Traffic light systems have been in use for over 100 years. However, urban mobility faces new challenges worldwide with rising population densities, expanding road networks, and increasing car ownership. Originally designed to manage traffic with minimal human intervention, today’s traffic light systems are expected to do much more. They now play a critical role in…
How to wake ESP32 from deep sleep using EXT1
In the previous project, we discussed how to wake ESP32 using EXT0. ESP32 supports five power modes: active, modem sleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and hibernation. For battery-powered or Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, deep sleep mode is particularly useful. In this mode, the ESP32 powers down most components, including the CPU, flash memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and…
How MicroSD cards power embedded systems and applications
MicroSD cards are widely used with single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson Nano (the 2 and 4GB variants), and Odroid. In addition to single-board computers, various embedded devices rely on MicroSD cards for storage, data logging, firmware updates, and booting operating systems. MicroSD cards are cost-effective, offering the lowest per-gigabyte cost among…
What AI acceleration techniques are used for embedded devices?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to data centers. Today, AI is widely used and implemented in edge devices, smartphones, and embedded systems. This has been made possible through hardware and software acceleration methods that work together within embedded systems. It’s now feasible to run small machine-learning models on low-power, resource-constrained microcontroller units without…
How to design an ESP32-based text-to-speech engine
Text-to-speech (TTS) engines are widely used in assistive technology, communication systems, and automation in various industries. They’re essential for individuals with visual impairments or reading disabilities, enabling them to access written content audibly. TTS also assists students with dyslexia, language learners, and individuals with learning difficulties. Virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant also…
How to setup headless Raspberry Pi for remote access using SSH and VNC
Raspberry Pi is currently the most widely used single-board computer in the world. Launched in October 2023, Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest version of the development board, offering more significant computing power, an enhanced GPU, and faster memory than its predecessors. Among single-board computers, Raspberry Pi remains the most ubiquitous, outpacing alternatives like BeagleBone,…
What are AI chips and why are they important?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undergone rapid advancements in recent years. This progress has led to unique computational requirements for modern AI systems, which traditional CPUs and GPUs cannot fully address. Initially, GPUs offered a solution for running AI models. However, as algorithms and applications have grown more complex, particularly in areas like deep neural networks,…
What are the top edge AI chips of 2025?
Edge AI refers to deploying artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and models directly on local devices like sensors, smartphones, or Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. This approach includes edge computing, which processes data closer to where it’s generated rather than sending it to a centralized Cloud for analysis. According to a report by Gartner, by the end of…
What top AI chips are expected to launch in 2025?
Artificial intelligence (AI) chips have become essential for powering various advanced device features, especially in smartphones. A few AI examples related to a phone’s camera include: Adjusting camera settings for optimal results Applying filters in real-time while capturing photos or videos Tracking moving objects in real-time, keeping them focused for the shot Identifying scenes in…
What are the different types of AI ASICs?
In the previous article, we discussed the different types of AI chips. Among these, ASICs play a significant role. Compared to GPUs, ASICs are faster and more power-efficient, thanks to their customized architectures designed for specific AI tasks or algorithms. One common misconception about AI ASICs is that they’re used solely for inference applications. However,…
Supercapacitors – Basic Electronics 16
In the previous tutorials, we discussed working with a capacitor, characteristics of a capacitor, various types of capacitors, and selecting a capacitor for a given circuit. As we have learned, typical commercial capacitors have their capacitance in Picofarad, Nanofarad or Microfarad range. The maximum capacitance that these capacitors can provide is 1 Farad. If the…
How to select a capacitor – Basic Electronics 15
In the previous article, we looked at various types of capacitors. Now, let us discuss selecting a capacitor for a given application. Generally, selecting a capacitor is not a daunting task unless you have specific circuit requirements. Engineers often have a nominal capacitance derived for a circuit at hand or have to use capacitance with…
Types of capacitors (continued)-Basic Electronics 14
In the previous tutorial, we learned about the practical construction of a capacitor and the different technical aspects associated with a standard capacitor. Let us now discuss different types of commercial capacitors and the practical technical specifications associated with them. This will help immensely in choosing the suitable capacitor for a given application. The capacitors…
Types of capacitors- Basic Electronics 13
In the previous tutorial, we learned about signal behavior and the role of a capacitor in a circuit. A capacitor stores electrical charge in the form of the electrostatic field in response to an applied voltage. It charges whenever the applied voltage increases (relative to the current-voltage across the capacitor) by allowing a charging current…
Practical guide to capacitors-Basic Electronics 12
In the previous tutorials, we discussed setting up an electronics lab and learned rudimentary know-how of resistors. Moving on with a discussion on passive components, let’s talk about the capacitor. Let us begin with a fictitious circuit Imagine a purely resistive circuit driven by an ideal voltage source or ideal current source. In such a…
Inductors -Magnetism, electromagnetism and inductance Basic Electronics 17
In the previous tutorials, we discussed two passive properties of electronic components, resistance and capacitance, and their electronic components, resistors and capacitors. Passive components are unable to generate energy, but can store or dissipate it. We’ve already learned about the electrical properties of resistors and capacitors, including how they affect the current and voltage in…
What are the types of AI chips and how are they classified?
The demand for artificial Intelligence (AI) chips is increasing due to their suitability in certain AI applications. This development mirrors the rise of Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) for 3D applications years ago. However, traditional CPUs and even GPUs often fall short in handling the unique demands of AI workloads, prompting the emergence of AI-specific chips.…
How to design an Arduino-based traffic light system
Traffic light systems are important signaling devices that regulate the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, crosswalks, and other critical areas. These systems use three primary lights — red, yellow (amber), and green — to manage traffic effectively and ensure safety. In this project, we’ll create a traffic light system for a four-way intersection…
How to capture images using ESP32-CAM and an SD card
The ESP32-CAM is a widely used development board for embedded vision applications. It combines the ESP32 microcontroller with an OV2620 camera module, and the ESP32 itself comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Previously, we created a video streaming server using the ESP32-CAM to troubleshoot potential operational issues with the module. In this project, we’ll…
How to design an Arduino-based meditation device
Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind and cultivating awareness, often to achieve a state of mindfulness, mental clarity, inner peace, or spiritual connection. It’s used across cultures and traditions to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and enhance self-awareness — making it a valuable tool for mental and physical health. There are several…