This bundle contains the popular Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico and the new Elektor Laser Head Upgrade, offering even more options for displaying the time. Not only can you "engrave" the current time in sand, you can now alternatively write it on a glow-in-the-dark foil or create green drawings.
Contents of the bundle
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico (normal price: €50)
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock (normal price: €35)
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi-based Eye Catcher)
A standard sand clock just shows how time passes. In contrast, this Raspberry Pi Pico-controlled sand clock shows the exact time by "engraving" the four digits for hour and minute into the layer of sand. After an adjustable time the sand is flattened out by two vibration motors and everything begins all over again.
At the heart of the sand clock are two servo motors driving a writing pen through a pantograph mechanism. A third servo motor lifts the pen up and down. The sand container is equipped with two vibration motors to flatten the sand. The electronic part of the sand clock consists of a Raspberry Pi Pico and an RTC/driver board with a real-time clock, plus driver circuits for the servo motors.
A detailed construction manual is available for downloading.
Features
Dimensions: 135 x 110 x 80 mm
Build time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Included
3x Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
3x Mini servo motors
2x Vibration motors
1x Raspberry Pi Pico
1x RTC/driver board with assembled parts
Nuts, bolts, spacers, and wires for the assembly
Fine-grained white sand
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock
The new Elektor Laser Head transforms the Sand Clock into a clock that writes the time on glow-in-the-dark film instead of sand. In addition to displaying the time, it can also be used to create ephemeral drawings. The 5 mW laser pointer, with a wavelength of 405 nm, produces bright green drawings on the glow-in-the-dark film. For best results, use the kit in a dimly lit room. Warning: Never look directly into the laser beam!
The kit includes all the necessary components, but soldering three wires is required.
Note: This kit is also compatible with the original Arduino-based Sand Clock from 2017. For more details, see Elektor Magazine 1-2/2017 and Elektor Magazine 1-2/2018.
Elektor GREEN en GOLD leden kunnen deze uitgave hier downloaden.Nog geen lid? Klik hier om een lidmaatschap af te sluiten.
Cloc 2.0de wekker die je altijd al wilde hebben
PIO in de praktijkexperimenten met de programmeerbare I/O van de RP2040
Armeluis chiptweakerwe krijgen je wel (goedkoop) aan de praat...
Echte USB-toevalsgeneratortwee PIC’s voor de prijs van één AVR
Pimp my mike...opvoeren doe je zelf
FFT met Maixduinofrequentiespectra vastleggen
Uit het leven gegrepenontwerp(on)logica
UCN5804 stappenmotordrivervreemde onderdelen
Simuleren met Micro-Capeerste stappen in een complexe wereld
PAUL Award 2022jonge technische talenten en hun creatieve ontwerpen
Mijn eerste Software Defined Radioin minder dan 15 minuten klaar
Microcontroller-documentatie verklaarddeel 1: de opzet van een datasheet
Hoe verder met AI en embedded systems?tools, platforms – en worden schrijvers obsoleet?
Digitalisering van verticale landbouw
Elektor Infographicsembedded en AI vandaag – en morgen
Een introductie tot TinyML
Casestudy KwickPOS
High-performance in elke klassecomputer-on-module standaarden
Alle begin......wordt eindelijk actief!
I²C-communicatie met Node.js en een Raspberry Pibekijk sensordata in een browser
Video-output met microcontrollers (2)VGA en DVI
Het Metronom real-time besturingssysteemeen RTOS voor AVR-processoren
DVI op de RP2040vraaggesprek met Luke Wren, chipontwikkelaar bij Raspberry Pi
Display-HAT Minitoont het weer op de Raspberry Pi
De WEEF 2022 Awardshet goede vieren
Hexadoku
STmicroelectronics’ wireless IoT & wearable sensor development kit
‘SensorTile.box’ is a portable multi-sensor circuit board housed in a plastic box and developed by STMicroelectronics. It is equipped with a high-performance 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processor with DSP and FPU, and various sensor modules, such as accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, atmospheric pressure sensor, microphone, and so on. SensorTile.box is ready to use with wireless IoT and Bluetooth connectivity that can easily be used with an iOS or Android compatible smartphone, regardless of the level of expertise of the users. SensorTile.box is shipped with a long-life battery and all the user has to do is connect the battery to the circuit to start using the box.
The SensorTile.box can be operated in three modes: Basic mode, Expert mode, and Pro mode. Basic mode is the easiest way of using the box since it is pre-loaded with demo apps and all the user has to do is choose the required apps and display or plot the measured data on a smartphone using an app called STE BLE Sensor. In Expert mode users can develop simple apps using a graphical wizard provided with the STE BLE Sensor. Pro mode is the most complex mode allowing users to develop programs and upload them to the SensorTile.box.
This book is an introduction to the SensorTile.box and includes the following:
Brief specifications of the SensorTile.box; description of how to install the STE BLE Sensor app on an iOS or Android compatible smartphone required to communicate with the box.
Operation of the SensorTile.box in Basic mode is described in detail by going through all of the pre-loaded demo apps, explaining how to run these apps through a smartphone.
An introduction to the Expert mode with many example apps developed and explained in detail enabling users to develop their own apps in this mode. Again, the STE BLE Sensor app is used on the smartphone to communicate with the SensorTile.box and to run the developed apps.
The book then describes in detail how to upload the sensor data to the cloud. This is an important topic since it allows the sensor measurements to be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection, at any time.
Finally, Pro mode is described in detail where more experienced people can use the SensorTile.box to develop, debug, and test their own apps using the STM32 open development environment (STM32 ODE). The Chapter explains how to upload the developed firmware to the SensorTile.box using several methods. Additionally, the installation and use of the Unicleo-GUI package is described with reference to the SensorTile.box. This PC software package enables all of the SensorTile.box sensor measurements to be displayed or plotted in real time on the PC.
Practical Guide to Modular RF Design
Build Your Own Software-Defined Radio combines RF circuitry with hardware programming and PC-based signal processing. The e-book presents a modular approach to building a complete SDR system using RF Bricks – from the mechanical framework and RF modules to measurement tools, PC software, and FPGA implementations. Practical explanations guide readers through real signal paths, construction steps, and measurement routines, linking hardware and software into a flexible SDR platform.
Key topics include:
Mechanical setup: RF Brick template, chassis, and 19-inch module carrier
Bridges: USB isolator, I²C level shifter, I²C power switch, and practical examples
Signal-chain design with RF Bricks: antennas, band filters, NanoVNA work, preamplifiers, PLLs, demodulators, direct-conversion chains, multiband options, and narrowband bricks
RF measurement Bricks: single- and dual-tone sources, NPR methods, noise generators, notch filters, broadband amplifiers, and impedance bridges
Useful accessories: ATU-100 tuner, X-Phase QRM eliminator, and firmware notes
PC host software: SoapyAudio adjustments, GQRX, SDR++, and added functionality
GnuRadio elements: control blocks, SSB demodulation, GUI components, messaging, and filter handling
FPGA-based SDR: VHDL, toolchains, ADC/DAC blocks, oversampling, and a complete SSB/CW signal chain
With its modular structure and detailed working examples, this e-book offers a practical path to building and extending modern SDR systems.
Downloads
Software
MOTORSTEUERUNG MIT H-BRÜCKENFür DC-, Schritt- und bürstenlose Motoren
DAS TEAM IM ELEKTOR-LABORUnser Ansatz, unsere bevorzugten Werkzeuge und mehr
RASPBERRY PI ALS KVM-FERNSTEUERUNGDie Software Pi-KVM im Elektor-Labor-Test
REVIEW: IQAUDIO CODEC ZEROEine Soundkarte für die Raspberry Pi Familie
DAS PIKVM-PROJEKT UND SEINE LEHRENEin Interview mit Maxim Devaev* (Entwickler von PiKVM)
AUTONOMES FAHRZEUG MIT 2D-LIDARESP32 Pico interpretiert die Daten des Lidar-Moduls
RASPBERRY PI ZERO 2 WEin erfreuliches und notwendiges Update
IMPRESSIONEN VOM WORLD ETHICAL ELECTRONICS FORUM 2021
MOTORSTEUERUNGWie die Motorsteuerung weniger kompliziert wird
GRÖSSERE ELEKTROMOTOREPrinzipien und Wissenswertes
ESP32-C3: 32-BIT-RISC-EINKERNEREin erstes Hands-on im Elektor-Labor
SCHÜTZEN SIE SICH SELBST UND ANDERE!Hauptnetzschalter für den Labortisch selbst gebaut
PROGRAMMIEREN IN PYTHONNickname-Generator mit grafischer Benutzeroberfläche
PRODUCTRONICA FAST FORWARD AWARD 2021: DIE PREISTRÄGER
VIELSEITIGER SERVO-TESTERServos ohne Datenblatt analysieren
MODBUS ÜBER WLANTeil 2: Software für das Modbus-TCP-WLAN-Modul
NEURONEN IN NEURONALEN NETZEN VERSTEHENTeil 3: Praktische Neuronen
IM INNEREN EINES OPEN-SOURCE-PROZESSORSEin Beispiel-Kapitel: Lattice- und Xilinx-FPGAs im Vergleich
ALLER ANFANG ...muss nicht schwer sein: Die Spule lässt uns nicht los!
PROJEKT 2.0Korrekturen, Updates und Leserbriefe
COLOR TO SOUNDWie man einen Farbsensor über I2C ausliest
BATTLAB ONEBetriebsdauer von batteriebetriebenen Geräten messen und optimieren!
EINFACHER ERDSCHLUSSPRÜFERIsolationstester für Netzspannungsinstallationen
ARMUT UND ELEKTRONIK1. Ziel für nachhaltige Entwicklung
HEXADOKUThe Original Elektorized Sudoku
AVR-microcontrollers zijn populair, eenvoudig in het gebruik en bijzonder veelzijdig. In het elektronicatijdschrift 'Elektor' is dan ook al een groot aantal speciale toepassingen en printen met een ATmega- of een ATtiny-controller gepubliceerd. Meestal ging het daarbij om afgeronde projecten. In dit boek staat echter de programmering van deze controllers centraal. BASCOM is hiervoor een ideaal gereedschap. Na een minimale voorbereiding kunt u al beginnen uw eigen ideeën te realiseren.
BASCOM en AVR-controllers, een onverslaanbaar team! Wat u ook wilt ontwikkelen, in de meeste gevallen heeft een ATmega alles aan boord wat u nodig hebt. Poorten, timers, A/D-omzetters, PWM-uitgangen en seriële interfaces, RAM, flash-ROM en EEPROM: alles is ruimschoots voorhanden. En met BASCOM is het gebruik daarvan kinderspel. Ook ingewikkelder periferie als LCD, RC5 en I²C kan met slechts een handjevol instructies worden gebruikt. Er is een brede hardware-basis beschikbaar. Of u nu de STK500 van Atmel gebruikt, de ATM18 of een eigen print, u kunt de voorbeelden uit dit boek meteen in praktijk brengen. Voor heel kleine taken worden controllers uit de ATtiny-reeks gebruikt. Op die manier kunt u uw eigen projecten snel en met weinig kosten realiseren.
Downloads
Software
Learn RC and RL Filters with Hands-On Circuits and Simulation
Introduction to Electronic Filters is your comprehensive guide to understanding, designing, and applying first-order electronic filters using resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Whether you are a student, maker, or educator, this book demystifies the theory behind RC and RL filters and bridges the gap between concepts and real-world applications through simulation and experimentation.
From the basics of frequency response and phase shift to hands-on breadboard builds and Python-based simulations, this book offers a deeply practical learning experience. You will learn to analyse filters using Bode plots and phasors, and explore applications in audio tone shaping, sensor signal conditioning, noise reduction, and power supply filtering.
As you progress, you’ll build, measure, simulate, and tune filters using modern tools like CircuitLab, Python, and the Analog Discovery 3. Each chapter includes thoughtfully crafted activities that reinforce learning by doing – designing filters for specific tasks, simulating dynamic behaviour, and observing how theory translates into performance.
Inside you’ll find:
A clear introduction to the fundamentals of electronic filters
Detailed explanations of RC and RL filters, cutoff frequency, and phase
Guided activities using both simulation and hardware tools
Real-life applications in audio, sensors, power supplies, and more
A beginner-friendly primer on Python and algebra for electronics
Whether you’re working through simulations or experimenting with real components on your workbench, this book will help you develop a solid understanding of electronic filters and their role in practical circuits.
Elektor GREEN en GOLD leden kunnen deze uitgave hier downloaden.
Nog geen lid? Klik hier om een lidmaatschap af te sluiten.
PIO programmeren op de Raspberry Pi PicoNegen instructies, veel mogelijkheden
AI buiten de browser brengenAI-CLI's gebruiken voor het coderen, compileren en valideren van embedded projecten
De Scrutiny DebuggerDebuggen, visualiseren en testen van code in Embedded C/C++
Sigfox breakout board (1)Een zelfgebouwde radio BoB
Low-Noise voeding (2)Constructie, montage en praktische implementatie
Eenvoudige signaalgenerator met de RP2040Analoge en digitale signalen voor ongeveer €10
De toekomst van slimme huizen verkennen met Matter en Edge AIBieden de nieuwste updates van Matter en de opkomst van Edge AI technici eindelijk de tools om de intelligente, slimme huizen te bouwen die gebruikers zijn beloofd?
Differentiële druksensorenVoorspellend onderhoud in HVAC-systemen
Security by designTechnische basisprincipes beperken storingen
Embedded security is niet langer optioneel
CRA en PQC herzien prioriteiten voor embedded securityWaarom zelfs kleine IoT- en industriële bedrijven een upgradeplan nodig hebben
embedded world 2026Een interview met Benedikt Weyerer, Executive Director embedded world
Praktijkervaring met I3CGebruik van hardware van ST en Microchip
Het BLEnky-projectSnelle prototyping voor Bluetooth Low Energy toepassingen
Pulsbreedtemodulatievan een eenvoudige aan/uit-thermostaat naar een rimpelloos DC-signaal
AudiotronicaOorstrelende elektronica voor zelfbouw
Uit het leven gegrepenRead the f...ing manual!
ESP32 audio transceiver board (Deel 4)Afstemmen van de kloksignalen en een bekabelde versie
2026: An AI OdysseyDe kater van Vibe-Coding in 2025
Symmetrische DC-belastingStatische of dynamische en symmetrische gelijkstroombelasting
Gezichten tellen met MaixCAMEen eenvoudige methode om de omvang van het publiek vast te leggen
Le téléchargement intégral de ce numéro est disponible pour nos membres GOLD et GREEN sur le site Elektor Magazine !
Pas encore membre ? Cliquez ici.
programmation PIO sur le Raspberry Pi PicoNeuf instructions, de multiples possibilités
l'IA en ligne de commandeDéveloppement, compilation et validation de projets embarqués depuis le terminal
le Scrutiny DebuggerDéboguer, visualiser et tester du code C/C++ embarqué
carte breakout Sigfox (1)Développement d’une BoB radio
alimentation à faible bruit (2)Construction, assemblage et mise en œuvre pratique
générateur de signaux simple basé sur le RP2040Signaux analogiques et numériques
à la découverte du futur de la domotique avec Matter et l’IA EdgeLes dernières versions de Matter et l’essor de l’IA en périphérie de réseau (edge) donnent-ils enfin aux ingénieurs les outils nécessaires pour construire les maisons intelligentes et parfaitement intégrées promises aux utilisateurs ?
capteurs de pression différentielleLa maintenance prédictive appliquée aux systèmes CVC
la sécurité dès la conceptionPrincipes d’ingénierie pour limiter les défaillances
la sécurité des systèmes embarqués n’est plus une option
la CRA et la PQC redéfinissent les priorités de la sécurité embarquéePourquoi même les petites entreprises IoT et industrielles doivent prévoir une mise à niveau
embedded world 2026Entretien avec Benedikt Weyerer, directeur d’embedded world
prise en main du bus I3CUtilisation de matériel de ST et Microchip
le projet BLEnkyPrototypage rapide d’applications Bluetooth Low Energy
modulation de largeur d’impulsionDu thermostat tout ou rien à un signal analogique continu filtré
audiotroniqueDes circuits audio agréables à l’écoute, à réaliser soi-même
sur le vifLisez donc le manuel !
carte émetteur-récepteur audio ESP32 (4)Réglage des horloges et une option filaire
2026 : une odyssée de l’IAConséquences du vibe coding
charge CC symétriqueCharge CC symétrique, statique ou dynamique
comptage de visages avec MaixCAMUne méthode simple pour estimer la taille d’un public
Diese Ausgabe steht allen GOLD- und GREEN-Mitgliedern auf der ElektorMagazine-Website zum Download bereit!
Sie sind noch kein Mitglied? Hier klicken!
electronica Fast Forward Start- & Scale-Up AwardsDie Vorbereitungen laufen auf Hochtouren!
Bluetooth Low Energy mit dem ESP32-C3 und ESP32Es muss nicht immer WLAN sein!
Bluetooth-LE-SnifferMit dem makerdiary nRF52840 MDK USB-Dongle
Magischer RGB-LED-WürfelHardware-Design rund um einen RP2040
Automatischer Ein/Ausschalter für Lötpastenkompressor
Elektor - live und in FarbeLivestreams, Webinare und Kurse für Ingenieure und Maker
Fahrrad elektrifizierenE-Bike-Nachrüstkit in der Praxis
Aller Anfang ...Muss nicht schwer sein: Multiplikation von Spannungen
Aus dem Leben gegriffenNebenbeschäftigungen
Teensy 4.0 - warum ist das Board so schnell?Oder: Geschwindigkeit ist keine Hexerei!
Simulation von Audio-Leistungsverstärkern mit TINADer „Try-Before-You-Build“-Ansatz
LoRaWAN-Knoten im IoTEin Beispiel-Kapitel: Die LoRaWAN-Module Dragino LHT65, LDS01 und LDS02
Projekt 2.0Korrekturen, Updates und Leserbriefe
5G für mich alleinVollständige Kontrolle über 5G-Implementierungen in privaten Mobilfunknetzen
Infographics 7-8/2022
Wie lernt mein Gerät funken?Applikationen mit WiFi-Schnittstellen ausrüsten
Rheinturmuhr – Wecker de luxe
Audio-Spektrum-Analysator mit DekatronsEine neue Art, alte Röhren zu verwenden
Senden von Daten an TelegramEin ESP32 und ein paar Bauteile erledigen den Job32 and a Few Parts
Fliege-Bandsperre für Audio-MessungenBesseres Messen durch Notch-Filterung
CO2-Messgerät auseinandergenommenIst das Gerät hackbar für Ihre Projekte?
Spielereien mit PUTsAnaloge Entwürfe mit dem Programmierbaren Unijunction-Transistor
Ein runder Touchscreen für den Raspberry PiHyperPixel 2.1 Round von Pimoroni
Fernwirken und die Erkennung von Verbindungsverlustenmit Hilfe von nRF24L01+ Modulen
Digitaler UKW-EmpfängerMit Arduino Nano und TEA5767
OLED-Display - aus SPI mach I²C
Zutritt für Unbefugte verboten!Ein Hobby geht nicht in Rente!
Ein Jahrzehnt der Ethik in der ElektronikTessel Renzenbrink sinniert über die digitale Gesellschaft
HexadokuSudoku für Elektroniker
Understanding and Using Them Effectively
What happens in electronics is invisible to the naked eye. The instrument that allows to accurately visualize electrical signals, the one through which the effects of electronics become apparent to us, is the oscilloscope.
Alas, when one first ventures into electronics, it is often without an oscilloscope. And one is left fumbling, both physically and mentally. Observing an electrical signal on a screen for the first time is a revelation. Nobody wishes to forgo that marvel again. There is no turning back.
In electronics, if one wishes to progress with both enjoyment and understanding, an oscilloscope is essential. This marks the beginning of a period of questioning: how to choose one? And no sooner is that question answered than a whole string of others arises, which can be summed up in just one: how does one use the oscilloscope in such a way that what it displays truly reflects the reality of the signals?
Rémy Mallard is a passionate communicator with a gift for making complex technical subjects understandable and engaging. In this book, he provides clear answers to essential questions about using an oscilloscope and offers a wealth of guidance to help readers explore and understand the electrical signals behind electronic systems. With his accessible style and practical insights, this book is a valuable tool for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of electronics.