Whatever the methods or even then financial means you have to make your circuits work, the power supply should rank high if not Number One in your considerations. The design block simply called “power supply” is hugely underrated both in electronics creation and repair. Yet, the “PSU” has enormous diversity and comes in wildly differing guises like AC/DC, generator, battery (rechargeable or not), PV panel, benchtop, linear or switch-mode, to mention but a few. The output ranges are also staggering like nano-amps to kiloamps and the same for voltages.This special covers the features and design aspects of power supplies.ContentsBasics Battery ManagementWhat to be aware of when using (Lithium) batteries. Fixed-Voltage Power Supply using Linear RegulatorsThe best result right after batteries. Light Energy HarvestingA small solar panel is used in an energy harvesting project to manage and charge four AAA cells. Mains Powered Adapter DesignBasic circuits and tips for transformers, rectification, filtering and stabilization. LM317 Soft StartThe high inrush current pulse should be avoided. Controllable RectifiersSome suggestions to keep the power loss in the linear regulator as low as possible. Components Worksheet: The LM117 / LM217 / LM317 Voltage Regulators SupercapsLow voltage but lots of current… or not? Reviews JOY-iT RD6006 Benchtop Power Supply Kit Siglent SDL1020X Programmable DC Electronic Load Projects Balcony Power PlantDIY solar balcony = speedy payback! DIY LiPo Supercharger KitFrom handcrafted to mass market Dual-Anode MOSFET ThyristorFaster and less wasteful than the old SCR Battery JuicerDo not throw away, squeeze! High-Voltage Power Supply with Curve TracerGenerate voltages up to 400 V and trace characteristics curves for valves and transistors High Voltage Supply for RIAAFor RIAA tube preamps and other applications. MicroSupplyA lab power supply for connected devices Phantom Power Supply using Switched CapacitorsVoltage tripler using three ICs The SMPS800RE Switch-Mode Supply for the Elektor Fortissimo-100Reliable, light and affordable Soft Start for PSUBe nice to your power supply – and its load UniLab 20-30 V, 3 A compact switch-mode lab power supply Tips Soft Start for Step-Down Switching Regulators Low Loss Current Limit Powerbank Surprise A Virtual Ground Battery Maintainer Battery Pack Discharger Connecting Voltage Regulators in Parallel

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Contents Projects PicoVoiceVoice alienation and sound effects with the Raspberry Pi Pico Navigation with Vibration Feedback POV Display Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) with the Raspberry Pi Pico Wi-Fi with the Raspberry Pi Pico 'Hello World' from the Raspberry Pi Pico and RP2040A look at the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s first microcontroller Simple On-Off Temperature Controller with Raspberry Pi HAT Multitasking with the Raspberry PiShowcase: a traffic lights controller The Raspberry Pi Ruler GadgetFun with a time-of-flight sensor Raspberry Pi Buffer Board (Mk. 1)Never blow up the I/O again FM radio with RDSA top HAT project for the Raspberry Pi LoRa with the Raspberry Pi PicoFun with MicroPython! Tutorials Qt for the Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi Pico Programmingwith MicroPython and Thonny Raspberry Pi Full StackRPi and RF24 at the heart of a sensor network Raspberry Pi Bash Command Cheat Sheet Community Java on the Raspberry PiAn interview with Frank Delporte Reviews Introducing the New Raspberry Pi Pico W, H, and WH Secure Boot Solution for Raspberry PiRetrofit security at a reasonable price Review: SmartPi – Smart Meter Extension for Raspberry Pi Review: The Enviro+ Raspberry Pi HATMeasuring environmental data with Raspberry Pi and the HAT Enviro+ Review: Meet the Raspberry Pi 4All new but still good? Raspberry Pi Gets a Fast 3.5' Touch DisplayMore power at no extra charge Book Launch: Raspberry Pi for Radio Amateurs

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Although the Arduino isn’t a novelty any longer, there are still many beginners who want to try programming and development with a microcontroller, and to them, it is all new. All beginnings can be difficult, though they should be light and enjoyable. You do not need much or expensive equipment for the examples. The circuits are built on a small breadboard, and, if necessary, connected to an Arduino Uno, which you can program on a Windows PC. You will find clear examples of how to build all circuits, ensuring easy and error-free reproduction. Projects Discussed Current & Voltage – How it all began Arduino Hardware Arduino Programming The Electrical Circuit Measuring with the Multimeter Circuit Diagrams and Breadboards Creating Circuit Diagrams Breadboard Views with Fritzing Online Circuit Simulation Indispensable: Resistors (Part 1) Hands-on with Resistors (Part 2) Variable Resistors Diodes: One-way Street for Current The Transistor Switch Electromagnetism Relays and Motors op-amps: Operational Amplifiers Capacitors The NE555 Timer PWM and Analogue Values with Arduino 7-Segment Temperature Display Introduction to Soldering and LCDs

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Make your project dreams come true: an odometer for the hamster wheel, a fully automatic control of your ant farm with web interface, or the Sandwich-O-Mat – a machine that toasts and grills sandwiches of your choice. With the Arduino and the DIY or Maker movement, not only did entry into microcontroller programming become child's play, but a second development also took place: Resourceful developers brought small boards – so-called shields or modules – to the market, which greatly simplified the use of additional hardware. The small modules contain all the important electronic parts to be connected to the microcontroller with a few plug-in cables, eliminating the need for a fiddly and time-consuming assembly on the plug-in board. In addition, it is also possible to handle tiny components that do not have any connecting legs (so-called SMDs). Projects Discussed Arduino seeks connection BMP and introduction to libraries, I²C Learn I/O basics with the multi-purpose shield I²C LCD adapter and DOT matrix displays LCD keypad shield Level converter W5100: Internet connection I/O expansion shield Relays and solid-state relays The multi-function shield: A universal control unit Connecting an SD card reader via SPI Keys and 7-segment displays 16-bit ADC MCP4725 DAC 16-way PWM servo driver MP3 player GPS data logger using an SD card Touch sensor Joystick SHT31: Temperature and humidity VEML6070 UV-A sensor VL53L0X time-of-flight Ultrasonic distance meter MAX7219-based LED DOT matrix display DS3231 RTC Port expander MCP23017 433 MHz radio MPU-650 gyroscope ADXL345 accelerometer WS2812 RGB LEDs Power supply MQ-xx gas sensors CO2 gas sensor ACS712 current sensor INA219 current sensor L298 motor driver MFRC522 RFID 28BYJ-48 stepper motor TMC2209 silent step stick X9C10x digital potentiometer ST7735 in a color TFT display e-Paper display Bluetooth Geiger counter SIM800L GSM module I²C multiplexer Controller Area Network

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Build your textbook weather station or conduct environmental research together with the whole world. With many practical projects for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, NodeMCU, ESP32, and other development boards. Weather stations have enjoyed great popularity for decades. Every current and even every long discontinued electronics magazine has regularly featured articles on building your own weather station. Over the years, they have become increasingly sophisticated and can now be fully integrated into an automated home — although this often requires loyalty to an (expensive) brand manufacturer across all components. With your own weather and environmental data, you can keep up and measure things that no commercial station can. It’s also fun: expand your knowledge of electronics, current microcontroller development boards and programming languages in a fun and meaningful way. For less than 10 euros you can get started and record your first environmental data — with time and growing interest, you will continue to expand your system. In this Edition Which Microcontroller Fits My Project? The Right Development Environment Tracking Wind and Weather Weather Display with OpenWeatherMap and Vacuum Fluorescent Display Volatile Organic Compounds in the Air We Breathe Working with MQ Sensors: Measuring Carbon Monoxide — Odorless but Toxic CO2 Traffic Light with ThingSpeak IoT Connection An Automatic Plant Watering System Good Indoor Climate: Temperature and Humidity are Important criteria Classy Thermometer with Vintage Tube Technology Nostalgic Weather House for the Whole Family Measuring Air Pressure and Temperature Accurately Sunburn Warning Device DIY Sensor for Sunshine Duration Simple Smartphone Says: Fog or Clear View? Identifying Earthquakes Liquid Level Measurement for Vessels and Reservoirs Water pH Value Measurement Detecting Radioactive Radiation GPS: Sensor Location Service Across the Globe Saving and Timestamping Log Files on SD Cards LoRaWAN, The Things Network, and ThingSpeak Operating a LoRaWAN Gateway for TTN Defying "Wind and Weather" Mega Display with Weather Forecasz

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As demand for solar panel installation has risen sharply, especially for installations larger than balcony power plants, the order books of solar companies are full. If you ask for a quote today, you may have to wait a while, if your request isn't simply postponed indefinitely. Another consequence of the solar boom is that some companies are charging very high prices for installations. Yet there is an obvious and radical solution to the problem of excessive prices: Do it yourself, as the English say. The price of materials is currently affordable, and it's the ideal time for those who do the work themselves. They couldn't save more. Add to this the satisfaction of doing something useful, both economically and ecologically, and the pleasure of building yourself. In this special issue, you'll find a wide selection of Elektor assemblies, from solar panel controllers to solar water heaters and solar panel orientation systems. The issue also contains practical information on solar panel installation and the technology behind them. Finally, there are a number of articles on the subject of balcony power plants, from how to install them to how to connect them to the Internet... Contents BASICS Dimensioning Photovoltaic Panel ArraysAn introduction to photovoltaic energy and the commonest techniques,followed by simplified calculation models and setup guidelines. Light Sensor TechnologyMeasuring daylight using LEDs. Solar Power Made SimpleSolar charging with and without a controller. Cable Cross-sections and Energy Losses in Solar SystemsKey considerations on the minimum values to respect for electricalcurrent in solar panel cabling. Solar ModulesEverything you always wanted to know about solar panels... Ideal Diode ControllerDiode Circuits with Low Power Dissipation. TIPS Tracking for Solar Modules zBot Solar/Battery Power Supply Solar Cell Array Charger with Regulator Solar Cell Voltage Regulator Solar-Powered Night Light Alternative Solar Battery Charger PROJECTS Energy LoggerMeasuring and Recording Power Consumption. Tiny Solar SupplySunlight In, 3.3 V Out. A Do-It-Yourself DTURead Data from Small Inverters by μC. Solar ChargerPortable energy for people on the move. Solar Thermal Energy RegulatorMaximum power point tracking explored. 2-amp Maximum Power Tracking ChargerSolar Power To The Max. Computer-driven HeliostatFollow the sun or the stars. Garden LightingUsing solar cells. Solar Panel Voltage Converter for IoT DevicesYes we CAN exploit indoor lighting. Travel ChargerFree power in the mountains. Solar Cell Battery Charger/MonitorWith protection against deep discharge. Solar-powered Battery ChargerPIC12C671 avoids overcharging and deep charging. Converters for Photovoltaic PanelsContributed by TME (Transfer MultisortElektronik). Solar Charging RegulatorFor panels up to 53 watts. Solar-Powered ChargerFor lead-acid batteries. CAN Bus + Arduino for Solar PV Cell MonitoringDetect and locate serviceable panels in large arrays. Balcony Power Plant 2.0The latest: solar panels, installation and inverters

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This collection features the best of Elektor Magazine's articles on embedded systems and artificial intelligence. From hands-on programming guides to innovative AI experiments, these pieces offer valuable insights and practical knowledge for engineers, developers, and enthusiasts exploring the evolving intersection of hardware design, software innovation, and intelligent technology. Contents Programming PICs from the Ground UpAssembler routine to output a sine wave Object-Oriented ProgrammingA Short Primer Using C++ Programming an FPGA Tracking Down Microcontroller Buffer Overflows with 0xDEADBEEF Too Quick to Code and Too Slow to Test? Understanding the Neurons in Neural NetworksEmbedded Neurons MAUI Programming for PC, Tablet, and SmartphoneThe New Framework in Theory and Practice USB Killer DetectorBetter Safe Than Sorry Understanding the Neurons in Neural NetworksArtificial Neurons A Bare-Metal Programming Guide Part 1: For STM32 and Other Controllers Part 2: Accurate Timing, the UART, and Debugging Part 3: CMSIS Headers, Automatic Testing, and a Web Server Introduction to TinyMLBig Is Not Always Better Microprocessors for Embedded SystemsPeculiar Parts, the Series FPGAs for BeginnersThe Path From MCU to FPGA Programming AI in Electronics DevelopmentAn Update After Only One Year AI in the Electronics LabGoogle Bard and Flux Copilot Put to the Test ESP32 and ChatGPTOn the Way to a Self-Programming System… Audio DSP FX Processor Board Part 1: Features and Design Part 2: Creating Applications Rust + EmbeddedA Development Power Duo A Smart Object CounterImage Recognition Made Easy with Edge Impulse Universal Garden LoggerA Step Towards AI Gardening A VHDL ClockMade with ChatGPT TensorFlow Lite on Small MicrocontrollersA (Very) Beginner’s Point of View Mosquito DetectionUsing Open Datasets and Arduino Nicla Vision Artificial Intelligence Timeline Intro to AI AlgorithmsPrompt: Which Algorithms Implement Each AI Tool? Bringing AI to the Edgewith ESP32-P4 The Growing Role of Edge AIA Trend Shaping the Future

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