downloads at www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/issue/2020/01. Playback is automatic when I get close to the door. I've seen reminder boxes that require pushing a playback button, and I'l bet a lot of them do not get used. With the ‘motion detector, there is no decision making to ignore. have another box along the path through the woods at my home that | use for jokes, like ‘Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.’ The MEMO_BOX lends itself well to Halloween gags as well ‘The MEMO_BOX is made up of the following: + Parallax motion detector + Nuvoton 116-COB20 voice recorder evaluation board, + Custom protoboard circuit + Three AAA batteries in holder, with wires + Speaker (eight ohms) FUNCTIONAL DETAILS ‘The Nuvoton 116-COB20 is a ‘chip corder’ evaluation board that costs less than $7 from DigiKey. Add a power source and a speaker, and you have everything you need, for simple voice recording. ‘The MEMO_BOX has a RECORD button, a PLAYE button, and a PLAYL button. The difference between the latter two is that PLAYE can be pressed and released for playback of the entire recorded message, whereas PLAYL will stop playback when you release it. Recording, stops when you release the RECORD button or when the maximum recording time of approximately 10 seconds is reached, The Parallax motion detector costs about $11 from DigiKey and is rated at 3-15 VDC. It draws only about 20 HA, which makes it great for battery powered projects. Its output goes HIGH for about three seconds when motion is detected. It’s quite sensitive; so much so that I had to find a way to reduce sensitivity. Otherwise, it will rigger from 20 feet when a dog walks past, which would soon drive everyone in the house crazy. That might be fine for an outdoor application, but | need it to only trigger when 1 get close to the front door. Spoiler alert: Covering the motion detector with a piece of nylon window screen works quite well More on that later. The custom protoboard serves two functions: power switching in response to a signal from the motion detector; and triggering the PLAYE input on the 116-COB20. See Figure 2 for the schematic. CIRCUIT DETAILS The POWER SWITCHING section has the task of applying power to everything except the motion detector, which receives power at all times. The idle motion detector 0% ee SoBe Raper Th a taste, Oo ga a8 oe em a ee — 4 = ee fe-gs FIGURE 2. ‘Schematic for ‘the MEMO_BOX; ‘created using ExpressPCB. 2o20/ssue-1 MMSWWOLTS 35II FIGURE 3B.The 11 6COB20 module AFTER modification. consumes only about 20 WA. When motion is detected, the HIGH output turns on MOSFET Q1. Most of us are accus- tomed to seeing power switched at the high side (VBAT) with a common ground as the return for all of the circuitry. Things are done differently here, mainly because | wanted to use one of my N-channel MOSFETS (U1) Looking at the schematic, the only components connected to ground are the motion detector, R1, and C1 The remainder of the circuitry — including the 116_COB20 chip corder module — have their returns connected to what I call SW_G (switched ground). When MOSFET QI is ON, ‘SW_G and battery ground are virtually the same due to the very low ON resistance of Q1. When Q1 is OFF, current 36 MIBIVONS 2020/'ssu0-1 drain is due only to the motion detector. QI tums ON when the motion detector output goes HIGH. The ON threshold of Q1’s gate is somewhere between 1.7 and 2 volts. In addition to turing on Q1, the motion detector output also charges up capacitor C1 The output of the motion detector goes LOW after about three seconds, so diode SD1 prevents the motion detector from discharging C1 when its output goes low. We need CI to keep QI ON for some desired length of time. We need resistor R1 to slowly discharge C1 so as to turn OFF Q1 at the end of that desired length of time. Choosing values for R1 and C1 is somewhat critical. F C1 discharges too quickly, we won't get the maximum 10 second record time that the I16- COB20 offers. If C1 discharges too slowly, we are not only wasting battery power, we're also extending the amount of time we must wait until the motion detector can restrigger the 11 6-COB20. The UI triggering circuitry around U1 works at power UP, so we must have power DOWN before we can trigger. Values of 2M and 10 uF for RT and C1 work well. We get an ON time of somewhere between 12 and 14 seconds; long enough, but not excessively long, The PLAYE TRIGGERING section has the task of triggering playback once and only once after wake- Up. (Wake-up is when the motion detector has put its output HIGH in response to detected motion.) The heart of the triggering is the LM339 comparator, of which only two of the four comparators are used. The goal is to wait a few milliseconds after wake-up (with the output of U1B pulled high by R7), then pull the outputs low for several milliseconds, then let it 80 high again. This output is wired to the PLAYE switch on the 116-COB20 module, so the high/low/high pulse causes the module to play the prompt one time. After making the pulse, we want the UTA outputs to remain HIGH forever (or until power goes away). It helps to look at the schematic There are two timers here: U1B, R6, and C5 (on the Fight) make the shorter timer that causes the high to low ‘edge (which starts the playback); and U1A, R4, and C4 (on, the left) make the longer timer that causes the low to high edge (which ends the pulse), At wakeup, both C4 and C5 are discharged, so the output at U1B will be HIGH due to the R7 pullup resistor. We need this brief high period after wake-up to give the module time to do whatever reset procedure it needs. Its important to remember that the LM339 outputs are ‘open drain, which means it can pull low but not high. This, characteristic is exploited at the junction of U1A‘s output Once C4 charges up enough to cause the output at pin 2to go low, it will remain low until power fails. As a result, we get the desired one (and only one) pulse at the output of U1B, which is tied to the PLAYE input on the 16-COB20 module. The 116-COB20 requires a modification in order to drive the speaker directly. Again, refer to the schematic in the upper right corner for details. Also see Figure 3A and Figure 3B for photos of the “before and after’ modification. It involves moving two solder blobs to opposite pads. (A little flux and some solder wick can help here.) W's advisable to test the 116-COB20 first before you do all the other work. | purchased four of them, and one of them didn’t work. All you need for testing are four temporary wires (two for power and two for the speaker). You can use a 5V power supply instead of batteries if desire. Figure 4 shows this temporary connection for testing, Press the REC button, then the red LED should turn ON to indicate recording. Speak into the microphone, then release the REC button. Next, press and release the PLAYE button, and you should hear your voice played back. “The audio quality is poor’ you say, and rightly so. ho al FIGURE 5. Component layout FIGURE 4.The 116-COB20 test setup. But don’t worry. The enclosure will make a dramatic improvement. THE ENCLOSURE | debated building an enclosure from scratch, but fortunately I searched for ‘small wooden boxes’ on ‘Amazon and found one (6” x 4” x 2”) for $6.53 that is perfect for this project. Try entering ‘9151-50’ and scroll down until you see it. (I find it hard to justify buying the hinges, the clasp, and the wood, and then doing all the work, when I can buy one for such a low price.) Another great component for this project is the protoboard used for the custom circuitry. Made by ‘Adafruit, you can get it from DigiKey for less than $5, using part number 1528-1195-ND. The quality is excellent, and it fits perfectly into the enclosure mentioned above. Figure 5 shows the main components placed inside the enclosure. The motion detector will be mounted on the bottom of the protoboard, but | have it lying on top so that you can see what it looks like. | also show the AAA battery le the enclosure. 2020/issue-1 MMSIWOLTS 37