Silicon Chip January 2015

The updated Micromite MKII has arrived, with huge improvements over the previous version. The Micromite is a small 28-pin or 44-pin microcontroller running a powerful BASIC interpreter, which allows programs to be written quickly and uploaded easily to the microcontroller. The Micromite MKII, features up to 300% more program memory and the programs can run up to 40% faster at the same CPU speed compared to the previous Micromite. A full SELECT..CASE command has been introduced together with the possibility of incorporating Compiled C or assembly programs within the BASIC program. 64-bit integer arithmetic can now be performed, allowing the storing and manipulation of very large numbers. The Micromite can be easily built into a controller or as a plug-in module, which allows quick and easy programming with the possibility of easily changing and updating the code.

Also this month, build a Isolating High Voltage Probe for Oscilloscopes. This unit allows you to observer and measure AC mains voltages and other high voltage waveforms on an oscilloscope. The unit has three selectable input voltage ranges, together with wide bandwidth performance and high-voltage isolation between input and output. This month also includes, the assembly details for building the High-Energy Multi-Spark CDI, size different versions are described, depending on the spark trigger source for your car. Part 3 of the Currawong Valve Amplifier project, describes the construction of the remote control for the unit, as well as the setting up procedure for the amplifier and how to build an attractive perspex cover for the unit. All projects come complete with circuit diagram and electronic parts list.

This month’s main feature has a very interesting article on Interfacing to the Brain. This article looks at some of the recent discoveries and how we are moving from just monitoring brain activity, to being able to read images from the brain and using the brain to directly control robot arms, etc. Also this month, a review of the new Tektronix RSA306 USB Real Time Spectrum Analyser, this unit has some impressive software to support a very compact unit that can be connected to most laptops, offering all the features of a real-time spectrum analyser at a fraction of the cost.

Part Code: SILCHIPJAN2015

Features

Interfacing to the Brain
The Micromite Mk 2
Review: Tektronix RSA306 Real Time Spectrum Analyser

Projects

Isolating High-Voltage Probe for Oscilloscopes
Currawong 2 x 10W Stereo Valve Amplifier, Part 3
High-Energy Multi-Spark CDI for Performance Cars, Part 2
Beginners Project: The PicoMiniCube

Futurlec is a worldwide supplier of quality electronic components to manufacturers, universities and hobbyists. We offer an extensive range of electronic parts including IC's, transistors, diodes, LED's, potentiometers and relays, all sourced from top quality manufacturers.

Futurlec also produce a wide range of microcontroller boards based on the PIC®, AVR®, ARM® and Arduino® platforms. Our PCB manufacturing service produces high quality PCB's for single PCB prototypes or large scale production volumes to your custom printed circuit board design.

* All trademarks mentioned here are the property of their respective companies