The Elektor MultiCalculator Kit is an Arduino-based multifunction calculator that goes beyond basic calculations. It offers 22 functions including light and temperature measurement, differential temperature analysis, and NEC IR remote control decoding. The Elektor MultiCalculator is a handy tool for use in your projects or for educational purposes.
The kit features a Pro Mini module as the computing unit. The PCB is easy to assemble using through-hole components. The enclosure consists of 11 acrylic panels and mounting materials for easy assembly. Additionally, the device is equipped with a 16x2 alphanumeric LCD, 20 buttons, and temperature sensors.
The Elektor MultiCalculator is programmable with the Arduino IDE through a 6-way PCB header. The available software is bilingual (English and Dutch). The calculator can be programmed with a programming adapter, and it is powered through USB-C.
Modes of Operation
Calculator
4-Ring Resistor Code
5-Ring Resistor Code
Decimal to Hexadecimal and Character (ASCII) conversion
Hexadecimal to Decimal and Character (ASCII) conversion
Decimal to Binary and Character (ASCII) conversion
Binary to Decimal and Hexadecimal conversion
Hz, nF, capacitive reactance (XC) calculation
Hz, µH, inductive reactance (XL) calculation
Resistance calculation of two resistors connected in parallel
Resistance calculation of two resistors connected in series
Calculation of unknown parallel resistor
Temperature measurement
Differential temperature measurement T1&T2 and Delta (δ)
Light measurement
Stopwatch with lap time function
Item counter
NEC IR remote control decoding
AWG conversion (American Wire Gauge)
Rolling Dice
Personalize startup message
Temperature calibration
Specifications
Menu languages: English, Dutch
Dimensions: 92 x 138 x 40 mm
Build time: approx. 5 hours
Included
PCB and though-hole components
Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
Pro Mini microcontroller module (ATmega328/5 V/16 MHz)
Programming adapter
Waterproof temperature sensors
USB-C cable
Downloads
Software
Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can download their digital edition here.
Not a member yet? Click here.
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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).
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BMP and introduction to libraries, I²C
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I²C LCD adapter and DOT matrix displays
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W5100: Internet connection
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Relays and solid-state relays
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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
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.
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7-Segment Temperature Display
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Quickly and easily get started with learning electronics using the Arduino Uno Starter Kit, which have a universal appeal to fans at home, businesses, and schools alike.
No prior experience is required, as the kits introduce both coding and electronics through fun, engaging, and hands-on projects. You can use the starter kit to teach students about current, voltage, and digital logic as well as the fundamentals of programming.
There’s an introduction to sensors and actuators and how to understand both digital and analog signals. Within all this, you’ll be teaching students how to think critically, learn collaboratively, and solve problems.
Projects Book
GET TO KNOW YOUR TOOLS an introduction to the basics
SPACESHIP INTERFACE design the control panel for your starship
LOVE-O-METER measure how hot-blooded you are
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KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT play music and make some noise with this keyboard
DIGITAL HOURGLASS a light-up hourglass that can stop you from working too much
MOTORIZED PINWHEEL a coloured wheel that will make your head spin
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CRYSTAL BALL a mystical tour to answer all your tough questions
KNOCK LOCK tap out the secret code to open the door
TOUCHY-FEEL LAMP a lamp that responds to your touch
TWEAK THE ARDUINO LOGO control your personal computer from your Arduino
HACKING BUTTONS create a master control for all your devices!
Included
1x Projects Book (170 pages)
1x Arduino Uno
1x USB cable
1x Breadboard 400 points
70x Solid core jumper wires
1x Easy-to-assemble wooden base
1x 9 V battery snap
1x Stranded jumper wires (black)
1x Stranded jumper wires (red)
6x Phototransistor
3x Potentiometer 10 kΩ
10x Pushbuttons
1x Temperature sensor [TMP36]
1x Tilt sensor
1x alphanumeric LCD (16x2 characters)
1x LED (bright white)
1x LED (RGB)
8x LEDs (red)
8x LEDs (green)
8x LEDs (yellow)
3x LEDs (blue)
1x Small DC motor 6/9 V
1x Small servo motor
1x Piezo capsule
1x H-bridge motor driver
1x Optocouplers
2x Mosfet transistors
3x Capacitors 100 uF
5x Diodes
3x Transparent gels
1x Male pins strip (40x1)
20x Resistors 220 Ω
5x Resistors 560 Ω
5x Resistors 1 kΩ
5x Resistors 4.7 kΩ
20x Resistors 10 kΩ
5x Resistors 1 MΩ
5x Resistors 10 MΩ
The Elektor Super Servo Tester can control servos and measure servo signals. It can test up to four servo channels at the same time.
The Super Servo Tester comes as a kit. All the parts required to assemble the Super Servo Tester are included in the kit. Assembling the kit requires basic soldering skills. The microcontroller is already programmed.
The Super Servo Tester features two operating modes: Control/Manual and Measure/Inputs.
In Control/Manual mode the Super Servo Tester generates control signals on its outputs for up to four servos or for the flight controller or ESC. The signals are controlled by the four potentiometers.
In Measure/Inputs the Super Servo Tester measures the servo signals connected to its inputs. These signals may come from for instance an ESC, a flight controller, or the receiver or another device. The signals are also routed to the outputs to control the servos or the flight controller or ESC. The results are shown on the display.
Specifications
Operating modes
Control/Manual & Measure/Inputs
Channels
3
Servo signal inputs
4
Servo signal outputs
4
Alarm
Buzzer & LED
Display
0.96' OLED (128 x 32 pixels)
Input voltage on K5
7-12 VDC
Input voltage on K1
5-7.5 VDC
Input current
30 mA (9 VDC on K5, nothing connected to K1 and K2)
Dimensions
113 x 66 x 25 mm
Weight
60 g
Included
Resistors (0.25 W)
R1, R3
1 kΩ, 5%
R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R9, R10
10 kΩ, 5%
R8
22 Ω, 5%
P1, P2, P3, P4
10 kΩ, lin/B, vertical potentiometer
Capacitors
C1
100 µF 16 V
C2
10 µF 25 V
C3, C4, C7
100 nF
C5, C6
22 pF
Semiconductors
D1
1N5817
D2
LM385Z-2.5
D3
BZX79-C5V1
IC1
7805
IC2
ATmega328P-PU, programmed
LED1
LED, 3 mm, red
T1
2N7000
Miscellaneous
BUZ1
Piezo buzzer with oscillator
K1, K2
2-row, 12-way pinheader, 90°
K5
Barrel jack
K4
1-row, 4-way pin socket
K3
2-row, 6-way boxed pinheader
S1
Slide switch DPDT
S2
Slide switch SPDT
X1
Crystal, 16 MHz
28-way DIP socket for IC2
Elektor PCB
OLED display, 0.96', 128 x 32 pixels, 4-pin I²C interface
Links
Elektor Magazine
Elektor Labs
Build Your Own Vintage Radio Broadcaster
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit allows streaming audio to vintage AM radio receivers. Based on a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller module, the AM Transmitter can transmit on 32 frequencies in the AM band, from 500 kHz up to 1.6 MHz in 32 steps of approx. 35 kHz.
The frequency is selected with a potentiometer and shown on a 0.96" OLED display. A pushbutton allows toggles the transmitting mode between On and Off. The range of the transmitter depends on the antenna. The onboard antenna provides a range of a few centimeters, requiring the AM Transmitter to be placed close to or inside the radio. An external loop antenna (not included) can be connected to increase the range.
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit comes as a kit of parts that you must solder to the board yourself.
Features
The board is compatible with a Hammond 1593N enclosure (not included).A 5 VDC power supply with micro-USB connector (e.g., an old phone charger) is needed to power the kit (not included). Current consumption is 100 mA.
The Arduino software (requiring Earle Philhower’s RP2040 Boards Package) for the Elektor AM Transmitter Kit plus more information is available at the Elektor Labs page of this project.
Component List
Resistors
R1, R4 = 100 Ω
R2, R3, R8 = 10 kΩ
R5, R6, R9, R10, R11 = 1 kΩ
R7 = optional (not included)
P1 = potentiometer 100 kΩ, linear
Capacitors
C1 = 22 µF 16V
C2, C4 = 10 nF
C3 = 150 pF
Miscellaneous
K1 = 4×1 pin socket
K2, K3 = 3.5 mm socket
Raspberry Pi Pico
pushbutton, angle mount
0.96" monochrome I²C OLED display
PCB 150292-1
This hardware kit is especially prepared for 'The Official ESP32 Book'. The kit contains all the components used in the projects in this book. With the help of this hardware kit it should be easy and fun to build the projects in the book.
Included
1x ESP32 DevKitC
8x LEDs (RED)
1x LED (GREEN)
2x push-button
8x 330 ohm resistors
1x Buzzer
1x RGB LED
1x TMP36 temperature sensor chip
1x DHT11 temperature and humidity chip
1x MCP23017 (DIL 28 package)
1x LDR
1x BC108 (or any other PNP) transistor
1x 7 segment LED
1x Small Microphone Module
1x I²C LCD
1x SG90 servo
1x 4x4 Keypad
8x Female-Male jumpers
4x Male-Male jumpers
1x Small breadboard
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