my recent reads..

LEAP#318 555 Bistable Latch

Ben Eater’s 8-bit computer yields more interesting circuits. Here I’m reproducing his bistable latch circuit based on the 555 timer. This circuit takes advantage of the fact that the trigger and reset pins provide direct access to the SR latch within the 555 timer that drives the output. As always, all notes, schematics and code are in the Little Electronics & Arduino Projects repo on GitHub hero_image


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LEAP#317 Discrete Schmitt Trigger

A Schmitt trigger is a comparator circuit with hysteresis, which can help overcome the effect of noise or oscillations on an input signal and provide positive switching between high and low logic levels. Schmitt triggers are often built into the input pins of integrated circuits. Stand-alone Schmitt triggers are usually constructed from comparators. The most basic Schmitt trigger can be implemented with discrete components, and here I’m exploring a classic emitter-coupled Schmitt Trigger circuit. As always, all notes, schematics and code are in the Little Electronics & Arduino Projects repo on GitHub hero_image


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LEAP#316 The Boldport QSOP Breakout

The QSOPBreakout was a special (read: beautiful!) board produced for the Boldport Club to help members practice QSOP-24 soldering techniques for the Touchy project. Firstly, I’m using this project to collate my notes on solder technique. And secondly, perhaps there is something useful I can do with the QSOPBreakout board after all .. other than use it as a breakout board of course. And it turns out there is .. see the SolarPendulum! As always, all notes, schematics and code are in the Little Electronics & Arduino Projects repo on GitHub hero_image


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LEAP#315 MT3608 Variable Boost Converter

The MT3608 (also known as B628) is a very efficient boost converter that can deliver up to 24V at 4A. It requires only 6 external passive components, and is readily available as a complete module for as little as $0.40. For this test, I built the standard variable converter circuit from scratch and evaluated its performance. As always, all notes, schematics and code are in the Little Electronics & Arduino Projects repo on GitHub hero_image


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