AVR 4 Input Logic Analyzer

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 by J.P. Armstrong Email your friend! Facebook this! Tweet this! ShareThis!ShareThis

A great way to diagnose a signals problem is using a logic analyzer. They can provide a graphical representation of data on several inputs. What we have here is a 4 input logic analyzer developed by Vassilis Serasidis. The circuit can support up to 4 inputs being sampled at 100Khz. On the website, he provides the schematics and breadboard layouts so you can make your own.

This logic analyzer makes me want to revisit the portable game console project. I could include the same functionality and add capture/playback type features.

This is a great debugging tool to have in your arsenal. If you’re in the market for a logic analyzer and don’t want to go the DIY route check out the Saleae Logic. You can pick one up for only $150.

Image from serasidis.gr

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DIY Operating Systems

Monday, February 13th, 2012 by J.P. Armstrong Email your friend! Facebook this! Tweet this! ShareThis!ShareThis

from MikeOS.berlios.de

Operating systems have always fascinated me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to make from scratch. Being able to control computer hardware at the lowest level. While looking up how to make my own I’ve stumbled on a few others have made. These OSes bring me back to the days of MS-DOS and Windows 3.1

Here are some impressive operating systems made by hobbyist. They’ll give you an idea of what is required if you plan make your own. There are a variety of operating systems to try from 16 to 64-bit.  You can download and burn them to a CD or copy them to a floppy. (more…)