Python scripting is no longer reserved for Kicad layout: now you can make changes to schematics, or wholly generate circuit assemblies, with the skip library, which is a general purpose s-expression file parser and manipulator with a whole bunch of kicad-specific enhancements. Someone called it “openSCAD for schematics”, and it’s a good analogy. I’ll use…
From ‘top’ to Transistors: Verilog to ASIC in one step with Open-Source
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
Go from HDL to physical CMOS layout right now with the help of this guide and some great open-source tools. I’m currently following the Zero To ASIC course, which pretty much does what is says on the box: helping you learn how to move beyond the FPGA and get your hardware descriptions transformed into real…
PnP Feeder Sets HowTo
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
This is a complete guide to how I create and use 3d printed feeder sets for cut tape components in a pick and place machine. With many low cost pick and place machines, like the LitePlacer I have, you can just stick the tapes to the work surface and get going. But I find this…
Microscope trinocular port extensions: c-mount and body
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
A few tweaks I’ve made or simply printed, make my new compound microscope that much cooler to use, and I’m sharing them here along with some details on the process. I only recently got the microscope—specifically a Swift SW380T trinocular scope, for which the microbehunter has some tips and a video review—and I had so…
Inspecting Zigbee Packets for dev and debug
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
Trying to implement a Zigbee device involves a few challenges, but things get a whole lot easier when you aren’t operating blind. I’ve got my prototype built and running, based on an nRF5340 and the Zboss stack, and also have a few commercial hubs to play with. I started out naively thinking that if I…
Controlling a FeelTech function generator with a computer: issues and fixes
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
The FeelTech/FeelElec arbitrary waveform generators are cool, inexpensive, signal sources that provide a whole lot of functionality, and work well from low frequencies up to tens of megahertz. But, boy, do I hate twiddling with buttons, changing settings a single digit at a time. The answer–for test harnesses, remote control and just plain ease of…
Ham License Fast Track: Amateur Radio Resources
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
In researching and documenting a week-long adventure to get an amateur radio license, I’ve digested a lot of information. Here I’m listing the resources I feel are best suited to learning amateur radio specifics as well as related general concepts. How Stuff Works There are tons of learning electronics resources everywhere, but one interesting find…
psypnp: powerful scripts for OpenPnP and python modules to easily roll your own
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
Nothing beats a scripting engine when it comes time to customize and psypnp provides both cool scripts to use with OpenPnP right away, and a set of python modules to make creating your own really easy. The project is split into two parts: a set of scripts that automate away a lot of the drudgery…
Openpnp with LitePlacer Pick and Place
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
Using the LitePlacer pick and place with openpnp isn’t just possible, it’s pretty awesome. I’ve used both together for a few months now, to assemble over 100 PCBs of varying levels of complexity. It is quite reliable down to 0402 components, with or without bottom vision (which is amazing, when it works–see below). I’ve got…
TinyG EZConnect for Pick and Place Machines
- by: Pat Deegan
- On
Here’s how to build your own TinyG “EZ-Connect”, for LitePlacer or other pick and place/G-code-controlled machines. The system’s advantages over a straight-up connection to the TinyG are mainly that it: decouples the TinyG from the machine (remove, replace or share the TinyG with other installations with only two cables to muck with); hosts a few…