Development Tools and Solutions

8x8x8 RGB LED Cube controlled entirely by a chipKIT UNO32

messages@element14.com — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:53:52 GMT

If you want to see how I made it and how you can make your own check it out here!

Cheers

Nick Schulze

Performance update: SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0)

ngadhia@slscorp.com — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:39:26 GMT

I have seen a number of articles mentioning SuperSpeed IP sales and various performance numbers (only theoretical). I would like to use this platform to inform the users the actual speed achieved on USB 3.0 Development board by IP designers at SLS

The core efficiency is dependent on a number of factors like 8b/10b encoding, packet structure and framing, link level flow control and protocol overhead.

At 5Gbps signalling rate with 8b/10b encoding, the raw throughput is 500MBps. When link flow control, packet framing, and protocol overhead are considered, it is realistic for 400MBps or more to be delivered to an application.

Various tests performed with SLS SuperSpeed USB core on GigaByte A75 Motherboard have indicated the performance ~2.1Gbps with mass storage interface and ~2.7Gbps with raw interface.

Booting VxWorks on Stratix III Dev. Kit

ngadhia@slscorp.com — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:42:13 GMT

Here is a short video that explains the procedure for booting VxWorks OS on Stratix III Dev. Kit using MP32 IP core.

The video does not have audio instructions. We are in the process of updating the video with audio instructions.

Coming soon: video with audio instructions.

More Information at: http://www.slscorp.com/pages/mp32.php

New device brings ‘multi-touch’ to print media

messages@element14.com — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:11:10 GMT

Reading the newspaper or magazines can sometimes be a hassle if you have poor eyesight. Using a magnifying glass to read things isn’t the best route to go especially if you want consistency of depth. A new optical lens from Eschenbach Optik aims to ease us from our outdated optical reading gadgets with their Menas Zoom lens. Slightly rotate the lens ring on this magnifying glass – and your newspaper print, instruction leaflet, small print in contracts etc. is magnified by 2.2 to 3.4x. The images will stay sharp and bright right to the edge of the glass. The secret lies in the ingenious double-lens system: For the very first time the benefits of aspherical handheld magnifying glasses are combined with the light accumulating effect of a reading stone. The reading area is 30% brighter than conventional magnifiers because the aspherical lens underneath creates the crystal-clear, distortion-free image and a high zoom factor. The magnifying glass glides smoothly over the surface – always at the same distance from the print. You’ll see a stabilised zoomed section 3.5cm in diameter in a comfortable reading position from the top. Measures a compact 8.2 x 4cm and weighs 132g. The lens costs $138 and can be found here: http://www.proidee.co.uk/concept-store/by-categories/handy-practical/magnifying-glass-with-zoom

Zero

Real-time Audio Spectrum Analyzer using a PIC 8-bit microcontroller

messages@element14.com — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:31:58 GMT

Simon Inns has built some pretty interesting projects and his latest project is sure to impress. Simon’s latest project was building a Real-time Audio Spectrum Analyzer. His project uses a PIC18F4550 PIC18F4550 8-bit microcontroller as well as a highly optimized 16-bit Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) routine coded entirely in C. The output from the FFT is displayed using a 128x64 graphical LCD to allow a real-time view of an audio signal. He utilizes the properties of an LM386 to move the input signals from a range of -0.5V to +0.5V into a very ADC friendly range of 0-5V. Simon has provided detailed notes on his construction process and even provides PCB and Schematic, as well as PIC18F4550 firmware downloads at his website that can be found here: http://www.waitingforfriday.com/index.php/Real-Time_Audio_Spectrum_Analyser

Eavesdropper

STM32 value line Discovery board

messages@element14.com — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:35:11 GMT

So glad to see these boards come through following on from the STM8S-Discovery STM8S-Discovery boards & how well those were received by eager users, especially at that amazing price!

The Value-line Disco is even more intriguing. Early days but has anybody used it yet and perhaps willing to share user-experience?

Noticed a few postings on its useability, code-download & running it, availability of info etc ...let us know what you think & how you get on.

FTDI replaces DB9 RS232 connectors with DB9-USB-RS232 modules

messages@element14.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:08:09 GMT

FTDI have launched replacements for the industry standard DB9 (DE9) RS232 connectors with their drop-in DB9-USB-RS232 modules.

Conceptually the idea is brilliant yet simple, removing the need to pull together a self-made connectivity bridge and replacing it with a neat, cost-effective module.

Feedback on their use in real applications would be useful.

Microstick from Microchip

messages@element14.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:54:44 GMT

DM330013 DM330013 is a neat little board for programming and debugging 16-bit devices , drawing in a lot and combining available resources from Microchip.

There are code examples given as well as 'getting started' & 'installations notes'.

Question is ....has anybody tried it yet and perhaps share with us how easy has it been to use.