Determining a precise location is necessary in several industries for several reasons, including navigation, direction, timing, tracing, and safety. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) let users pinpoint exact locations via satellites. GNSS supports critical infrastructure, emergency response, and navigation. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou are the only navigation systems offering global coverage. Regional satellite systems…
How to troubleshoot common ESP32-CAM problems
ESP32-CAM is a compact camera module that combines the popular Wi-Fi development board ESP32 with the OV2640 camera sensor. The camera is part of the ESP32 series of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled system-on-chip (SoC) devices developed by Espressif Systems. ESP32 is a dual-core 32-bit microcontroller with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities — based on the Espressif…
How to choose and e-bike controller
The motor controller is one of the most important components of an electric bicycle or e-bike. It’s an electronic device that manages the operation of an electric motor. It also connects to all other major parts of an e-bike, including the battery, brakes, sensors, throttle, and motor. The motor controller acts like the brain of…
What role do automotive sensors play in modern vehicles?
A network of sensors is embedded throughout vehicles, serving as a critical type of “nervous system” that detects and measures different automotive parameters. This network is essential for a vehicle’s safety, performance, and efficiency. Several types of sensors are responsible for different roles, such as monitoring the temperature of engine components, the speed of the…
What components are required to build an e-bike?
An electric bike, or e-bike, is a popular, eco-friendly option for daily commutes. These bicycles are equipped with an electric motor to assist users in pedaling. E-bikes have next-to-no running costs, requiring little maintenance. They also let riders avoid gasoline costs, vehicle traffic congestion, and parking fees. Most users buy assembled models, but it’s also possible…
What are the communication protocols in electric vehicles?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the automotive industry in terms of sustainability and technology. Not only are EVs reducing greenhouse gases and dependency on fossil fuels, but these vehicles are also driving innovation in aerodynamics, lightweight materials, batteries, powertrains, inverters, software, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), charging systems, cables, and much more. There have also been…
The top chatbots for microcontrollers and embedded systems
ChatGTP, a language-based chatbot developed by OpenAI, has gained a lot of use and attention since its release in 2022. Since then, it and other chatbots — programs designed to mimic human language and conversation — have become increasingly common, used for providing content creation, marketing, programming, research, entertainment, customer service, and much more. Embedded…
What are top applications of CAN protocol?
The CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol was developed by the European automotive electronics company Robert Bosch GmbH in 1983 for in-vehicle networks. The intention behind the development of the CAN protocol was to enable robust data communication between different Electronic Control Units (ECU) and Microcontroller Control Units (MCU) of a vehicle on a single wire…
CAN protocol: Understanding the controller area network
Controller Area Network or CAN protocol is a method of communication between various electronic devices like engine management systems, active suspension, ABS, gear control, lighting control, air conditioning, airbags, central locking etc embedded in an automobile.CAN initially developed for in-vehicle networking of automobiles has expanded its applications in various other industries. The application started for luxurious cars is now being used in heavy duty vehicles like trucks, buses, trains and rail vehicles.
What are e-bikes?
Vehicles and public transit have become the primary modes of transportation for many daily commuters. However, bicycles have remained an option for some due to cost or lifestyle — and this choice is increasing. One reason is that there are more two-wheel choices than ever before. And specifically, motorized bicycles or e-bikes have gained much…
What are soft robots?
When you think of robots, you might imagine those in science fiction movies such as Terminator, Star Trek, Star Wars, etc. However, industrial robots take many shapes and forms, including rovers, drones, surgical arms, humanoids, and even vehicles. There are several types of robots used in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, search and rescue,…
What are the top GPS tracker chips of 2023?
The Global Positioning System, better known as GPS, is a satellite-based navigation system that lets users determine the precise location and track movement anywhere on Earth. The system consists of a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, ground stations, and receivers. To learn more about GPS, click here. It’s possible to build a basic GPS…
How to build a portable health monitor
Medical equipment for health monitoring is typically costly, but there is an option. Whether you simply want to be aware of your heart rate or are caring for someone with health conditions that must be monitored, there’s an option that you can build yourself. In this project, we’ll design a portable health monitor that can…
What are the top machine-learning frameworks for microcontrollers
Machine learning (ML) is becoming increasingly important for microcontrollers because it enables smart and autonomous decision-making in embedded systems. The many Internet of Things (IoT) applications — often called “smart devices” — only become intelligent thanks to ML. Microcontrollers are commonly used in edge computing devices where data is processed locally rather than being sent…
What are the top weather APIs for the IoT?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of billions of smart devices working with countless Internet-enabled digital services. One such service is weather forecast. Weather APIs integrate weather data with smart devices, websites, and online platforms. Several IoT applications use weather data, such as smart clocks, temperature control systems, as well as travel and…
What is IFTTT and how does it work?
Automation has extended from industrial settings to homes and offices, with smart home devices and appliances becoming a part of our everyday lives. One challenge in the automation sector is creating flow and unity between the vast diversity of devices and applications. Automation has been further affected by various online services such as SaaS (Software…
What are the types of drones and how are they classified?
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones play a significant role across various industries and sectors. They’re proving adaptable, reliable, and effective. For example, drones provide transportation in logistics and delivery, search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, disaster response, mining, urban planning, security, surveillance, and space exploration. There are many different types of drones, classified…
Bluetooth Protocol (Part 1): Basics and Working
Handheld devices like a cell phone, palmtop and laptop were rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily lives. In most cases, these devices do not have compatible data communication interfaces, or, if they do, the interface requires cumbersome cable connections and configuration procedures. Isn’t it absolutely fantastic to connect your PC to share music, data and calendar info without using any wires? Or to wirelessly access phone numbers on your PDA from your cell phone.
Testing Bluetooth AT Commands
Bluetooth is a popular wireless technology standard designed for data exchange over short distances. Bluetooth is so common that it’s now the part of smartphones and comes in lots of embedded devices. Many wearable devices also use Bluetooth to pair with their accessories or co-devices. The Bluetooth interface uses UHF Radio wave in ISM band from 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz. It was invented by telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994 and developed by Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
The top ESC firmware of 2023
An electronic speed controller (ESC) is a device that controls the speed of an electric motor. ESCs are typically used in remote-controlled vehicles or aircraft, electric scooters, robotics, and drones. In a drone, the flight controller sends signals to the ESC, telling it which direction and speed the motor must rotate. The ESC uses these signals…