In this project, we’ll design a unique door lock that can be operated without a keycard, input password, or biometric ID. A smartphone is the key to locking and unlocking the door via Bluetooth. This door uses a solenoid lock, which relies on a latch for electrical locking and unlocking. It also has LEDs to…
DC motor controller using rotary encoder
Controlling a DC motor means: Start and stop the motor Change the running direction of the motor as forward (CW) or reverse (CCW) Vary motor speed (RPM) All different types of DC motor controllers control the speed and direction of the motor. They use different types of input devices like Two push-buttons (or maybe a…
How to build 100W 2.1-channel home theater system
In this mini DIY project, we will build a 2.1-channel home theater system of 100 W with a deep base and crystal-clear sound output at a very low cost of 1200/- to 1500/- Rupees only. Big speaker systems like 2.1 / 4.1 / 5.1-channel, home theater systems with Bluetooth connectivity and excellent quality sound (crystal…
How to make a decorative coconut tree using a digital RGB LED strip
In this project, we’ll demonstrate how to make a colorful, king-sized coconut tree (5 feet) decorative showpiece using a digital RGB LED strip. The RGB LED strip is cut and arranged to form the shape of a coconut tree. The ATMega328 microcontroller is used to control the LED strip, generating several flashing, fading, and blinking…
RGB LED decorative, tabletop coconut tree
In this mini-DIY project, we will make a color-flashing coconut tree. It has two 3W RGB LEDs using, which generate multicolor flashing effects. Also, a tiny 8-pin microcontroller ATtiny85 generates eye-catching colorful LED-chasing effects. It is battery-operated, and the battery is rechargeable so it does not require a power connection through wires. It can be…
Basic Electronics 01 – Beginners guide to setting up an electronics lab
Electronics is ubiquitous in the modern era. Learning electronics is a never-ending fun ride. Not just a career, it can also be an exciting hobby to take up. Most of the electronics enthusiasts, however, do not know how to get started. They usually have a random beginning that takes a lot of time and effort…
Simple overhead tank water level controller without an MCU
In this project, we will learn to create an automatic water pump system circuit that switches ON and OFF based on the water level in the tank. Basic idea The given project demonstrates a simple circuit built using digital logic gates, IC NE555, transistors, and a few additional components that sense the water level in…
Simple data logger system with I2C memory and RTC using Arduino
Manufacturing or processing industries, like textile, chemical, pharmaceutical, and others, have many continuous processes that require monitoring and keeping a record of different physical parameters like temperature, humidity, pH, moisture, flow, viscosity, etc. So, all such parameters are continuously displayed and stored in mainframe computers. Modern industries have DCS and SCADA systems to monitor, store…
VHDL Tutorial 1: Introduction to VHDL
What is VHDL? VHDL is a short form of VHSlC Hardware Description Language where VHSIC stands for Very High Speed Integrated Circuits It’s a hardware description language – means it describes the behavior of a digital circuit, and also it can be used to derive or implement a digital circuit/system hardware It can be used…
VHDL Tutorial 2: VHDL programs
In the previous tutorial on the basics of VHSlC Hardware Description Language or VHDL, we discussed the VHDL design flow and program structure. Now, it’s time to learn about the VHDL programs. However, please note, the prerequisite for VHDL programming are the fundamentals of digital electronics and digital circuit design. To fully understand these programs,…
VHDL Tutorial 3: Using MAX+II to compile, simulate & verify a VHDL program
In the previous two tutorials, we learned about VHDL basics and programs. Next, we’ll simulate and verify the VHDL programs. To edit, compile, execute (simulate), or verify a VHDL program, there are requirements including software tools, such as: ISE from XILINX ModelSim from Mentor Graphics Riviera from Aldec Quartus-II from Altera etc. All of these…
VHDL Tutorial – 4: design, simulate and verify all digital GATE (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR & XNOR) in VHDL
In previous tutorial VHDL tutorial 3, we have learned how to design, simulate, and verify any digital circuit in VHDL using Altera’s MAX+II VHDL simulator software. (If you are not following this VHDL tutorial series one by one, you are requested to go through all previous tutorials of these series before going ahead in this…
VHDL Tutorial – 5: Design, simulate and verify NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates using AND-OR-NOT gates in VHDL
In the previous VHDL tutorial 4, we designed and simulated all seven logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR) in VHDL. (If you are not following this VHDL tutorial series one by one, please go through all previous tutorials of these series before going ahead in this tutorial) In this tutorial, We…
VHDL Tutorial 6: Design and verify De Morgan’s Theorem using VHDL
In previous tutorial VHDL tutorial 5, we built NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR gates using AND-OR-NOT gates in VHDL. (If you are not following this VHDL tutorial series one by one, please go through all previous tutorials of these series before going ahead in this tutorial) In this tutorial, We shall write a VHDL program…
How to design a DC-to-DC buck converter
Most appliances require 5Vs for operation. In this experiment, we’ll design a DC-to-DC buck converter that provides 5Vs of the regulated output. We’ll use an Adjustable AP65111AWU-7 switch-mode IC for the DC voltage conversion and analyze its performance. Specification of the IC: A step-down 12V DC to 0.8V to 6V DC An output current of…
Forest fire detection system using IoT sensor network
In this article, we will be detecting a forest fire using an IoT sensor network and making a portable device with battery operation. Getting information about a fire hazard in a forest in time can prevent the forest fire from spreading. The sensor network can give the particular location of the fire as we already…
Sensor value (data) display on TFT LCD using Arduino – Part III
Contactless body temperature measurement using MLX90614 sensor In the previous two articles of this tutorial series, I demonstrated how to display analog sensor data (like POT, LM35, soil moisture sensor, etc.) or smart digital sensor (DHT11) data on TFT LCD. In this third article, I will explain how to display body temperature on TFT LCD. It…
How to display sensor values on a TFT LCD using Arduino: Part II
In Part I of this series, we demonstrated how to display analog sensor data (value), such as POT or LM35, on a TFT LCD. A TFT is a thin-film transistor display (typically, a television screen or computer monitor) that’s of much higher quality than a regular LCD display. In this article, we’ll explain how to display…
Sensor value display on TFT LCD using Arduino: Part I
Displaying potentiometer value and temperature using LM35 In my previous tutorial series on displaying sensor data (value) on OLED display, I have explained how to display values of different sensors like a potentiometer, LM35, soil moisture sensor, DHT, HC SR04, etc. on a tiny 1” OLED display. This time, I will demonstrate and explain how…
How to design a smart, contactless temperature-measurement gun
Contactless temperature-measurement guns became popular during the Covid pandemic. Several places used this device to ensure safety protocols. However, one of the drawbacks of the contactless temperature measurement guns available today is that they measure body temperature — not the distance of the body (object) from the sensor. The body’s distance from the sensor is…