Silicon Chip March 2011

The March issue of Silicon Chip Electronics Magazine is loaded with useful articles and projects for the electronics hobbyist. This month’s articles look at the new Microchip PIC32 Microcontroller, this microcontroller is loaded with features as well as large program memory storage. The microcontroller has a high performance core, which enables it to perform complex calculations quickly and easily, as well as a host of peripherals, including ADC, PWM, USB, CAN and much more. Also this month, we look at the new Community TV Station, TVS, this features a wide range of local programming. We have a behind the scenes look at what is involved and the equipment used to bring this station to the air.

This month’s projects include a very powerful embedded computer, the Maximite. This project is based on the new Microchip PIC32 microcontrollers and is loaded with features. The unit runs at 80MHz and includes 128k of program memory, with peripherals for connecting to USB, SD Cards or a computer keyboard. The unit can be easily programmed in Basic using MMBasic. The unit also includes video output to drive a standard VGA display. The Maximite is ideal for control of a complete system, such as irrigation watering systems, home automation control, machinery or generator control. Also this month a Universal Voltage Regulator Board, for providing positive and negative voltages from 5V to 24V. This month also includes a 12V 20-120W Solar Panel Simulator, this allows solar charge controllers to be tested easily without the need for solar panels. Finally this month, a Microphone to Neck Loop Coupler for hearing aids, this allows hearing aid wearers to better hear in noisy environments. All projects come complete with circuit diagram and electronic parts list.

Part Code: SILCHIPMAR2011

Features

Microchip’s New PIC32 Microcontroller
Community TV Station TVS
Salvage It - A Vacuum Pump from Junk

Projects

The Maximite Computer, Part 1
Universal Voltage Regulator Board
Mains Moderator: Stepping Down the Volts
12V 20-120W Solar Panel Simulator
Microphone to Neck Loop Coupler for Hearing Aids

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