Handy Decoupling Design Tools

Found these tools from manufacturer's websites regarding capacitor choice and getting their respective ESR, ESL and other necessary values.

Check out Murata's Chip S-parameter & Impedance Library
http://www.murata.com/products/capacitor/design_support/index.html

Check out Kemet's Spice software
http://www.kemet.com/kemet/web/homepage/kechome.nsf/weben/kemsoft

AVX have their own site as well, but the programs aren't as good
http://www.avx.com/SpiApps/default.asp

Yageo (acquired Phycomp in 2000) have their own version as well, this gives a lot more information
http://www.yageo.com/?mid=40029

Of all of them, I found Murata's tools to be the easiest to use, find and download. Kemet's are good as well and I found AVX's software tools to be a little harder to use than the others. Murata's tool allows you to enter a valid order code and you can extract details from that straight away, very handy indeed.

If anyone knows of any other manufacturer's that have these tools available online, please let me know, am trying to build up a helpful and handy database.

Take it easy.

LightPeak

Just found this article on Light Peak from Intel, looks pretty cool. Sounds like Intel are holding back on the whole upgrading to USB 3.0 as they claim when LightPeak comes along, it can operate over the same USB port, but operating over 10Gbps over fibre optic cables. Now that'll kick the copper cables outta here.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/intel-says-light-peak-coming-next-year-can-and-will-coexist-wit/

Cycled to work again today

I cycled for the second time into work today. I've got to admit this time wasn't half as hard as the first time. I think I still have a few more adjustments to the bike to make it easier and more comfortable.

I bought a gel seat cover and it made some difference, my butt isn't as sore, but it still hurts a little. I'm slowly getting fitter. I figured I had to cycle today after my poor attempt at the gym, last night. I showed, got to the changing rooms and then went straight for the jacuzzi, steam room, then home again. It was nice and relaxing and I had a good think about this whole going back to college thing.

I have a better idea of what I want to learn now. I'd like to focus more on Linux and Windows programming in the following languages C, C++ and Visual Basic(optional). Maybe throw some assembly in there. Basically more of what I did in college.

I had a look at some of the courses that DCU, ITB, DIT and other colleges offered and they have a load of modules that just wouldn't interest me or aren't focusing on the right areas for me.

Anyways, enough from me. Back to work, take it easy and have a good weekend everyone :D

Up to my tonsils

Sorry I haven't been blogging in a while, I'm still alive and well and trying to blog more. Quick update on everything at the moment.

Had a savage party last week in our place in Donabate, it was pissing rain and windy, but we still camped in the garden, had the bbq, had a few drinks and loads of people showed up, it was amazing. Thanks to everyone who came.

I finally got in on the Cycle to Work scheme and I'm currently awaiting my voucher so I can go and collect my bike. Will let you all know how that goes.

Currently, I'm looking into doing a post-grad course, not sure if I want to try get into Computer Science conversion course or enhance my skills in the electronics side.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I've moved out to Donabate and I'm loving it. So glad I'm out of Ballymun, I'm glad we experienced it and I'm glad I'm finished with it now. Onwards and upwards.

I'm heading to Glasgow next weekend with my good mate Padraig. We're going paintballing in a seriously cool looking place, check it out http://www.prozone.org.uk/

Until I get more time to blog properly, laters.

Phoenix EBSF training completed

I'm now fully trained to work on Phoenix Technologies Embedded BIOS with StrongFrame Technology. I just finished the short two day course in which myself and two other colleagues learnt all about writing, creating and debugging our very own embedded BIOS program. It seemed very straightforward and in theory a simplistic and well laid out method for customising a BIOS for an embedded system. There is of course limited functionality compared to the SecureCore Tiano, but there is still plenty of functionality and enough for what embedded space is looking for. I think there's a couple of hundred different modules that can be incorporated in the embedded space whereas SecureCore covers a couple of thousand modules and a much stronger BIOS.

I've already worked on two of my own BIOS's for customers but after this training I should be able to complete my work much faster and in a much more controlled and more efficient manner. I'm currently looking into Microsoft's Simple Boot Flag for a project I'm working on. Basically this flag forces the BIOS splash screen on the video output until Windows sets this flag. This can be useful in a number of different situations.

The course covered some PCI architecture, memory mapping, e820 tables, a brief introduction to ACPI and the various methods for debugging the board. With regards debugging there is a lot of functionality and various outputs to help get a board working to meet the customers requirements.

I look forward to working on more Embedded BIOS now as I can practice my new-found skills.

Phoenix Embedded BIOS Training

I've just finished preparing for my Embedded BIOS Training which starts on Monday. It's a two day advanced training course which will allow me to succesfully create, debug and modify BIOS code.

I've done some work with embedded BIOS before but it was only very basic stuff, so I'm hoping to improve my skill set and learn more things here, which will make me more useful and less expendable to the company.

Will tell you more shortly about how it's going.

Command & Conquer 4 and it's DRM!

I'm sick of Command & Conquer 4, ever since the word go, I've been kicked in the shins, punched in the stomach and suffered crazy headaches (metaphorically of course, except for the headaches). After being ripped off by GameStop and customs, having to pay a whopping €80 in total for a game that is now being sold off the shelf in HMV for €22.99!! less than 7 weeks after release! I'm seriously not happy with EA. They have completely ruined this game for me.

Leaving aside for the moment, the fact they've changed the command & conquer series completely with it's completely different gameplay, lack of decent music and a storyline that bores me to tears, I can barely even play the game now because of EA's rash decision to use DRM (Digital Rights Management) software in the game which means that I must be online at all times for me to play even in a single player mission.

I was trying to get over the difference in gameplay and accept it for what it is, I was trying to ignore the crappy plot which seemed like it was going nowhere until near the end of a difficult mission's third attempt a prompt pops up and tells me "You're internet connection has not been found, any progress you make in the game will not be saved!". Are you kidding? Seriously?

Now I'm not a huge fan of purchasing music or movies as a lot of them are crap and I prefer to make sure they're of decent quality before I buy them. But I love purchasing games and their add-ons. This kind of behaviour from EA actually encourages me to get the hack and illegal copies of their stuff. I just found out that Assassin's Creed 2 has the same software feature so guess what, I will be finding an alternate route to getting this eagerly anticipated game and not paying EA to take advantage of me and my inconsistent internet connection. EA, I've been a huge fan for years, but you've really messed up this time!