Silicon Chip March 2010

The March issue of Silicon Chip Electronics Magazine is still available, loaded with useful articles and projects for the electronics hobbyist. This month’s articles look at the new MacBook 2010 from Apple. This new laptop is a major upgrade with many improvements to the operating system and laptop performance. A completely new trackpad, allows you to swish and use one or more fingers to control the opening/closing of windows and applications. Also this month a look at Full HD and what is needed to receive and transmit these high image programs. Finally, a look at a new early warning system being developed for bush fires, these fires are both destructive in terms of property and people, a number of existing systems can be easily utilized to minimise the risk and provide adequate warning to those in danger areas.

This month’s projects include an easy to build Solar Powered Intruder Alarm. This unit is ideal for remote areas, where mains power is not available. The unit can be easily installed on a boat or in the backyard shed. The unit has entry and exit delays, adjustable alarm periods and has low current requirements. A single solar cell can be used to provide a trickle charge to maintain the battery used with the system. Also this month, a top of the range Digital Audio Signal Generator, this unit is loaded with features, as well as offering very high accuracy. The unit supports five different waveform types, including sine, square, triangle and two sawtooth patterns. The range is adjustable from 1Hz to 24kHz. The harmonic distortion of the waveforms is extremely low and the performance specs are similar to units costing much more. Also this month, a low capacitance adapter for DMM's. This adapter will allow you to measure from less than 1pF to over 10nF. The unit inputs to the voltage input of a standard digital multimeter. Finally this month, a very accurate thermometer and thermostate, this units measures from -55oC to 125oC with an accuracy of 0.5°C. All projects come complete with circuit diagram and electronic parts list.

Part Code: SILCHIPMAR2010

Features

A Look at the MacBook 2010
Digital TV: Where to from Here?
An Innovative Early-Warning System for Bushfires
Review: The Unique UQ2062C Digital Storage Scope

Projects

A Solar-Powered Intruder Alarm for Sheds & Boats
Digital Audio Signal Generator, Part 1
A Low-Capacitance Adaptor for DMMs
A Very Accurate Thermometer/Thermostat

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