Dilshan R Jayakody’s Web Log

At the beginning of 2018, we developed the first version of the 6-channel speaker selector using PIC16F88 MCU and ULN2803 Darlington transistor array. In this new design, we redesign it with low-cost MCU and Darlington transistor arrays. This design also provides the same functionality as the 6-channel speaker selector switch we designed earlier. This new speaker selector uses STC15W201 MCU. This MCU is a low-cost 8051 MCU designed by STC micro . At the time of this writing, the STC15W201 can obtain for less than US$ 0.8. To drive the seven segments and to control the relays, this design uses the popular 74HC595 8-bit shift register ICs. PCB of the 6-channel speaker selector. To select each speaker channel, we use pair of 12V DPDT relays. These relays interface to 74HC595 through a ULN2001D 3-channel Darlington transistor array IC. This 3-channel Darlington driver IC is functionally equivalent to the famous 8-channel ULN2003 IC. This ULN2001D version is an 8-pin IC and is av...

In this project, we developed a 5.1-channel analog audio processor using PT2322 IC. PT2322 is an inexpensive analog audio processor introduced by Princeton Technology Corporation . It contains 6-channel individual channel attenuators, a 3-way tone control system for front-end speakers, and a 3D audio simulation system.  Assembled 5.1-channel audio processing board. In this design, we combine PT2322 with Arduino Nano and interface it with PC/embedded computing boards through a USB port. Native GTK UI application provides to control all functions of the PT2322 IC. The Arduino Nano can directly plugin to the PT2322 module. There are three push buttons on the panel itself to control the volume and mute the audio. To reduce the cost and minimize the PCB size, we use both SMD and through-hole-type components in this PCB. The dimension of the PCB is 59mm × 60mm. The PCB of this module can directly order from the PCBWay project page . Using the PCBWay service, you can order high-...

A few months ago, I received this Onkyo PE-C50 stereo graphic equalizer from a friend because it was not working. He gave me this equalizer for free because he was planning to discard it due to some problems with its controls. Front panel of the Onkyo PE-C50. The Onkyo PE-C50 is a vintage, 7-channel, stereo digital graphic equalizer. This unit is manufactured in Japan and operates on 110V AC power only. Front panel controls allow me to adjust each channel separately or simultaneously. This unit also got 5-channel preset memory to save graphic equalizer settings. Besides a graphic equalizer, it comes with an attractive 2×7 channel spectrum analyzer. At initial testing, I found that the unit's controls and spectrum analyzer would randomly stop working. After controls at the front panel freeze, I have to restart it to get it back in working condition. PCB of the Onkyo PE-C50 graphic equalizer. To troubleshoot, first, I try to find the service manual for this equalizer, but I couldn...

StarPointer is a virtual electronic finderscope for astronomical telescopes. This device works with Stellarium and helps the observer identify objects in the sky.  Prototype version of the StarPointer sensor kit. This unit can be attached to the telescope without modifications and connects with the computer through the USB port. The StarPointer uses a few onboard sensors to determine its angle and position. After obtaining that information, the unit calculates the RA (right ascension ) and DEC (declination) coordinates of the telescope and transfers those details to the Stellarium. The StarPointer builds around the STM32F103C8 microcontroller, ADXL345 3-axis accelerometer , and HMC5883L 3-axis magnetometer . This unit communicates with the PC using the inbuilt USB peripheral of the STM32F103C8 microcontroller. The firmware of the StarPointer is developed using the LibOpenCM3 library and built using GNU ARM Embedded Toolchain . This unit can attach to any astronomical telescope o...

Portable Image File (PIF) is an embedded-systems friendly, bitmap-like image format with ease of use and small size. This image format develops by the gfcwfzkm ( aka Pascal ) for low-end embedded systems. The file format and PIF's original implementation are available at https://github.com/gfcwfzkm/PIF-Image-Format . In this project, I developed an open-source library for the above file format to get used in Lazarus and Delphi programming languages.  This PIF library supports Windows and Linux operating systems, including Raspberry Pi OS . Sample application in Linux environment. The library is available at https://github.com/dilshan/pascal-pif-library .  The library methods are self-explanatory, and sample projects are available for Lazarus and Delphi . For example, the following code block demonstrates opening the Portable Image File and displaying it on the TImage . var pifObj: TPortableImageFile; begin pifObj := TPortableImageFile.Create('sample-image.pif'...

This project is about MC3362 and ADF4351 based modularized, 2-meter narrow band FM receiver. In this design, the receiver splits into three modules as RF preamplifier, MC3362 tuner, and ADF4351 oscillator. The RF preamplifier builts around BF900 dual-gate MOSFET. The tuner stage builts using the popular MC3362 , low power narrowband FM receiver IC. For the oscillator, we use the ADF4351 DDS RF signal generator module. The core component of this receiver is MC3362 IC. This IC was designed by Motorola and is no longer in production, but this IC is still available to purchase in many online stores . The chip we used in this receiver was purchased from a local electronic component store for LKR 75 (USD 0.2). The RF preamplifier used in this receiver extracts from the N.Ganesan's (VU3GEK) LRR200, 2-meter band FM receiver project . Prototype version of the RF preamplifier. In this prototype, the above preamplifier was built as a module using a Manhattan construction technique. Th...

This project is about a wireless musical call bell, which I designed to meet some of my friend's requirements. This circuit design uses only the 4000 series CMOS logical ICs, NE555 , UM66 , and TDA7233 audio amplifier IC. For the remote control, we use a 433MHz 4-channel remote control module . This circuit is designed to work continuously with a low-power external 5V power supply. Prototype version of wireless call bell. The PCB in this call bell is designed as a single-sided PCB. The dimension of the PCB is 82mm × 50mm.  All the components in this circuit are commonly available through-hole-type components. The whole assembly process of this musical call bell is shown in the video attached to this document. The RF remote control module we use in this project consists of a remote control decoder and encoding IC. In our version, the transmitter (key fob) has a PT2262 encoder, and the receiver has a PT2272 decoder IC. In the prototype build, the receiver and transmitter are confi...

IR Clone is an open-source IR remote control analyzer tool. This utility can analyze any IR remote control that modulates the IR signal with a 38kHz carrier signal. This utility has an option to store and retrieve up to 16 IR signals. In addition, it has PC software to analyze and edit captured IR signals. The hardware component of this analyzer is built around the STM8S003F3 MCU. It has 24LC32 EEPROM installed to store the captured IR signals. This unit is designed to operate with a 5V to 9V DC power source or a 3V battery.  Finished prototype of the IR Clone module Operating modes such as capture or replay can be changed using an onboard jumper on the PCB. These operating modes can change at any time without restarting the unit. In addition to the IR clone PCB, the only external component needed to operate this system is a 4×4 matrix keypad . Most of the generally available 4×4 keypads can directly couple with this system. The dimensions of the IR Clone PCB are 41.2mm × 32.1m...