tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529559267453719762024-02-21T01:21:42.944+00:00mikepokeeffeA Blog about Technology, gadgets and other things.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-35270376080184019082017-04-03T19:57:00.000+01:002017-04-03T19:57:01.471+01:00Capacitors are your friend - but how much of a friend?On one hand I agree, when dealing with large momentary current draw, capacitors are your friend. This I agree with. However using this phrase without knowing the details of the circuit or limitations is just plain stupid. There comes a point of diminishing returns.
GSM applications are a great example of dealing with large currents for a short period of time. Most GSM modules can pull up to 2A Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-91034969772344469392016-06-08T14:13:00.000+01:002016-06-08T14:13:19.437+01:00EPE: PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit 3: A beginner's guide – Part 2
This month, is part 2 of an ongoing series going back to basics for PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit3.
Over the coming months, I'll be covering everything from the difference between microcontrollers and microprocessors to Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, the PIC Low Pin Count Demo Board and the incredibly useful PICkit3 programmer tool. I hope to build a strong foundation of understanding for Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com5Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-47936212731347043402016-05-11T14:12:00.000+01:002016-05-11T14:12:01.347+01:00EPE: PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit 3: A beginner's guide – Part 1
This month, I start an ongoing series going back to basics for PIC Microcontrollers and the PICkit3.
Over the coming months, I'll be covering everything from the difference between microcontrollers and microprocessors to Microchip's MPLAB X IDE, the PIC Low Pin Count Demo Board and the incredibly useful PICkit3 programmer tool. I hope to build a strong foundation of understanding for Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-38368462020496635542016-01-08T13:00:00.000+00:002016-01-08T13:00:23.042+00:00Software Management
It's the new year, make a resolution you can keep and get on top of Software Management.
Check out my latest PIC N Mix column in Everday Practical Electronics where I talk about everything in Software Management from Compilers to IDE's, Repositories, Version Control and Bug Tracking.
You can buy it in PDF format online at http://www.epemag.com/buy-epe-online.html or you can buy it off Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-77262994839744978892015-12-07T15:01:00.000+00:002015-12-07T15:01:00.310+00:00Christmas Cheer with a PICmas Tree
This was a beast of a project, but I got it working and somehow fit it into one article just in time for the holidays. I've only been writing since August and this is my most ambitious project yet!
Don't forget to check out my latest PIC n' MIX article in Everday Practical Electronics, where I will show you how to build your own PICmas Tree, using the LPLC board from MJH Designs. I use Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-29148266563596450912015-11-06T13:00:00.000+00:002015-12-03T15:04:03.812+00:00How to Pick a PIC
Don't forget to check out my latest PIC n' MIX article in Everday Practical Electronics, where I cover how to choose a PIC microcontroller from over 1000 different PICs available on the market. I also talk about the hotly debated 8-bit versus 16-bit and 32-bit and their specific place in the world today.
You can buy it in PDF format online at http://www.epemag.com/buy-epe-online.html
OrAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-84092198980336084212015-10-28T11:00:00.000+00:002015-10-28T11:00:01.122+00:00DIY Digital Oscilloscope Kit
So, I've been buying a load of equipment from Bang Good. It really is a great site, with a lot of electronic equipment at a great price.
My latest piece of equipment is my DIY Oscilloscope. As most hobbyists know, oscilloscopes can be expensive to purchase, but this little beauty comes in around $24. Like the DIY Adjustable Voltage Power Supply in my last blog post, it comes Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-11323433266200163462015-10-25T19:55:00.002+00:002015-10-25T19:56:39.560+00:00 DIY LM317 Adjustable Voltage Power Supply Board Learning Kit With Case
I recently bought the LM317 Adjustable Voltage Power Supply Board from Bang Good.com. For about $12, you can't go wrong. Bang Good is a Chinese distributor based in Guangzhou, China. The shipping was cheap enough as well, although you'll be waiting up 4-5 weeks to receive it. If you're not in a rush, then it really is a cost saving.
The Power Supply comes with an adjustable signal Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00786226408576053046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-32338257514551065512015-06-12T11:34:00.000+01:002015-06-12T11:34:02.776+01:00Radionics Designspark Review
I've been meaning to write an article regarding Radionics' Schematic Capture and PCB Layout tool: Designspark.
Designspark is a free EDA (Electronics Design Automation) tool, which can be used by professional electronic engineers to hobbyists and students. You have to register to access all the features of the package, which is only a minor disadvantage. Unfortunately you have to do this Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-72885319964569082572015-05-27T00:12:00.002+01:002015-05-27T00:12:30.021+01:00573 days and I'm back to talk about my future in blogging!
573 Days and I'm back with a bang!
It feels like it has been a lot longer since I updated this blog. I've been so busy over the last few years. Since I got engaged back in 2012, it's been go-go-go! Since then, we've saved and saved for the wedding of our dreams in Druids Glen Hotel out in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.
We've bathed in the Thermal Baths in Budapest, Hungary, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-70953810814631635042013-10-30T13:29:00.000+00:002013-10-30T13:40:39.848+00:00Review of the Oculus Rift
After some minor setbacks I finally got the Oculus Rift up and running and I have tried quite a number of different programs and tools. One of my favourites has to be the RiftCoaster demo. This is basically a demonstration of a roller coaster. I recommend standing up for this one. It's a rush that will quickly get you hooked in the world of the Oculus Rift. I've had numerous friends try theAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com2Collinswood, Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland53.381939499999987 -6.234306300000071153.377203999999985 -6.2443913000000713 53.38667499999999 -6.224221300000071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-33069300690839061232013-10-07T10:43:00.000+01:002013-10-07T10:43:05.161+01:00Oculus Rift
I just recently went halves on the Oculus Rift Development Kit. So far I've only had a go at the Tuscany demo, where you get to walk around a southern Italian house. It's pretty cool so far. Being short sighted I was surprised to find three varying lenses in the kit to adjust the focal length in order to see properly. I really liked this as I was not looking forward to wearing my glasses Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-47305216450147469222013-09-01T21:35:00.003+01:002013-09-01T21:35:57.912+01:00Baking IC's
Last year I spent a month in San Francisco's sunny Silicon Valley on a business trip. I was in charge of bringing up a number of boards straight off the manufacturing line. Unfortunately there were a few problems with the boards, which left us baffled for a few days until bubbling was mentioned. This is when I found out all about MSL (moisture sensitivity level).
On specific ICs, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-18018572072015307492013-04-10T11:09:00.003+01:002013-04-10T11:09:58.038+01:00Interesting Tutorial on how your 4.7uF Capacitor can become a 0.33uF Capacitor
I just read an incredible article by Mark Fortunato of Maxim Integrated.
For any of you hardware engineers or applications engineers out there, this is a very useful and interesting read about how your 4.7uF capacitor can behave like a 0.33uF capacitor at +85C, which of course is exactly what you don't want to do.
http://www.maximintegrated.com/app-notes/index.mvp/id/5527
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-72030717560765207342012-10-19T12:24:00.002+01:002012-10-19T12:24:21.880+01:00New PC is alive!!
It's alive!
So I finally put it all together last night. I powered it on and it worked without any issues. In saying that, I've only booted into the BIOS using my TV, seen that both the onboard HDMI and graphics card HDMI output work correctly. I'm missing one or two pieces to be able to get going.
So here are the things I did wrong.
1) I got Windows 7 on a DVD to burn onto the new PC, only toAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-31686854154360633772012-10-11T18:58:00.003+01:002012-10-11T18:58:50.977+01:00My new PC
My old desktop PC died when I moved house. I spent a whole day trying to figure out what went wrong with it. The motherboard had been acting up for a while. I put new DDR2 memory in it a while back and it caused a loud screeching sound on the audio output. I couldn't use my Creative X-Fi sound card after a while(back in the days when sound cards were necessary for a nice sound). The card Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-6785839755444050192012-09-05T10:45:00.002+01:002012-09-05T10:45:58.429+01:00My Raspberry Pi
My latest gadget arrived on my desk yesterday. I haven't had a chance to turn it on yet. It features a 10/100 Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, 1 HDMI port, 1 RCA port, 1 3.5mm audio jack, SD Card slot for the OS, 1 micro USB connector for power and a number of other not so obvious connectors.
I've looked through the schematics and figured out what the other connectors do, what access I have and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-30175499619840186642012-01-26T00:22:00.007+00:002012-01-26T00:51:40.233+00:00Assignments, Masters Project and Social Media cold turkeyI'm currently going mad trying to finish up my assignments for my 1st semester of the 2nd year of my Masters. I've had five to complete, I finally finished the first on Monday night. It was an assignment on the evolutionary product stages for Hybrid Cars and Hard Disks. My other assignments are a solution to the water distribution problem using innovating problem solving techniques. The other twoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-52641825780930052262011-11-25T12:39:00.003+00:002011-11-25T13:05:19.480+00:00New Business selling SnowSocks, doing a Masters and everything elseI've been incredibly busy the last while. There's a small part of me thinking I might be stretching myself beyond what I can possibly handle. But I think I'm well able for all of it. Who says you can't start up a new business while working a full time job and doing a part time Masters at night in Electronic Design Engineering?My Masters has been proving very interesting so far. This semester I'm Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-17740400693108468192011-09-09T11:46:00.005+01:002011-09-09T13:54:06.780+01:00Pension on Hold and Learning about Money!Yesterday I requested my pension be put on hold indefinitely. Our account manager was none to happy about this and reminds me that I'll lose out on my company contribution and my tax relief. This a load of sales crap in my opinion. Now I don't claim to know a lot about how they work, but the company contribution at the moment is tiny, about €16 per month, I'm ok with losing that, no biggie. The Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-5137340830320543702011-07-21T10:20:00.004+01:002011-07-21T11:14:21.392+01:00Rich Dad Poor Dad Stock Success WorkshopI just attended another one of Rich Dad's workshops last night. This time it was based on Stock Success. There's usually one of these a year and this one finished up yesterday. I attended one last year as well, it was based on property flipping and financial independence. Robert Kiyosaki is the author of a large number of books called Rich Dad Poor Dad, I've read the first 2, but there are so Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-40634705979682734142011-07-05T10:23:00.002+01:002011-07-05T10:29:22.455+01:00Getting it all goingA month later, I haven't done much else with my solar cells. I took three of the smaller ones and connected them together (correctly this time). I measured a small enough voltage of 0.75V, which is barely enough to overcome the threshold voltages on a transistor or diode. Not a great result, but I'll try more and more.The main reason I haven't done much is down to the tools and equipment I have. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-12197111890377974572011-06-09T11:17:00.005+01:002011-06-09T12:07:09.591+01:00Solar PanelsWow, it's been 5 months since I posted last. I really got to get back on the blogging thing again.Quick update, I've finished the first year of my Master's. I'm not doing particularly well or even as well as I'd hoped. I just finished a module in RF design and Digital Systems Design 2. I had 6 assignments for RF and 2 large assignments and a IEEE paper to write for Digital Systems Design 2. I mayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-27485319688916362932011-01-31T16:14:00.005+00:002011-01-31T16:17:37.530+00:00Fallout: New VegasSo I got Fallout: New Vegas for Christmas and with exams and assignments and all that crap, I only got a chance to play it for the first time properly over the weekend. I'm hooked.It carries on from the world of Fallout 3, except now you're travelling the Mojave desert after the nuclear apocalypse. You start off as a courier having been dug up from a fresh grave and revived by the local doctor. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52955926745371976.post-83991642782837512842011-01-13T16:56:00.001+00:002011-01-13T16:58:21.416+00:00Oooh, LRDIMM'sFound this online, Load-Reduced DIMM's. They're the next step after RDIMM's (Registered DIMM's) and FBDIMM's (Fully Buffered DIMM's), offering even more bandwidth and speed to your system.Read more here What is LR-DIMM?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04782248115306250681noreply@blogger.com0