Creativity prize: TiltRocket
by Thomas Fischl
TiltRocket is a tiny game where your task is to control a rocket shown on a display by tilting the device. A display from a Nokia 3310 and an ADXL202 acceleration sensor are connected to the R8X/13 board. The sensor outputs the measured acceleration values on each of the two axes as a PWM signal.
Description in German (tiltrocket.pdf, 18 kB)
Source code and circuit diagram (tiltrocket.zip, 37 kB)
2nd prize: Robot runner aNT
by Heiko Ott and Bernhard Schloß
This project is a hexapod (six-legged) robot with autonomous navigation and collision avoidance using an ultrasound sensor, controlled using a standard radio control and 12 servos. There are two construction variants: the first is the standard version, using an ultrasound sensor module, while the second includes an arm that can be raised, to which a wireless camera can be attached. Two further servos allow the camera to be moved to the left and right as well as up and down.
Brief description in German (Roboter_aNt.pdf, 196 kB)
Complete description in German, circuit diagram and source code (Roboter_aNt.zip, 2303 kB)
3rd prize: M&M sorting machine
by Per Stegelmann
This machine sorts M&Ms (sweets similar to Smarties) according to their colour. The R8C/13 controls a number of DC motors and one servo, processing information from a colour detector and several other sensors.
Description in English (sorting_machine.pdf, 29 kB)
Technical drawings, photographs, circuit diagrams, firmware and a video of the machine in action (sorting_machine.zip, 13222 kB)
4th prize: Speed and direction controller
by Marc Schneider
This project is a programmable speed and direction controller with high-resolution PWM inputs and outputs. It can control motor direction and reversing, and features a throttle curve, interference suppression, and start-up protection. The controller is particularly suitable for model boats. The hardware chiefly comprises an R8C/13 with power supply and H-bridge output stage (with drivers) using 45 A MOSFETs.
Description in German (Fahrtregler.pdf, 513 kB)
Circuit diagram and R8C firmware (Fahrtregler.zip, 77 kB)Fahrtregler_V2 (Fahrtregler_V2.zip, 1,51 MB) (18.1.2007)
5th prize: Speedmaster
by Markus Simon
Speedmaster uses an acceleration sensor to determine the acceleration, speed and displacement of a moving object in two or three dimensions. Acceleration measurement is based on a Freescale Semiconductor MMA7260Q sensor. All results are shown on an LCD panel.
Complete description in German (Speedmaster.zip, 4726 kB)
Circuit diagram and firmware (Speedmaster.zip, 621 kB)
6th prize: MicroPLC
by Gérard Jacquemin
This project demonstrates the use of the R8C/13 board as a PLC system. The controller includes an RS232 interface, 11 digital inputs (of which 6 can also function as analogue inputs), 9 relay outputs, 32 internal memory slots and 16 time intervals. The project includes a printed circuit board design and a skeleton program for developing your own control applications.
Description in French (MicroPlc.pdf, 398 kB)
Circuit diagram, printed circuit board layout, photographs and example software (MicroPlc.zip 3311 kB)
7th prize: MusicTree
by Alexander Steiger
The ‘MusicTree’ provides sound and light effects and is in the shape of a Christmas tree. There are several LEDs that flicker at random, and an audio output plays tunes stored in Nokia format in the microcontroller’s memory, meaning that new tunes can easily be added. The tree also features a light sensor that adapts the LED effects to suit the ambient lighting.
Complete construction guide in German (MusicTree.pdf, 1463 kB)
Circuit diagram, firmware and numerous photographs (MusicTree.zip, 6725 kB)
8th prize: Isolation transformer
by Michael Hasselberg
This is an up-to-date reworking of an existing project from the late 1980s using the R8C printed circuit board. The object of Michael’s modernisation is a device resulting from an article discussing isolation transformer peripherals, and includes improvements made by readers after the project was published. The device is controlled using two buttons and a potentiometer, and analogue meters and LEDs provide feedback to the user. Precision rectification, RMS value calculations and power measurements are all carried out in software. Finally, the device features simple alignment and a self-test facility.
Hardware and software description in German (Trenntrafo.pdf, 267 kB)
Schéma, photo et code source en C (Trenntrafo.zip, 854 KB)
9th prize: Transrapid
by Markus Daum
The author has developed a simplified model of the Transrapid maglev train, consisting of a cradle made from Fischertechnik that floats in mid-air! Three coils are used to lift the cradle from below and propel it along a steel guide rail, using pulse-width modulated signals. If the magnets come too close to the rail the current is cut off. At rest the air gap is 2.5 mm, and when levitating the gap is reduced to between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. The gap is measured using an optical system using a white LED and a phototransistor.
Hardware and software description in German (Transrapid.pdf, 380 kB)
Circuit diagram, photographs and C project files (Transrapid.zip, 892 kB)
10th prize: Digiclock
by Hedwig van de Moortel
This project is a digital kitchen clock whose display consists of 512 red LEDs, driven in a matrix arrangement by the R8C/13 using bus drivers. The many features of the software include graphical effects such as a time display that scrolls on every complete minute. In timer mode the display warns when the set time is about to elapse, before the alarm sound is made.
Functional description in Dutch (Digiclock.pdf, 480 kB) Circuit diagrams, source code, photographs and WMV-format video (Digiclock.zip, 4690 kB)
11th prize: Pendulum display
by Markus Schmidt
The pendulum display shows a brief text using a row of LEDs that swings to and fro. A full range of characters can be displayed using eight blue LEDs. The row of LEDs is rotated using a motor, driven using a type L298 driver IC. The text to be displayed is loaded into the microcontroller over an RS232 interface.
Brief functional description in German (PendelAnzeige.pdf, 23 kB)
Circuit diagrams, printed circuit boards and source code (PendelAnzeige.zip, 1080 kB)
12th prize: Embedded datalogger interface
by Michael Gaus
This data logger uses an SD or MMC card as its storage medium, and so is capable of recording huge amounts of information. Rather than connecting an SD or MMC card slot directly to the microcontroller, the designer has chosen to use a complete USB card reader which can accept SD or MMC cards (among others). This means that it is also possible to use a removable USB memory stick for storage, making it easier to transfer the data for subsequent analysis.
Project description in German (Datenlogger.pdf, 237 kB)
Circuits and software (Datenlogger.zip, 1487 kB)
13th prize: Speech analyser
by Frank Schiller
The microcontroller analyses and recognises spoken words. The sound is processed using an FFT and matched against stored words. A separate program, running on a PC, is used to train the device on new words: each speech sample is provided with a label, and when a complete set of samples has been assembled they are downloaded into Flash memory in the device using the serial interface. The device can then run autonomously.
Project description in German and circuit diagram (SpeechAnalyser.pdf)
Firmware and PC software with source code (SpeechAnalyser.zip, 991 kB)
14th prize: Universal graphic display
by Josef Schneider
The R8C module is equipped with an LCD from a Nokia 3310, an MMC or SD memory card, and a USB interface. Measured values are shown graphically on the display and stored on the memoy card. The includes a clock (with date) which the user can configure to monitor long-running processes.
Project description in German (Display.pdf, 317 kB)
Circuit diagram, C source code and video of data capture (Display.zip, 11989 kB)
15th prize: Three-channel temperature control
by Michel Charrin
This temperature controller, for use with a solar installation, uses an R8C/17 and Dallas temperature sensors connected using a one-wire bus. Three DS2405 ports on the one-wire bus provide system inputs and outputs.
Project description in French (1-wire.pdf, 47 kB)
C source code for the project (1-wire.zip, 144 kB)
16th prize: Colour detector
by Anastasios Kanakis
The microcontroller is used to detect colour using three type TRS17xx colour sensors, one for each of the three primary colours, red, green and blue. The result is output in spoken form, using a Winbond WTS701E.
Project description in English (Color_Detector.pdf, 99 kB)
Photographs, circuit diagrams and C source code (Color_Detector.zip, 1004 kB)
17th prize: Clip SMS
by Christian Koch
This project enables telephone numbers to be read from the telephone signal and text messages to be sent using the analogue telephone network. The analogue part of the project comprises a circuit for call detection, a transmit section constructed from a simple 8-bit D/A converter, a 3.4 kHz low-pass filter and an adjustable current source, and a receive section comprising over-voltage protection, a 3.4 kHz low-pass filter and a variable gain amplifier.
Functional description in German (Clip_SMS.pdf, 276 kB)
Photos, schéma et code en C (Clip_SMS.zip, 960 KB)
18th prize: SD logger
by Olaf Kaluza
This data logger records measured voltages on the A/D port of the R8C on an MMC or SD card. The data are stored in a file called ‘data.dat’ on the SD card, which is formatted as a FAT16 filesystem. It is thus possible subsequently to remove the card and read it using the ordinary high-level file manipulation commands of another operating system. The project uses a 16-segment LCD connected over an I2C bus.
Brief description in German (SD-Logger.pdf, 260 kB)
Circuit diagram, photographs and source code (SD-Logger.zip, 1470 kB)
19th prize: Universal control device
by Richard Servus
This design is a control unit similar to a PLC with two conductivity measurement inputs, which can be configured to detect water level. The power supply for the controller is galvanically isolated from the input supply and from the digital inputs and outputs. Applications include control for reverse osmosis systems, water softener monitoring, rainwater storage systems, water transfer systems and aquaria. Description in German with circuit diagrams (Universalsteuerung.pdf, 1307 kB)
20th prize: TicTacToe
by Hans Michielsen
This game, originally called ‘Butter, cheese and eggs’ (the Dutch name for noughts and crosses), uses an R8C/15 microcontroller and is entirely built from SMD components. It includes multi-colour LEDs and a miniature joystick. Power comes from a single Li-ion cell and a voltage converter.
Project description in Dutch (TicTacToe.pdf, 586 kB) Circuit diagrams, C firmware and videos (TicTacToe.zip, 11102 kB)
21st prize: Foundry
by Helmut Posselt
This project describes the use of the R8C/13 in an industrial environment, monitoring the processes in a foundry. Mould fill levels in a fully-automated foundry are measured electronically so that the pouring curve can be checked and the causes of any unwanted deviation from normal behaviour tracked down.
Project description in German (Giesserei.pdf, 32 kB)
C source code and photographs (Giesserei.zip, 833 kB)
22nd prize: Twin-channel oscilloscope
by Roland Plisch
This two-channel oscilloscope uses two R8C/13 circuit boards, driven from the same quartz crystal to ensure good synchronisation between the two systems. Both the microcontrollers are connected to a PC using UART0. An NE555 timer provides a trigger timeout to emulate the automatic trigger function of a standard oscilloscope.
Brief description in German (Oszi2K.pdf, 12 kB)
Circuit diagram, C source code, pictures and Delphi software (Oszi2K.zip, 428 kB)
23rd prize: DTMF remote control with reverse channel
by Markus Daum
This is a remote control device based on the R8C/13 starter kit (see the February 2006 issue). An 8870 DTMF tone decoder is used to detect the tones and the microcontroller initiates the required switching action. A confirmation tone is produced by the microcontroller and injected into the telephone speech circuit.
Circuit description and operation guide in German (DTMF-Fernsteuerung.pdf, 26 kB)
Circuit diagram and C firmware (DTMF-Fernsteuerung.zip, 164 kB)
24th prize: GPS display
by Roland Essinger
NMEA-format data from a GPS receiver module are presented to the UART input of an R8C/13 microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the data and shows the results on an LCD from a Nokia 3310. The circuit gives accurate position information ideal for walkers, cyclists and drivers.
Project description in German (GPS-Display.pdf, 28 kB)
Circuit diagram, photographs and firmware (GPS-Display.zip)
25th prize: DCF77 clock
by Robert-Jan Wiepkes
This DCF77 radio-controlled clock can use a range of different displays. An LED display shows the time in both analogue and digital formats; alternatively, a graphical LCD can be used, offering additional graphical modes including an egg-timer display.
Project description in Dutch (DCF77-klok.pdf, 343 kB)
Circuit diagrams, photographs and firmware (DCF77-klok.zip, 1864 kB)
26th prize: Model mill
by Wilhelm Glauser
This project gives comprehensive control of a model mill using motors, servos and light control. The model is operated using a numeric keypad and includes a liquid crystal display.
Complete description in German (Muehle.pdf, 584 kB)
C project files (Muehle.zip, 187 kB)
27th prize: Pulse monitor
by Eddie Brador
This project monitors the pulse optically using an LDR. The result can be displayed as a simple ECG on the computer screen, or the device can be operated autonomously using its LCD.
Project description in French (EKG.pdf, 49 kB)
Circuit diagram, C project files and PC software (EKG.zip, 435 kB)
28th prize: 3D accelerometer
by Ivo van den Mooter
The R8C/13 is used to measure the analogue output values of a Freescale MMA7260Q acceleration sensor and display the results on an LCD. The data values are also sent in real time to a PC for graphical display.
Description and theory of operation in Dutch, and circuit diagram (Accelerometer.pdf, 806 kB)
C firmware and VB source code (Accelerometer.zip, 3505 kB)
29th prize: Rotator interface
by Piet van der Wal
This project controls an antenna rotator to track amateur radio satellites in orbit. The exact coordinates of the satellite are calculated using a PC and sent over a serial port to the R8C board, which can control two motors.
Project description in Dutch (Rotorinterface.pdf, 449 kB) Block diagram, photographs and C source code (Rotorinterface.zip, 1603 kB)
30th prize: Thermoalarm
by Diedrich Lamken
A range of different one-wire temperature sensors from Dallas are connected to an R8C/13. The sensors are interrogated by the microcontroller and the measured temperatures displayed on an LCD and transmitted over a serial interface. An alarm function is also provided, indicating when a threshold value has been exceeded.
Brief project description in German (ThermoAlarm.pdf, 13 kB)
Circuit diagram, photograph and firmware (ThermoAlarm.zip, 1341 kB)
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16-bit oscilloscope
by Roland Plisch
This project is a 16-bit universal interface for time-critical instrumentation applications, and has been used in a grating spectrograph. The circuit employs an ADS7815 A/D converter and a type 62256 SRAM. The R8C generates the data acquisition clock itself.
Brief description in German (Oszi16.pdf, 14 kB)
Circuit diagram, firmware and Delphi project files (Oszi16.zip, 1017 kB)
X-Y Plotter
by Thomas Wagner
The X-Y plotter is designed for communicating, displaying and storing oscilloscope traces from a Tektronix 2232 digital storage oscilloscope. The ‘Auxiliary Connector’ includes an X-Y plotter output, from which analogue signals are captured.
Description with examples in German (XY-Plotter.pdf, 83 kB)
Firmware, photographs and example data (XY-Plotter.zip, 778 kB)
Thermocouple
by Heinz Kutzer
The analogue signal from a thermocouple is converted into a 12-bit data word using a MAX6675 and transmitted over SPI to the microcontroller. The signal is read every second and the measured value, from 0 °C to 1024 °C, is displayed on a dot-matrix LCD. If the measured temperature exceeds an adjustable threshold value, a relay is actuated.
Brief description in German (Thermoelement.pdf, 24 kB)
Circuit diagram, photograph and firmware (Thermoelement.zip, 626 kB)
Tetalogger
by Claus Seitz
This temperature data logger uses a Dallas DS1820 (or DS18S20) temperature sensor with a one-wire interface and a 24LC512 64 kB I2C EEPROM. The stored data can be displayed using Hyperterminal and stored in a text file for subsequent processing using Excel.
Brief description in German (TetaLogger.pdf, 14 kB)
Circuit diagram, firmware and example data (TetaLogger.zip, 491 kB)
Mobile
by G. Van Zeijts
This design is for a motorised mobile that hangs from the ceiling. LEDs change in colour and the motor turns under control of an R8C/13. The device is operating using buttons with acoustic feedback or using an infra-red remote control.
Description in Dutch (Mobile.pdf, 398 kB)
Circuit diagram, firmware and video (Mobile.zip, 4428 kB)
DCF time measurement
by Jan Bruin
The microcontroller is used to time events with a resolution of 1 ms. High accuracy is achieved by synchronisation with the DCF radio signal. The software is capable of carrying out a number of consecutive measurements, storing up to 16 results in its internal memory.
Project description in Dutch (DCF-ms.pdf, 14 kB)
Circuit diagram and C source code (DCF-ms.zip, 1665 kB)
Anticarjacking
by Cyril Haenel
This is a security system using the R8C/17. The driver must identify himself after opening the car door, or the system will sound an alarm and disable the engine.
Functional description in French (Anticarjacking.pdf, 19 kB)
Circuit diagram, printed circuit board layout and firmware (Anticarjacking.zip, 175 kB)
Analogue multiplexer
by David Clark
Connections between a number of analogue inputs and outputs can be selected using 12 pushbuttons and an LCD. The device can be used in circuit development, for example, when a number of different components need to be tested in a circuit.
Project description in English (Analog-Switcher.pdf, 72 kB)
Circuit diagrams and C project files (Analog-Switcher.zip, 3111 kB)
SoundOfMadness
by Wincent Balin
This device is used to convert motion into sounds, for example for theatrical productions. Two reed switches and a few permanent magnets form the sensors, and the program generates tones, sending them to a loudspeaker via a DAC.
Project description in German (SoundOfMadness.pdf, 19 kB)
Circuit diagram and source code (SoundOfMadness.zip, 52 kB)
Tennis scorer
by Anthony Le Cren
This project is a tennis scoring system using pushbuttons, LEDs and an LCD, and is designed to assist umpires.
Functional description in French (TennisCounter.pdf, 465 kB)
Circuit diagram and C source code (TennisCounter.zip, 724 kB)
Frequency meter/oscilloscope
by Diedrich Lamken
This frequency counter includes a graphical LCD and can also be used as an oscilloscope for signals with frequencies from 2 Hz up to about 20 kHz. With the addition of a NAND gate the R8C/13 can measure frequencies of up to about 25 MHz. Results are displayed on the LCD and transmitted on the serial interface.
Project description in German (FreqOszi.pdf, 15 kB)
Circuit diagram and firmware (FreqOszi.zip, 1524 kB)
Radio-controlled clock
by Frank Zöllner
This project is a radio-controlled clock using a 2-by-16 LCD panel. The DCF77 module used is available from Conrad. If the clock is out of range of the transmitter, it switches over to an internal timebase.
Brief description in German (Funkuhr.pdf, 9 kB)
Photographs and C project files (Funkuhr.zip, 458 kB)
SynthOS2
by Wincent Balin
SynthOS2 is a small real-time operating system for non-interruptible tasks. Just one task is defined, which flashes the LED on port pin 1.0. It is possible to send messages between tasks.
Brief description in German (SynthOS2.pdf, 15 kB)
Source code (SynthOS2.zip, 40 kB)ode source (SynthOS2.zip, 40 KB)
Frequency/voltmeter
by Diedrich Lamken
This project is a frequency meter that can simultaneously measure a voltage. An external NAND gate allows the R8C/13 to measure frequencies up to about 25 MHz. Results are displayed on the LCD and output on the serial interface. The voltage on input AN6 is also measured and displayed.
Project description in German (FreqVolt.pdf, 12 kB)
Circuit diagram and firmware (FreqVolt.zip, 1274 kB)
SoftStart
by Anthonis Pontikakis
The R8C/13 controls the soft start-up of a three-phase pump motor.
Functional description in English and C source code (SoftStart.pdf, 159 kB)
Firmware (as ‘Mot’ file) (SoftStart.zip, 10 kB)
DCF77
by Diedrich Lamken
This project is a radio-controlled clock using the R8C/13. A DCF77 module is connected to port pin P4.5 and pin 16. The pulses are decoded and real-time status displayed on the LCD and output on the serial interface.
Project description in German (DCF77.pdf, 12 kB)
Circuit diagram and Firmware (DCF77.zip, 1210 kB)
Two-channel oscilloscope
by Roland Plisch
This project is a two-channel oscilloscope using a type ADC820 A/D converter and a 6116 memory in conjunction with a 4520 as a hardware address decoder. Capture rates of up to 1 Msample/s can be achieved.
Circuit description in German (ZweikanalOszi.pdf, 17 kB)
Circuit diagrams, firmware and Delphi software (ZweiKanalOszi.zip, 1041 kB)
Heating controller
by Eric Saccasijn
The microcontroller monitors the switching of a room thermostat and runs the heating pump for a further 15 minutes after the thermostat has switched off. In the summer months, when the heating is not used, the pump is run briefly every three days.
Project description in Dutch (Heizungssteuerung.pdf, 24 kB)
Circuit diagram and source code (Heizungssteuerung.zip, 298 kB)
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