YOUR FAVOURITE ELECTRONICS IN A MAGAZINE!

MOBILE
EMERGENCY
CHARGER
Issue 004
Oct 2017
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ISSN: 2207-8045
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DIYODE Magazine’s
First Discrete Project
As a child, I grew up building Dick Smith FunWay kits, the Jaycar
Short Circuits Kits, kits from Electronics Australia, and also from
our friends over at Silicon Chip Magazine. They were a key piece of
the puzzle that ultimately formed my understanding of electronics.
They were also the cause of a few show-off moments to friends
and family, to say the least. The engineering hours that have gone
into developing those kits over the decades, fill many lifetimes. The
copper tracks laid out could stretch to the moon, and the solder
fumes could... well, at least we have lead-free solder now.

To the engineers who have assisted in the development of these

projects, and the teachers who have adopted them into classrooms,
I take my hat off to you. Technology evolves so rapidly these days,
but there are still component-level projects that are not only fun to
build, but teach us valuable principles and skills that are relevant to
today’s maker landscape.

It’s for this reason, we have commenced development on a series

of discrete projects. Our first is a handy logic probe. While there are
many designs for logic probes out there, they’re more relevant than
ever. They’re an invaluable tool for testing Arduino/Raspberry Pi
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DIYODE MAGAZINE IS systems (and of course, anything else using logic signals too).
Rob Bell AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION.

EDITOR Published by B.E. DIYODE Pty Ltd While they’re handy, board-level projects, they will focus highly on
Analee Gale
ACN 616 556 622
the education around what makes them work, while still providing
TECHNICAL EDITOR ABN 50 616 556 622 practical utilities for a maker. We want them to compliment or assist
Bob Harper
Level 1-2, 156 Mann St,
your microcontroller and maker projects, just as much as your
STAFF WRITERS Gosford NSW 2250 Australia computer does. Of course, we may publish something that’s purely
Oliver Higgins
Daniel Koch © 2017 No part of this publication may be
for fun too, because who doesn't like a fun project, regardless of
Tim Blythman reproduced without written authorisation. All whether it's microcontroller based or not?
contributed content is owned by the authors
PROOFREADER and reproduced with permission. All product
John Bourne names, logos, and brands are property of their Our Technical Editor Bob Harper has been putting his decades of
respective owners.
CREATIVE LEAD
experience to excellent use to help these new projects come to life.
Jennifer Holland Printed by PMP. Thanks to our retail partners Jaycar Electronics and Altronics, you’ll
CREATIVE &
be able to purchase a kit of parts complete with PCB. Naturally, the
Newsagent distribution within Australia
DIGITAL TEAM managed exclusively by Gordon & Gotch. entire design of each project will be made open-hardware, so you
Luke Parsonage
Kayla Gourlay
can modify and adapt the design to suit your own purposes if you
ISSN: 2207-8045
Melanie Heard wish to do so.
Mike Lewis Print subscriptions are available to Australian
Danielle Bell residents for $9.95 per issue including GST.
Jacqui Creasy See diyodemag.com for international We're also trying to use some off-the-shelf items in creative ways,
Mike Hansell subscription pricing.
which is demonstrated by our hacking of a 5V DC-DC converter to
CONTRIBUTORS All prices quoted in AUD including GST unless provide a convenient emergency phone charger. A handful of parts
Tom Biskupic noted otherwise. All prices are correct at time
Sascha Grant
and a 3D printed case - it's simple and effective.
of printing and subject to change without
Miles Hitchen notice.
David Such
You may also note that Alarmduino has taken a break this month.
Dawid Verwey ADVERTISE WITH US
[email protected] That's because we have some brilliant new features for it in the next
installment, so it'll be back in issue #5!
CONTACT US
[email protected]
+61 2 4326 0160
Please enjoy Issue #4, and thank you for your continued support.
FOLLOW US
@diyodemag
Rob Bell

4 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

WIN 1 OF 6
SPARKFUN
INVENTOR’S
KITS!
VALUED AT $175 EA.
Thanks to our friends at Altronics, we have
6 Sparkfun Inventor’s Kits to immerse you
into the world of Arduino, with everything
you need to create dozens of experiments.
There’s a SparkFun RedBoard (equivalent
to an Arduino UNO) included, as well as a
breadboard. There are 16 circuits to build,
with all of the parts included. There’s LEDs,
semiconductors, and everything
down to the jumper wires.

This is a great way to dive

into Arduino, or expand
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Head over to
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available at:
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6 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 58 FEATURES:
■ V APOUR CAPER
Vapour Phase Oven 14
■ SENSORY DEVELOPMENT
Educational Sensory Device 32
■ RETRO TEMP
Using Nixie Tubes 46
■ PLANE SPOTTING
Track Planes Using pcDuino 68
■ POWER OF THREE
Three-Channel Power Supply 84

EDUCATION:
32
■ F UNDAMENTALS
Keeping It More Regular 23
■ SECRET CODE
Functions & Arrays 36
■ THE CLASSROOM
Coping With Capacitors 50
■ WHAT THE TECH
Google Voice Assistant 96

PROJECTS:
■ 3 D PRINT SERVER
Easy As Pi! 26
■ EMERGENCY PHONE CHARGER
Lemons vs. Batteries 40
■ THE UBIQUITOUS LOGIC PROBE
Simplify Debugging & Testing 58
■ MQTT POWER POINT
Voice Controlled 76
■ PART 2: SAM V1.1
Upgraded Senses 90
36 40
■ E DITOR'S LETTER
DIYODE's First Discrete Project 04
■ NEW & REVIEWED
Airblock, Leading Edge, & IoD 08
■ MOONSHOTS
Autonomous Vehicle Conundrum 20
■ THE ADVENTURES OF
CIRCUIT MODD 98

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 7

 NEW & REVIEWED

Spotlight on:

Airblock
The Modular and
Programmable Drone
The Airblock first appeared in 2016 on Kickstarter, pitched by (all supplied) can be connected to the control module via the
Makeblock, the brains behind mBot and other cool robotics and electrical connections on each side. These modules have powerful
STEM products. This clever innovation uses modules to create a six- coreless motors and plastic rotor blades and there is a protective
axis drone or hovercraft, plus a handful of other weird and wonderful cover for each side to stop mischievous fingers from being hurt. A
configurations. The Airblock has just landed (pun intended) at 7.4VDC 700mAh Li-Po battery is included, along with a charger that
Jaycar Electronics, so we put one through its paces. plugs into any USB port, to provide the power for up to six minutes
of full flight.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
BUILD IT
The packaging is very classy; solid construction, carry handle and a
lid that magnetically closes. Inside, you’re presented with a moulded Assembly is truly child’s play. Our six-year-old helper assembled the
cardboard insert securely holding six power modules (motors with hovercraft within minutes, just by looking at the photo on the box!
rotors), and a master controller module, all hex in shape, 75mm Each module has a strong polarised magnet that fixes it firmly in its
wide and made from durable but light EPP foam. Within the box correct place on the master control module – genius!
there is another moulded cardboard insert holding the hovercraft
base, battery, charger, USB cable and protective covers for the THE APP
power modules. There is also a colour user guide, a bag of spare
rotor blades, and three sets of stickers for the fuselage, power A tablet or smartphone is required to control the Airblock. The free
modules and hovercraft. Cool! ‘Makeblock’ app can be downloaded and suits all of the products in
the Makeblock range. Once you choose Airblock you’re asked if you
INSIDE THE BOX want to Play or Create. The Play option asks if you’re running in Air,
Land or Water mode and provides a controller interface accordingly.
The hex-shaped control module sports an ultrasonic sensor, The Create option enables you to customise and save your own
barometer, gyroscope, Bluetooth module, and microcontroller chip, controller interface depending on the mode selected. Pairing via
with a battery compartment underneath. Up to six power modules Bluetooth is very easy also - it doesn’t even require a pin code.
 NEW & REVIEWED

button was impressive. The rotor protective covers did fall off from
time to time, which was annoying. It was easier to fly without them.

CODE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

This is where the Airblock really sets itself apart from the everyday
drone. The app allows you to go code your own interface using
Scratch 2.0 inspired drag-and-drop coding (as taught in many pre-
schools now days). Brilliant! Set motor speeds, direction, and create
events based on temperature, gyro, battery level, and much more.
For those familiar with coding, it performs maths as well as the
humble “if, then, else” and “loop” statements. It appears it’s only
limited by your imagination.

CONCLUSION

It is expensive if you compare it to a regular quadcopter or drone,

but it makes up for it in its versatility and ability to be programmed.
With the multiple configurations and being able to be combined
with other toys such as LEGO®, there is endless hours of fun
to be had (between charges of course). It is noisy,
TIME TO PLAY but it is fast, powerful and nimble. Because
it’s fun, and more importantly is able
The fun part! At a touch of button, we had the hovercraft whizzing to teach kids coding we’re
(quite fast!) across the tiled floor. Initially, the loud noise generated giving the Airblock a big
by the motors and spinning blades surprised us, especially Master thumbs-up. ■
Six who jumped a little in fright! It’s quite surprising how much noise
those tiny motors create, but you do get the impression of their
mighty power. It handled the bumps into the walls and chairs with
ease, and kept on going. Within no time we had a crowd fighting
over who was going to control it next. Each of them were able to
take control without instructions.

Before long, the thrill of operating the hovercraft soon turned to

anticipation to build and fly the drone. Building the drone was quick
and easy - just be sure to install the rotors in the right direction!

Choosing Air Mode in the app presents an interface similar to a

handheld RC remote. Rise, descend, forward, backward, left, right.
There are also three pre-programmed effects (roll, shake and circle)
and a take-off/land button, which takes the complexity out of taking
off and landing.

We found the Drone mode is better suited to teenagers and adults.

We spent more time rebuilding the drone than flying it when the
six-year-old was at the controls. It did demonstrate its durability Shopping List:
though. There was no damage done to the modules, or the walls.
Occasionally the rotor blades flew off with hard landings, but they Airblock by Makeblock is available at Jaycar Electronics:
are easy to pop straight back on. This also explains why spare rotor www.jaycar.com.au
blades are included in the kit.
► MAKEBLOCK AIRBLOCK MODULAR PROGRAMMABLE
With an adult at the controls the drone was very nimble in flight. DRONE KIT
Take-off and landing was easy, and doing stunts at the press of the KR9220 $299
 NEW & REVIEWED

On Location:
The Locals With
A Leading Edge...

In the not-so distant past, the independent electronics store was

commonplace in many towns and cities. It may be 2017 now, but it’s
important to remember they’re still going strong. It’s no secret that business has changed over several decades. The
local store faces an increasing challenge in a cut-throat market.
Recently, we had the pleasure of attending the Leading Edge Their power now, stems from being a versatile group. They have the
Electronics Annual Conference. It was awesome to speak to so many collective buying power that rivals large chain retail stores, but still
of the amazing people who are responsible for bringing the best in have the flexibility to customise their stores to suit their market,
electronics to the doorstep of regional Australia. their customers, and even their preferences.

When meeting these small business owners, what really stood out It’s an impressive model, and one we feel should be admired and
was the passion they have for what they do, and the life they bring supported. These business owners pour their heart and soul into
to the industry. With time-tested values and honest service, they delivering the best possible products they can to the marketplace.
drive hard every day to bring the products to their stores that their The Leading Edge Group was founded in 1986, and partners with
customers want. Sure, Leading Edge Electronics might be boasting world-leading brands to bring some of that muscle and might.
close to 100 stores, but walk into any individual store and you’ll be But it’s not all about business. Business can be a tough road, and
greeted by the local owners, most of whom know many customers the group provides comradery and a support network to keep the
by name, and who take the time to make sure those people walk out engines running at the heart of these businesses.
with the very best solution they can possibly muster for their unique
problem, whatever that may be.

10 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 NEW & REVIEWED

One thing that we never fully appreciated about The Leading Edge
Electronics outlets was the vast range, and the quality of brands
you’ll find in each store. Walking through the trade exhibition, my
eyes were opened; it’s true, you’ll find many of your favourite parts
for hobby electronics. Arduino and Raspberry Pi products will be
abundant, as well as soldering irons, components, and a huge
range of the parts we use in many of our projects. But what was an
unexpected find, are all sorts of amazing things from some of the
biggest names in the industry. You’ll find quality solar and power
hardware, CB radios, surveillance equipment, high-powered WiFi
gear, and so much more. It’s a versatile and powerful range of
products.

So next time you’re considering where to go for your next

purchase of electronics gear, remember the super hard-working,
independently-owned retailers, who are part of the Leading Edge
Group. ■

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 11

 NEW & REVIEWED

Coming Soon:
The 4D
Systems
IoD-09TH
One of the limitations that currently
surround Arduino, is its limited display
capabilities. Absolutely, there are displays
available and we often integrate them, but
producing quality graphics can be a challenge.
Obviously, in an Arduino board there is no on-board
display processing, so an external display processor is really
required for advanced display hardware.

Pushing display boundaries is part of 4D Systems’ DNA, and their Now, anything you would normally task an ESP8266 to do, you
latest product is no different. The IoD-09TH integrates a 0.9” can add a quality display for user feedback, input monitoring, and
TFT LCD screen, on an ESP8266 WiFi chipset. This is a powerful more. The display itself is a 80 x 160 pixel full-colour TFT display,
combination, opening the door to an amazing array of applications. and there’s 6 x GPIO pins available too. Programming is also made
familiar with the optional 4D-UPA programming adaptor, which
One of the great features of this amazing device is programming provides USB communication, and power.
flexibility. In order to make use of some advanced display features,
you’ll need to use their custom programming software (it’s free), Weighing in at just 5g, these tiny but powerful devices are going to
which is specifically designed to enable amazing graphics and make their mark with makers. They’re expected to be available this
leverage the hardware to its maximum potential. However, this month and you can find all the details at:
device can still be programmed in the standard Arduino IDE, which http://www.4dsystems.com.au/product/IoD-09 ■
makes it even more flexible with a familiar environment. The unit
also integrates a MicroSD card slot for storage of images and icons
too, so you don’t have to worry about storage limitations either.
Shopping List:
IoD-09TH are available directly from 4D Systems, or you local
4D Systems distributor.
4dsystems.com.au

► DISPLAY MODULE ONLY

ID-09TH $19.95 USD
► DISPLAY MODULE WITH PROGRAMMING ADAPTOR
IoD-09TH + 4D-UPA + 4GB MicroSD $39 USD

12 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

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 FEATURE

VAPOUR
CAPER
DAWID VERWEY
Technician and passionate PIC programmer.
http://UCSi.com.au
@UCSInnovation

When we learned that Dawid created a very simple How did you learn about vapour phase ovens?
vapour phase oven, for use with his non-contact
soldering work, we couldn’t wait to take a look. I first learned about vapour phase ovens (VPO) in 2010, when I came
to Australia and started working at Fine-Tech. One of my colleagues,
Peter, had made his own VPO based on a design he had seen on the
internet a really long time ago. When I started my little business, he
Vapour phase technology is a powerful way to solder surface mount loaned his oven to me and I was immediately smitten. Previously, I’d
devices. By heating solder just above its melting point, there is a used a little bake-oven for soldering PCBs at home, but it was really
greatly reduced risk of component damage from excess heat, which painful. Peter offered to help me make my own (he’s got the coolest
you may get from soldering. shed you’ve ever seen) and thus, my little oven was born. So this is
basically version 2 of the oven; the only upgrade made from Peter’s
WARNING: Dawid's oven uses electricity and liquids at very high one, is the use of a more sturdy, slightly bigger chamber. His oven is
temperatures. It has no brain, so please use your own. made from a rectangular olive oil tin, so mine can do slightly bigger
boards and would, hopefully, last longer. That said, his has been
going for more than a decade, so longevity is clearly not a problem!

14 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

Yes, there’s clearly no planned obsolescence there! Your oven lid, and wait for the solder-paste to turn shiny. Then I give it another
seems very functional - how are you heating the Galden? minute or so, just to be sure. Due to the nature of the process, you’ll
be hard-pressed to burn or damage a board unless you leave it in
The heat comes from a cheap 500W halogen lamp. The glass cover the oven for a very long time. Lately, I’ve been running a 10-minute
was removed and the light is bolted facing upwards, to direct as cycle by default, and that works fine, regardless of the other factors.
much heat as possible at the base of the chamber. The Galden is
only about 8mm deep, so it is very important to ensure that the 10 minutes - that’s less time than trying to solder by hand! Have you
chamber is sitting level to avoid hot spots. Note: If you do decide to considered automating the PCB lowering/removal process, or is it
build one of these, I suggest grabbing a handful of spare globes, as too much complexity for such a simple process?
these are a dying breed and I don’t know how long you’ll still be able
to get them. Considered – yes. Actually done something? It’s on the to-do
list! As you said, it’s a very simple process; however, I’m thinking
That’s about as simple as it gets! The Galden is expensive. Do you of automating it one day, just to make it a bit more convenient.
“use” much Galden in the process, or is it fully contained and re- Currently, the process is as follows:
used/re-cooled almost entirely?
• Load the boards on the tray and lower them into the chamber.
I’ve been using my oven for about eight months now. I started with
300g of Galden and I’ve lost about 10g. My losses would probably • Turn on the lamp and set your phone timer for 10 minutes.
have been less if I’d not been so slack and taken the Galden out
after use. • After 10 minutes, turn off the lamp, raise the boards to the top
of the chamber and wait two to three minutes for the Galden to
The chamber of my oven doesn’t seal perfectly, so the Galden does condense and for the boards to cool down. Due to the low mass of
evaporate over time. The best thing to do is to wait until everything the chamber, there is a huge temperature difference between the
has cooled down, and then move the Galden to a sealed container; I bottom and top of the chamber.
actually use a syringe to suck up every last drop! Just don’t do what
I’ve done and leave it sitting in the chamber for weeks at a time! Automating this should be really easy, but if it ain’t broke…

Even losing a few grams in that period would hurt! Did it require any That’s true... it could take many hours to finesse a basic automatic
trial and error, or did it work first-go? system, when it’s not really necessary. Any tips for someone who
would like to build their own?
I did have to experiment a bit to find what works best for my oven.
As the temperature is set by the Galden and the power is fixed, the Most of the parts I used, I picked up from my local Bunnings, so no
only variable under user control is time. The size of the chamber, the great challenges there. The acrylic lid was laser cut by my mate,
mass of the boards in the oven, and the ambient temperature will but you should come pretty close with a drill and some careful
determine how long it takes to bring the Galden to a boil. I use 230 measuring. The hard part is getting hold of a small quantity of
degree celsius Galden, as it is suitable for use with both lead and Galden – I need about 300g for my oven but I bought 500g, just to
lead-free solder paste. I just keep an eye on the board through the have a bit spare. The going rate for Galden is about $1500 for ››

Dawid is used to
vapour-phase technology as he uses it in his workplace
at Fine-tech Electronic Solutions: www.finetech.com.au

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 15

 FEATURE

As boring as it may seem, the printing of the paste onto a The PCB tray is suspended about 15mm above the bottom
board during production is one of the most critical factors in of the chamber and 5mm to 7mm above the surface of the
determining the quality of your final product. Too much paste Galden. I use the screws (in the tray) as supports when
or bad alignment may result in short circuits; alternatively, loading double-sided boards.
not enough paste and you end up with dry joints. In the
production environment, stencil design is a fine art. I ordered
this small stainless steel stencil with my PCBs, and the PCB
manufacturer set up the array for me and designed the
stencil from my Gerbers. It didn’t cost much and it’s really
convenient. Some PCB manufacturers even offer a service
where you can have multiple PCB designs in one panel, so
if you order a stencil to suit, you can cover multiple designs
with the same stencil. Another option is to use a syringe to
dispense paste onto the board, which I do on my little LED
boards; but it does take time and practice to get it right.

The heat source is a 500w halogen spotlight with it’s glass

cover removed.

The final product. You may see that the parts have drifted.
This is due to poor PCB layout on my side. The molten solder
tends to go towards the holes and pulls the components with
it. Lucky for me, the boards still work fine, so I don’t have to
discard my PCBs. Some of us need to make the mistakes for The PCB tray slides The complete oven
others to learn from! on two linear bearings. on its base.

16 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

Dawid's Ecto at Brickalaide 2017. 3 x PIC12F675s driving 44 LEDs in the Ecto and traffic light combined.
Watch the video on facebook: @UCSInnovation.

›› 5kg, and that’s the minimum quantity you can buy. You can either Sounds like it adds some valuable robustness to the process. If you
persuade your friends to share the costs with you, or, if you have were to start over and make a second one, would you change your
the means, buy a jar and sell the rest in small quantities online as a approach using the knowledge you have now?
service to the community.
As I said, this is already version two. I do plan on adding some
I’m sure there’s someone doing just that! What’s the coolest project latches to the lid to get a better seal. For version three, I may look at
you’ve used your VPO to solder? automating it, but that’s very far down on the list.

I used my VPO to build the controllers and LED boards that went into Awesome. Is there another cool project you’re working on right
my LEGO Ghostbusters Ecto for Brickalaide this year (Brickalaide is now?
Adelaide’s big LEGO show, held annually at Easter time). I watched
YouTube clips to get the flashing sequences exactly correct; and I’m preparing for the Adelaide Makerfaire in November, so the little
28 LEDs were driven from two 8-pin PIC12F675’s. I’ll have to work oven will be running hard, doing production on the first batch of my
really hard to think of something cooler for next year’s Lego show. new LED controller. It is 30mm x 20mm, runs off a single CR2032
and drives 6 LEDs. So far I have created flashing sequences for
We’ll be keeping an eye out to see what you come up with! Are there police cars and fire trucks, as well as a flickering flame effect. Each
any circumstances when you think a traditional iron would be better board comes with five different user-selectable programs, and I still
suited than the VPO when using SMD? Or is the VPO really the way have a few other ideas I want to try out; writing the software is my
to go? favourite part. Before the launch, I also need to design and build
a display, write an instruction manual (my least favourite bit), and
This little VPO uses exactly the same technology as what the big, design the packaging. I plan on having my little oven and some of
industrial ovens use, so this is not a toy. It is ideal for volume work my production equipment at the Makerfaire for a bit of show and
or for soldering fine pitch parts or parts with big ground pads. tell, for folks who are interested, so do pop in and say hi!
For Brickalaide I made 80 badge light boards. These have nine
0603 LEDs on the one side, and the PIC, battery holder, switches, We’re sure some of our readers will do just that! Thanks for talking
caps and resistors on the other side. Yes, it took me a few nights us through your vapour phase oven, and thanks for the very
and weekends to get them done, but it was still heaps faster than entertaining pics! ■
doing them one joint at a time; and the quality is superb. That said,
I still needed my irons (two is way better than one – trust me!) to WANT MORE?
do rework on the odd tombstone. I have also found that the LEDs For some info on Galden, or to discuss this feature, visit:
in particular, are very sensitive to overheating. None of them got https://diyode.io/004sxhy
damaged in the oven, but I did manage to melt a few with the irons,
simply because they are so tiny and you can struggle to make a
good thermal connection.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 17

Are you reminiscent of a time when you could buy
all of your consumer electronics in one location?
Or knowing and sharing a conversation with a store
owner who was as passionate about your quirky
specialities in “making things”?
Visiting a LEADING EDGE ELECTRONICS store in 2017 is LEADING EDGE ELECTRONICS has almost 100 strong,
still fun…where you can see, touch and discuss products locally owned and operated resellers across Australia
in person. who sell a massive range of electronics. 30 of those
stores are branded LEADING EDGE ELECTRONICS and
LEADING EDGE ELECTRONICS stores are fully stocked carry products from major suppliers like Jaycar, Altronics,
and managed by experienced electronics professionals, GME, Minelab, DJI, Uniden, Sony, WES Components,
some of whom have been trading for over 50 years. GoPro, Rasberry Pi, Traxxas, Hornby, Scalectrix, Sangean,
Audio-Technica, Waeco, Garmin, TomTom, Swann,  just to
These stores pride themselves in following the latest mention a few.
developments in electronics and technology and are
dedicated to bolstering its range of products to ensure LEADING EDGE ELECTRONICS are passionate about
the retail group delivers the right items for the enthusiast bringing you the pieces to make your electronics and
and hobbyist. DIY projects possible and are always keen to hear from
customers with suggestions for new products.

Visit us in-store for a huge range of:

ELECTRONICS • COMMUNICATIONS • COMPUTERS • HOME ENTERTAINMENT • SECURITY
& SURVEILLANCE • POWER & SOLAR CABLES, LEADS & ADAPTORS • BATTERIES &
CHARGERS • DRONES • CB RADIO & GPS • METAL DETECTING • WEATHER STATIONS •
RC TOYS & HOBBIES • GIFTS & GADGETS
Here’s one for all you electronic DIY’ers:
Dreaming up your next big project?
We would like you to post a pic
and tell us about your current
project for ...
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN
1 OF 10 $50
GIFT CARDS
to use at your local Leading Edge Electronics store
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:
1. Scan the QR code on the right
2. Think of a creative way to take a photo of your project
Scan here
to enter!
(include yourself, friends, family, pets, backdrops)
3. Post a pic of your DIY project with
a comment on our Facebook page
4. Challenge your friends by tagging them in the post or https://goo.gl/hHs1GC
share on your timeline
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 17, 2017 For full Terms and Conditions visit: www.leadingedgeelectronics.com.au

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Interested in becoming a reseller? Petersham Milton Ballarat Kalgoorlie
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Contact Support Office at Tea Gardens Noosaville Cobram
[email protected] Tempe Roma Dandenong
 MOONSHOTS

The Autonomous
Vehicle Conundrum

Many of us have this unnerving

idea that machines can't drive
better than us. But are we soon
to be proven wrong? - by Rob Bell

When I was younger, I watched Back To The Future; and it’s funny These days, the semi-successful footage that we see of car-sized
to think that back then we all believed it was somewhat realistic to drones taking to the skies, are far from uneventful. These test flights
have flying cars that were as stable and practical as the standard made by cutting-edge technologies, usually see a very prototype-style
four-wheeled variety. Likewise, many of our favourite Sci-Fi movies contraption, with a rather nervous looking pilot strapped to the top
featured spaceships that were held together with chewing gum of the device. They’re making the smoothest adjustments they can to
and duct-tape as they hurtled through space. And they’d wrangle keep things under control, utilising 100% of their attention and focus,
the steering of their million-tonne ship with the sweat and muscle yet they still struggle to keep things from crashing to the ground.
of a World War fighter pilot, as if it makes a difference, providing
sufficient distraction for us all to forget the obvious plot holes this Of course, it is fair to claim that this is a product of the technology
represents! One thing is for sure though, while we’re still struggling being in its infancy, and it’s to be expected while they figure out the
to take to the skies in daily life, humans are unlikely to seriously pilot systems and processes that will drive these things into the future;
these things once they exist. until they can reliably make them as simple to drive as a car.

20 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 MOONSHOTS

But wait... driving a car is simple? Then why do over a million people THE HUMAN ELEMENT
all over the world, die on our roads, each and every year?
One aspect that challenges our thinking, is who’s making the
THE DANGER OF DISTRACTION decisions? As humans, we make all sorts of seemingly intelligent
decisions, which stem from a mix of biology and education. Our
It would be fairly safe to say that close to 100% of the fatalities due education tells us to drive on the correct side of the road, while
to vehicles worldwide were caused by humans. Perhaps the driver our biology would, if faced with the decision of hitting a person or
misread the road conditions, or the vehicle’s maintenance wasn’t a machine, create an almost involuntary and reactionary response,
kept up (such as bald tyres) causing increased stopping distance. steering us away from the person and into a machine.
Or perhaps the driver’s mobile phone rang. They know not to answer
the phone, but it distracted them for long enough to take their eyes So could a programmer ultimately have a say in who lives and who
off the road. Or maybe they simply left the parking brake off and it dies? When the machine is left with no alternative but to crash into
rolled away on its own, taking out an unsuspecting pedestrian. two people, how would it decide who lives and who dies? If it has
to decide between crashing into a wall or crashing into another
Every 25 seconds or so, somewhere in the world, someone dies in a car, how does it decide? Could the car ultimately sacrifice you, the
motor vehicle accident. occupant, rather than crashing through a crowded pathway?

It’s already said that the youngest generation will likely never learn I think the reality here is that, forgoing some sort of conspiracy,
to drive. As a parent myself, I take solace in the fact that this is likely it doesn’t matter. Consider that first and foremost, a self-driving
very true. The autonomy, convenience, and safety offered by a fleet car’s only task is to get you from A to B safely. Chances are it’s
of autonomous self-driving cars you can hail with an app on your not speeding, it’s driving to the weather conditions, and it’s not
phone, really is one of the best advances we can make, to ensuring distracted by constant phone alerts or the conversation inside the
our roads are less congested and safer for everyone in the future. car. The reality is, when faced with a challenging decision, the
It’s entirely possible that in a few generations’ time, we’ll look back outcome should yield the best result, but by design it should rarely
on this period of self-piloted vehicles on our roads, as one of the be faced with such decisions anyway.
most wild and crazy times in transportation history.
NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENT
Yet, as soon as a fatality happens involving a driverless car, the
world goes into a tailspin slamming the technology as unreliable and There are, of course, limitless scenarios we can conjure up
unsafe. Of course, it makes for attention-grabbing headlines in the regarding potential failure of the sensors: the computer could crash,
media, a chance for one company to advance ahead of another, but or the system could somehow turn against us. It’s easy when we
in reality it’s an almost insignificant blip in the statistics of human need to try and justify our superior driving skills, but the reality is
fatalities involving vehicles. It also plays to our thinking that perhaps, that machines are learning each and every day. Indeed machines
somehow, we’re not the bad driver that can cause these problems. can learn from each other’s mistakes too, something humans are
often reasonably poor at doing!
So why do many of us have a perception that a machine, specifically
built, with world-class sensors and more driving experience Personally, I can’t wait for machines to take over the driving. As
programmed into it than a veteran taxi driver, is somehow less safe much as I love to get behind the wheel, I’d much prefer to spend
than a human driver? We can easily paint a picture of an 18-year- the time doing something more interesting. A family road trip could
old, risk-taking, semi-distracted male driver, with a lead foot and an involve playing games with the kids in the backseat until we arrive
obsession with Facebook for comparison to see whether machine at our destination; to me that sounds much more fun than trying to
or human is more dangerous. But would that be fair? What about distribute snacks while keeping a steady eye on the road.
a 30-something mum taking her kids to school, obeying all the
road rules and driving at five-below the speed limit? The reality is, When it comes to autonomous vehicles, I believe the future is bright,
regardless of our default personality and vigilance behind the wheel, and personally I’ll be there ready and waiting to sign up for the first
we’re all easily distracted sometimes - be it by the news on the radio, autonomous option that will inevitably take to our roads soon. What
the kids arguing in the back seat, or daydreaming about the weekend about you? ■
while sitting in traffic on a Friday afternoon. Humans aren’t designed
to drive, we’re designed to walk. So why not leave it to the machines? GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
To discuss this edition of Moonshots, visit:
https://diyode.io/004xjvq

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 21

MADE
THE
THING?
Now Show it Off!
Each and every month we shine a spotlight on impressive
projects from the electronics and maker community.
We’ve already seen amazing projects like Thomas’s Pi
Powered Sprinkler and FRED the Tracked Robot from
Royce in Issue 1, Liam's Toy Piano Conversion in issue 2,
and Greg’s Ultra-Accurate Voltage Reference in issue 3,
just to mention a few.

Awesome ideas inspire others, so make all those late

nights developing your project count even more. Not
only will you get a buzz out of seeing your creation in
print for the world to see, you’ll know that you’ll probably
encourage other readers to get hands on to start or
finish their own project.

To show us what you’ve built, simply send us a few

details along with some image of your project, and we’ll
get in touch if we have a place for it in a future issue.

Featured builds are also in the running for the $250 prize
for Editor's Favourite - we'll pick one each issue!

SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT:

diyode.io/004submit
 FUNDAMENTALS

KEEPING IT
MORE REGULAR

There's a range of other options

with voltage regulators which are
worth exploring. - by Daniel Koch

In last month’s FUNdamentals, we presented several ways of

1
deriving a fixed, clean, regulated voltage for your project when the
power supply voltage is greater than your circuit requires; and spoke
Vin Vout
of some reasons why this may be the case. This month, we look at
LM294OCT-5-0
some different methods to regulate the voltage, as well as covering
+
some devices that step the voltage up. 0.47µF GND 22µF

MORE ON VOLTAGE REGULATORS

Last month we covered the traditional, low-cost regulators that

require the supply voltage to be at least 2.5V greater than the output
voltage. However, this is not always practical. Take, for example, The LM2940CT-5.0 even has the same layout as the 78XX series,
producing a 5V USB supply from four AA batteries, totalling 6V when with input on the left, ground in the middle, and output on the right
new. (when viewed from the front). The manufacturer’s datasheet for
the Texas Instruments product does recommend using both an
This would be impossible with a 7805; however, there is another input and an output capacitor, however. The family of regulators are
three-pin, fixed regulator that can help us. The LM2940CT-5.0 is also of interest to the maker because there is a 3.3V variant, the
a member of a family of regulators referred to as “low-dropout” LM3940. The low dropout regulators are anywhere between three
regulators, meaning that the difference between the input and the and ten times the price of the 78XX series though – depending on
output voltage can get quite low before the devices “drop out”. The the item chosen, and the supplier – so they are not always ideal if
LM2940CT-5.0 only requires an input 0.5V higher than the output, their particular attributes are not essential. ››
making them perfect for our scenario above [1].

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 23

 FUNDAMENTALS

MORE POWER! to the nominal value of 2.5V above output voltage for standard
regulators (the 7.4V is nominal and is usually slightly higher when
One of the challenges of both the 78XX series, and the low-dropout charged), leaving only the more expensive low-dropout types. In this
regulators presented above, is that they only have a current rating case, the answer comes from a more recent switch mode power
of 1A (over which, they will self-limit the current.) This is not a big supply (SMPS), or switching regulator. The SMPS device uses a
drama for a typical logic circuit, but is a challenge for anything tiny coil to store energy when turned on and release that energy to
driving light arrays, motors, actuators, and often much more. In increase the overall voltage out. SMPS devices switch on and off
such cases, there is a way to boost the current capacity of these very fast as high speed allows them to use a smaller coil. SMPS can
devices. The manufacturer’s datasheets from several suppliers run between 20,000 and 50,000 cycles per second depending on
list a similar circuit that has been commonly used for a long time. the design. At high frequency, smaller copper windings are required,
This involves the regulator being attached to the base of a power enabling tiny transformers to be used. SMPS can be designed to
transistor, which handles the high current as the series pass step-down the voltage (Buck mode) or step-up the voltage (Boost
element, while staying regulated by the regulator IC. mode). Switchmode circuits can also be designed to increase or
decrease voltage, Buck/Boost mode.
The circuit diagram [2] shows this (note: variations on this
circuit exist and work fairly well). The choice of power transistor One such device from Jaycar is the XC4512 5V DC-to-DC converter.
determines the current that can be passed and, in turn, this would This takes a voltage from 2.5V to 5V, and steps it up to a regulated
rely on appropriate heat sinking. 5V DC. The current rating is stated in the datasheet as 500mA. This
device is a small board, the size of many USB flash drives, and has
a USB socket for the output, being aimed directly at microcontroller
2
Vin MJE2955 boards.

+
1µF Another Jaycar product is the XC4609 DC-DC Boost module. This
is a larger module with voltage display that can take an input from
Vin Out Out 3.5V to 35V and give an output between 5V and 56V, at a current of
3R REGULATOR
+ + 2A. Altronics are also at the party, with the Z6334 DC-DC Converter
10µF 1µF 1µF Module being an adjustable switchmode supply, with input ranging
from 3.5V to 35V and output from 5V to 25V. Also in the line-up
0V is the Z6339 DFRobot Boost module, taking two AA batteries and
yielding 5V, and the Z6337 DC-DC Boost/Buck module, which can be
configured to increase or reduce voltage at currents up to 1A.
One limitation of a circuit such as this comes from the fact that
breadboards are not well suited to large component legs (even the Of course, there are many other products available from online
TO220 package can stretch some breadboard springs and result in retailers; however, examples of these were not obtained. If in doubt,
inadequate contact when used with fine resistor legs). Also, larger ask for datasheets, as these always contain the required information
packages such as the TO3P don’t fit at all. In addition, breadboards and more.
are not rated for very high currents, and 4A would be too much for
many. Hopefully this article has helped you understand that the supply
voltage does not have to be limited to 5V from a USB port, and that
Fortunately, there is a solution. Both Altronics and Jaycar supplying high power projects with a regulated supply rail does not
Electronics sell kits based on a low-voltage adjustable regulator, need to be difficult or expensive. Likewise, lightweight, portable
such as the LM317, which includes a circuit board, all required projects can be powered from single-cell battery supplies while still
components, and instructions. These kits will, with added heat powering logic circuits. ■
sinking, supply a voltage between 3V and 15V at a current of up
to 4A. The kit has provision for fitting with screw terminals instead NEXT MONTH:
of the supplied PC stakes, so you could use fine wire to supply RELAYS AND SOLENOIDS
the logic on your breadboard and thicker wire to supply the high- We will return to a circuit building block that works in its own right
current-driven load. but can be adapted or expanded. Remember, this is your space, so
please keep the suggestions coming regarding what you want to
GOING UP! read about.

All of this is well and good if you need to reduce a supply voltage, GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
but what if you want to run your 5V device from a 3.7V lithium To discuss this edition of Fundamentals, visit:
polymer battery? Sure you could put two in series for 7.4V and use https://diyode.io/004gnzq
a linear regulator, but this is inefficient on battery and far too close

24 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 Dream like a child.
Build like a machine.

www.altronics.com.au | 1300 797 007

 PROJECT

3D
Print
Server:
Easy As Pi!
Make 3D printing easy and autonomous
with this ultra small Raspberry Pi based
print server. - by Oliver Higgins

26 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

3D printing is one of the most empowering elements in the maker

space, and gives us the ability to rapidly develop our ideas. However,
sometimes printing slows down the research and development
process. So, we are going to use some basic hardware to reshape
and redesign, in order to speed up this process.

THE BROAD OVERVIEW

Here at DIYODE Magazine, we use 3D printers a lot, as I am sure

a lot of our readers and makers do too. In this situation, one thing
that becomes apparent very quickly is the volume of resources
consumed by computers and control units when running the printer.
Some printers will allow you to run prints by SD card or inbuilt
storage, but it can often be slower.

The next issue that we face is checking on the print. We must admit
that since we have been using the Lulzbot printers we have been
much less paranoid, but I think we all like to keep an eye on our
print; just to make sure it’s progressing as planned. But what do you
do if the printer is in a different room or part of the workshop, or if
you have a print that may take several hours?

THE SOLUTION

We have two issues, and we can solve them in many ways. The
first issue is that of the required resources to control the printing.
The actual printing process itself does not require any significant
overhead; instead, it is the slicing process that will bog down a
machine. However, you don’t want to tie up a machine. You could
easily shut down your printing software by accident, or overlay the
machine with another process that you or someone else may be
undertaking. Considering many printers can be run using an Arduino
Mega, we can easily delegate this task to a Raspberry Pi. As a
bonus, the Pi includes additional storage, network connectivity and
of course Linux, which means we can run web server software.

Our second issue is that of needing to physically go and view the

print. Placing a webcam near the printer and having a live stream
can easily overcome this. There are many different webcams
available, but in this instance, we will be using the Raspberry Pi
Camera module.

PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS

1 x Raspberry Pi 3 XC3630 Z6302B
1 x Raspberry Pi Camera Module XC9020 Z6305
1 x 300mm (or longer) RPi Camera Cable - -

This assumes you have a working 3D printer too! You will also need
an LCD screen and a keyboard in order to complete this setup on the
Raspberry Pi. ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 27

 PROJECT

›› THE CODE / SETUP / OTHER Download the latest version of Octopi: https://octopi.octoprint.org/

Most workflows in this space go model, slice, GCODE then print. If Prepare the SD and upload the Octopi image.
you are using Cura and your printer is connected to the server or PC
then the slice, GCODE, the print is done in one step. Both are then For Windows users: Win32 Disk Imager:
followed by walking and looking at the print, and then walking back https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
a few minutes later.
For Mac user’s we would recommend using Etcher:
To address the above problems, we plan to use the Raspberry Pi and https://etcher.io/
set up a print server, which will allow us to set and forget. Of course,
we are not the first to have these issues, and as such one group If you are using WiFi to connect, you will need to setup the SSID and
have already built a specific operating system for the RPi, and that passwords (skip this if you plan to use ethernet). Once you have
is Octopi. imaged your SD card, navigate to the card in your operating system
and locate the octopi-network.txt file located in the SD card’s root
Here at the DIYODE workshop, we use the Lulzbot TAZ 6 and Mini. directory.
As such this article uses some resources that are specific to these
printers; however, there are many cases for RPi use in Thingiverse
that may exactly fit your printer. ##WPA/WPA2 secured
#iface wlan0 inte manual
Octopi is an open source RPi-based implementation of the Octoprint # wpa-ssid “put said here”
3D print server environment. It offers full and remote monitoring # spa-psk “put password here”
of every aspect of 3D printing, and considerable extensibility well
beyond this article through its plugin system. Best of all though, it’s
100% open source, the degree of detail that it offers is unparalleled, and change this to:
and it is setup in just a matter of minutes.

##WPA/WPA2 secured
Setting up is quite straight forward, although, if you have not
installed or set up a RPi before we would recommend you explore iface wlan0 inte manual

and install NOOBS. To make the system run as efficiently as possible wpa-ssid “AWESOME_NETWORK”

the operating system is installed without a desktop environment. spa-psk “1231456123456”

You’ll need to be comfortable executing some commands at the
command line, and you’ll also need to edit one text file.
Note: make sure you are using text editing software, not a
Print the following from the digital resources (and yes, it is ironic word processor or rich text editor. In Windows, we recommend
that you have to print parts to make your life easier for printing). Notepad++ or notepad. On Mac, use Atom or TextWrangler (TextEdit
on Mac is known to put strange characters in for the “ character,
Raspberry Pi 3 Case / Mount: RPi_case.stl and as such is not recommended in this case). Secondly, please
Raspberry Pi Camera Case Mount: RPi_camera_case_stl note that by default most routers will have the 2.4GHz channel set

Camera Mounted. Raspberry Pi Mounted.

28 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

to auto, with 1-13 being available for use. There are documented • Name
issues with the RPi not working with 12 and 13, so if you have • Model
manually changed the channel on your router, you will need to make • Bed shape (rectangular or circular)
sure it is not 12 or 13. • Origin point
• Volume (print bed dimensions)
BOOT IT. • Is the bed heated?
• Nozzle diameter
Eject the SD card from your computer and insert into the RPi. • Number of extruders
Connect a keyboard and screen, connect the power supply and
boot.

Once the system has booted, log into your RPI using the default
User: pi, Password: raspberry. Run the following command:

pi@octopi:~ $ sudo raspi-config

If you are using the Raspberry Pi camera, select option 5 and the
option P1, then enable. On a personal note, we also like to enable
SSH here (option P2), to enable remote access via the terminal.
When finished, select “Finish” then reboot. The RPi will reboot and
will display the RPi.
Finally, elect “auto” to connect at login, and you have a wireless
Connect to RPi via browser and connect to octopi.local or the IP print server for your 3D printer! If you have not connected your RPi
address that is listed on boot. camera module or USB webcam, connect and you will then have a
live stream on the control tab. The default RPi camera cable is quite
Once you are connected to the RPi you will be greeted by the short, so we would recommend getting a longer one (100, 200 and
“Configure Access Control” page. Enter a username and password 300mm are available).
and then select the “Keep Access Control Enabled” button on the
bottom right. NEW WORKFLOW

This implementation has now become our permanent workflow and

is currently being implemented on other machines in our workshop.
Personally, we find that it speeds up the research and development
phase considerably. For instance, we were developing a small
part to work with an Arduino sensor. We designed a small bracket
using our 3D software (TinkerCAD, Fusion 360, etc.). From here we
exported our .stl file and opened it using Cura. With Cura we set up
our print for slicing (or your slicing software). Once complete we
export the GCODE file. If you have been using an SD card with your
printer then nothing will have changed up to this point.

WORKING WITH OCTOPRINT

Once we have the GCODE file, you will need to navigate to

http://octopi.local with your favourite browser. When you first go to
Next is the printer setup screen. If you are familiar with Cura, then the page you will be able to view the current status of the printer. To
the setup question will be familiar to you, as the Cura engine comes start the printer (assuming it is connected and turned on) you must
with octopi. If not you will need to know as a minimum: log in using your previously set log in details, and connect to the
printer (assuming you did not click select “auto print”).

The upper left corner contains the printer control area. When logged
in you will be able to connect to your printer. It usually takes a few
moments to establish a connection and communicate with your ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 29

 PROJECT

›› printer. While this happens, go to “files”, which is located at the

bottom right of the screen. Click on “upload” and locate the GCODE
file that you have generated. Once uploaded it will appear on your
list.

Click the “print” button and provided your printer is connected

the system will start. Go to the temperature window and set your
desired filament temperature.

Finally the “time-lapse” tab – now this is fun! You can set up the
system to record your prints and create a video file, which can be
used to access your print process or show it off on YouTube.

From here you are done, but that is not where the fun ends! If you
have connected and enabled the RPi camera then click on the
“control” tab and you will get a live stream of your print.

Finally, you can see the current status at any time, on the left side.
This shows the current percentage printed, elapsed time and
remaining time to finish. We can now design, print and view the
entire process without ever leaving our desks, enabling us only to
have to get up when the job is done. For some of us, that means
saving precious time, every day!
Clicking on the GCODE tab will show you the current GCODE output
and a visual representation of where the print is. WHERE TO FROM HERE?

This has just given a taster of what the Octopi system is capable of.
Dive into the plugins, set up a live stream to the internet, install a
desktop environment and connect with VNC. There is a lot more fun
to be had! ■

WANT MORE?
For additional screenshots, 3D printer files and more,
or to discuss this project, visit:
https://diyode.io/004jrkn

The “terminal” tab will give the current GCODE code that is being
executed.

30 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

INTRODUCING

AIRBLOCK MODULAR
PROGRAMMABLE
DRONE KIT
A 7-piece modular drone that can be turned into a hovercraft,
car, spider and more! It is made of light but durable plastic foam
so you can bump into walls without making dents. Control it from
your Smartphone or iPad via Bluetooth using a freely available
iOS or Android app. Control and program your aerial stunts
$
299
through the Scratch 2.0 inspired mBlock app. Ages 8+.
• Watch the amazing videos on our website
KR-9220
Tablet not included

MBOT BLUETOOTH ROBOT KIT

An easy-to-assemble, entry level robot that can avoid obstacles,
follow lines, play soccer, and more. Connect to a tablet via
ONLY
Bluetooth and start programming using the Scratch 2.0 inspired
mBlock app. mBot can also be programmed with the Arduino
$199
IDE - it uses the same chip as the UNO. Ages 12+. KR-9200

BUILD. CODE. PLAY.

$ 4495 $ 9995
PC PROGRAMMABLE LINE TRACER KIT MEET EDISON ROBOT KIT
Assemble the kit and you are able to use it in line tracing mode A pre-assembled robot, pre-programmed with 6 robot activities set by
or program using the supplied software. Ages 12+. KJ-8906 barcodes. Can be programmed using simple drag-and-drop programming
blocks or a Python-like written language. Ages 5+. KR-9210

For our extensive STEM range, visit:

www.jaycar.com.au/stem
jaycarelectronics @JaycarAU @jaycar_electronics
Prices shown in $AUD. Savings off original RRP. Valid to 31 Oct, 2017.
 FEATURE

Miles has won $250

cash for this build!

Sensory
Development
MILES HITCHEN
Software engineer, electronics hobbyist,
doting godfather and all round good egg!

Clever electronics provide a special

needs boy with a sensory device to help
him learn and grow. We were impressed.

Miles has a godson named Eiden who sound effects, and reward animations.
has a developmental delay, so he put his Eiden has very specific visual and auditory
software development skills to fantastic use issues; he is sensitive to certain sounds
by building a sensory game. We were blown that lead to changes in his behaviour, so
away by the creativity of the project, and for one requirement was to use sounds that
such a worthwhile cause; so we caught up excite and motivate him. Another was to
with Miles to learn all about it. ensure any buttons used did not have too
much resistance or require too much effort
Creating a sensory device for your godson to press, to cater to Eiden’s hyperflexible
sounds like an awesome project. Were joints.
you asked by his parents to assist, or did it
come about some other way? Do you have any specific skills relating to
special needs/developmental delays, and/ help enhance his developmental progress.
Sensory toys are very expensive and bulky, or did you undertake any research? The aim of this toy was for it to grow with
and many involve lights and sound but his mental development.
very few actually provide a game or require Other than being involved in Eiden’s
problem solving skills. Sasha - Eiden’s play for six years, and having a good How was the device received by Eiden?
mum - told me about visiting a sensory understanding of his individual preferences,
play area where Eiden had shown a lot of I don’t have any specific skills or training Right from the start, he was very interested
interest in a particular game. It was very related to special needs. I worked with in it due to its large colourful buttons. He
large (roughly 5ft high x 3ft wide) and had Sasha who helped provide me with some knows buttons can do exciting things when
a little bit of functionality. So I suggested specifications, based on knowledge of his they’re pressed so it captured his attention,
I could probably make something of a medical condition, research she had done even before it was switched on. It took him
more appropriate size, and add in lots of into what’s available on the market, and we a couple of minutes to find a comfortable
functionality, such as progressive levels, identified changes in the game that could position in which to play with it, but once

32 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

top of the board. I also had to make sure I

considered any breaks that were required
on the copper strips. I’d done a bit of
reading and watched a few YouTube videos
about working with stripboard, so that
helped; and I’d also used the continuity test
on my multimeter to ensure all the breaks I
made were true. I used some stripboard PDF
templates I found online, and that helped
tremendously with my layout, I think I went
through about five or six sheets before I got
something that didn’t have any errors on it.
I did look at a couple of programs to help
with layout, but I actually found it easier
using the printed templates.

The templates can certainly help with

Veroboard use. Did you prototype using an
Arduino UNO before moving to a standalone
328p?

Yes, it’s a great prototyping platform and

▲ ABOVE (INSET) I love using it. I did think about just using
Eiden using the sensory device.
the Arduino, but wanted the challenge
of making it standalone. In the end it
wasn’t much of a challenge, as it’s well
documented and easy to follow on the
Arduino website.

he did he loved it. He was giggling at the It sure does make prototyping easier. Can
sounds the buttons made, and the reward you explain how the game itself functions
animations, which he understood occur (i.e. input versus output)?
when he’s solved the puzzle. Sasha took
the lead in helping him initially, to play the The game has a 4x5 matrix of LEDs that are
game. We watched him evolve from just individually boxed and covered with opaque
randomly pushing the buttons, to eventually plastic to diffuse the light. Each LED can
making specific button presses based on be one of four colours: red, green, blue or
what was happening in the game. This was yellow. Under the LED matrix are four large
proof that he was learning to understand backlit buttons, with the same colours.
the association between action and reward. The game has five selectable levels and
progresses automatically as each level is
Working with Veroboard can be a challenge completed.
- did you encounter any?
The basic idea is that at the start of the
Yes, there was definitely a challenge during game, some or all of the LEDs will be lit and
circuit development. I was originally going depending on which colours are displayed,
to use perfboard (with individual solder the appropriate large button will also be lit.
pads) and just do point-to-point wiring, but As the player pushes one of the lit buttons,
after realising how many wires I’d need to a distinct sound effect (associated with that
solder I decided to go with stripboard, which button) is played and an LED of that same
I’d not used before. The main challenge colour is switched off in the matrix. When
was working out the layout of parts, and there are no more LEDs of a specific colour,
ensuring they could be connected either then the correspondingly coloured button’s
The completed sensory device. via the actual copper strips or by wiring on backlight is switched off, and that ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 33

 FEATURE

▲ ABOVE
The original breadboard prototype.

◄ LEFT (INSET)
›› button no longer has any effect. When all the LEDs in the matrix The veroboard evolution of the
prototype, which also uses a DIP
have been switched off a short animation is displayed, which uses ATMEGA328P
the matrix of LEDs and a longer sound effect. The animation played
is randomly selected from four that have been programmed. The
matrix is then relit, and the player’s level is increased.

So, for Level 1 there are five random LEDs in the matrix and they
are lit in a single colour (randomly chosen from red, green, blue or
Eiden has very
yellow), and the large button of the same colour is also backlit. specific visual and
For Level 2, 10 LEDs are lit in two randomly chosen colours (five
auditory issues; he is
LEDs in each colour), and the associated buttons are backlit. sensitive to certain
For Levels 3 and 4, the number of LEDs is increased to 15 and 20
sounds that lead
respectively, and the number of colours used also increases to 3 to changes in his
and 4.
behaviour....
Level 5 is slightly different as all 20 LEDs are lit in randomly selected
numbers and colours (e.g. there could be 3 red LEDs, 6 blue LEDs,
10 green LEDs and 1 yellow LEDs; or there could be 14 yellow LEDs
and 6 red LEDs).

34 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

Planning out the construction. Bottom-up view. Mounted veroboard and power supply.

That’s awesome. We’ve uploaded the video you provided to the There are quite a few things I would change; mostly around the
online article too, so everyone can see exactly how this works. Has design of the case. I’d also change the circuit slightly, as I’m not
this inspired any other projects that provide a similar benefits or currently limiting the current on the input pins of the processor. I
outcomes for someone with developmental challenges? could also reduce the number of connections to ground for the level
switch. And I’d change the way I’ve connected the power switch
I’ve actually, literally, just finished this project, so I don’t think it has up to the circuit board - just to simplify things. I’d also change the
had chance to inspire anyone to build anything else yet. But there way I’ve wired up the big button switches as the current method
has been a lot of interest on special needs forums and Facebook, is complicated and makes swapping any of them out, almost
with over 400 likes already! I’ve also had many requests for the toy impossible.
by other parents of special needs children, and the special needs
school that Eiden attends also expressed an interest in using it. It sounds like it’s been a huge success the way it is though. What
other amazing creations might you be working on next?
We’re sure every parent with a child who has special needs would
be keen on something that may assist with their development Eiden’s school use object and picture exchange communication, so
and provide some fun along the way! Were there any unexpected to make something that could help reinforce this or even replace it,
challenges developing this project? is something I’m currently thinking about.

The first one I came across was how to wire up the five-way slide That’s fantastic, Miles. This project is such an exceptional use of
switch. As I’d not used one before, I initially thought that opposing your skills. Thanks for taking us through your project. ■
pairs of pins would be connected as the switch was moved; but
it was slightly more complicated than that, and so ended up WANT MORE?
taking a while to determine the correct way to the wire them. I For video and more images, or to discuss this feature, visit:
knew designing an accessible case (i.e. accessible to me so that https://diyode.io/004mdyq
I could access the circuitboard and wiring) would be a challenge,
and although I’ve made the circuitboard accessible, it’s still quite
tedious. As much thought needs to be put into the case design, as
the original circuit layout and programming. Luckily, I have a 3D
printer so that was put to good use making various fixings. I also
used it to make the boxes surrounding each of the LEDs. I work as a
software engineer, but I did find the programming of the game quite
challenging - though it was a challenge that I enjoyed! Reading & Resources:
There’s nothing quite like a challenge with a positive outcome! ► ARDUINO www.arduino.cc
If you started it again from scratch, is there anything you would
change for the new version?

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 35

 SECRET CODE

FUNCTIONS AND
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL
ARRAYS
Repetitive tasks can be made more
efficient, and you can handle data in a
convenient way. - by Oliver Higgins

In the world of programming, functions are one of the most valuable PSEUDO CODE:
tools you can use. In our ultimate quest to do as much as we can
with as little code as possible, the function is probably only second
to the loop, for the sheer number of lines it can save. void myFunction()
do something;

WHAT IS IT?

When writing code, we will often be faced with repetitive tasks, and ARDUINO:
while loops can serve a purpose, they are not always the right tool
for the job. The function is another tool in the arsenal; it is a simple
but elegant way to do a single thing. In best practice, you should void myFunction(){

code your functions to do a single thing and do it well. do something;

{

Functions provide us with a way of putting a repeated section of

code in a single place. We can then “call” it from any point in our
program. It serves multiple purposes: it provides a single point to PYTHON:
make code changes to the related code, it promotes reusability of
your code, and will significantly speed up development time.
def myFunction:

THE ANATOMY OF THE FUNCTION do something

No matter whether a function returns a value or not, the structure is

very similar. The following is an example of pseudo code for a basic We would use this in your programs where you have a single defined
function that does not return a value. output that needs to be done. It could be as simple as sending an

36 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 SECRET CODE

error message to the user, or it may be to move a servo a given ARDUINO:

distance. For example, the simplest implementation for this would
be based on the trusty “Hello World” example. Our typical “Hello
World” includes the minimum code (about one line) required to start void myFunction(int x){

the program and output a message. We will modify this to create the Serial.println(x);

function that prints “Hello World” for us. }

HOW TO USE IT
PYTHON 3:
ARDUINO/C:

def myFunction(x):
void printHelloWorld(){ print(x)
Serial.println(“hello, world!"); return
}
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); MULTIPLE PARAMETERS
printHelloWorld();
} ARDUINO:
void loop() {
//not used
} void myFunction(int x, int y, int z){
Serial.println(x+y+z);
}

PYTHON 3:

PYTHON 3:
def printHelloWorld():
print(“Hello World”)
return def myFunction(x,y,z):
printHelloWorld() print(x + y + z)
return

You can see in this example that we put the function in the code
before we call it. Now most modern languages will work no matter RETURNING A VALUE
where you put it, but we have had experience with code that
compiles fine, yet the execution is erratic simply because functions Functions are great at doing simple repetitive code and having it in a
were out of sequence. single location, but one of the most powerful elements of functions
is to return a value to the user. As I’ve said, functions can accept
PASSING A VALUE OR VALUES multiple inputs but can only ever return one item. In very simple
terms we can input several integers and return the result of our
This is good for calling a simple function, but what if you frequently math as a single integer.
need to calculate something complex? We can send variables to the
function via parameters, and we can get the function to output a To instruct the function that will be returning something, we need to
variable of the final result. replace the void at the start of the function with the type of variable
we will be returning. In the following example we are going to return
Functions can only ever return one thing (I want to say only one an integer by specifying “int” at the beginning.
variable here, but arguably you could return an object or even a
dataset. The important thing to understand is that you can only ever ARDUINO: ››
return one of them).

Here is an example of a function that will take a single parameter; in int myFunction(int x){

this case it’s an “int”: return x+1;

}

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 37

 SECRET CODE

›› PYTHON: NAMING CONVENTIONS

Function names should start with verbs, such as “setTrap” and

def myFunction(x): “getDeadVermin”, if the function changes the state of the program;
return x+1 and nouns if they’re used to return a certain value.

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ARRAYS
WORKING EXAMPLE
In Issue 3 we discussed the role that arrays play in the world of
This is a working example of a function that takes a single argument programming. We can extend the array functionality to create a
and then returns a value. In this case, we need to regularly calculate richer and more dynamic structure. We do this by creating a multi-
the circumference of a circle. The function takes one argument, dimensional array.
an integer “d”, which is the diameter. The function then calculates
and returns a float, calculating the circumference by multiplying d While an array has 1 dimension, an object with 2 or more
(diameter) with pi to 100 decimal places. In the case of the python dimensions is called a matrix. For the rest of this article we'll work
example, the variable types are defined by the compiler. with 2 dimensions only.

ARDUINO: Please note: in this article, we will focus on ANSI-C style syntax,
because Python 3 uses a different interpretation of its lists, and
does not directly correlate with the general interpretation and
float myPiFunction(int d){ syntax.

return d*3.14159265358979323846264338327950
2884197169399375105820974944592307816406286 The declaration is similar to a single dimension array; we simply
2089986280348253421170679; add a second square bracket with the number of elements required
} in the second dimension. The simplest way of thinking about the
void setup() { multi-dimensional array (i.e. matrix) is that it is an array of arrays;
Serial.begin(9600); although, it may be better to think of them as a matrix or grid. When
} we declare an array, we give it the total number of elements in both
void loop() { the X and Y dimensions.
Serial.println(myPiFunction(3));
delay(2000); To declare a multi-dimensional array we using the following code,
} which has three rows with each row having four columns.

PYTHON 3: int myArray[3][4]

def myPiFunction(d): HOW DO WE PUT IN DATA?


return d*3.14159265358979323846264338327950
2884197169399375105820974944592307816406286 You can directly access the by:
2089986280348253421170679
print(myPiFunction(3))
myArray[2][1]=5;

NOTES ON FUNCTIONS
or
Most languages will allow you to place functions at any point
outside the main script or loop. However, it is best practice, and I
would strongly encourage you to place your functions above and int myArray[3][4] = {

before you use it, in a final sense. While you will not get a compile {0, 1, 2, 3} , //row indexed by 0

error, we have seen this be the cause for some strange issues, {4, 5, 6, 7} , //row indexed by 1

especially on the Arduino platform. {8, 9, 10, 11} //row indexed by 2

};

38 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 SECRET CODE

or implement a version of this game, we would need to create four

matrices; one for each player’s ships and one for each player’s hits/
misses. Each player would align their ships to the grid creating a
int myArray[3][4] = “map” of the locations. Each time the other player “fires” a shot
{0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11}; (e.g. “B7”), we need to take the reference and see if there is a ship
located at that location. If there is then we mark the alternate matrix
as a hit, otherwise we mark it as a miss. The game could include
To access the information in a give variable we address the array like error checking to indicate that shots may have already been fired in
so: a given location or supply alternative feedback.

In this context we do not access the information in a linear looped

myArray[2][1] way; instead, we are addressing the individual elements directly.

This is similar to creating a table in Word or using a spreadsheet. myArray[2][1]

By addressing the X and Y coordinates, we can pragmatically and

systemically traverse (that is, work our way through) the array and
pull out the required information. We need to clearly understand the purpose of the multi-dimensional
array before we access it in our code. In this context, the multi-
dimensional array is two dimensions: X and Y. Depending on your
implementation you could make it three or more dimensions;
COL 0 COL 1 COL 2 COL 3
however, better coding solutions exist for things such as this. The
ROW 0 [0][0] [0][1] [0][2] [0][3]
battleships game could easily work as a 3D array, with the 3D “Z”
ROW 1 [1][0] [1][1] [1][2] [1][3]
dimension allowing each of the players’ boards to be allocated in
ROW 2 [2][0] [2][1] [2][2] [2][3]
this dimension.

CODE WITH INTENT

A word of warning: there are two ways in which you can use this
type of array; one is similar to a database or record set, where each This might sound like a motivational speech, but it's not. What we
row contains a subset of data, and each column is an element. To mean here is that when you're designing your functions, give them
access the array in this manner, you use a nested loop conjugation, a single purpose. Don’t make several things happen or multiple
consisting of two loops. The first loop traverses the rows, the variables change with each function. While this may sound trivial, it
second traverses the columns. This is shown below. becomes a serious headache in large multi-file programs or object-
orientated environments.

void setup() { Functions can call functions, and those functions can call functions,
Serial.begin(9600); so do not be afraid to break your code into atomic structures (an
} atomic structure is one that does a single job).
void loop() {

int a[5][2] = { {0,0}, {1,2}, {2,4}, This simple change to your coding habits will make code supervision
{3,6},{4,8}}; and bug tracking much faster and simpler. ■
int i, j;
for ( i = 0; i < 5; i++ ) { NEXT MONTH:
for ( j = 0; j < 2; j++ ) { MODULES AND LIBRARIES
Serial.print(“a[“+String(i)+”]”+”
[“+String(j)+”] “); GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
Serial.println(a[i][j]); To discuss this edition of Secret Code, visit:
} https://diyode.io/004ymhw
}
delay(10000);
}

The alternative is to use the multi-dimensional array as a grid.

The best example of this is the battleships game. If we were to

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 39

 PROJECT

Emergency
Mobile Phone
Charger
What started as a quest to debunk a "lemons charging
phones" video, turned into something far more
practical. - by Rob Bell & Daniel Koch

When life gives you lemons, you make a... phone charger? WAIT -
that’s not how that goes..

These days, mobile phone charging is rarely a problem when we

have dozens of USB chargers, computers with USB ports, and
various other ways to access power. But when the weather turns
wild and the mains power shuts off, there’s often a mad scramble
for the nearest working chargers, to get the phones up and running
again.

Recently we’ve seen a number of videos making their way around

the internet regarding the theory of charging a phone using lemons.
Some articles even landed on respected news sites, so they’re
convincing enough for sure. However, to us electrically-minded folk,
at face-value it’s difficult to believe this is possible; though it does
beg the question - just how much “juice” can we get out of a lemon?
 PROJECT

The theory here is fairly straight forward, but still warranted some
investigation. The great thing about this exploration is that it yields
some experiments that are easily undertaken at home, which are
suitable for just about any age. We’ll admit too, we got a little ahead
of ourselves; on the surface, using these lemons like batteries we
should be able to stack a few together to get something useful.

It’s just feasible enough to be believable, right?

Well... let’s take a look.

Note: If you want to skip to the end-project, where you’ll

find a useful emergency phone charger, we understand -
just flip to page 44.

THE BROAD OVERVIEW

In reality, getting power from a piece of fruit isn’t all that difficult.
The old potato clock experiment continues to be a staple in
electronics theory and experimentation. However, just because you
can run a small LCD from a single potato for a substantial amount of
time, doesn’t mean you can power substantial electronics.

PARTS REQUIRED: EXPERIMENT 1. 1 LEMON

Lemons (we used up to 10)
Zinc Galvanised Nails Using a single lemon, insert one of the copper electrodes, and one
Copper Nails or Rod of the zinc-plated nails. Use your multimeter to test the voltage and
Alligator Leads short circuit current of your lemon battery.
Multimeter
Our tests indicated between 0.5V and 1V. From a single lemon, we
PREPARATION managed to produce a current of just 0.17mA. These figures vary
with the lemon, the quality of the electrodes, and other such factors,
It can be difficult to find copper nails these days. Copper corrodes but really the difference is insignificant.
easily, and is relatively expensive, so mild steel is generally preferred
for common nail use. However, it’s quite easy to find copper rod. It Consider a “standard” minimum power USB outlet, which is capped
might be in the form of copper welding rod, or even copper plated at 500mA of current. At 5V, that’s a mere 2.5W of power. Not really a
steel. We have used copper-plated welding rod. If you’re using lot, but our lemon is producing just 0.000085W of power.
something similar, cut the rod into lengths of approximately 10cm
long. The overall length doesn’t make a whole lot of difference, When you put that in perspective it means our USB port produces
providing they can be pushed all the way into the lemons, and leave around 30,000 times the power of a single lemon; and we’re not
room to attach your alligator leads. even talking about newer, high current USB ports! ››
 PROJECT

›› EXPERIMENT 2. 10 LEMONS ROLL-FIRST: Lemons aren’t just a bag of juice. They have internal
membranes between each segment. Rolling them with a firm
Now we’ll use series wiring to try and boost voltage. This is really no pressure helps disrupt these internal membranes and provides
different to wiring batteries in series. better consistency in the resulting voltage and current output.

When you test the voltage of the bank, you should see approximately TEMPERATURE: Temperature plays a role in all electrical circuits -
10 times the voltage you measured in Experiment 1. For our lemons, even fruit-based ones.
this meant just under 5V. The problem is, there is barely 0.5mA
of current available. No, not 0.5A, 0.5mA... that’s about 1% of the SEASON: The season and ripeness of a fruit will change the
current available on an old-school USB port (or 0.2% of a higher electrolyte potency, and therefore the power available.
current USB port). This presents a massive problem; we simply don’t
have the power available. The potential simply isn’t there. However... none of these variables are going to provide enough of a
change to give us usable power to charge a battery with.
With 10 lemons we can illuminate a single, standard 5mm LED.
That’s hardly mind-blowing, working out to around 0.00085W of IT’S JUST NOT THERE...
power.
We could mess about with different configurations, track down
ARE THERE ANY VARIABLES? better electrodes to improve performance, but ultimately this
solution really just doesn’t provide enough electrical power to be
As with all electronics and experiments, there are variables. useful for phone charging. Based on the results of this experiment,
it would take thousands of lemons to create 500mA at 5V, which is
ELECTRODES: As with a battery, the surface area of the electrodes around the power you would need to see sensible charging rates
does make a difference. We saw a marked improvement in current for your phone. The videos reportedly achieving this using only a
available when using our oversized electrodes, with an increase handful of lemons are obviously fake; and that’s all there is to it.
in voltage per lemon, as well as an improvement in short circuit
current.

42 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

HOWEVER; is there a simple way we can build an emergency phone

charger? You bet!

A USEFUL EMERGENCY PHONE CHARGER

Despite our experiment, we aren’t about to let you down in terms of

being able to charge your phone when little-to-no power is available!
An emergency power source for your mobile phone might just save
your life, or - more likely - at least make life a little easier when the
mains power goes out. Of course, there are plenty of rechargeable
power banks that can be used for this purpose, but most use some
sort of lithium cell which you’ll need to leave recharging, or else it
will probably be flat when you need it. With the long shelf-life of
lithium batteries (indeed some are sold as “guaranteed long life”),
we have a sensible source of power that’s shelf-stable, and provides
enough power to get us out of trouble in an emergency.

CHALLENGES OF PHONE CHARGING

When first considering this purpose, a DC-DC boost module seems

like a simple solution. It will take a 3V source from two batteries,
and gives you 5V output right? Technically, that’s correct, and you
can power an Arduino project from it with no problems, for instance.
However, Apple - in their infinite wisdom - decided that applying
power wasn’t good enough; so charging a phone purely from 5V
isn’t possible. You connect the power, and the phone ignores you.

As mobile phones evolved, lithium batteries grew in capacity. The

old standard of 500mA charge-current quickly wasn’t considered
fast enough, and charge-rates quickly escalated. However, that
meant the charge controllers within the devices needed to become a
little more intelligent. While some phone manufacturers don’t make
it too difficult, Apple notoriously had specific requirements on the
data pins of the USB socket in order for the phone to charge. For this
reason, a number of USB outlets that are still available on the market
won’t actually charge your phone. So frustrating!

Fortunately, the secrets behind why this occurred became not-

so-secret in a relatively short space of time, so the information
CONCLUSION - is easy to find. Effectively a voltage-divider circuit is required on
CHARGING SMARTPHONES FROM LEMONS IS CRAZY! the data pins. The voltage divider tells the phone what power is
available. While newer iPhones might be able to charge at a faster
What you’ll discover through this process is, while it’s true you can rate, our DC-DC boost module is only rated at 500mA, so we can
quite easily obtain the 5V required to theoretically provide power, appropriately configure the data pins accordingly. Regardless of
there is a serious lack of current available. Despite the relatively how fast your phone can charge, this is designed to run at 500mA,
convincing videos doing the rounds on social media, it’s fairly which will still get any phone switched on and charging in a short
safe to say they are fake. They often, conveniently, don’t show the space of time.
entirety of the cables being used in the circuits.
NOTE: We have tested this on various iOS devices and it works well.
In order to get enough power to charge a phone, you would, need We also connected a few Samsung devices and it appeared to work
a truckload (literally) of lemons. Around 1000 lemons in a series or fine with them too. You might find however, that your particular
parallel combination would be required to produce the most basic of device is picky about these things; 500mA configuration appears
charging currents. to be relatively universal however, and should suit an overwhelming
majority of devices. ››
So no, lemons are not a feasible way to charge your phone.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 43

 PROJECT

›› THE BUILD MAKING THE CASE

PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS It’s entirely possible to use this unit without a case, but we want to
1 x 5VDC Boost Module XC4512 Z6366 make it into a finished unit that’s easy to use, and could sit packed
1 x 2xAA Battery Holder PH9202 S5025A into your emergency kit, glove compartment, or anywhere else.
2 x AA Lithium Batteries SB2355 S4906 Therefore, we have designed a 3D printable case to house the entire
1 x 75kΩ 0.5W Resistors RR0617 R7603 project, and you can find the STL file in the downloadable resources.
2 x 51kΩ 0.5W Resistor RR0613 R7599 We basically build the circuit into the case, so it's prudent to print it
1 x 43kΩ 0.5W Resistor RR0611 R7597 first.
1 x Slide Switch ST0300 S2010
2 x M2 Screws HP0390 H3100
1 x PCB Mount USB A Socket (optional) PS0916 P1300
1 x 3D Printable Case (optional) - -

BUILDING A PROTOTYPE

Before we go randomly soldering up to our DC-DC converter module,

it’s prudent to prototype the data pin resistors just to check things
are working as expected.

Using a breadboard, simply follow the diagram. It’s quite straight

forward and will only take a minute or two.

For clarity and convenience, the breadboard provides USB Ground,

Data +, Data -, and Vcc, all in the same line as they appear in the
USB connector. This simply makes life easier for ourselves than
having them in random spots. Now apply a 5V power source to the This case houses the DC module, two AA batteries, and provides
breadboard, which can be from a spare Arduino or DC supply you a mount for a small switch. We have used a semi-translucent PLA
have. Using your multimeter, test each of the four pins to ensure filament to print our case too, so we can also see the small LED
you have the correct voltages. Obviously pin 4 is your ground, on the DC-DC module to indicate power on, without any additional
while Data + should have approximately 2.1V relative to ground, electronics.
and Data - should have approximately 2.7V relative to ground. We
haven’t tested the limits of where this will fail to work on a phone, MODIFYING THE 5VDC MODULE
but it definitely allows for tolerances with the resistors used, and we
didn’t encounter any problems.

GND
IMPORTANT NOTE: It’s critically important that you measure
GND
the voltages on all pins of the USB port. While the 5VDC D+

module takes care of the heavy lifting, incorrect voltages D-

5V
on the data pins of the USB outlet could damage the device GND

you’re charging.

If you have a USB A socket, you can connect each of the pins to the
pins on your breadboard, and connect a USB charging cable to your The prototype is great to test the theory, but isn’t terribly useful past
phone. It’s easy to flip the connector and get your wiring backwards that point. Now that we know it’ll charge the phone, let’s make a
so be sure to check that you have things around the correct way. If real unit! Since, at the heart of this unit there are only four resistors,
your phone doesn’t show charging, check your voltages again, to we decided it’s best to just solder them to the base of the DC-DC
ensure you have the voltages on their respective data pins, and that converter, where the USB socket legs come through the PCB. This
you haven’t wired the USB connector upside down. means we don’t need a PCB, don’t have wires everywhere, and it
will keep it all neat and tidy. There is limited space under the USB
socket, so we decided it’s best to spread the connection points,
as this allows us to reduce the risk of resistor legs accidentally
shorting each other out. Once it’s completed and tested, we’ll coat

44 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

Note: You do need to use

a charging cable, this
image is just for scale.

it in some superglue, liquid electrical tape, or some other method Mounting is fairly self-explanatory. Mount the battery holder with
to encapsulate what we’ve done, to reduce the likelihood of any double-sided tape (though it’s not really going anywhere). In order
shorting or problems down the road. You can see the diagram of the to make use of the switch, wire the positive lead from the battery
connections, as well as a photo of our prototype. holder through the switch, to the DC-DC module. Because everything
is in such close proximity, we didn’t have to use any additional wire,
Once everything is soldered up, it’s a good time to test things. we just used the excess from the battery terminal’s flylead. Then
Provide 3V to your DC-DC module (alligator clips and your battery wire the negative wire from the battery hold, directly to the DC-DC
holder will usually work just fine). You should see the on-board LED module.
illuminate to indicate power. Now, grab your multimeter and check
your voltages read as previously noted. If your module features NOTE: We realised after some frustrations that the silkscreen on the
an LED but it doesn’t illuminate, it could be a sign of a shorted under-side of our DC-DC module is backwards to what is marked on
connection. the top-side. Do your own investigation (even just trial and error) to
ensure your silkscreen is the correct way around, as we’re confident
If your voltages check out to be reasonably accurate (we’d say, some of you will have the same module as we do.
within about 0.1V of what we’ve described), then you should be safe
to connect your phone and see if it charges. Grab your favourite USB WHERE TO FROM HERE?
charging cable. Connect it to your phone, and the USB socket. You
should see your phone’s charging icon appear. If so, IT WORKS! Really, this is a complete unit, which is extremely simple to create.
It would be possible to integrate some battery monitoring, a torch,
or any other number of other features. For this purpose of providing
IMPORTANT NOTE: You’re connecting power to an
emergency power however, we really wanted to keep the design as
expensive, sensitive device. Be sure to check things first.
robust as possible. You could add a lemon-interface, but that’s just
Most phones are intelligent enough to prevent any major
crazy...!
issues, but don’t risk it. Double check the voltages on the
USB socket twice, then check them again.
It’s also important to remember that this is designed as an
emergency device. It’s simply not practical to try and charge your
phone from AA batteries all the time. The battery in your phone
It’s important to mention that if you’re using an old phone will leave a trail of AA batteries in its wake if you constantly try and
(good idea if you have access to one) that has been sitting in an recharge from them. But it should be enough to get your phone
discharged state for some time, it can take some time for the going in an emergency situation. ■
battery to have sufficient charge that the phone will turn on. Many
phones such as an iPhone show you that it’s charging at least, even WANT MORE?
while it’s switched off. But just keep this in mind, to save yourself For 3D print files, additional media, or to discuss this project, visit:
from chasing a problem that doesn’t exist. https://diyode.io/004fczg

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 45

 FEATURE

RETRO TEMP
SASCHA GRANT
Avid weekend tech-explorer.
President of local makerspace M.E.S.H.
@sascha.grant

Digital displays might be the

standard these days, but there's
something special about the
classic Nixie Tube.

We took a quick peek at Sascha’s Nixie Tube

Temperature Display, in our Community
Submissions section of Issue 1. However, it
received so much attention that we thought
we should share the full story with you. So
we spoke to Sacha about this fascinating
application of Nixie Tubes.

How did you get started with Nixie tubes -

have you used them before?

◄ LEFT
Prototyping the I discovered Nixie tubes a little over a
system. decade ago, and thought they were very
cool (that’s a cold-cathode joke!).

46 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

RIGHT ►
Sascha made a fantastic laser-cut
case to mount everything into.

◄ LEFT
The stunning warm glow of Nixie
Tubes.

You can see my first clock on my flickr

stream. It was built sometime prior to June
2006 and used a pre-programmed uController that I
purchased from Neonixie: http://neonixie.com/ .

Where did you get the Nixie tubes and driver from?

The Nixies and drivers actually came from the Ukraine via eBay.
There’s always a good selection of tubes available, and so far I
haven’t had any problems with postage; you just have to be patient spot-on with the comparisons I’ve done.
as international post from Europe can take a month or so!
Yes we’re getting used to displays not putting out much heat - that’s
Did it take much experimentation to get the prototype running? an interesting point! How is the whole unit powered, and what’s the
power consumption overall?
There were a few steps I went through in putting the prototype
together - I’d never dealt with the DS18B20 1-wire temperature A 9V 500mA power supply provides power to the high voltage circuit
sensor. I started by installing the Arduino library and playing with and the Arduino. I’ve found that the Nixie power supply produced
the demo code. Once I had the temperature displaying correctly in by LEDSales.com.au is stable and reliable. In fact, this is the same
the console, I moved to driving the Nixies. power supply that runs my original Nixie clock from 2006 - providing
more than 11 years of service!
First step there, was to get a single digit running; just ticking over
numbers sequentially, making sure that I had the Soviet K155ID1 The Nixie tubes run at approx 180V and around 2mA. The Arduino
Nixie driver IC wired correctly. Pro Micro that I’m using is 9V tolerant.

The prototype only ever got two digits installed, but from memory, I Not really much at all for something that looks so amazing! Your
had the prototype running correctly over a few evenings after work. laser cut case is great - what laser cutter are you using?

Are you using a DHT sensor, or something else for temperature I bought my laser back at the end of 2009, to support my Model
measurement? Rocketry hobby. I purchased it from WKLaser in China and learned
more about importing, customs, quarantine, duties and paperwork
I’m using the DS18B20 1-wire sensor in the TO-93 package, than I ever thought I would! But by importing it myself (with the help
which looks just like your garden-variety transistor. The original of a freight agent), I saved a substantial amount of money in the
intention was to have the sensor sitting just proud of the housing, process. The laser has a 60W CO2 water-cooled tube and a cutting
but I discovered that the heat generated in the case runs at about area of 400mm x 600mm. You can see photos of this on my flickr
five degrees above ambient, which meant I was getting incorrect stream.
readings. So I ended up moving the sensor about 10cm from the
case, by using a short length of ribbon cable that was covered in At least you’re putting it to good use! Did this project inspire any
heat-shrink tubing. Temperature readings are now pretty much other Nixie-based projects? ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 47

 FEATURE

›› I’ve built a few Nixie projects prior. I have a “people counter” I’m currently focused on a Bartop Arcade Machine using a Raspberry
that’s still a work in progress. I’m the president of a maker space Pi and 10” display. I’m a bit of a retro gamer and have seen some
called MESH (Melbourne Eastern Suburbs Hackers), and I started absolutely fantastic looking machines on the internet. I’ve got all the
building this to take along to maker fares and events like the parts now sitting there, just waiting for me to dedicate some time to
Stringybark Festival (in the Knox Council area), for people to interact start.
with. Like many projects though, I’m still tinkering away on it!
Sounds awesome - we can’t wait to hear about it in the future! ■
We often have as many projects on the go as we have completed!
If you had your time again, what would you differently for a V2.0 of GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
this project? To discuss this feature, visit:
https://diyode.io/004cyww
Oh, that’s easy! Nixie tubes have a finite lifespan and
there are some techniques used to maximise their life.
So the first thing I’d do for version 2 would be to add
an ambient light sensor, which would automatically
dim the Nixies when the light in the room drops, and
I’d add a “slot machine” type effect to cycle through all
the digits every few minutes.

Both of these additions would boost the visual appeal

and increase the lifespan of the Nixies.

I’d also love to build a wooden box to house everything;

maybe in a lacquered walnut or something similar, as
I feel the acrylic is a bit cold and the tubes would look
much better with a nice warm timber surround. Maybe
one day I’ll try my hand at woodworking!

At least you have a plan! Increasing the lifespan is also

a valid point - not something we really think about with
an LED display (obviously). What are you working on
now?

ABOVE RIGHT ►
The display is bold,
sure to capture attention.

BELOW RIGHT ►
The full harness before
it was mounted into the case.

Reading & Resources:

► NIXIE TUBE & NEON BULB POWER SUPPLY KIT https://www.ledsales.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_
info&cPath=142_144&products_id=652&zenid=0th2h6de7pjeopi4f1br0ffcf5
► GITHUB https://github.com/ibuildrockets/NixieTemperatureDisplay
► NIXIE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY https://hackaday.io/project/3885-nixie-temperature-display
► NIXIE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY ON FLICKR https://www.flickr.com/photos/oflittleinterest/albums/72157650053263577

48 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

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 THE CLASSROOM

Coping With
Capacitors
Storing electrical charge, a little like air in a
tyre. Capacitors are valuable components,
and easy to understand. - by Daniel Koch

Last month, we looked at resistors, arguably the most commonly

found component on a circuit board. This month, we continue on
to capacitors, which are a versatile component used in dozens of
applications around even a moderately complex circuit. Capacitors
are so versatile, in fact, that we only have space to talk about
using them with direct current, which is by far the most common
situation most makers will find or use them in. Their use with
alternating current, therefore, will be left for another time. One final
note – this article will no doubt look very similar in sequence
and content to many textbooks or primers. This is because
we are not proverbially reinventing the wheel; rather, we
are describing it, and there is usually a lot of similarity
when many people describe the same wheel!

LOW HIGH

AI E
RP
RESSUR

50 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 THE CLASSROOM

CAPACITANCE The quantity of charge (Q) in a capacitor is a function of the Capacity

(C) of the capacitor, and the applied voltage (V). If the voltage is
It is said that a person must learn to crawl before they can walk. In increased, the charge will also be increased. (Q = CV) However, the
the case of electronics, it is more that we need to learn what feet imbalance of electrons results in a stored charge in the form of a
are and how they work before we can use them. So before learning potential difference between the two plates. In theory, the capacitor
about capacitors, first we will summarise capacitance. will remain charged forever. In the real world though, even the best
insulator is not perfect, and electrons will slowly leak across the
The word capacitance is formed from the root word “capacity”, gap, or back through the non-infinite resistance of the open circuit.
which we use across our lives to describe the ability to hold, A modern plastic encapsulated capacitor can store a charge for a
carry, or store. This is no accident, as capacitance is the ability to very useful time, long enough, in fact, that people working on high
store an electrical charge. This can occur in any situation where voltage circuits need to deliberately discharge capacitors before
two conductors are separated by an insulator. This means that working on them, to avoid lethal shocks, even after an entire day for
the power lines out in your street, if you are in an above-ground some capacitive components.
transmission area, have capacitance between them, separated as
they are by the air gap between them. The value of Capacitance is measured in “farads (F)”, in honour of
the work of Michael Faraday. The Farad is a unit describing how
At the other end of the scale, the windings of an electric motor much charge a capacitor can store. Those who have read The
also have capacitance between them. Even the tracks on a circuit Classroom article in Issue 3 may remember that in DC terms, a
board have a small amount of capacitance between them. In most capacitor value of 1F will take the equivalent of 1A of current for
cases the capacitance is either negligible or irrelevant; however, 1 second to charge, and result in a potential difference of 1V. Of
anyone working in specialised situations such as radio or medical course, these numbers are proportional, so a 1F capacitor charging
electronics, which are usually highly sensitive, needs to remain at a potential difference of 10V at 1A will take one-tenth of a second
aware of this. to charge.

1 CAPACITORS

For now you can imagine a capacitor as two metal plates separated
by an air gap, and for some capacitors this is true. In fact, old valve
radios, and even transistor radios used a capacitor to tune the radio
stations that was made from one set of fixed metal plates, and
another set of moving metal plates, separated by nothing but air.

A modern practical capacitor has two thin insulating films called a

“dielectric”, that have been metallised by coating one side with an
Aluminium vapour. One type of capacitor construction places many
layers of the film one on top of another, to be then cut into ‘blocks’.
Another type rolls the two films together into one long sausage
which is then cut into sections of the capacitance required. Either
type is connected at the ends, or sides, by the component leads.
The whole assemble is then dipped or molded into the component
case.

The two construction methods each have pros and cons, but for
average users, there is no difference in the effect. Do note however,
To understand capacitance, consider two metal plates separated by that some are better for high frequency, others for low leakage,
an air gap [1]. When the DC power source is applied, electrons flow some for higher voltage and others for higher capacitance.
from the negative side of the supply to the plate they are connected
to, causing that plate to have a negative charge. To the casual observer, they have a similar physical layout, being
somewhat flat and broad in one plane and quite narrow in another
The electrons at that plate repel the electrons on the other plate, [2]. Capacitor types use a variety of dielectrics, from ceramic, mica
which are drawn to the positive side of the battery. Therefore, (a mineral insulator), and of course, polyester. In most cases they
current flows for as long as electrons are on the move, from the are named after the dielectric they use. It should be noted that
positive plate to the negative plate of the battery. This is referred these types of capacitors are all non-polarised. That is, they can be
to as the “charging current”. Most makers typically encounter this connected with negative or positive connections either way around,
term and its associated maths when calculating timing circuits. and will work the same way. Additionally, these types are usually ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 51

 THE CLASSROOM

›› of lower capacitance, typically values under 1µF.

4

Although it is normally loathsome to suggest Wikipedia as further

reading, simply because it is open to editing by non-qualified
Electrolytic capacitors, which have a distinctive can-shape, use people and issues can take time to identify (anyone who has been
a chemical electrolyte as the dielectric material. The chemical through university will remember the golden rule – Wikipedia in a
action of the electrolyte forms an oxide layer on one sheet of foil reference list will either cost marks or constitute a fail!), in the case
during construction,but not the other. This means that electrolyte of electrolytic capacitors, there is actually a very informative and in-
capacitor types are polarised capacitors, and they can only be depth article that can be sourced from there. Check out
used with the negative electrode more negative than the positive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor
electrode. Electrolytic Capacitors are always marked accordingly,
with through-hole types having a stripe down the negative side, and For small physical size, but limited capacity, Tantalum capacitors
a series of ‘-’s marked down that side. Surface mount types having a [4] are an alternative to electrolytic capacitors. They have a very
black line to one side of the top of the case [3]. different construction, and are quite effective devices, if kept within
their limitations. Tantalum capacitors are expensive compared
with electrolyte capacitors, and therefore less common. Tantalums
3
behave in a circuit the same way as electrolytic capacitors – they
are polarised and usually of larger values than non-polarised types.
Tantalum values are more consistent and more accurate, and are
therefore are often used in timing circuits of longer durations.

USING CAPACITORS

As explained in the previous article on resistors, capacitors also

have a variety of markings to show their value of capacitance, and
other parameters, depending on type. Additionally, while a 1Ω
resistor would be considered small and uncommon, a 1F capacitor
would be considered large, a Super Capacitor.

Capacitors in common use range from less than ten milliFarads, still
referred to as 10,000µF, down to 1 picoFarad, or 1e-12 Farads [5]!
Yes, truly tiny numbers! For this reason, decimal dividers must be
used.

52 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 THE CLASSROOM

NUMBER OF DECIMAL
PLACES FOR SINGLE FRACTION
WRITTEN AS VALUE IN FARADS SIGNIFICANT FIGURE SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
WHEN EXPRESSED IN OF ONE FARAD
PICOFARADS

FARADS F 1 0 NA 1

MILLIFARADS** mF 0.001 3 x 10-3 1/1 000

MICROFARADS µF 0.000001 6 x 10-6 1/1 000 000

NANOFARADS nF 0.000000001 9 x 10-9 1/1 000 000 000

PICOFARADS pF 0.000000000001 12 x 10-12 1/1 000 000 000 000

**millifarads are not commonly used, they are included for the sake of completion and clarity of sequence.
Note: All references to pF, picofarad, nF, nanofarad, µF, microfarad, etc should use a capitol F in Farad.
Micro (u) should be represented by a ‘µ’ (Greek ‘mu’).

For most smaller capacitors, below 1µF, a multiplier system is used

5
that works in the smallest common unit of capacitance, ‘picoFarad Temperature

(pF)’. The value will generally consist of three numbers, a letter, and
a voltage rating in some cases. Some other capacitors only display
the three-number value. As with resistors, capacitors are made in a
First Significant
Figure 471J Tolerance

Voltage

set range of values, such as the e12, e24, e46 series. So, you could
Second Significant Multiplier
purchase a ceramic disc capacitor in 4.7pf, 47pf, 470pf, and so Figure (Number of
forth, but you are unlikely to find a 44.3pf capacitor. zeros following
significant figures)

To read the codes, the first two numbers are the significant figures,
while the third is the number of zeros used to give the value in
picofarads. Therefore, a 470pf capacitor would have a value
stamp reading “471”. This is significant figure “4”, significant
figure “7”, with the “1” corresponding to one multiple of ten, or
one zero, following. Unfortunately – and very confusingly – some
manufacturers use the “0” when there is no multiple; so 47pf can
be stamped as “470”. This does exist but is not common; in fact, in This is a tolerance designator. All components are manufactured
14 years of selling electronic components, I only saw this a handful to a tolerance, which means the value can be over or under the
of times. rated value by a percentage. The codes are generally the same as
for resistors. Additionally, some capacitors have a voltage rating
A hint: Whether Resistors, Capacitors or Inductors, the exponential stamped on them. This is usually directly stamped, with no coding
function of the calculator is a great tool for beginners. The 471 or multiple system. Some polyester capacitors, for example, have
above would be typed in as 47 [exp] 1 [enter]. Try it! Also for various “100V” on them, which literally means they are rated to 100 volts.
other notations such as 333, 684, or a common group, 102, 103,
104 etc. For resistors, once you can translate the colours into For larger capacitors, usually electrolytic capacitors, the value is
numbers, you can also enter them straight into the calculator directly stamped. In most cases the value is in microFarads (µF).
until you learn what each colour code means. Brown, Black, The “u” in this abbreviation is actually the Greek letter “mu”, which
Black,Orange? Go on try it.) has a longer tail on the left side extending down (μ), but many
standard printing fonts do not cope with this. So even though 4.7
Generally, a value of 47pF would be stamped as “47” and all millifarads is a real value, it will be written as 4700 microfarads,
higher values will be three digits. The codes work the same way on or 4700µF. This has led to the tendency for most users to talk in
ceramic, MKT, greencap, and polyester capacitors [5]. Greencaps microFarads instead of milliFarads. So, numbers of ten thousand
are a form of polyester capacitor; however, there are others. microFarads are heard commonly, despite this being more
mathematically correct when stated as ten milliFarads. ››
On some capacitors, particularly greencaps, a letter may be found.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 53

 THE CLASSROOM

›› As with resistors, some manufacturers prefer to avoid decimal capacitors across a power supply rail can help with stability and the
points, so you may see a value of 3.3µF stamped as 3u3, or even reduction of electronic noise.
3µF3 [6].
SOME QUICK MATHS
6 100

90

80

BR ND 100°C
BRAND BRAND 100°C BRAN
AND 10°
0°
0°C 70
470
00µF
0 4700µF 4700
0µF
60

Voltage
25V
25V 25V 25V
50

40

30

20

10
Negative Terminal Indicator

0
Time (No Units)
The second piece of information on an electrolytic capacitor is its Current

voltage rating. Electrolytic capacitors ALWAYS have a voltage rating

on them, as well as a stripe to indicate the negative terminal. This is Capacitors can be used alone, or in combination with each other. If
because electrolytic capacitors behave differently unless used at or so, they can be connected in “series”, or “parallel”. There is nothing
close to their rated voltage. tricky about these names, they are what they describe.

A curious property of electrolytics is that they only begin to show a When working in series, the total combined capacitance is actually
curve in their charging current when operating closer to their design lower than the smallest capacitor in the series [8]. The advantage
voltage. If used well below this, they may not respond as expected. to this is that the total potential difference that can exist across
This has implications in timing applications as discussed ahead. A the combined chain, is the sum the voltage ratings of the individual
10µF 63V electrolytic may give a different timing result than a 10µF capacitors. So three 100pF, 100V greencaps in series now yield
Resistor

16V example when used on a 12V circuit. a capacitance of 33.3pF, but can withstand 300V. The increase in
voltage is the main reason for adding capacitors in series.
Electrolytic Capacitors also have a temperature rating. Mostly for
higher power applications but essential knowledge if you are to
repair a circuit such as a power supply, particularly a SMPS. Often
such power supplies use a 105° component, and when it fails, it
should be replaced with a 105° component. A power supply or
7
amplifier that has used an 85° component to replace the original
105° value, will continue to fail, periodically, until the correct
temperature rating is used.

POWER SUPPLIES AND CAPACITORS

One of the most familiar situations involving capacitors for many

makers, will be the small cluster around the power supply on their
breadboard’s plug-in supply, or around a board that take a plug
pack as a power source. In this situation, capacitors are employed
so that their ability to store and then release a charge can be used
to filter and stabilise the power rails. In very basic terms, they
absorb spikes by charging up as quickly as they can, then slowly
releasing this charge into the circuit [7]. There are many other
reasons to use capacitors around power circuits; however, without
the space to describe inductance, reactance, and resonance, this
explanation is best left for later. The important thing to know is that

54 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 THE CLASSROOM

The maths for this is fairly simple: TC = R x C, with R in ohms and C

8
in farads. Be careful to convert both the Resistance and capacitance
to a whole unit, and not use the decimal multiplied or divided form.
Non-Polarised Series Parallel

The resulting number is the length of one time constant in seconds.

C1 C2 C3 C1 C2 C3 This could also be a decimal with quite a few places, which you
1 would usually convert for practical use, to milliSeconds or even
Polarised CT = CT = C1+C2+C3 microSeconds.
- + 1 1 1
+ +
C1 C2 C3 Once the time constant has been determined, the length of time a
given RC network will yield can be determined. If your circuit will
CT = Capacitance Total trigger at two thirds of the supply voltage, then your time delay is
ever so slightly more than 1TC. If it is nothing like what you need,
then you have an educated guessing point with which to try other
values in the equation. For many makers, not being engineers,
guess-and-check will be quite a valid way of working.
On the other hand, things are simpler for parallel circuits. The total
capacitance is simply the sum of the individual values, while the If you choose to trigger at around 63% and set your circuit to that
voltage ratings are unaffected. Of course, the smallest voltage value value, you can choose a starting value of capacitor and a resistor,
determines the voltage that can be applied to the network, without either from experience or by performing the maths. e.g. 1MOhm
causing damage to that capacitor. and 1µF have a TC of 1 second. You can begin by changing values
in decades to get close to the value you want. Let us say you want a
TIMING WITH CAPACITORS circuit to turn on in 200mS. You can drop the value of either R or C
by 10, purely aiming at the next lower decade, and get 100mS. Then
This same property of capacitors can be used to form a timing double one or the other value to get 200mS (e.g. 200kiloOhms and
circuit. With the exception of electrolytic capacitors operating well 1µF, or 2MegaOhms and 0.2µF).
below their design voltage, capacitors operate to what is known
as an exponential, or “Universal Time Curve”. To do this, they are Of course you would need to choose between standard values
used in series with a resistor, and called an RC network. The values of 220kΩ, and 180kΩ. In engineering terms, there are other
of the capacitor and resistor do not affect the relationship curve; considerations that would determine the values used, where a large
however, they will affect the length of the axes if graphed to scale. resistance may be undesirable, for example; but this will still be a
This is because of something called a Time Constant (TC). A TC is good starting point.
determined by an agreed standard, and it is defined as the time
it takes for a capacitor to charge, via the resistor, to 63% of the To learn more, see the next page's “Hands-On Activity”. Note: the
voltage being supplied. maths for this involves transposing or rearranging the equation, so it
becomes: R = TC/C.
100%

90%
That’s all for now. However, on the next few pages we have included
additional information, which may be of further interest, including a
80%
section specifically for educators. ■
70%

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

% Charge

60%
To discuss this edition of The Classroom, visit:
50%
https://diyode.io/004ymwg
40%

30%

20%

10%

0 1 2 3 4 5

Time Constants
Charge
Discharge

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 55

 THE CLASSROOM

For The
Educators:
For educators, metalanguage is a central part of learning in any For high school teachers, the challenge is greater. Older students
subject. These terms are all subject-specific, and important to find such activities childish (although it is amazing how much we
students learning the field, as the words all have defined, often- love them again at university), and often have no regular classroom
used meanings; understanding of which, is vital for success. for a given topic. In discussion with a high school teacher friend of
mine, we adapted some of my primary school ideas for his robotics
Science is no different, whether being taught at kindergarten level lessons in science class. This discussion eventually involved the
or senior high school. What sets science apart, however, is the sheer whole science faculty, along with myself – a ring-in primary teacher!
volume of metalanguage that may be encountered. This is because The result was a three-tier differentiated activity, which resulted in
of the almost limitless variety of topics that may be used to satisfy a cheat sheet that the students were able to access digitally at any
some outcomes. The question though, is how to teach it. time.

An example will, of course, be explained and defined at a point in For struggling students, words were provided that they had to
the lesson; however, research shows that most students need to find definitions for. Some equations were also provided, which
repeatedly engage with a technical word before its meaning is fully the students had to show worked examples of. The next tier was
understood. Even if the concept sinks in, spelling may be an issue a handful of words and equations, where students were required
for some words, affecting fluent written communication. to define and work examples. They also then had to find the same
number of examples themselves. The final tier was a blank sheet
In primary teaching, this is often overcome with a word wall, with a required number of words and equations that the students
mind map, or graffiti wall that students can constantly refer to. had to find, define, and work as examples.
These artefacts have the correctly spelled language, possibly with
definitions, in a visible place that can be referred to at will. Younger These three tiers were all marked against a rubric, constructed
students enjoy these brainstorming activities, and are usually in collaboratively by the teacher and students. They offered marks
the same space lesson after lesson for a given topic, even if they for thinking skills, processes, and creativity as much as for
change classes for subjects, as some primary schools do. correct results. The resulting cheat sheet is allowed as a resource
sheet during assessment which itself, aims to assess skills and
processes rather than knowledge. This is proving very popular
with the students at the moment; however, the unit of work had
not concluded at the time of writing this. I do feel that it may be
useful for other teachers who find that students do not absorb
metalanguage well during direct instruction.

56 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 THE CLASSROOM

Hands On:
Demonstrating Capacity
To get a feel for capacitors in general, and RC networks in particular, Using the smallest capacitor you have, insert it taking care of
this simple, hands-on activity uses just a few components and a polarity shown and connect the blue link. Watching the LED, notice
breadboard to demonstrate how the value of a capacitor affects the if it turns on instantly or slowly. Then keep watching when you
time it takes to charge and discharge; and the effects that a resistor remove the blue-coloured jumper wire. You should notice a nice
can have on this. gradation in the LED, turning on slowly, and off slowly.

For this experiment, we’ll work with electrolytics. They're cheap and Replace the capacitor with the next value up, and reconnect power.
have a fantastic range of available values. Many makers will have Continue until you have worked through all your chosen values.
an assortment of components on their workbench for testing or You can record the time the LED stays on, the plot the results on a
development, so the capacitors in the following parts list are a guide graph. You should notice a pattern!
only. If buying values for a class, decade values are the best as they
clearly show the effect of going up or down a decade. The capacitor values will have a predictable and reliable effect on
the power to the LED, inline with their capacitance value.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Electrolytic Capacitors in: EXPERIMENT TWO
10µF, 47µF, 100µF, 220µF, 330µF, 1000µF
1 x Diffused LED in any colour (low current draw)
1 x 220Ω Resistor (for LED)
Resistors in Various Values (we suggest 10Ωm, 10kΩ, and 1MΩ)
1 x Small Breadboard and Prototyping Jumpers
Resistor
EXPERIMENT ONE

Follow the diagram above. Add one or more additional capacitors in

parallel, and note what effects this has on turn on / turn off time for
the LED.

EXPERIMENT THREE

Follow the diagram above with just one capacitor. Connect your
power supply to your breadboard, probably the 5V supply often used
with Arduino and Raspberry Pi experimentation.

Note: Because the power supply may have capacitors also, we are
using links to break the power to our test circuit. This ensures a
clean application / shut off of power. If we simply turned the power
supply on and off, it could skew our results by still ramping power
up and down with the internal capacitors.

Following the diagram below, wire up everything but the blue We'll simply replace one of the links with a resistor. Using the same
jumper wire. This will be our power-control wire. You could use a method as before to apply and remove power, notice how the use of
switch in-place of the wire. Both options will work fine and produce different resistor values between the capacitors and LED change the
the same result. rate and which it turns on and off.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 57

 PROJECT

Design And Make:

The Ubiquitous
Logic Probe
This is the first of our discrete projects! A logic probe
is a powerful tool for any maker to have, since it
simplifies debugging and testing. - by Bob Harper

Why do we use logic? Because all modern computers

use logic. To not use logic would be illogical!

Logic sometimes fails, however, when the analog

levels that control the inputs to gates, or the loading
on the outputs, cause a misunderstanding. Logic
works when the signal levels comply with logical
requirements, (i.e., standards).

TESTING LOGIC AT THE HOBBY LEVEL

Many years ago I learned logic as a means to control

stage lighting for rock bands. I knew electronics, but
had never even heard of TTL or any of the digital logic
technologies, except for switches and relays as I
was, at that time, an apprentice electrician.

Later on I used logic ICs, 74xx devices in my first

computer that consisted of seven ICs. It didn’t take
much more circuitry before I needed something
better to test these circuits. Eventually I saw some
articles about logic probes and built one, using
just four transistors and a few resistors. Recently I
was asked if I could make a logic probe and that is
where this story began.

58 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

MAKER LOGIC The output voltages are another issue. TTL, either 5V or 3.3V
systems, expect the output voltage to be from 0V to 0.5V, while the
Robotics, 3D printers, CNC mills, routers, and so on are all CMOS system expects the output voltage to be less than 0.05V – the
applications of the inputs and outputs of computers, being used main reason for lower power requirement of CMOS.
to drive mechanical and opto-electric devices. The logic analyser
is a terrific instrument, but overkill; and usually over-priced for Logic “1” levels for TTL inputs (both 5V and 3.3V systems) need to
hobbyists. Multimeters often have a logic function, but they can be be greater than 2V; but for CMOS, on a 5V supply, the inputs need to
slow, insensitive, and inaccurate. They can also be inconvenient; for be above 3.5V to be a valid “1”.
example when you’re trying to hold a probe on a tiny pin, and you
need to avoid touching the many other tiny pins that sit around it, So a professional probe requires a different design for each
when looking back and forth at the meter. system, or a switch to select the system in use. For hobbyists,
unless chasing a glitch at the very edge of a system, or attempting
HOW IS A LOGIC PROBE BETTER THAN A MULTIMETER? maximum “fan-out” (loading), where noise can cause false logic,
a hobbyist can suffice with 0V to 0.8V as acceptable logic “0”, and
The logic probe has two or three coloured LED indicators near the above 2V as logic “1”. In fact, a technician would probably pull out
probe tip, so the user can see the result without looking away. It an expensive CRO or logic analyser by then anyway.
also clearly shows three conditions using two of those LEDs. Also,
multimeters read logic “0” or logic “1”, but not all meters can LOGIC SHIFTS
handle levels in between. Therefore, they may make mistakes in
interpreting an open circuit or dead gate. In a system where the logic is ‘state determined’ and the outputs
don’t change unless an input is changed, logic “0” and logic “1” are
WHAT DOES A GOOD LOGIC PROBE NEED TO DO? quite sufficient. On low speed systems, a flickering pair of red and
green LEDs might be enough to say the clock is ticking, but even
As we mentioned, typically logic probes read logic “0” and logic “1”. experienced technicians have difficulty on faster systems. The main
This may sound simple, but it’s not necessarily the case. issue is knowing whether the system is clocking, or held in a high
impedance state or centre voltage (i.e., between a logic “0” and
Firstly, it will help to know what type of system it will be used on. On a logic “1”). To identify this, a logic probe can have a ‘pulse’ LED,
some logic systems, the probe would read up to 48V for a logic “1” usually orange, that may simply light when oscillating, or flash at
on relay logic, and perhaps +/-12V on other systems. Many systems a fixed frequency when a pulsed signal or clock is running. Some
have existed, most are now gone, relay, DTL, ECL and so on. probes have a function to ‘catch’ a transition, meaning that the
orange LED turns on and latches on until reset.
So let us begin by defining our logic probe as intended for TTL. You
might say 0 volts for logic “0”, which although commonly agreed If the probe tip changes logic, or even if the logic momentarily
with, is not completely correct. In fact, most systems never actually changes then returns to the initial state, whether correctly following
reach exactly 0V. The truth is, TTL accepts from 0V to 0.8V as the logic, or due to a glitch, the latch will pick it up. This is useful
meaning a logic “0”, and CMOS accepts 0V to 1.5V as logic “0”, at for catching sporadic and unintentional pulses that may trigger
least on a system with 5V rail voltage (and up to 4V on a system logic circuits intermittently, and especially if the circuit is triggered
with 15V rail voltage). Then, we realise that the Arduino, along with unexpectedly and unpredictably. ››
many other computer systems, use either 5V or 3.3V rail voltage as
a modern option. Thankfully, a 3.3V system still uses TTL levels for
logic “0” (i.e., 0.8V).

table TTL Acceptable

gate
AcceptableTTLTTLgate
gate
Acceptable TTL gate
Acceptable TTL Acceptable
gate
AcceptableTTL
TTLgate
gate
Acceptable
AcceptableTTL
CMOS gate
Acceptable
Acceptable
gate CMOS
CMOS Acceptable
gate
gate CMOS Acceptable
gate CMOS
Acceptable
Acceptable
gate CMOS
CMOS Acceptable
gate
gate CMOS gate
signal levels
input
inputsignal
signallevels
levels output signal levels
input signal levels output
outputsignal
signallevels
output
levelsinputsignal
signallevels
levels
inputsignal
input signallevels
levels
input signal levels output
outputsignal
output signal levels signallevels
levels
output signal levels

5V 5V
5V 5V 5V 5V
5V 5V
5V 5V
5V 5V 5V 5V
5V 5V
High High
High High
4.95V 4.95V
4.95V 4.95V
Vcc = 5V Vcc==5V
Vcc 5V Vcc = 5V High High
High High= 5V
Vdd Vdd==5V
Vdd 5V Vdd = 5V
High High
High High
High
High High 3.5V 3.5V
3.5V 3.5V
2.7V 2.7V
2.7V 2.7V
2V 2V
2V 2V
1.5V 1.5V
1.5V 1.5V
0.8V 0.8V
0.8V 0.8V Low Low
Low Low
Low
Low Low 0.5V 0.5V
0.5V 0.5V 0.05V 0.05V
0.05V 0.05V
Low Low
Low Low
0V 0V
0V 0V 0V 0V
0V 0V
0V 0V
0V 0VLow Low
Low Low
0V 0V
0V 0V

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 59

 PROJECT

›› OUR LOGIC PROBE DESIGN WHAT IS A COMPARATOR?

While we would be proud to say we designed a new type of logic A comparator is a type of op-amp that compares the voltage on
probe, it would be very likely that somebody else had already the two input pins, and decides which voltage is the highest. Then
published or uploaded something very close to this design, even the output is changed to reflect that decision. Op-amps can do
if we have done all the hard work ourselves. Anyway, the first step this, but are designed as analog devices on both input and output.
most engineers would take is to research what has already been Comparators are required to switch the output.
done. This circuit uses the best method we know of, using a simple
IC, and for very little cost. Comparators have a “-“ input, and a “+” input, but either input can
have a voltage anywhere between the supply voltages applied to
WHAT DO I WANT? them. The “+” and “-“ do not refer to the voltage, but the effect the
inputs have on the output.
Honestly? I want something easy to make, which will last forever and
cost me nothing! Or as close to that as possible! With this in mind, I
researched many existing designs, some as early as 1975, to try to OC COMPARATOR
compare approaches. DEVICE INPUTS OP-AMP OUTPUT OUTPUT
+ input < - input -ve value Transistor Off
Hobbyists could easily get away with two LEDs and two resistors, + input = - input Analogue Switching
and that approach is good when you need something cheap and/ + input > - input +ve value Transistor On
or fast! So long as you realise that you will be getting very basic
results, and will be loading the circuit so much you might actually
cause logic faults in the process.
If the “+” is more positive than the “-”, the output turns on, but if the
So, as in all test instruments, we want the probe to take as little “-” is more positive than the “+” the output turns off.
from the circuit as practically possible, and try to be sure that the
voltages are within the limits shown in the diagram below – at least Note that the output itself is a transistor with an open collector (OC),
for TTL and perhaps 3.3V TTL. unlike most op-amps. OC simply means there is an NPN transistor
with the collector connected to that output pin, and the emitter
Another factor can be the speed of operation, but hobbyists are connected to ground via the power supply pins. Therefore, the
usually happy with basic technology, so although high speed quad output does not go high or low, simply on or off. You will need to
comparators were researched, we settled for an old friend that is connect the load between the OC output pin and a positive supply,
easy to find, cheap, and has good manners: the LM339, which is which can be a separate supply to the IC supply itself.
also used in many of the designs already available on the internet
and elsewhere. LM339 QUAD COMPARATOR

The LM339 has four comparators (hence “quad”) in one 14-pin

device; a DIP (dual inline package) device – a through-hole device
– is my preference, but SMD and other versions are also available.
Output 2 1 14 Output 3
The inputs do not require much current to detect the logic, typically
25nA (yes, that’s “nano amps”), and the whole device takes 0.8mA
Output 1 2 13 Output 4 total power, regardless of supply voltage, which can be from 2V
to 32V. (Note: that does not include the output loads as they are
Vcc 3 12 Gnd supplied by a separate power source external to the IC power pins.)
Therefore, the LM339 will work on 3.3V and 5V TTL systems, as
well as CMOS and some others, (with adjustments to some resistor
- Input 1 4 11 + Input 4
- + circuit values if you are keen). The output is compatible with TTL,
1 4 MOS and CMOS, and the current draw per output is rated at 20mA,
+ -
+ Input 1 5 10 - Input 4 which is sufficient for directly driving 3mm LED indicators.

- Input 2 6 9 + Input 3 Switching speed is the least impressive of the specifications, but
- + only if you can see and think at almost 2MHz. In fact, the design
2 3
+ - doesn’t require that kind of speed even if the micro runs at 20MHz.
+ Input 2 7 8 - Input 3
The signals on the computer I/O lines will not normally be changing
that fast, and pulses can still be detected. I do recommend that

60 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

PWR-1

R10 +ve
D1
33R 3v3 to
R2 R5 R1 R12 R8 R22 R15 R16 R23 R19 15 Volts
18k D1
8k2 18k 1M0 1M0 33R 1M0 220k 330R 1k0
Q1
BC557
LED3
Orange
IC1B LED1 LED2
7
1
Red Green
6
LM339N
R3 LM339N LM339N
9
100k 3 D3 Q2
11 IC1D 1N4001 14
8
S1 PROBE
R6 10 R18 BC547
2P2T 13
8k2 C2 10M
CMOS R14
TTL 1nF 12
100k
R4
100k IC1A R9
5
2 68k
4
LM339N
R13 C1 R17
R21 R7 R2 R11 1µF
100k 100k
8k2 4k7 10k 1k0

-ve -GND

PWR-2
The circuit of the Logic Probe and it's LM339 Quad Comparator core.

when you use any device, you download the datasheet/s and some For a CMOS circuit, two resistors of the same value should be used
application notes off the internet, and read them. It is a good way to for R1 and R2, but the values used for TTL will also work on CMOS,
determine what it all means, and at minimum the datasheets will tell and no changes are necessary.
you what pins to use.
The second voltage divider chain using R3, R4 and R5, set the two
THE CIRCUIT reference values, 0.8V for “0” level TTL on comparator pin 4, and 2V
for “1” level TTL on comparator pin 7. The string is designed for 5V
Take a look at the schematic above. Note what the pins are and try TTL but works on 3v3 TTL with a little error in the absolute threshold
to remember them. Particularly note that pin 3 is the positive or VCC values. For standard 5V TTL, R5 = 18k, R6 = 8k2 and R7 = 4k7
connection, 5V in most cases, and pin 12 is ground. respectively giving reference values at pin 4 of 775mV, and 2.04V
on pin 7.
Each comparator has two inputs (+ and -) and one output. Note the
polarity of the inputs on either side of the IC. Comparator 1 has its The switch allows the user to swap between two references:
inputs on pins 6 (-) and 7 (+) and its output on pin 1. Then note that standard TTL in the forward position, and a second option in the
comparator 3 is the same on the other side of the IC, except for the back position. Assuming CMOS is the second option, the resistors
polarity of the pins. Once you become familiar with the symmetry of should be R20=R6=R21 = 8k2. If you want a more exact reference
the pin-out, you’ll find working with the device quick and easy! for working on 3v3 TTL, R6 remains as 8k2, as it is common to both
switch positions and both options of CMOS and 3v3 TTL. Use a
For simplicity, we are going to describe the logic probe in two parts, 10K for R20, and 5k6 for R21, only if you intend the second switch
and we’ll start with level detection first. position to be used for 3v3 TTL.

Beginning with the comparator inputs, there are two voltage CONSTANT CURRENT LED DRIVE
dividers at work. The first uses R1 = 18k, and R2 = 10k, to set
the logic probe voltage when not connected, to Vcc x (10k/(10k + The LEDs on the outputs of the comparators are on pin 1 (“1”) and
18k) volts. When the rail voltage is 5V, the probe will be ~1.78V, pin 2 (“0”). To keep the brightness of the LEDs about the same from
or between 0.8V and 2.0V, so neither LED should be lit. The probe 3V to 15V, a constant current source has been built using D1, D2,
voltage is connected to the comparator inputs on pins 5 and 6, via Q1, R10 and R11. R10 limits the current to 20mA, but the supply is
two 100k resistors, R3 and R4. You’ll note that another 100k, R14, shared between LED 1 and LED2 as they do not come on together.
takes the probe voltage to pin 10 for the pulse circuit. We’ll explain
that section later. REVERSE SUPPLY VOLTAGE PROTECTION

When the rail voltage is 3.3V, the probe will be ~1.2V, so as before In the dreaded situation where a technically-minded person
neither LED should be lit, and 3v3 TTL can be tested without issue. connects the red wire to ground and the black wire to 5V (as
happens from time to time), R22 and D3 limit the reverse voltage ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 61

 PROJECT

›› across the LM339 to -0.6V, but R22 will start burning out and value, comparator 4 turns on, grounding the base of Q2. Everything
letting the smoke out; so consider it a sacrificial fused resistor! is back to starting position except that C1 will continue to charge
until it reaches rail voltage. The circuit is ready for another pulse.
THE PULSE CIRCUIT
ASSEMBLY
The pulse detector has a basic function in what it can do, as
we wanted to keep the logic probe simple. In reality, it did start While this object can be built from proto board or similar, it will
to collect more parts than originally intended. The basic circuit quickly end up as a rat’s nest, so we recommend using a PCB or
configuration is a monostable multi-vibrator (a name that takes up kit from one of the supporting suppliers. The PCB is shaped and
more space than the actual circuit!). Put simply, a brief trigger at the sized so it will be a natural size to hold for testing a circuit, and the
input, causes the output to turn on for a timed period. probe tip and LEDs are all at one end, while the power leads and
switch are at the other end. So doing it this way means not only will
We begin at the probe, where we are more interested in the change you have somewhere to put the components, but you won’t have to
in voltage than the actual voltage. Therefore R14, another 100k is guess where the connections go!
connected to pin 10 via C2, a 1 nanoFarad capacitor. The capacitor
will only pass a current when the voltage is changing. HOMEMADE PCB

R12, 1M0 and R13, 100k set up a reference voltage on pin 10 of The PCB was in fact designed as a single-sided board, and those
about 450mV. Comparator pin 11, due to the voltage divider using keen enough can download the PCB pattern from the website. Just
R8, 1M0, and R9, 68k, has a set value of about 290mV, for reasons be sure to use the “single-sided” pattern, which has wider tracks
we’ll get to later in the loop! and larger pads for easier hand-drilling. You will need only two links
of wire on the top-side of the PCB.
The output of comparator 3 remains off in normal conditions. When
the pulse of current presents at pin 10, it becomes temporarily For commercially available boards, double-sided PCBs are often
more negative than pin 11 and it’s output, pin 13 turns on which the same price as single-sided boards, so the links are integrated
discharges C1. This turns comparator 4 off, which lifts the voltage into the PCB already. There's not a whole lot of spare space on the
on R9, so pin 11 is again higher than pin 10, turning comparator 3 board, so it does make life a little easier.
off.
POWER
For comparator 4, R16, 220k and R17, 100k set pin 9 to about 1.6V,
with some feedback from R18, 10M pulling pin 9 a little lower in We did argue a little – but only between gentlemen – about options
normal times, but a little higher when the LED is on. This is positive for the power supply. While a 9V battery would power it and be
feedback and serves as a Schmidt trigger, to add hysteresis to the reasonably tidy, it also required voltage regulation and special
switch. consideration for CMOS above the supply voltage.

Pin 8 of comparator 4 has the RC timing circuit using R15, 1M0, and In the end any kind of battery was disqualified as unnecessary when
C1, 1uF. The timing constant of this pair is 1 second, for 63% of the the thing is used to test a powered circuit anyway. Using the supply
supply voltage. However, pin 8 is compared to the voltage on pin 9, from the “DUT” (device under test) is the norm for logic probes, as
~1.6V, so switches in about one-third of a second. A longer pulse they don’t require much current anyway.
would result if R16 were made 100k, for example.
Still there may be options. My own probe had the leads ripped
So what happens to comparator 4, is comparator 3 grounds pin 8, off it once, so I used a speaker cable with a pair of IC clips. When
turning the output transistor off. everything was TTL in DIP ICs, I simply clipped onto pins 7 and 14, or
whatever the supply pins for the ICs were. I still think that’s the way
Transistor Q2 is turned on by bias resistor R23, which has been for ICs with legs!
reduced to 330Ω as Q2 was not turning completely off. It sounds
wrong but comparator 4 output wasn’t pulling the base of Q2 low Those who work mainly on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and such, may
enough. prefer a pair of male pins or female sockets (PIN-header-style) to go
straight onto the supply pins/sockets. Alternatively, you might like
The orange LED, LED3, has a simple ballast resistor, R19, 1k0, to use alligator clips, or even solder the wires onto the DUT power
although it might have been powered by the constant current circuit, supply. Others may prefer having a USB plug and lead, and even
sharing current with the other LEDs. use a USB plug pack. All these options can have the wires soldered
directly into the PCB, or place a right-angle two-pin header into the
C1 charges with the current flowing in from R15, until the voltage power pads, and plug onto them with a two-way 0.1-inch socket. It
across C1 reaches the value on pin 9, and as soon as it exceeds that all really comes down to what you intend to work on.

62 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

REF: COMPONENTS: JAYCAR ALTRONICS

R1 18k Resistor RR0602 R7588
R2 10k Resistor RR0596 R7582
R3 100k Resistor RR0620 R7606
R4 100k Resistor RR0620 R7606
R5 13k Resistor RR0599 R7585
R6 8k2 Resistor RR0594 R7580
R7 4k7 Resistor RR0588 R7574
R8 1M0 Resistor RR0644 R7630
R9 68k Resistor RR0616 R7602
R10 33R Resistor RR0536 R7522
R11 1k0 Resistor RR0572 R7558
R12 1M0 Resistor RR0644 R7630
R13 100k Resistor RR0620 R7606
R14 100k Resistor RR0620 R7606
R15 1M0 Resistor RR0644 R7630
R16 220k Resistor RR0628 R7614
R17 100k Resistor RR0620 R7606
R18 10M Resistor RR0660 R7094
R19 1k0 Resistor RR0572 R7558
R20 8k2 Resistor RR0594 R7580
R21 8k2 Resistor RR0594 R7580
R22 33R Resistor RR0536 R7522
R23 330R Resistor RR0560 R7546
C1 1µF Electrolytic 25V RE6032 R4718
C2 1nF Capacitor MKT 100V RM7010 R3001B
D1 1N4148 Diode ZR1100 Z0101 GROUND LEAD
D2 1N4148 Diode ZR1100 Z0101
D3 1N4004 Diode ZR1004 Z0109 If you intend to use a dedicated power supply, which isn’t connected
LED1 Red LED 3mm ZD0100 Z0700 to the DUT, the logic probe requires a ground lead that should be
LED2 Green LED 3mm ZD0120 Z0701 soldered in with the negative power wire, or onto the pad beneath
LED3 Orange LED 3mm ZD0119 Z0705 the PCB. Using the DUT power supply avoids the requirement of a
Q1 BC557 Transistor PNP ZT2164 Z1055 ground lead. This convenience is why we used DUT for power.
Q2 BC547 Transistor PNP ZT2152 Z1040
IC1 LM339N Quad Comparator ZL3339 Z2532 PROBE TIP
S1 DPDT Switch SS0823 S2060
The kind of probe you use is dependent on your needs for the logic
REF: OTHER HARDWARE: probe itself. You might want a good strong probe, or a tiny pin probe
PROBE 1-pin eg.Test Probe -or- Canvas Needle for getting into socket headers (for example). With this second user
PWR 2-pin Pin Header, 2pin-RA, polarised, (optional) preference in mind, the PCB is made using a largish pad for a wire,
PWR 2-pin Pin Header, 2pin socket header with two smaller pads (not connected to ground) for a wire loop, to
PWR-clip IC-Clip IC Pin Test Clip Red mechanically support the probe tip.
PWR-clip IC-Clip IC Pin Test Clip Black
PCB DIY1709-1 Printed Circuit Board, DIY17091-1 In the past, my TAFE students have used 1mm2 (and bigger)
Dims 3.05” x 1.05” (88.9 x 26.7mm) (88.9 X 26.7MM) electrician’s copper wire, copper boat nails, darning needles, MIG
Case DIY1709-1-33D printed case, (see text) welding wire, and many more clever solutions. One little known trick
to make soft copper wire become hard, is to beat it with a hammer,
Note: Our part numbers may denote a pack of parts, such as rolling it as you go, so it remains basically round.
resistors which are often sold in a pack. We have suggested
probe-tip hardware and other methods. Kits sold for this project The hole in the end of the 3D printed case allows you to use a probe
may contain other suitable hardware for this purpose, and may not from an old multimeter lead, or a new one if you like. Sometimes it’s
precisely match this list. handy to leave the probe connected to a wire, pin or circuit, so you
can work hands-free. A short lead with an IC clip on one end and an
alligator clip on the other can also be handy. Be inventive! ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 63

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›› PCB ASSEMBLY ACTIVE COMPONENTS

The usual rule for manual assembly is “hardware, passive, active”, Active components are the most sensitive to heat and static
meaning that you fit sockets, switches, and pins first. If you do use electricity, so they should be left until last.
a two-pin header or whatever, or fit the power now, you can perform
tests as you go, to make sure you have it all in the right places and Place and solder the diodes and transistors, as well as the LEDs, but
soldered correctly. leave the IC until later. Be very careful with the active components –
make sure you have the polarity correct. Check all the connections
So with the switch, probe and power soldered in, connect it up and as above, and then check the voltages.
check that you have 5V as expected, and where expected. It is a
good practice to assemble in stages and test as you go, rather than Use a small piece of wire to short the pads of pins 1, 2 and 14, to
loading up every component and soldering everything in one go. the ground, pin 12. Each of the LEDs should light: LED 1 and LED
2 when the short is in place, and LED 3 when it is not in place. This
PASSIVE COMPONENTS has also tested the constant current transistor Q1, and transistor
Q2.
The resistors and capacitors come next, and a suggestion may be
useful. If you think you might like to replace components at some LM339 PLACEMENT
stage, solder the component leads and cut them off close to the
PCB. If you need to change one, it will be easier to get out. The LM339 quad comparator IC is fairly robust, and the PCB has
some basic protection against reverse voltage, but if you are unsure
The alternative, used in the industry and military, is to cut leads to about your soldering, you might like to use a low profile IC socket.
about 1mm, bend them over, either flat against the PCB or at about This way you can make sure your soldering is clean and tidy, no
45 degrees, depending on just how harsh the mechanical forces on shorts, whiskers, or dry joints, and then fit the 14-pin IC. The dimple
the PCB may be, and solder to cover the component pin as well as near pin 1 (i.e., the little curved bit taken out of one end), goes
making the joint. This is a devil to remove without dedicated rework where the little bite is taken out of the overlay print. Don’t laugh –
stations. even us old hands do it wrong sometimes!

Make sure each joint is clean and shiny, and there are no FINALLY!
“inclusions” (i.e., bits of nasty things unexpectedly stuck in the
solder). The big moment has arrived, and if you have passed all the tests
so far, you should be looking at success. Power up, and nothing
Out with the multimeter, and power up the circuit. There is a table should happen – especially, no smoke. With a piece of jumper wire
provided with all the voltages to expect on the IC pads, for when attached to the probe tip, touch pin 3 and the red LED should light.
the correct components are in the correct places, and are correctly The orange LED should also come on briefly, about one-third of a
soldered. second. Touch the ground, pin 12, and the green LED should come
on. Note: I could have told you to put the switch in the forward
Compare your values to those in the table shown below. position, but it doesn’t really matter if we’re looking for a good
ground or positive rail.

CONDITION NO IC PROBE FLOATING PROBE HI PROBE LOW PULSE LED OFF PULSE LED ON

Pin 1 0.002 3.48 2 2.82 3.48 3.48

Pin 2 0 3.48 2.6 1.96 3.48 3.48
Pin 3 5.16 5.13
Pin 4 0.795
Pin 5 1.83 1.83 5.11 0.004 1.83 1.83
Pin 6 1.83 1.83 5.11 0.004 1.83 1.83
Pin 7 2.159
Pin 8 4.7 1.586 1.586 1.575 1.586 0
Pin 9 1.84 1.61
Pin 10 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47
Pin 11 5.13 0.938 0.938 0.938 0.938 0.938
Pin 12 0 0
Pin 13 4.7 1.587 1.586 1.586 1.586 0
Pin 14 5.16 0.651 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29

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LEVEL TESTING FIELD It could be perpetually fine tuned, but PCB manufacturers will vary,
and some of the “fit” depends on the 3D printer and how it is set up.
If you really want to, you can check your actual levels by putting a The original case was designed in OpenSCAD, and we've provided
potentiometer between ground and 5V, and the probe on the wiper the SCAD file to make any changes relatively easily too. For those of
pin, and adjust until the green “0” LED just goes out. Read, and you using Tinkercad or similar software, you can easily import the
record the voltage, and then adjust until it just turns on; then read STL file and add/remove shapes from the core design too, though
and record again, and see how much hysteresis there is. Note that some modifications are much easier to make in OpenSCAD as it can
no hysteresis is actually designed into the circuit, on the levels at re-render the shapes from scratch.
least.
USING YOUR NEW PROBE
Likewise, adjust until the red “1” LED just comes on, read the
voltage and record, and then adjust it until it just goes off; then Obviously one caveat we must make is to never use this logic probe
read and record again. The values should not be very different, and on voltages above 15V, or any device that runs on live ac current. IT
should be less than 0.8V for a logic “0”, and more than 2V for a logic IS NOT CatIII-rated, and isn’t meant to be. It's meant for TTL / logic
“1”; this is with the switch in the TTL position. levels only.

You can try it also in the CMOS position, and for different voltage Now that we’ve clarified that point, take a probe around a running
supplies up to 15V. Low should be about one-third supply voltage, Arduino or such. Using the DUT’s power supply avoids requiring a
and high should be about two-thirds supply voltage. ground wire, and the probe has enough input resistance to be kind
to your circuits.
3D PRINTED CASE
If you strike a test point that doesn’t light, or lights intermittently
We have designed a handy case for mounting the probe, so it can either high or low, but doesn’t hold at least one LED on, then it is
easily become part of your toolkit. probably spending a lot of time in between a logic high and a logic
low, or has a high impedance. Either way, you may have found your
The case has two snap-ins to hold the PCB in place, while the case fault!
halves snap together for a neat fit. The case may want to stay that
way, so make sure you’re ready to leave it together, or perhaps sand Logic probes take a little learning before you really know how to
the snap-ins so it goes together easily, and therefore comes apart use one well, but once you get your proficiency badge, you’ll always
easily. If the PCB is tight, it forces the sides of the case out, so make have that skill in your kit. ››
sure the PCB fits well before tackling the lid. Checking you have no
protrusions from your PCB will help ensure a neat fit too.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 65

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›› ADVANCED TESTING - ARDUINO

If this is the first time you've used a logic probe, some advanced
testing might be worthwhile to fully appreciate the relationship
between the logic levels in your code (or created by an integrated
circuit), and the actual levels and voltages presented in a circuit.

For this reason, we have created a basic Arduino Sketch, which you
can use as a powerful test tool. It will also put your probe through
its paces in an Arduino specific environment.

The sketch is quite simple, and you can elaborate on it further to

test all pins. This is also a valuable education exercise.

int lowPin = 5; LOW: Touch the probe tip to pin 5, which we have set with a
int highPin = 6; LOW output. You should see the green LED illuminate.
int pwmPin = 9;
void setup() { HIGH: Touch the probe tip to pin 6, which we have set with a
// set these pins as outputs HIGH output. You should see the red LED illuminate.
pinMode(highPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(lowPin, OUTPUT); PULSE: Touch the probe tip to pin 9, which we have set with a
} PWM output.
void loop() {
digitalWrite(highPin, HIGH); You may also notice that the green LED is illuminated. This is
digitalWrite(lowPin, LOW); because we have set it to around 4% duty-cycle (more accurately,
analogWrite(pwmPin, 10); 10/255, or 0.3921... but who's counting). This is because the probe
} features some great functionality. When a pulse width output is
detected, the red and green LEDs act as a duty-cycle reference.
When the duty cycle is low (that is, off more often than on), the
What we have effectively done here is quite simply, set pin 5 to LOW, green LED will illuminate alongside the yellow pulse indicator.
pin 6 to HIGH, and pin 9 (which is a PWM-enabled hardware pin) to
a low value.
int ledPin = 9;

You may notice that in the setup function, we have specified our void setup() {

high and low logic pins as OUTPUT, but not our PWM pin. This is // nothing happens in setup

because the analogWrite function does this automatically. }

void loop() {

It's important to remember to use the pinMode function in setup for // fade in from min to max in increments of 5

any standard digital outputs. for (int fade = 0 ; fade <= 255; fade += 5) {
// sets the value (range from 0 to 255):

We have also included this sketch as probe_test.ino in the digital analogWrite(ledPin, fade);

resources too. Load the sketch onto your Arduino. // wait 300ms to see the dimming effect
delay(300);

Connect power for your probe to the 5V and GND pins on your }

Arduino. While you should have performed basic tests on your probe // fade out from max to min in increments of 5

already, if you want to be sure your probe is working, you can touch for (int fade = 255 ; fade >= 0; fade -= 5) {

the probe tip onto the 5V or GND. You should see the red or green // sets the value (range from 0 to 255):

LEDs illuminate respectively. As long as this occurs, move on to the analogWrite(ledPin, fade);

pins we have specified in the sketch. // wait 300ms to see the dimming effect
delay(300);
}
}

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Likewise when the duty cycle is high (that is, on more often than
off), the red LED will illuminate alongside the yellow pulse indicator.
Of course, when the pulse width is somewhere in between, you will
see all three LEDs illuminated.

Component tolerances will affect the precise points where the high
and low LEDs switch on and off when the probe is in pulse mode.
However, to demonstrate this, we can utilise a modified version of
the FADING example sketch included with the Arduino IDE. Ours
is not too different from the example provided with the software,
however we have slowed the cycle down considerably so it's more
visible and you can watch it go through the full cycle from 0% to
100% duty cycle, and back again. This sketch is provided in the
resources as probe_pwm_cycle.ino. Load it onto your UNO and touch
the probe to pin 9, watching what happens!
through the cycle taking it from 0% duty cycle to 100% duty cycle,
WHAT ABOUT A RASPBERRY PI? and continue on forever (well, until you forcibly quit the programme).

The beauty of logic is that it's, well - logical. The process for coding The interesting thing about Raspberry Pi PWM is that there's only
a similar test on Raspberry Pi is fairly similar. But we've done it for two hardware PWM channels. Most PWM functionality is derived
you, providing the sample Python scripts in the resources. from software PWM via the GPIO library. For most purposes, it's
perfectly adequate and opens up far more functionality than would
Of course, you still need to tell the Raspberry Pi what you're doing, otherwise be provided for this purpose.
and set the various pins to have their respective outputs.

Here is a basic Python code to achieve something fairly similar to import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

probe_test.ino, but it's Python so we'll call it probe_test.py (i know, GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

we're very creative). PWM1 = GPIO.PWM(13, 100) # enable PWM at 100Hz

PWM1.start(0) # start PWM at 0%

Load probe_test.py in IDLE and run. Since Raspberry Pi pins are while 1:

unlabelled, it's easiest to use a GPIO breakout adaptor which for level in range(0, 101, 5):

provides full labels on each of the pins. p.ChangeDutyCycle(level)

time.sleep(0.5)

Again, you can verify your probe is powered and working properly by for level in range(100, -1, -5):

touching the tip to any of the GND or 5V pins on the Pi, and looking p.ChangeDutyCycle(level)

for the green or red lights respectively. time.sleep(0.5)

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO So there you have it! Go forth and conquer logic with your new logic
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) probe, and newfound understanding of how it works! ■
lowPin = 5
highPin = 6 WANT MORE?
pwmPin = 13 For additonal code, or to discuss this project, visit:
GPIO.setup(lowPin, GPIO.OUT) # set up pin 17 https://diyode.io/004tdqg
GPIO.setup(highPin, GPIO.OUT) # set up pin 18
PWM1 = GPIO.PWM(13, 100) # enable software PWM
GPIO.output(lowPin, 0) # send pin 5 low
GPIO.output(highPin, 1)
PWM1.start(10)
# send pin 6 high
# start PWM at 10%
Buy The Logic Probe Kit:
► ALTRONICS www.altronics.com.au
K9800 $14.95 (Education Pricing $9.95)
► JAYCAR www.jaycar.com.au
As in the Arduino examples, we'll also provide an example for a KD6100 $14.95 (Bulk Pricing Available)
cycling PWM output so you can see the effect it has on the probe.
Load and run probe_pwm_cycle.py. Pin 13 should start looping

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 67

 FEATURE

PLANE
SPOTTING
DAVID SUCH
Engineer, Honorary Associate at USyd.
www.reefwing.com.au
@reefwing

Did you know you can track planes

in the sky using free software?
David does. And he's doing it!

There's a fantastic community of enthusiastic plane-trackers out functionality with a Raspberry Pi (RPi) and Arduino. The price has
there. David is part of that community. He won one of our prelaunch recently come down but free swag is always a treat! I even had a
competitions, finding himself the proud owner of a pcDuino and useful project lined up that I thought would allow me to see how it
Touchscreen! He's put it to great use. performed.

Congratulations on being the lucky winner of our pcDuino We’re so happy it went to a good home and we see you’ve put it to
competition. How did you feel when you found out? good use! For those who haven’t heard, can you explain what you’re
doing with the pcDuino?
I was very excited! I think it is the first competition I have ever
won. I’d been tempted to give the pcDuino a try for a long time, but I am using the pcDuino and a cheap USB DVB-T TV Tuner to track
the cost had been a barrier, especially given you can get similar aircraft flying nearby, and then displaying their real time position

68 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 FEATURE

on Google Maps. In addition to the plane’s position you can also

see their flight number, transponder squawk code, altitude, speed
and heading. Squawk codes are used by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to
uniquely identify aircraft on radar; they are also used in emergency
(for example, if a plane is squawking 7500 it means that the plane
has been hijacked!).

In order to do this the pcDuino needs to receive and interpret the

ADS-B data that most planes transmit from their transponder.
A transponder is a piece of kit on a plane to help ATC identify a
particular aircraft’s position and altitude on a radar screen. This
helps them maintain separation and prevent collisions. There are
three civilian transponder modes, called A, C and S.

MODE A: Following an interrogation request, the transponder

broadcasts the configured transponder code (or “squawk code”). A
separate type of response called “Ident” can be initiated from the
aircraft by pressing a button on the transponder control panel.

MODE C: This will send a pressure altitude response when

interrogated.

MODE S: This “Select” mode is to avoid over interrogation of the

transponder (if there are many radars in busy areas), and to enable
automatic collision avoidance. Mode S transponders are compatible
with Mode A and Mode C. A Mode S transponder is required to
implement ADS-B, but there are other ways as well.

ADS-B stands for “Automatic Dependent Surveillance -

Broadcast”, which isn’t really very helpful. In other words,
the plane uses GPS to obtain its position it then broadcasts
that position at rapid intervals, along with identity,
altitude, velocity and other data. Dedicated
ADS-B ground stations receive the
broadcasts and relay the information
to air traffic control for precise
tracking of the aircraft. The pcDuino and
TV Tuner are, in effect, another ADS-B ground station.
TOP ▲
David's completed setup.
ADS-B data is broadcast every half-second on 1090MHz. The ability
ABOVE ▲
of a ground station to receive a signal depends on altitude, distance David won a pcDuino (XC-4350) and compatible
from the site, and obstructing terrain. The maximum range of each 7" touchscreen (XC-4356) in our prelaunch
competition, thanks to Jaycar Electronics.
ground station can exceed 250 nautical miles; however, the dinky
aerial which comes with the TV Tuner is not going to deliver that
sort of range, particularly if it is indoors like mine. In practice all the
plane data that I am receiving is within 80km. If you connect your
base station to Flight Aware, it will provide you with these statistics, Interesting information! How do you pick up ADS-B signals using a
as well as much more. DVB TV tuner? Is there a frequency crossover?

In Australia, CASA is moving towards most aircraft requiring a Mode The RTL2832U-based Software Defined Radio (SDR) receiver is
S transponder, which is ADS-B capable, but this will take years to designed and marketed for DVB-T reception. However, it’s possible
come into effect, particularly for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft. All to get raw samples from the device, rather than just a demodulated
of the big jets certainly have it. You may see references to S-mode DVB signal. This means that a wide-band receiver can then be
when reading about ADS-B plane tracking and sometimes S-mode is implemented in software. I used the USB DVB-T TV Tuner RTL2832U
used interchangeably with ADS-B (which is not strictly correct). + R820T (you can get them on eBay for around $13). ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 69

 FEATURE

›› The RTL2832U chip is generally paired with a tuner IC and in

the case of the USB receiver above, it’s an R820T, which enables blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu

reception from 24MHz to 1,850MHz. Remember we need 1090

MHz.
At this point you can plug in your receiver dongle and reboot.
The antenna that comes with the USB Tuner is 100mm in length. Rebooting will allow the blacklisting to take effect.
This works okay, but is not optimised for receiving signals with a
frequency of 1090 MHz. If you are having problems with reception, Thanks for the step-by-step instructions. We’re confident there’ll
you could purchase the FlightAware 1090MHz antenna, or there are be a few doing this! You’re using Dump1090 software. Is that what
plenty of home brew designs online. The antenna should ideally be does the decoding, or is there another step in the middle?
located outside, but I stuck mine near a window and it works okay.
The RTL-SDR driver gives us access to the ADS-B data and passes
Installation of the hardware is simple - just plug the SDR receiver it to Dump1090, which does the heavy lifting. Dump1090 is a
into a USB port. As there is only one USB port on the pcDuino, you Mode S decoder that is specifically designed for RTL SDR devices.
will probably need a hub so that you can also plug in the keyboard It provides robust decoding of weak messages, and an embedded
and mouse required for setup. I had a powered hub but it doesn’t HTTP server that displays the currently detected aircraft on Google
seem to need it. I think the pcDuino supplies enough current for an Maps. The 1090 refers to the 1090MHz frequency that the signals
unpowered USB hub to work. Don’t plug in the SDR receiver until are broadcast on.
you load the new driver. The driver we need is called RTL-SDR. To
download it, fire up the pcDuino, open LXTerminal and type the Dump1090_mr is a FlightAware fork, of Malcolm Robb’s fork, of
following (assuming you’re in ~/): Salvatore Sanfilippo’s dump1090 program. FlightAware uses it as
an important element of PiAware (a Debian package for forwarding
ADS-B data to FlightAware - more on this later).
$ sudo git clone git://git.osmocom.org/rtl-
sdr.git Note that dump1090_mr is no longer available on the FlightAware
GitHub repository, so I used a copy sourced from CTassisF. Before
installing Dump1090 there are some pre-requisite packages and
To install RTL-SDR: libraries required. To install these:

$ cd rtl-sdr/ $ sudo apt-get install git cmake libboost-

$ sudo mkdir build all-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev python-scitools
$ cd build portaudio19-dev -y
$ sudo cmake ../ $ sudo apt-get install tcl8.5-dev tclx8.4-dev
$ sudo make itcl3-dev tcl-tls tcllib automake cmake telnet
$ sudo make install git gcc make
$ cd ~
$ sudo cp ~/rtl-sdr/rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/
rules.d/ To build and install dump1090 and faup1090, and to configure the
$ sudo ldconfig system to start them automatically whenever the system boots,
change to the ~/ directory and type:

The kernel that comes with Ubuntu already contains a DVB driver,
which we don’t want to use. To stop the conflicting Linux DVB-T $ git clone https://github.com/CTassisF/

driver from loading, we need to blacklist it. To do this: dump1090_mr.git

$ cd dump1090_mr/
$ make
$ cd /etc/modprobe.d/ $ make -f makefaup1090 all
$ sudo nano blacklist.conf $ sudo make -f makefaup1090 full-install

Then add the following line at the end of the file. You can either use
the existing blacklist.conf file or create a new file; just make sure it’s
in this directory and ends in .conf.

70 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

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To test whether dump1090_mr is operational: Fantastic! Tell us a little about FlightAware and how the community
works.

$ dump1090 --interactive FlightAware is the world’s largest flight tracking data company. By
registering (for free), you can add your ADS-B base station results
to the worldwide collection of other operators, creating a real time
This should show you a list of detected planes along with their flight picture of aircraft movements globally. If you are picking someone
information. up from the airport you can track their flight in real time, and
minimise your parking fees! Connecting to FlightAware will also
That’s awesome! How is the flight data then overlaid to Google tabulate and graph statistics from your station.
Maps?
You mentioned it’s been done on RPi many times, were there any
This is very easy as Dump1090 does it for you, and it includes challenges getting it to work on the pcDuino?
an embedded HTTP server. If you are on the pcDuino, open the
Chromium browser and point it at http://127.0.0.1:8080 to see the Yes. FlightAware has made it very easy to get this system up and
display. running on a RPi, and have a guide available on their website.

You can also view this page from other computers on your LAN. To The difficulty is that the packages have been compiled for Raspbian
do this you will need the IP address of your pcDuino (type hostname (a Debian variant of Linux, which is most commonly used with
-I on the command line). On the other computer you can then the RPi), and the pcDuino uses Lubuntu (a light weight variant of
access the page via that IP address. So for example, my pcDuino Ubuntu). Fortunately, Debian and Ubuntu share a common ancestry
IP address was 192.168.0.7 to view the dump1090 page I enter: so it is possible to move packages between the two.
http://192.168.0.7:8080 into the browser address bar.
PiAware is a FlightAware client program that runs on a RPi (or
pcDuino!) to securely transmit dump1090 ADS-B and Mode S data to
FlightAware.

I had some trouble getting PiAware to work on the pcDuino, but

the following ended up being the best way to build the system for
Ubuntu (this worked for version 3.5.1 of PiAware). To create the
PiAware package, change to the ~/ directory and type:

$ sudo apt-get install build-essential

debhelper librtlsdr-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev pkg-
config tcl8.5-dev autoconf python3-dev python-
virtualenv libz-dev git tclx8.4 tcllib tcl-tls
itcl3

This will load some libraries you will need. You can then download
and build PiAware. ››

$ git clone https://github.com/flightaware/

piaware_builder.git
$ cd ~/piaware_builder
$ ./sensible-build.sh wheezy
$ cd ~/piaware_builder/package-wheezy
$ dpkg-buildpackage -b

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 71

 FEATURE

›› To install the PiAware package: It sounds like an amazing community collating data together! Is
there anything else you’d like to tell us about this system?

$ sudo dpkg -i ~/piaware_builder/ Just to note that if you do contribute your ADS-B data to the
piaware_3.5.1_armhf.deb worldwide network, then Flight Aware provides access to the
following:

Reboot, and then to check that everything is working as it should, • Live data on flightaware.com (subject to standard data processing
type: delay of up to two minutes).
•A ccess to up-to-the-second live data received by the local device
(accessible from the stats page with a local network connection).
$ sudo piaware-status • Data from local device highlighted on FlightAware track logs.
• Detailed statistics on site performance.
• A free Enterprise Account (USD89.95/mo value).
This should display something like the screenshot below. Note that
you no longer need to add your username and password to the Wow, it sounds like a great deal all-round! What are you working on
PiAware configuration file. now?

To link your new pcDuino ADS-B base station to your FlightAware

account, log into the FlightAware website, and then go to the claim
page to claim a new station.

A RPi-based robot, which looks a lot like SAM from Issue 3.

Currently you can drive it around using a web browser, while viewing
the onboard video, and I am working on an Amazon Alexa interface
so that it will respond to voice commands.

That sounds awesome - we can’t wait to hear about these in the

future! ■

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

To discuss this feature, visit:
https://diyode.io/004sxpg

FlightAware works out which base station is yours, based on your

IP address, so the computer you are using to claim the station must Reading & Resources:
be on the same LAN as your base station; and the station needs to
be transmitting data to FlightAware. Wait 15 minutes or so after ► FLIGHTAWARE www.flightaware.com
booting the pcDuino to make sure that FlightAware is receiving your
data, before trying to claim your station.

72 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

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 BUILD AND SAVE:
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 PROJECT

MQTT
Voice Controlled
Power Point
Turn on and off a mains appliance
using voice commands? Yes, you can
do that. - by Tim Blythman

You’ve probably seen the new Google Home® devices that are now THE BROAD OVERVIEW
available, but what you might not realise is that you can actually
build something very similar with a Raspberry Pi (RPi). And not only Just like the MQTT Light Switch, there are three parts to this project;
that, it’s very easy to interface it to your own hardware, such as a and not surprisingly, they are all fairly interchangeable with the
remote controlled power point. different parts of that project. One device (the publisher in the
MQTT system) issues commands, which are relayed by a broker to
The Google Voice Kit (see https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/voice) a subscriber, which acts upon the command. In this case, the RPi
is a popular item, but you can achieve the same results with a RPi running the Google Assistant voice recognition software creates
and a few other parts. This project however, is more than just a DIY messages, based on spoken commands which are transferred via
version of the Voice Kit. Building on September’s MQTT Light Switch the broker software to an Arduino. This then sends a radio signal
project, I’ve built this project which can take voice commands and via a 433MHz transmitter to a wireless power point to control an
then transmit them via MQTT to an Arduino. In turn, this operates a appliance.
remote controlled power point. While this sounds like an elaborate
solution to a problem, the MQTT interface means that we can While this is just one use of the RPi with voice recognition software,
incorporate other features (such as the app control from the MQTT the options are really interesting. When set up correctly, the
Light Switch) to expand the functionality even further. And of Google Assistant has many different skills. It won’t be as capable
course, it’s just plain cool to be able to speak a command and have as a Google Home® device due to hardware limitations, but it can
it happen! respond to simple queries such as “Where’s the nearest pub?”. It
can also be configured to do pretty much anything that can be done
via a terminal command (and more), so the possibilities are well
beyond what is mentioned in this article.

76 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

Of course, if you just want a really basic app-controlled power point, Of course, you will need other common RPi accessories, such as a
you can use an MQTT app for input to control a wireless power HDMI cable and monitor, keyboard, mouse and power supply. It’s
point, and it won’t even interfere with the normal remote control also recommended to have some plug-socket jumper cables to
operation. For more information on MQTT, revisit the article in Issue emulate the push button on the Google Voice HAT hardware; and an
3 of DIYODE Magazine. LED wired in series with an appropriate resistor, to give feedback on
the status of the voice recogniser program.
HOW IT WORKS
As noted above, the MQTT broker can run on the RPi, but there are
As you might imagine, a very big part of this project is setting up versions available for other operating systems such as Windows and
and configuring the RPi to do the voice recognition. There is an SD even OpenWRT. If you haven’t already got one set up, I would use the
card image, which is designed to work with the Google Voice HAT, RPi option, as it will need to be running for this project to work.
but the hat appears to be hard to obtain. Fortunately, it’s not hard to
replace the hardware with something equivalent; in this case, a USB The Arduino side of things doesn’t require much work. The
sound card connected to a microphone and speakers, as well as an prototyping shield is optional, but I found it meant that everything
LED for troubleshooting. There’s some account setup (you’ll need a slotted together in a compact way, and could easily be pulled apart
Google account to be able to access Google’s services), and finally later for use in other projects. The alternative is to solder some
some further configuring to get our specific commands working. plug-socket jumper leads onto the legs of the 433MHz Transmitter
There’s also an extra step to set up the “OK Google” hotword, if you Module, and plug these into the headers on the WiFi Shield.
wish to use it.
PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS
The MQTT system requires a broker, and this is probably the easiest 1 x Arduino Leonardo Board XC4430 -
part to install. It can actually be installed in just two commands on 1 x ESP8266 WiFi Shield XC4614 -
a RPi, and this is the most obvious place to install it (although you 1 x 433MHz Transmitter Module ZW3100 Z6900
might want to wait until we’ve created our SD card image). 1 x Prototyping Shield (optional) XC4482 Z6260
1 x Wireless Power Point MS6148 -

sudo apt-get update BUILDING THE CIRCUIT

sudo apt-get install mosquitto mosquitto-clients

As the WiFi Shield can plug directly onto the top of the main board,
the only connections that need to be made are soldering some
In addition to this, it is recommended to give the Pi a fixed IP jumper leads to the 433MHz Transmitter Module, or alternatively,
address under your router, so that any apps can easily find it. Look plug 433MHz Transmitter Module and the jumper leads into a
under DHCP setting for DHCP address reservation options. breadboard.

The other piece of our setup is an Arduino running a sketch that is

similar to that in the MQTT Light Switch project; it looks for MQTT 433MHZ
message packets, and then acts upon them. In this case, the LEONARDO TRANSMITTER MODULE
Arduino is connected to a 433MHz transmitter and emulates the 5V VCC
signal from a remote control, which operates a Jaycar MS-6148 GND GND
Wireless Power Point. The code emulates the original product's D3 DATA/DATA In
433MHz commands to the wireless power point, providing us with
electronic-controlled mains power. The beauty of this hardware is
that it takes wireless signal in and sends a different wireless signal
out, and so it could be hidden just about anywhere. The ANT (antenna) connection does not need to connect to anything,
but a short length of insulated wire (about 17cm is ¼ wave at
For the voice recognition section of the build, I used the following 433MHz) should be attached to improve signal transmission. For
parts: the Prototyping Shield version, first solder the 433MHz Transmitter
Module to the Prototyping Shield. ››
PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS
1 x Raspberry Pi 3 XC9000 Z6302B
1 x USB Sound Card XC4953 D0290
1 x 3.5mm Microphone AM4092 C0398
1 x USB Speakers XC5191 D0806A
1 x 16GB Micro SD Card XC4989 D0328

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 77

 PROJECT

The RPi doesn’t need much in the way of mechanical build. The USB
Sound Card is plugged into the one of the RPi’s USB ports, and the
microphone and speakers are plugged into their respective locations
on the USB Sound Card. It will be assumed that you have a keyboard,
mouse and monitor set up to use with the RPi. Once the build is
complete, the keyboard, mouse and monitor can be disconnected
and the entire project can be run headless.

I found it easiest to solder the LED and resistor (I used a blue LED
in series with a 100Ω resistor) to the plug ends of the plug-socket
jumper leads; and instead of a switch, I left the ends exposed, so I
could briefly touch them together to emulate a button push.

›› Next, make the necessary connections between the shield and

module. Note how the green antenna wire is threaded through
the hole in the Prototyping Shield; this helps to stop it flexing and
breaking off.

CODE AND SETUP

Alternatively, this is what it would look like if the connections are The code for the Arduino is similar to that used in the MQTT Light
made directly to the WiFi Shield. Switch project, and setup is similar. The following lines will need to
be configured to match your WiFi network and MQTT broker.

//spec WIFI network and MQTT server

DATA

ANT

#define SSIDNAME “SSIDNAME”

#define SSIDPWD “SSIDPASSWORD”
#define MQTTBROKER “BROKER IP ADDRESS”
#define MQTTPORT “1883”
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
ON ON
D
ESP13 Shield
5V
G
SW1

TX RX G 5V
If you haven’t set up your broker yet, the easiest way is to use the
G
5V
RPi - just enter your RPi’s IP address for the broker. A good idea is
SCL SDA G 5V
ESP13 0 1 2 3
A
to get into your router settings and give it a reserved address under
3V3 G RXO TXO DHCP. This also makes it easier if you need to SSH in, to tweak a
setting while it’s running headless. The MQTTPORT shouldn’t need
3V3 G EN AD D
5V to change as 1883 is the default for most MQTT implementations.
KEY G

RST
You might also want to change the below if you want to use different
topic names and messages. The default topic names are the strings
The shields are then attached to the top of the Leonardo to in the first five “if” statements and the messages are “on” and “off”.
complete assembly of the Arduino side of the project. These correspond to the commands that are run on the RPi, so both
need to be changed to suit your specific customisation.

78 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

int cmd=-99;
//default fail
if(strmatch(topic,”lounge/lamp”)){cmd=0;}
//button A
if(strmatch(topic,”bedroom/lamp”)){cmd=2;}
//button B
if(strmatch(topic,”spare/lamp”)){cmd=4;}
//button C
if(strmatch(topic,”spare/spare”)){cmd=6;}
//button D
if(strmatch(topic,”all/all”)){cmd=8;}
//button ALL
(strmatch(message,”on”)||strmatch(message,”off”))
{
if(strmatch(message,”off”)){cmd++;}
if(cmd>=0){
DEBUG.println(“Action”);
sendrf(packet(address,rfcmds[cmd]));
}
}

The Arduino uses an arbitrary code which is set in this line.

const unsigned long address=0x12340;

//this could be any 20bit value (not all tested)

Create four more switch objects corresponding to the topic names

This code will probably not be the same one as the remote you have, and messages in the Arduino code. If you have the mosquitto
so the Arduino will have to be programmed as a second remote clients installed on a PC or Pi, you can run the following commands
(these units can be paired with up to three remotes). After this, the (substituting the IP address of your broker for 192.168.0.223):
sketch can be compiled and uploaded.

Next, ensure that the wireless power point operates correctly with mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t

the remote control. The wireless power point is in pairing mode for lounge/lamp -m on

the first 30 seconds after it is turned on, so I found it easiest to plug mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t

the wireless power point into a switched power point and toggle the lounge/lamp -m off

power to enter pairing mode. Pressing an “on” button during pairing

mode will cause that button to be paired - you can tell that it works
as the wireless power point will turn on at that time. Replace “lounge/lamp” with the other strings from the Arduino code
to emulate the other buttons. Monitoring the Arduino debug on the
To set up the wireless power point, it is recommended to install an serial monitor can also assist in checking whether everything is
MQTT app or other form of client to be able to issue commands to functioning.
manually trigger the Arduino. If you are using the MQTT Dashboard
app, you will need to set up a broker and then “switch” controls on Once the Arduino side of things is working, we can move on to the
the “publish” tab. RPi. The first step is to download the image from https://dl.google.
com/dl/aiyprojects/voice/aiyprojects-latest.img.xz, and write the
image to a 16GB or greater card using a program like Etcher or
WinDiskImageWriter.

Boot up the RPi with the new card installed, and connect to a WiFi
network with internet access. ››

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 79

 PROJECT

about this, on this website: https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/

voice#users-guide-1-1--connect-to-google-cloud-platform

I found that these instructions didn’t match the web pages I was
viewing, so I did the following:

Open https://console.cloud.google.com/ on the RPi’s browser

(there’s a link to it on the bookmarks bar), and make sure you’re
signed into your Google account. Then create a new project.

›› Click on the icon marked “Start dev terminal”, and run:

sudo leafpad /etc/asound.conf

Replace the contents of asound.conf with the following, then save.

Open the project, and go to APIs and click “Services>Dashboard”.

pcm.mic { Click on “Enable APIs and Services”. Type “assistant” in the search
type dsnoop box and click “Google Assistant API”.
ipc_key 1025
slave {
pcm “hw:1,0”
}
}
pcm.speaker {
type plug
slave {
pcm “hw:1,0”
} Click “Enable” and click “Get Credentials” under “Add credentials to
} your project”.
pcm.duplex {
type asym Select “Other UI” from “Where will you be calling the API from” and
capture.pcm “mic” “User data” from “What data will you be accessing”. Then click
playback.pcm “speaker” “What credentials do I need”.
}
pcm.!default {
type plug
slave.pcm “duplex”
}

This changes the software to use the USB sound card instead of the
non-existent Voice HAT, and also allows the hotword trigger to be
used; it is documented in this thread: https://www.raspberrypi.org/
forums/viewtopic.php?t=183932&p=1167683.

Reboot the RPi and then double-click the “Check audio” and “Check
WiFi” buttons to make sure everything is working so far.

If you haven’t got a Google account, now is a good time to get one
set up. The next step is to set up our Google account to allow the
RPi to access the Google Assistant API. There is some information

80 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

Click “Create client” and enter an arbitrary product name (I used If you get a message like “Actually, there’s some basic settings
“pivoice”), then click “Continue” and download credentials. The that need your permission first”, open Google account settings in a
downloaded file “client_id.json” in /home/pi/downloads should be browser, and click through “Personal Info and Privacy” to “Manage
renamed “assistant.json” and should be moved to the /home/pi your Google activity”. Go to “Activity controls” and turn on “Voice
folder. and Audio Activity” and “Device information”.

By default, hotword activation (“OK Google”) is not installed.

The process for adding this is documented on the RPi
forum at https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.
php?f=114&t=183932#p1164380

It is recommended that this be viewed on a browser on the RPi, so

that all the code can be copied and pasted. Effectively, we add a
hotword.py file to perform this function, and modify main.py to be
able to use hotword.py.

Once the new code is set up, test it using:

Click on “Start dev terminal” and run “src/main.py”, which will start
the voice recogniser. A browser window will open so that you can src/main.py –T hotword

provide authentication, so click “Allow”, and close the browser

window once this has completed.
This is where it helps to have the LED, as you will see it turn solid
on when it has received the trigger correctly. To set the hotword as
default trigger, change the ini file and run the following:

leafpad /home/pi/.config/voice-recognizer.ini

Then change:

#trigger = clap

to:

By default, the voice recogniser is set to trigger from the switch on

the Voice HAT, so make sure that src/main.py is still running in the trigger = hotword

terminal window, and trigger it by touching the GPIO23 wire to the

GND wire. The terminal should indicate that it is listening, so speak
into the microphone. “What day is it?” is something that Google Test this by running src/main.py, and saying “OK Google”. There will
should be able to handle. You can stop the voice recogniser by be a delay of a few seconds before the phrase is recognised, and
pressing ctrl-C. this will be seen on the LED and output on the terminal. If this all
works as expected, then our setup is practically complete.

By default, the voice recogniser is not set to auto-start, as it would

error with the credentials not set up. To start the service, run the
following: ››

sudo systemctl start voice-recognizer

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 81

 PROJECT

›› To enable auto start, run: terminal; but because printed text gets read out by the RPi, it can
also be used for audio feedback. The IP address, topic names and
messages should of course, be changed to match your setup.
sudo systemctl enable voice-recognizer

At this point, you should be able to restart the voice recogniser

service and give voice commands to your power points.
If you make changes to the code (which we will be doing shortly, to
add our commands to interface the MQTT broker), you can also run: WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Once the Google Assistant API is up and running, it can do much

sudo systemctl stop voice-recognizer more that just control the lights. It has many of the features of a
Google Home device, so you can try asking it things like “How’s the
weather?” and “Where’s the nearest restaurant?”. But that's not
Do this before making changes, and then run the above start really what you set this up on a Raspberry Pi to do is it?
command afterwards, to restart the service.
The src/main.py and src/action.py files are well commented with
To add manual commands, we need a trigger sentence, and a tips about how to add actions directly to the Python code, so if
command to execute. It’s a good idea to test the trigger sentence you are comfortable with Python, this is another place to add
while you have the voice recogniser running manually, as you can functionality.
see what it thinks is being said. To add a set of commands to match
what our Arduino is looking for, edit the “action.py” file leafpad/ It's worth noting too, that we have integrated MQTT here, and are
home/pi/voice-recognizer-raspi/src/action.py and place the new using Raspberry Pi as well as an Arduino system to provide all the
commands in this section, just before the “return actor” line. functionality. By having MQTT in the middle, we can effectively
control the system using our familiar MQTT app and process. This
is valuable in many ways, but also creates the requirement for
    # ========================================= additional hardware which, perhaps you don't want to use.
    # Makers! Add your own voice commands here.
    # ========================================= If you aren’t interested in hooking up an MQTT broker and an
Return actor Arduino, then you probably want to be able to control the GPIO
on the RPi directly. This process would be faster, and require less
hardware. Of course, there's no redundancy with a backup / remote
The code we have inserted into this space is shown at the bottom of app, unless you create that directly on the Raspberry Pi also.
this page [1].
To use the Raspberry Pi GPIO and instantly interface into the real
Looking at the first line, the “lounge lights on” is the phrase that world, you'll need to make a few changes to the action.py file. If
the recogniser is looking for, and the part in double quotes is you're solely an Arduino fan and aren't too familiar with Python,
the command that is run on the terminal. This actually runs two it's not too difficult to see the differences in convention and figure
commands: the first part “mosquitto_pub…” is the MQTT message, it out. As for any other alterations, remember to stop the voice
and the second part “echo ok” is simply text printed out to the recogniser before making changes.

1
actor.add_keyword(_(‘lounge light on’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t lounge/lamp -m on && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))
actor.add_keyword(_(‘lounge light off’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t lounge/lamp -m off && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))
actor.add_keyword(_(‘bedroom light on’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t bedroom/lamp -m on && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))
actor.add_keyword(_(‘bedroom light off’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t bedroom/lamp -m off && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))
actor.add_keyword(_(‘spare light on’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t spare/lamp -m on && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))
actor.add_keyword(_(‘spare light off’),SpeakShellCommandOutput(say,
“mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.0.223 -t spare/lamp -m off && echo ok”,_(“fail”)))

82 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 PROJECT

Add the following line to rest of the imports at the start of the file:

How Accurate Is A
Voice Command?
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

Just above the section marked “Makers! Implement your own One of the cool things about modern voice command
actions here”, put this code: technology is that it leverages deep learning and continuously
improves accuracy thanks to machine learning.

class SetPinOn(object): Traditionally, software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking,

def __init__(self,say): which aimed to get us off the keyboards and on to the
self.say = say microphones, used self-contained voice data. It's efficient
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) and effective, and they really carved out a niche (though
GPIO.setup(24, GPIO.OUT) arguably, was aimed at users before the large majority of us
def run(self, voice_command): spent a day in front of the keyboard and many of us could
GPIO.output(24,GPIO.HIGH) type better than we could write with a pen).
self.say(voice_command)
class SetPinOff(object): Where this type of voice pattern recognition falls down
def __init__(self,say): however, is its ability to detect voice patterns when you
self.say = say change users. If you use something like Dragon Naturally
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) Speaking daily, it will become increasingly accurate to your
GPIO.setup(24, GPIO.OUT) own voice. If you then hand the microphone to a colleague
def run(self, voice_command): however, it will instantly lose substantial accuracy.
GPIO.output(24,GPIO.LOW)
self.say(voice_command) Of course, even the Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, and others,
can be tripped up rapidly with a unique accent. But they
learn, and learn fast. Once it's learnt, everyone benefits from
And finally, inside the “make actor” function (with the other lines we the development.
added earlier), add these lines:
Soon, these assistants will have better conversational
artificial intelligence, and it will be able to decipher implied
actor.add_keyword(_(‘on’),SetPinOn(say)) speech, sarcasm, and other nuances which usually fall short.
actor.add_keyword(_(‘off’),SetPinOff(say)) The way we interact with these systems will become more
natural, relaxed, and conversational. Even those of us who
use them daily, tend to talk to them like robots.
Then restart the voice recogniser, and use the keywords “on” and
“off” to turn GPIO 24 on and off. It’s a bit more involved, but it is also
possible to set pins as inputs and read back their state. ■

WANT MORE?
Hey Siri! CALL-JOHN-SMITH.
For additonal code, or to discuss this project, visit:
https://diyode.io/004swnw "Calling Jack Quiff Mobile"...

We've all been there... but this is just the beginning of what's
to come. Soon, we'll be able to have a conversation with a
virtual assistant as casually as we would with a mate in a bar.
Reading & Resources:
Background noise, slurred speech, random queries, will all be
► MQTT mqtt.org seamlessly handled by the virtual assistant, with the accuracy
► GOOGLE AIY aiyprojects.withgoogle.com (or probably better) of a human. That's exciting, and it's right
around the corner.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 83

 FEATURE

POWER
OF THREE
TOM BISKUPIC
Sydney-based maker and enthusiast, PKI Other than your need for a power supply (and who doesn’t need
software developer. a good power supply?), what led you to embark on this project -
@tom_biskupic instead of just buying one!

I recently took up electronics as a hobby and I was using a simple

Creating your own bench power supply is no small Jaycar single channel power supply for my experiments. But one day
task, let alone a three-channel, touch-screen I needed a bipolar supply for an opamp circuit and realised I needed
controlled unit! With three fully independent something more powerful.
channels, voltage adjustment from 0 to 30V, and up to
4.6A available, per channel! It's super steady and we I actually studied computer engineering many years ago, but I
we wanted to know more! ended up bailing out. Since then I’ve been working as a software
developer. So while I am not totally new to this, I am still very much
an apprentice.

Tom was looking at expensive commercial power supplies, until he I’ve always enjoyed playing with electronics, having grown up
realised he could probably make his own, and learn a stack of new hacking on Commodore 64s and the Commodore Amiga. A few
information in the process! With a Raspberry Pi (RPi) at heart, and a years ago my son started playing with quadcopters and 3D printing,
touch-screen for an amazing user-experience, we wanted to know and I really wanted to learn more. I started watching Dave Jones on
more about Tom’s amazing creation. EEVBlog and things just took off again from there!

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 FEATURE

In addition to multiple channels, I also wanted a bit more current The downside of using the RPi is that it is a bit slow to boot, and you
than the 3A my Jaycar supply could provide. I also found that have to shut it down properly. The latter point led to the need for a
although the Jaycar supply is very dependable, it’s not very quick standby supply and a soft-power switch, but it worked out okay in
and takes quite some time to respond to load transients and the the end.
like. I looked at the Rigol DP832, but since the whole point was
to reboot my electronic knowledge, I thought I would have a go at Now there’s a valid point - we never really considered boot up/shut
making one! As it is a one-off I had a pretty free hand in terms of down when using Raspberry Pi for something like this. Nevertheless
budget and I didn’t care about physical size. Basically I wanted a it’s a great basis for control. A touchscreen is a great interface. Was
really quiet linear supply with very high accuracy. Being a smart and that an easy decision?
networked device seemed important too, because I had lots of ideas
where being able to control the supply and coordinate it with other I wanted to use an LCD user interface from the beginning, but to
devices would be useful. begin with I had other plans for input. My son told me about this
flexible 3D printing filament and so my plan was to experiment with
Making the project open source seemed important. I wasn’t sure printing my own keyboard membranes.
(probably am still not sure!) if it is something someone would want
to copy, but if anybody did want to use my design then I felt it was Using a touchscreen however, means the user interface is totally
important they could understand it fully. I love old Keysight and flexible. For example, halfway through the project I reoriented the
Tektronix equipment where you can get full schematics and even user interface from a vertical layout to a horizontal one, as I didn’t
detailed descriptions of the circuit operation. It means you can really have enough space below the screen for the binding posts.
understand the limitations of your equipment.
The cost of the display is a factor but I bought the parts over time
We love Dave and the EEVBlog channels too. There are many so it didn’t matter too much to me. Also compared with what a
choices when you have a combination of a microcontroller and comparable commercial supply would have cost, I felt it wasn’t that
analogue circuitry - what made you settle on the Raspberry Pi? much; but maybe I have more pocket money than some!

To be honest I didn’t consider other Linux-based SBCs too much, I probably should have implemented a dial to adjust voltages/
as I was familiar with the Raspberry Pi (RPi) and quite liked the RPi current; I still might. I also thought about adding a virtual dial on the
community. display - I’ve found a Kivy widget for doing this.

The RPi was attractive for a few reasons, but initially I was thinking I probably didn’t need a display quite so big. I had (have) plans for
I could easily get networking and the ability to store data on USB for more graphic capabilities, and so the big screen was chosen with
free. I also thought I could build a user-interface toolkit targeted at that in mind.
electronic instruments. I thought it might be an interesting platform
to build other test equipment. For example, I thought of building a A PSU with live voltage and current statistics on the display? We
home-brew arbitrary function generator or perhaps an electronic load. could get behind that! What made you decide on three independent
channels?
In the end I found the Kivy Pi toolkit (https://kivy.org), and it
provided loads of useful tools. I didn’t feel the need to build a toolkit I originally planned to have two channels only, but when I was
but it might still be worth it. I’d need to do another project I think to working though details of the box and heatsinks, I found I could do
really understand what could be generalised. three. Having the analogue circuitry on separate boards makes this
relatively easy.
Just being able to program the GUI logic in Python is very nice. You
can do anything in Python. I work in Java and C++ during my day Three channels gives me the ability to configure a bipolar supply
job, but for small things you can’t go past Python. (so for example +/- 15V for some analogue circuitry), and then I still
have an additional channel for a digital supply. Also I can connect
Using USB to connect between the channels and the front-end made them in series to generate higher voltages.
life really easy. Each channel has an Atmel ATMEGA328PU that runs
the show. I used a MCP2200 USB to serial chip to interconnect I do like repairing old equipment and having three (or four if I use
these, as it is well supported by the Pi. Also using USB meant that my old supply) independent channels, as it means I can bypass the
during development I could connect the channel control boards to power supply in a piece of broken equipment and run the unit from
my computer, and just type commands at them to make them go. the lab supply for troubleshooting.
The USB hardware on each channel however, is isolated from the
rest of the channel circuitry. The Pi powers the MCP chip, and then Having the 1mA/1mV resolution gives you some interesting
the serial signals from the MCP are passed through an isolator chip capabilities also. For example it’s a neat way to measure an LED
before they go to the MCU on the channel. voltage drop, as you can set the current limit to the current you ››

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 FEATURE

›› want the LED to consume, and then you can read off the voltage. switch off the current to the bulk capacitor once it reaches a target
So to enable a limit of 20mA, and then set the voltage to say 8V, you voltage. I initially tried using Jim William’s design from AN-32,
can just read off the forward voltage drop at 20mA from the supply. which uses an SCR to delay the turn-on time at each mains cycle.
This generated a current surge as it switches at the part of the cycle
Lately I’ve been thinking about upgrading the software to implement where the current is highest. By switching off when the capacitors
a sort of curve-tracer type feature (a poor man’s SMU), where I can reach the target voltage, it is switching at the lowest current flow.
use one channel to sweep the bias voltage on the gate of a MOSFET The pre-regulator is based on a design I saw on the EEVBlog (put
(for example), while using the other channel to provide and measure up by a guy who goes by “Black Dog” and hence it became known
current through the source/drain. I can imagine other configurations as the “BlackDog Pre-regulator” although I think he shared it from
where three channels would be useful also. some other place initially).

The RPi software is pretty rudimentary right now, and I plan to add I’ve tried to measure the output noise, and all I can say is that with
more features. my measuring equipment it appears to be less than 1mV RMS. The
supply can provide 0V to 15V at 4.6A and 15V to 30V at up to 3A.
As long as it’s stable and providing good functionality, the bells It’s pretty cool being able to set the output to 10mV to play with
and whistles can come later! Does each channel have the same some devices.
capabilities?
Towards the end of the development I splurged on a bench digital
Yes the channels are all symmetrical; they are built on identical multimeter (DMM), capable of being driven from Ethernet. The
boards. You could probably reduce the size/weight/cost by using supply has a feature where you can connect the outputs to the DMM
smaller transformers for one channel and adjusting the software and put it in a calibration mode where it talks to the DMM directly.
current limits, but for me it was easy enough to make them all the The supply reads back the voltage while it steps the DACs through a
same. series of voltages. The supply then saves this data to NVRAM on the
power supply channel as calibration data. Pretty neat!
Awesome - that definitely provides great versatility. Tell us about
any special features of this power supply that may not be evident? ◄ LEFT
Tom's custom PCB.
The first thing is that the supply is very high precision. It
uses an AD780 voltage reference, which is very stable. Self-calibration (in
It uses 16 bit analogue devices ADCs and DACs, so I effect) is a great thing
can set the voltage and current to within 1mV or 1mA, to have; we’re a little
or read back the output voltage and current flow to the jealous right now! Did
same accuracy. I spent some money and bought Vishay your analogue board
4 terminal shunt resistors to measure the output current, take much revision, or
and I use fancy low-offset voltage opamps (LT2050HV) in did you nail it first-go?
the current measurement circuit. Also there are four wires
from the analogue board to the terminals, and there is a I haven’t done much board design so this was
differential voltage amplifier to measure the voltage at the definitely a learning experience! I started in the free
terminals, which eliminates voltage drops in the internal wiring. Altium Circuit Maker when it was in Beta. I really wasn’t having
much fun there and so switched to KiCAD. I love that KiCAD runs on
The voltage control loop is pretty quick. Keysight usually specify a my Mac and on my Linux computer. Last time I used anything like
settling time of 60 microseconds from a 50% change in load. I have this it was called Protel. I quite enjoyed getting the hang of KiCAD
measured less than 20 microseconds of settling time when the load overall.
switches from zero to full load.
So in the layout I have a digital section where I use a ground plane
It is a linear supply so the design has to manage heat. The design pour to reduce noise. In the analogue section, the grounding is
uses a MOSFET as the pass element, to reduce the required voltage more important so I run ground traces more deliberately. I wasn’t
drop. It also uses a pre-regulator to manage the voltage on the sure what size traces to use for the current requirements and so
pass transistors and thus, to reduce heat losses. Transformer tap have probably overdone this. It does make layout pretty hard when
switching is used when switching voltage ranges, although this is they’re big. The power devices had to be at the back to get to the
more about increasing the current output at lower voltages. heatsink, and with the outputs at the front, I needed strong current
paths between the power devices and the outputs. The digital had
The supply is designed to be very low noise on the output. Rather to be separate from everything else.
than using a switching pre-regulator, the design uses MOSFETs to

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 FEATURE

Mounted into a solid case, the analogue

electronics are duplicated for each of the channels.

I did two revisions of the channel board - so many things went The analogue circuitry runs off 44V in 30V mode, and 28V in 15V
wrong! I stuffed up the footprint of the MCP2200 chip; it was a wide mode (transformer taps). The relay runs off 24V so I had an LM317
SSOP where I used a standard. One of the small SOT-3 transistors that provided this. I underestimated the heat this would generate
had the wrong pin ordering, so I had to bodge in a through hole for and used a surface mount LM317 in the first revision. In the second
testing. And I forgot the diode across the relay, so it would reset revision I used a TO-220 on the heatsink.
the whole board when it switched transformer taps! Another rooky
mistake was my footprint for the MOVs (they ensure the output I was using Welwyn wire current shunt resistors to measure the
never goes above 250V) and the PTC (to limit the current in case of output current. But I found a problem in that they would significantly
failure) were backwards. They are asymmetric (point-symmetrical) drift as they warmed up. I was surprised by this, as their datasheet
but I misunderstood the datasheet, so the layout would actually says they have a low tempco. I figured out later it was the thermo-
have been correct if I’d soldered them onto the bottom of the board! electric effect and it was voltage drop on the solder joints. They
I also didn’t implement the reset circuit correctly either, so some would have been fine at higher currents, but 1mA equated to 10uV
of the SPI hardware didn’t get reset. In hindsight, I am amazed this at the shunt and I was seeing 25uV of drift. This totally blew my
worked! But the fault would cause programming of the micro to fail accuracy budget.
occasionally.
In the second revision I figured out the box layout more, and
The biggest problem however, was getting the grounding right. The changed the board from having a narrow edge on the heatsink to
current shunt really has to be the ground for everything to work having the long edge on the heatsink. This reduced the lengths of
correctly, and for the output to be accurate. Small resistances in high-current tracks, and kept things together more. I also got a bit
the ground traces cause significant errors. The second revision better at the layout process, so the board came out more densely
improved this, but I still don’t think I nailed it. The first version would laid out. ››
wander by a few mV as the load increased.

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 FEATURE

Clear touch-screen provides a fantastic UI.

›› Some valuable lessons in there, but an amazing effort for I originally designed the supply to provide sense terminals as well
someone without much board design experience. If you had as output terminals. The problem was I just couldn’t make this
your time again, starting from version 1.0 - what would you do stable if the leads were even 30cm long. Getting this to work would
differently? be a great feature, especially when coupled with the supply’s high
accuracy.
The biggest issue is that the UI is far too slow. I use a text protocol
between the Pi and the channels and I think I need to slim this Some great upgrades to tackle in the future. At least with the Pi
down a bit. I will probably fix this soon. This is also why I’ve not yet your software upgrades can be trialled in-place. What is the next
implemented an encoder or virtual dial - it would be too confusing amazing project you’re working on?
right now.
Alas, work has me pretty occupied at the moment! But I’m slowly
I’m also having problems with the brown-out detection on the working through the restoration of a Phillips 115B valve radio from
micro-controllers inside the power supply channels, which randomly the 1940s for a friend. Valves are quite fascinating, although the
screws up the calibration. I think it would be better to have the Pi circuitry terrifies me! Tag strip construction with 300V! I think it is
store this data, and poke it into the channels at start-up. pretty amazing that they can make a superhetrodyne receiver with
just four or five valves.
I think if I were designing the channels again from scratch, I would
change the voltage regulator design. Using an N channel MOSFET I have a long list of things I’d like to learn about next, including some
as the pass element means the gate voltage must be a few volts RF circuit design.
above the output. This then means the analogue circuitry and the
gate needs to run at this higher voltage, and so the opamps are all Well it sounds like we’ll be seeing some great projects from you in
40V parts. This limited my choice of parts and made things more the future. Congratulations on your power supply, and thanks for
complicated. sharing it with us. ■

If I was doing this again I would also use a floating bipolar supply WANT MORE?
for the analogue control circuitry, and make the positive output For the circuit diagrams and code files,
the ground for the control. This way the control circuit rides on the or to discuss this feature, visit:
output voltage, and never needs to be more than a few volts above https://diyode.io/004xpbk
“ground”.

88 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

MADE
THE
THING?
Now Show it Off!
Each and every month we shine a spotlight on impressive
projects from the electronics and maker community.
We’ve already seen amazing projects like Thomas’s Pi
Powered Sprinkler and FRED the Tracked Robot from
Royce in Issue 1, Liam's Toy Piano Conversion in issue 2,
and Greg’s Ultra-Accurate Voltage Reference in issue 3,
just to mention a few.

Awesome ideas inspire others, so make all those late

nights developing your project count even more. Not
only will you get a buzz out of seeing your creation in
print for the world to see, you’ll know that you’ll probably
encourage other readers to get hands on to start or
finish their own project.

To show us what you’ve built, simply send us a few

details along with some image of your project, and we’ll
get in touch if we have a place for it in a future issue.

Featured builds are also in the running for the $250 prize
for Editor's Favourite - we'll pick one each issue!

SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT:

diyode.io/004submit
 PROJECT

Part 2:
SAM v1.1
Upgraded Senses
In Issue 3 we built a basic obstacle-avoidance robot named SAM (Somewhat
Autonomous Machine). This month we’ll continue this project to give him
some more intelligence and a lot more personality. - by Oliver Higgins

SAM’s original brief was to build a basic autonomous robot that

could sense an obstacle, react and then continue on its way. SAM
achieved this objective, but we now have a new brief; be more
aware of its surroundings and add some more functionality.

In last issue, we did solve the problem of basic obstacle avoidance,

the resulting solution was quite abrupt. He would sense something
and make an immediate retreat before turning around. This got us
off the ground and used some simple code to achieve the desired
result; however, there were some obvious issues. While he never hit
anything (OK, almost never), the avoidance was very crude; we need
to design a much better way for SAM to side-step an object and not
lose his momentum. ››

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diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 91

 PROJECT

›› HOW IT WORKS a side-step arc around the object. If it does not detect anything, it
checks the right-hand sensor, repeating the while loop if required,
ULTRASONICS before looping back to the first statement. Each while loop is
governed by the distance to the object, so while ever the ultrasonic
One of the main issues we faced after SAM’s inception was that sensor in question finds an object too close, it will continue to make
while he worked very well at undertaking his mission, he was not adjustments.
particularly smart when it came to driving. The only input was a very
simple question: “is there something in front of me and how close
is it?” And his response was “if it’s close enough, then I’m going to while (pingLeftSonar() <=

turn and run in a different direction”. objectDistanceLeft) {

Serial.print(“L:”);Serial.

The two issues SAM faces is that he does not always drive println(pingLeftSonar());

particularly straight, nor is he aware of his surroundings. We can slowLeft();

combat this in a number of ways: if we were using him outdoors we }

could implement a GPS unit that will provide a constant heading, while (pingRightSonar() <=

allowing SAM to use his ultrasonic sensor to avoid things in front objectDistanceRight) {

of him; or we could use a magnetometer to give us a heading to Serial.print(“R:”);Serial.

follow, but the magnetic interference from the motors can cause println(pingRightSonar());

inconsistent readings. Alternatively, we could add a pan motor and slowRight();

allow him to move the ultrasonic scanner from side to side, although }

this would be quite complex to engineer and code.

A simple and cost effective solution is to add two more ultrasonic The above code calls the pingLeftSonar() during each while loop.
sensors. We will set this up as a polled operation, and it will The function returns the current distance that the ultrasonic sensor
continue to scan the surrounding environment to see if there are any is reading. If it is less or equal to the defined distance variable, we
objects nearby. call the slowLeft function, which will slow the motors and cause
SAM to make a side-step or turn. The slowLeft function (below)
30° V 45° V 90° is identical to the forward function with the exception of the
analogWrite (ENA, motorSpeed) line. In this line, we have used a
This revision has placed two additional ultra sonic transducers on simple multiple to slow the motor down – 0.25 will reduce the motor
SAM’s sides, to enable him to see what is to each side of him, and to 25% of the motorSpeed variable.
to allow him to side-step objects rather than stop, back up and turn
around. We tested 30, 45 and 90-degree angles and found that the The other addition to all of these functions is the printByte function,
45 seemed to give the best compromise. Be mindful that to detect which we will discuss next. This is repeated for slowRight function,
an object it needs to be parallel to the ultra sonic sensor to reflect but the multiplier is added to the analogWrite (ENB), thus slowing
the sound waves back. We have included some variables that can be the alternate motor pair on the chassis.
changed to help refine this process.

CONTROL LOGIC //slow Left

void slowLeft() {

SAM’s original logic tree was simple: if an object gets with 20cm printByte(hmmmL);

then stop, wait, back up, wait, turn, wait, then go forward. While Serial.println(“SL”);

this met the brief, it is fairly simple in its logic. The new brief we digitalWrite(IN1, HIGH); // Turn HIGH motor

received was to make him avoid objects by navigating around A

them. The logic remains the same for the obstacle avoidance, with digitalWrite(IN2, LOW);

his front facing sensor, but we have the addition of the two extra analogWrite(ENA, motorSpeed * 0.25);

sensors. Using these we scan each side individually and react based digitalWrite(IN3, HIGH); // turn HIGH motor

upon an obstacle being present outside of the range of the main B

sensor. We then use this information to slow one set of the motors digitalWrite(IN4, LOW);

on the chassis enabling the turn. This is achieved in a very simple analogWrite(ENB, motorSpeed);

way. The main loop now has three conditions: the first is a simple }

“if” statement for the object in front, which triggers the stop and
reverse. The next condition is a while loop. This loop checks the
left-hand sensor, and if anything is within the set range, then the
right-hand pair of wheels are slowed down to 25%, thus instigating

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 PROJECT

LED MATRIX

To add in a bit more personality, we have added an 8x8 LED

START
matrix array, which gives SAM an injection of personality. We have
programmed him with a series of expressions – happy, sad, annoyed
and indifferent, and each expression is triggered in the various drive
functions. So when he is moving forward, we call the happy icon.
The matrix can be thought of as a grid of LEDs. Now if we were to
connect all of them directly to the Uno it would take up 64 I/O lines,
SOMETHING
which is more than the Uno has available! However, in this case, the
IN FRONT? NO
matrix also contains a matrix driver. The MAX7219 (part of the 72XX
series) is a serial interfaced, eight-digit encoder. This makes the YES
setup and execution of 8x8 icons easy.

COLUMN
STOP SOMETHING SLOW RIGHT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LEFT?

YES
1

BACK UP
NO
2

3 STOP
SOMETHING SLOW LEFT
4 RIGHT?
ROW

TURN YES
5
NO

7
To send this to the matrix-encoding chip we send it one byte at a
time, and each time we index the row that we want it to be. To do
this, we use a simple for loop, and loop through it eight times, since
8
as we have eight rows.

5 = 0 x 81 = 10000001
6= 0x42 = 010000010
7= 0x32 = 00111100
void printByte(byte character [])
{

The LED matrix can be thought of as a series of eight rows of 8 int i = 0;

LEDs. We feed the data to the matrix one byte at a time. Each byte for (i = 0; i < 8; i++)

represents 8 bits, each one being an LED on or off. {

lc.setRow(0, i, character[i]);

To declare our icons or emotions, we use an array of 8 bytes, }

where each byte contains 8 bits. Each byte here is represented by }

a hexadecimal (base 16) value. If you converted them to a decimal

(base 10), you would get a normal number, but if you convert them
to base 2 or binary, then you will get a series of bits. Each one of If you wish to make your icons or patterns check out this generator
these bytes represents a row in the matrix. The first four rows are web app project at https://github.com/bernhard-hofmann/
blank, the fifth row contains the first byte of data that will change LedByteGenerator ››
the state of the LED row.

byte grin[8] = {0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x81,

0x42, 0x3c, 0x0 };
0x81 = 10000001

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 93

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LEFT FWD RIGHT

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›› THE BUILD

ORIGINAL SAM PARTS LIST FROM ISSUE #3: Please extract and place in the libraries folder of your Arduino IDE
installation.
PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS
1 x Arduino UNO XC4410 Z6240 In setting SAM up, you may need to fine tune the sensitivity settings.
1 x Ultrasonic Module XC4442 Z6322 You can do this by adjusting the three object distance variables.
1 x L298n Motor Control Module XC4492 Z6343 These are integers and are representative of centimetres. SAM
1 x Chassis & Motor Kit KR3162 K1092 V1 had the objectDistance variable set at 20cm. In testing we
1 x 8AA Battery Holder PH9209 S5034 found that the longer distance would prevent the side sensor from
8 x AA Batteries SB2333 S4955B triggering so, we have set the defaults at 15cm for the front and
30cm for the side pods. This should mean that any object off to
PARTS LIST FOR V1.1: the left or right should trigger the function to make him side-step
the object before the main sensor causes him to halt. This is very
ADDITIONAL PARTS REQUIRED: JAYCAR ALTRONICS dependent on the range and angle of the object itself.
2 x Ultrasonic Modules XC4442 Z6322
1 x 8x8 LED Matrix Module XC4499 Z6362
// defines variables
1 x Updated 3D Printed Caddy - -
long duration;

BUILDING THE CIRCUIT int objectDistance = 15; //distance in cm

int objectDistanceRight = 30; // distance in cm

If you have already built the first version of SAM, then the hook up int objectDistanceLeft = 30; // distance in cm

is quite simple. We have two additional ultrasonic sensors to add to int motorSpeed = 128; // 0-255

the chassis, in addition to the 8x8 LED matrix.

As the unit is based on the UNO R3, we will be very close to having Note: make sure the batteries are fresh. Low batteries may result in
every GPIO pin used by the end of this project. As such we have false signals with the ultrasonic sensors.
run out of GND and 5V pinouts. A simple solution is to use a small
breadboard which has power rails to expand the connection points WHERE TO FROM HERE?
available.
We are starting to reach the physical limits of the Arduino Uno,
The chassis has been modified to allow the additional pair of with only three GPIO pins left to use. We will address this in the
Ultrasonic sensors and have them set off at a 45° angle relative to next iteration. However, the software provided with SAM is quite
the main sensor. We have also raised the main sensor up high to simple. Currently, the code is very block-driven; it checks a sensor
allow for the LED matrix underneath. Please note that due to the and immediately implements a function. This means that it will
addition of the extra ultrasonics and the angle they sit on, it is now always favour an object on the left before it evaluates an object to
very difficult to program the Arduino Uno while it is attached to the right. A more intelligent way to address this would be to get the
the chassis (the USB port is obscured). For this reason, make sure data from all three sensors and evaluate them based on values and
you have the jumper on the motherboard off, and program the UNO tests before implementing an action for avoidance. What if there is
before you attach it. The LED matrix is a very snug fit if you are using an object left and right? SAM could evaluate the distance and adjust
the module. Due to the encoder IC, you will find the unit just goes the speed multiplier on the fly, to create smaller movements and
past flush on the print. You may find bending the input pins will also keep on track. ■
help to ensure clearance. The two additional ultrasonic sensors are
much easier to work with if you place them upside down, and they WANT MORE?
will work just as effectively in either orientation. For additional media, code files and 3D modelling,
or to discuss this project, visit:
THE CODE / SETUP / OTHER https://diyode.io/004kmyy

SAM includes the addition of three new functions: 1) to deliver our

emotions to SAM’s LED matrix; and 2) to change the motors speed
to allow them to side-step any objects. To facilitate the LED matrix,
we need to include a new library that is specifically designed to
work with the MAX7219 and MAX7221 (https://github.com/wayoda/
LedControl). This has been included in the download package.

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 95

 WHAT THE TECH

GOOGLE VOICE
ASSISTANT
WITH RASPBERRY PI
It's no longer strange to talk to
your computer... - by Rob Bell

As a kid growing up, I was fascinated by the potential for voice exceptionally well. Whether it’s a Google, Apple, or Amazon product,
control. In fact, even VOX (voice operated relay) CB radios had me voice commanded technology is improving every day. With the
intrigued. Such a simple thing captivated my imagination from a inclusion of machine learning, we’re going to continue to see
young age. improvements at a rapid pace, while the voice command blooper
reel will continue to shrink.
In the 90s I was fortunate enough to get to experiment with what
was rather advanced software for its time. Not only could it translate HOW CAN YOU LEVERAGE VOICE CONTROL?
speech to text (which seemed amazing in itself), but it could
open and close applications, and control the operating system in Google has long provided API access to some of their greatest
some amazing ways. Of course, back in the day, it was shareware, technologies, which is fantastic. They develop ideas with billions of
probably on CD (I think we’d progressed past floppy drives, but not dollars of backing, that we could rarely dream of achieving on our
as far as CD burners). Out of curiosity I recently ran a Google search own; rather than making the system proprietary and hiding it behind
for INCUBE, and it returned a few parts of the internet that needed an expensive corporate fee,
dust blown off them! But I digress...
Sure, just as INCUBE did in the 90s, it is indeed possible to create
Back in those early days of the internet, multimedia was an a useful, voice recognition system that’s self-contained. Though if I
emerging buzzword. But there were a few serious limitations: recall correctly, INCUBE required configuration of voice files to get
RAM was counted in the kilobytes, soundcards had limited quality, things running, so it could learn your tone of voice. I don’t think it
computers had clock speeds in megahertz - the technology was required individual voice commands to be recorded for every single
really letting the concept down. It was ahead of its time, and for action, but there was a reasonable level of setup (it was cutting-
many years voice technology stayed on the fringe. edge at the time though, let’s not forget that).

Now, we know how clear and accurate voice commands can This is where the Google Assistant SDK comes in. You can leverage it
be. Sure, we could create a feature film around what Siri on just about any piece of hardware capable of running Python with
doesn’t understand, but the reality is that this technology works fantastic speed and accuracy.

96 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com

 WHAT THE TECH

GOOGLE ASSISTANT WITH RASPBERRY PI While it’s unlikely to yield anything substantial (it’s a computer,
remember), it’s fun to hear two machines talking to each other, even
Where hardware-interfacing computers gain a huge advantage, if for a brief period and about nothing in particular.
it’s clearly the GPIO. Raspberry pi is a logical choice for a Google
assistant project, but in reality you can use any board you like What would be more interesting to investigate however, is creating a
which can run Python. As long as you have WiFi access to your pi, set of environment sensors and conditions which create a platform
you could create a voice-commanded robot to follow your every of discussion for these two sensorless devices. Providing them with
command. real world input about the current temperature and humidity, could
we then spark a conversation about the weather?
If you’re really game though, all you need is internet access, so it is
possible to use a 3G module or similar if you need access outside Of course, we can add real questions and answers, and follow-up
of a WiFi network. The data demands are reasonably low so you’re questions as part of the Google SDK; coding a false-intelligence into
not going to blow through your data any faster than a few cat videos them is achieved rather easily. But this isn’t really the point, and
and LOLs will! represents no artificial intelligence outside of the precise speech
patterns themselves.
But let’s just consider what ramifications this has for hardware.
You can effectively voice control ANYTHING. Lights on? Sure. Door WHERE IT’S HEADED
open? Definitely. Turn on the TV? You bet. Of course, the applications
need to be ones that aren’t critical or where safeguards need to As the technology improves and continues to evolve, it’s likely
be employed. For example, if the voice assistant mishears you that we’ll see more comfort and social acceptance around voice-
and suddenly your robot is running away forever, it’s probably commanding computers. Even though it’s more commonplace now,
not running so fast that you can’t catch it. There are loads of talking to your phone when there’s not an actual human on the other
creative ways to use it, where failure of the system won’t have any side of the conversation can still feel a little awkward when there
catastrophic implications. are others around. Saying “hi mate, how are you?” is still far more
socially acceptable than “OK Google, what’s the weather like where
CREATING COOL STUFF I’m going?”.

We have our first project this month using the Google Assistant. This paradigm of machine-response to speech is becoming
It integrates MQTT protocol, so you can remotely control anything ubiquitous to machine interactions however. So commonplace, that
you could action with the MQTT system. However next month we’ll within a few years you can probably “tell” the parking meter that you
look at some more simple voice-command functionality that you need to pay for parking, and it’ll know who you are from your speech
can get started with, in order to play around with the functionality. patterns.
Even from an experimentation process, simple functionality such as
turning an LED on or off, playing music via the raspberry pi’s audio There’s no telling when the general social attitude to talking aloud
output, and many other simple projects take on a whole new life to your devices will be come as universally accepted as talking to
when voice commands are added. another human via your phone, but I’d suggest that we’re closer
than you think. Until then though, go ahead and create a raspberry
WHAT ABOUT THE MIC? pi virtual assistant, and have a play with the system. It’s easier than
you think, and loads of fun! ■
Those of you familiar with the Raspberry Pi will know it doesn’t have
a hardware-level native microphone input. This doesn’t present GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
much of a problem however. USB sound cards are an easy go- To discuss this edition of What The Tech, visit:
to option. You can also use a USB webcam you might have lying https://diyode.io/004vscx
around, which often has an audio input. Google Assistant won’t
access the camera portion, but it provides a USB audio input for
your Raspberry Pi - problem solved.

GETTING WILD Reading & Resources:

You know what I would really like to do? Create two virtual assistants ► GOOGLE AIY PROJECT
and initiate a conversation between them. Even if we have a little https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/voice/
code to help them out with particular questions and answers. ► GOOGLE ASSISTANT SDK
https://developers.google.com/assistant/sdk/
Why? I think a more appropriate answer is “why not?”

diyodemag.com Issue 004 October 2017 97

THE ADVENTURES OF CIRCUIT MODD
I NEVER KNOW
WHAT TO WEAR
I'LL THINK OF
SOMETHING ...

HALLOWEEN?!

MODDD! YOU'RE
GETTING OLD ...
YOU'RE
OBSOLE
TE!
MODDD!

OBSOLETE?

I'VE GOT IT!

SWEET
RETRO!

HEY OL'
TIMER!

98 Issue 004 October 2017 diyodemag.com