The book "Node-RED and Raspberry Pi Pico W" describes the Node-RED programming environment in great detail with exciting applications on 527 pages. Only at Elektor, the book gets solid hardware support in the form of the popular SunFounder Kepler Kit with over 450 components including a Raspberry Pico W board. With this bundle, most of the experiments and programming exercises contained in the book can be carried out successfully.
This bundle contains:
Book: Node-Red and the Raspberry Pi Pico W (normal price: €50)
SunFounder Kepler Kit voor Raspberry Pi Pico W (normal price: €70)
Book: Node-RED and Raspberry Pi Pico W
From basics to flows for sensors, automation, motors, MQTT, and cloud services
This book is a learning guide and a reference. Use it to learn Node-RED, Raspberry Pi Pico W, and MicroPython, and add these state-of-the-art tools to your technology toolkit. It will introduce you to virtual machines, Docker, and MySQL in support of IoT projects based on Node-RED and the Raspberry Pi Pico W.
This book combines several elements into a platform that powers the development of modern Internet of Things applications. These elements are a flow-based server, a WiFi-enabled microcontroller, a high-level programming language, and a deployment technology. Combining these elements gives you the tools you need to create automation systems at any scale. From home automation to industrial automation, this book will help you get started.
Node-RED is an open-source flow-based development tool that makes it easy to wire together devices, APIs, and online services. Drag and drop nodes to create a flowchart that turns on your lights at sunset or sends you an email when a sensor detects movement. Raspberry Pi Pico W is a version of the Raspberry Pi Pico with added 802.11n Wi-Fi capability. It is an ideal device for physical computing tasks and an excellent match to the Node-RED.
Quick book facts
Project-based learning approach.
Assumes no prior knowledge of flow-based programming tools.
Learn to use essential infrastructure tools in your projects, such as virtual machines, Docker, MySQL and useful web APIs such as Google Sheets and OpenWeatherMap.
Dozens of mini-projects supported by photographs, wiring schematics, and source code. Get these from the book GitHub repository.
Step-by-step instructions on everything.
All experiments are based on the Raspberry Pi Pico W. A Wi-Fi network is required for all projects.
Downloads
GitHub
SunFounder Kepler Kit voor Raspberry Pi Pico W
Your gateway to IoT and microcontroller programming
With 450+ components and 117 online projects, this comprehensive kit ignites your creativity. The tutorials by Paul McWhorter make learning enjoyable for beginners and advanced users. This kit supports MicroPython, C/C++, and Piper Make, offering diverse programming options.
Explore sensors, actuators, LEDs, and LCDs for endless project possibilities. From home automation to robotics, this kit empowers your tech journey.
Features
IoT Starter Kit for Beginners: This kit offers a rich IoT learning experience for beginners. With 450+ components, 117 projects, and expert-led video lessons, this kit makes learning microcontroller programming and IoT engaging and accessible.
Expert-Guided Video Lessons: The kit includes 27 video tutorials by the renowned educator, Paul McWhorter. His engaging style simplifies complex concepts, ensuring an effective learning experience in microcontroller programming.
Wide Range of Hardware: The kit includes a diverse array of components like sensors, actuators, LEDs, LCDs, and more, enabling you to experiment and create a variety of projects with the Raspberry Pi Pico W.
Supports Multiple Languages: The kit offers versatility with support for three programming languages - MicroPython, C/C++, and Piper Make, providing a diverse programming learning experience.
Dedicated Support: Benefit from our ongoing assistance, including a community forum and timely technical help for a seamless learning experience.
Included
Raspberry Pi Pico W
Breadboard
Jumper Wires
Resistor
Transistor
Capacitor
Diode
Li-po Charger Module
74HC595
TA6586 – Motor Driver Chip
LED
RGB LED
LED Bar Graph
7-segment Display
4-Digit 7-Segment Display
LED Dot Matrix
I²C LCD1602
WS2812 RGB 8 LEDs Strip
Buzzer
DC Motor
Servo
DC Water Pump
Relay
Button
Micro Switch
Slide Switch
Potentiometer
Infrared Receiver
Joystick Module
4x4 Keypad
MPR121 Module
MFRC522 Module
Photoresistor
Thermistor
Tilt Switch
Reed Switch
PIR Motion Sensor Module
Water Level Sensor Module
Ultrasonic Module
DHT11 Humiture Sensor
MPU6050 Module
Documentation
Online Tutorial
This bundle includes both volumes of "KiCad Like a Pro" (4th edition 2024). In Fundamentals and Projects (normal price: €49.95), you'll learn how to use KiCad through a practical approach, helping you quickly become productive and start designing your own boards. Advanced Projects and Recipes (normal price: €44.95) allows you to practice your new KiCad skills by challenging yourself with a series of real-world projects.
The latest iteration of KiCad, the world’s best free-to-use Printed Circuit Board tool, is packed with features usually found only in expensive commercial CAD tools. This modern, cross-platform application suite built around schematic and design editors, with auxiliary applications is a stable and mature PCB tool. KiCad 8 is a perfect fit for electronic engineers and makers.
Here are the most significant improvements and features in KiCad 8, both over and under the hood:
Modern user interface, completely redesigned from earlier versions
Improved and customizable electrical and design rule checkers
Theme editor allowing you to customize KiCad on your screen
Ability to import projects from Eagle, CADSTART, and more
Python scripting API
Improved integrated SPICE circuit simulator
Multi-sheet schematics
Filters define selectable elements
Enhanced interactive router helps you draw single tracks and differential pairs with precision
New or enhanced tools to draw tracks, measure distances, tune track lengths, etc.
Advanced interactive router
Built-in bill of materials generator
Realistic ray-tracing capable 3D viewer
Customizable teardrops
Plug-in manager for quick installation of themes, libraries and functionalities such as autorouters and BOM generators
The first book KiCad Like A Pro – Fundamentals and Projects will teach you to use KiCad through a practical approach. It will help you become productive quickly and start designing your own boards. Example projects illustrate the basic features of KiCad, even if you have no prior knowledge of PCB design. The author describes the entire workflow from schematic entry to the intricacies of finalizing the files for PCB production and offers sound guidance on the process.
The second book KiCad Like A Pro – Advanced Projects and Recipes will help you to practice your new KiCad skills by challenging you in a series of real-world projects. The projects are supported by a comprehensive set of recipes with detailed instructions on how to achieve a variety of simple and complex tasks. Design the PCBs for a solar power supply, an LED matrix array, an Arduino-powered datalogger, and a custom ESP32 board. Understand the finer details of the interactive router, how to manage KiCad project teams with Git, how to use an autorouter on 2 and 4-layer PCBs, and much more.
Over 40 Fully Tested ESP32 Projects Using Arduino IDE and the LVGL Graphics Library
This bundle includes the ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) – a compact development board combining a standard ESP32 microcontroller with a 320x240 pixel TFT color display. The board also features multiple connectors for GPIO, serial communication (TX/RX), power, and ground. The built-in display is a major advantage, allowing users to create complex, graphics-based projects without the need for external LCDs or displays.
The accompanying book introduces the CYD board's hardware and on-board connectors in detail. It provides a range of beginner to intermediate-level projects developed using the popular Arduino IDE 2.0. Both basic graphics functions and the powerful LVGL graphics library are covered, with practical projects illustrating each approach.
All included projects have been fully tested and are ready to use. The book provides block diagrams, circuit schematics, complete code listings, and step-by-step explanations. With the LVGL library, readers can create modern, full-color graphical interfaces using widgets such as buttons, labels, sliders, calendars, keyboards, charts, tables, menus, animations, and more.
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board
This development board (also known as "Cheap Yellow Display") is powered by the ESP-WROOM-32, a dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It operates at a main frequency of up to 240 MHz, with 520 KB SRAM, 448 KBROM, and a 4 MB Flash memory. The board features a 2.8-inch display with a resolution of 240x320 and resistive touch.
Furthermore, the board includes a backlight control circuit, touch control circuit, speaker drive circuit, photosensitive circuit, and RGB-LED control circuit. It also provides a TF card slot, serial interface, DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor interface, and additional IO ports.
The module supports development in Arduino IDE, ESP-IDE, MicroPython, and Mixly.
Applications
Image transmission for Smart Home device
Wireless monitoring
Smart agriculture
QR wireless recognition
Wireless positioning system signal
And other IoT applications
Specifications
Microcontroller
ESP-WROOM-32 (Dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
Frequency
Up to 240 MHz (computing power is up to 600 DMIPS)
SRAM
520 KB
ROM
448 KB
Flash
4 MB
Operating voltage
5 V
Power consumption
approx. 115 mA
Display
2.8-inch color TFT screen (240 x 320)
Touch
Resistive Touch
Driver chip
ILI9341
Dimensions
50 x 86 mm
Weight
50 g
Downloads
GitHub
Contents of the Bundle
The ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Book (normal price: €35)
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board (normal price: €25)
1x ESP32 Dev Board with 2.8" Display and acrylic Shell
1x Touch pen
1x Connector cable
1x USB cable
The Theremin was the first music synthesizer. The Junior Theremin is our, smaller, version of that classic electronic musical instrument. As you move your hand towards and away from the wire aerial, the Theremin responds by changing the pitch of the note it is playing. It can play individual notes as well as varying the tone of a single note.
How do you use the theremin?
The wire aerial responds to the movement of your hand towards and away from it and changes the pitch of the note it plays, without actually being touched. Junior Theremin works in two modes – continuous and discrete. When you first connect the battery Junior Theremin is in continuous mode. Pressing both pushbuttons together switches between continuous and discrete modes. Discrete mode, as its name implies, plays individual or discrete notes rather than a continuously variable tone. Eight notes over a single octave are available. In discrete mode the two pushbuttons change the octave of the notes. The left-hand pushbutton (marked -) lowers the octave, and the right-hand pushbutton (marked +) raises the octave. The pushbuttons only change the octave so long as they are pressed. In continuous mode the pushbuttons have no effect.
Downloads
Manual
Getting started in electronics is not as difficult as you may think. With this bundle (book + kit of parts), you can explore and learn the most important electrical and electronics engineering concepts in a fun way by doing various experiments. You will learn electronics practically without getting into complex technical jargon and long calculations. As a result, you will be creating your own projects soon.
This kit contains the components required to build most of the detailed examples of the book on a breadboard and try them out for real.
The kit can, of course, also be used without the book for building other circuits and doing your own experiments.
Kit contents
1x 39 Ω, 1 W resistor
1x 47 Ω resistor
1x 180 Ω resistor
1x 330 Ω resistor
3x 1 kΩ resistor
1x 2.2 kΩ resistor
1x 3.9 kΩ resistor
1x 6.8 kΩ resistor
1x 10 kΩ resistor
1x 15 kΩ resistor
1x 22 kΩ resistor
1x 33 kΩ resistor
1x 47 kΩ resistor
1x 56 kΩ resistor
1x 82 kΩ resistor
1x 120 kΩ resistor
1x 680 kΩ resistor
2x 100 kΩ resistor
1x 10 kΩ trimmer
1x 10 kΩ linear potentiometer
1x 100 kΩ linear potentiometer
1x LDR
1x 1 nF ceramic capacitor
2x 10 nF ceramic capacitor
1x 100 nF ceramic capacitor
1x 1 µF, 25 V aluminium electrolytic capacitor
2x 10 µF, 25 V aluminium electrolytic capacitor
1x 100 µF, 25 V aluminium electrolytic capacitor
1x 470 µF, 25 V aluminium electrolytic capacitor
1x 1000 µF, 25 V aluminium electrolytic capacitor
1x RGB LED, Common-Cathode (CC)
1x 1N4148 small signal diode
1x 1N4733A 5.1 V, 1 W Zener diode
3x LED, red
2x BC337 NPN transistor
1x IRFZ44N N-channel MOSFET
2x NE555 timer
1x LM393 comparator
1x 74HCT08 quad AND gate
3x Tactile switch
2x SPDT switch
1x Relay, SPDT, 9 VDC
1x Active buzzer
1x Passive buzzer
50 cm Solid wire, 16 AWG, unjacketed
2x PP3 9 V battery clip
1x Breadboard
20x Jumper wire
This bundle contains:
Practical Electronics Crash Course Kit (valued at: €45)
Book: Practical Electronics Crash Course (normal price: €45)
This bundle contains:
Book: Building Wireless Sensor Networks with OpenThread (normal price: €40)
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 USB Dongle (normal price: €20)
Book: Building Wireless Sensor Networks with OpenThread
This book will guide you through the operation of Thread, the setup of a Thread network, and the creation of your own Zephyr-based OpenThread applications to use it. You’ll acquire knowledge on:
The capture of network packets on Thread networks using Wireshark and the nRF Sniffer for 802.15.4.
Network simulation with the OpenThread Network Simulator.
Connecting a Thread network to a non-Thread network using a Thread Border Router.
The basics of Thread networking, including device roles and types, as well as the diverse types of unicast and multicast IPv6 addresses used in a Thread network.
The mechanisms behind network discovery, DNS queries, NAT64, and multicast addresses.
The process of joining a Thread network using network commissioning.
CoAP servers and clients and their OpenThread API.
Service registration and discovery.
Securing CoAP messages with DTLS, using a pre-shared key or X.509 certificates.
Investigating and optimizing a Thread device’s power consumption.
Once you‘ve set up a Thread network with some devices and tried connecting and disconnecting them, you’ll have gained a good insight into the functionality of a Thread network, including its self-healing capabilities. After you’ve experimented with all code examples in this book, you’ll also have gained useful programming experience using the OpenThread API and CoAP.
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 USB Dongle
The nRF52840 dongle is a small, low-cost USB dongle that supports Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, ZigBee, 802.15.4, ANT and 2.4 GHz proprietary protocols. The dongle is the perfect target hardware for use with nRF Connect for Desktop as it is low-cost but still support all the short range wireless standards used with Nordic devices.
The dongle has been designed to be used as a wireless HW device together with nRF Connect for Desktop. For other use cases please do note that there is no debug support on the dongle, only support for programming the device and communicating through USB.
It is supported by most of the nRF Connect for Desktop apps and will automatically be programmed if needed. In addition custom applications can be compiled and downloaded to the dongle. It has a user programmable RGB LED, a green LED, a user programmable button as well as 15 GPIO accessible from castellated solder points along the edge. Example applications are available in the nRF5 SDK under the board name PCA10059.
The nRF52840 dongle is supported by nRF Connect for Desktop as well as programming through nRFUtil.
Features
Bluetooth 5.2 ready multiprotocol radio
2 Mbps
Long Range
Advertising Extensions
Channel Selection Algorithm #2 (CSA #2)
IEEE 802.15.4 radio support
Thread
ZigBee
Arm Cortex-M4 with floating point support
DSP instruction set
ARM CryptoCell CC310 cryptographic accelerator
15 GPIO available via edge castellation
USB interface direct to nRF52840 SoC
Integrated 2.4 GHz PCB antenna
1 user-programmable button
1 user-programmable RGB LED
1 user-programmable LED
1.7-5.5 V operation from USB or external
Downloads
Datasheet
Hardware Files
This bundle includes the Raspberry Pi Zero W and the Elektor Raspberry Pi Buffer Board.
Raspberry Pi Zero W
The Raspberry Pi Zero W is the newest member of the Raspberry Pi Zero family. The Raspberry Pi Zero W has all the functionality of the original Raspberry Pi Zero, but comes with added connectivity consisting of:
802.11 b/g/n WLAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Other features
1 GHz, single-core CPU
512 MB RAM
Mini HDMI and USB On-The-Go ports
Micro-USB power supply
HAT-compatible 40-pin header
Composite video and reset headers
CSI camera connector
Downloads
Mechanische tekening
Schema's
Elektor Raspberry Pi Buffer Board
When you experiment with the Raspberry Pi on a regular basis and you connect a variety of external hardware to the GPIO port via the header you may well have caused some damage in the past. The Raspberry Pi Buffer Board is there to prevent this! The board is compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero, 3, 4, 5 and 400.
All 26 GPIOs are buffered with bi-directional voltage translators to protect the Raspberry Pi when experimenting with new circuits. The PCB is intended to be inserted in the back of Raspberry Pi< 400. The connector to connect to the Raspberry Pi is a right angled 40-way receptacle (2x20). The PCB is only a fraction wider. A 40-way flat cable with appropriate 2x20 headers can be connected to the buffer output header to experiment for instance with a circuit on a breadboard or PCB.
The circuit uses four TXS0108E ICs by Texas Instruments. The PCB can also be put upright on a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer.
Downloads
Schematics
Layout
Program and build Raspberry Pi based ham station utilities, tools, and instruments
The improved RTL-SDR V4 allows you to receive radio signals between 500 kHz and 1.75 GHz from stations utilizing different bands including MW/SW/LW broadcast, ham radio, utility, air traffic control, PMR, SRD, ISM, CB, weather satellite, and radio astronomy.
The book Raspberry Pi 5 for Radio Amateurs gives extensive coverage of deploying the RTL-SDR kit through the use of a Raspberry Pi 5.
This bundle contains:
RTL-SDR V4 (incl. Dipole Antenna Kit) (normal price: €65)
Raspberry Pi 5 for Radio Amateurs (normal price: €40)
RTL-SDR V4 (Software Defined Radio) with Dipole Antenna Kit
RTL-SDR is an affordable dongle that can be used as a computer-based radio scanner for receiving live radio signals between 500 kHz and 1.75 GHz in your area.
The RTL-SDR V4 offers several improvements over generic brands including use of the R828D tuner chip, triplexed input filter, notch filter, improved component tolerances, a 1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO), SMA F connector, aluminium case with passive cooling, bias tee circuit, improved power supply, and a built in HF upconverter.
RTL-SDR V4 comes with the portable dipole antenna kit. It is great for beginners as it allows for terrestrial and satellite reception and easy to mount outdoors and designed for portable and temporary outside usage.
Features
Improved HF reception: V4 now uses a built-in upconverter instead of using a direct sampling circuit. This means no more Nyquist folding of signals around 14.4 MHz, improved sensitivity, and adjustable gain on HF. Like the V3, the lower tuning range remains at 500 kHz and very strong reception may still require front end attenuation/filtering.
Improved filtering: The V4 makes use of the R828D tuner chip, which has three inputs. The SMA input has been triplexed input into 3 bands: HF, VHF and UHF. This provides some isolation between the 3 bands, meaning out of band interference from strong broadcast stations is less likely to cause desensitization or imaging.
Improved filtering x2: In addition to the triplexing, the open drain pin on the R828D can be also used, which allows to add simple notch filters for common interference bands such as broadcast AM, broadcast FM and the DAB bands. These only attenuate by a few dB, but may still help.
Improved phase noise on strong signals: Due to an improved power supply design, phase noise from power supply noise has been significantly reduced.
Less heat: Another advantage of the improved power supply is low power consumption and less heat generation compared to the V3.
Included
1x RTL-SDR V4 dongle (R828D RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO SMA)
2x 23 cm to 1 m telescopic antenna
2x 5 cm to 13 cm telescopic antenna
1x Dipole antenna base with 60 cm RG174
1x 3 m RG174 extension cable
1x Flexible tripod mount
1x Suction cup mount
Downloads
Datasheet
User Guide
Quick Start Guide
SDR# User Guide
Dipole Antenna Guide
Book: Raspberry Pi 5 for Radio Amateurs
The RTL-SDR devices (V3 and V4) have gained popularity among radio amateurs because of their very low cost and rich features. A basic system may consist of a USB based RTL-SDR device (dongle) with a suitable antenna, a Raspberry Pi 5 computer, a USB based external audio input-output adapter, and software installed on the Raspberry Pi 5 computer. With such a modest setup, it is possible to receive signals from around 24 MHz to over 1.7 GHz.
This book is aimed at amateur radio enthusiasts and electronic engineering students, as well as at anyone interested in learning to use the Raspberry Pi 5 to build electronic projects. The book is suitable for both beginners through experienced readers. Some knowledge of the Python programming language is required to understand and eventually modify the projects given in the book. A block diagram, a circuit diagram, and a complete Python program listing is given for each project, alongside a comprehensive description.
The following popular RTL-SDR programs are discussed in detail, aided by step-by-step installation guides for practical use on a Raspberry Pi 5:
SimpleFM
GQRX
SDR++
CubicSDR
RTL-SDR Server
Dump1090
FLDIGI
Quick
RTL_433
aldo
xcwcp
GPredict
TWCLOCK
CQRLOG
klog
Morse2Ascii
PyQSO
Welle.io
Ham Clock
CHIRP
xastir
qsstv
flrig
XyGrib
FreeDV
Qtel (EchoLink)
XDX (DX-Cluster)
WSJT-X
The application of the Python programming language on the latest Raspberry Pi 5 platform precludes the use of the programs in the book from working on older versions of Raspberry Pi computers.
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by Lobna Belarbi
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