2011Nuts&VoltsFebruarywww.nutsvolts.com
Page 30
Projects & Features
30 Arduino Channel Surfer &
Other Diabolical Gadgets
With an understanding of IR codes, a wide range
of devices can be built that offer new remote
control capabilities.
■ By Andy Sullivan
36 Build a Wi-Fi Sprinkler System —
Part 2
Now that you know how the Rabbit RCM5450W
module works and how to interface relays and an
LCD, it’s time to set up your sprinkler system.
■ By Bob Colwell
42 Build a Wall Wart Power Monitor
This self-contained, battery-powered unit measures
both DC current and voltage. It accepts four of the
most common wall wart plugs and also has four
identical output plugs — ready to hook to your project.
■ By David Goodsell
58 Introducing the 32-bit
Micro Experimenter
It’s here! We’re graduating from our 16-bit
Experimenter so we can experience a whole new
level of applications with the 32-bit version.
■ By Thomas Kibalo
Departments
08 DEVELOPING
PERSPECTIVES
28 NEW PRODUCTS
29 SHOWCASE
67 ELECTRO-NET
68 NV WEBSTORE
73 CLASSIFIEDS
74 TECH FORUM
80 AD INDEX
FUNdamentals For Beginners
Just getting started in electronics? Try these
simple demos to illustrate electronics principles
and how components function in actual circuits!
72 How an NPN Transistor Works
Columns
10 TechKnowledgey 2011
Events, Advances, and News
Read about a device that gets its juice
from heat and light, a better battery
management system, a major upgrade for
speakerphones, disposable e-books, plus
some other stuff you’ll find fascinating.
14 PICAXE Primer
Sharpening Your Tools of Creativity
Experimenting With Touch-Sensitive Keypads.
22 Q & A
Reader Questions Answered Here
This month’s questions revisit the CAT 5
cable tester and cover a 400 Hz gyro
drive, analog isolation techniques, and an
LED chaser circuit, just to name a few.
50 Smiley’s Workshop
Programming • Hardware • Projects
avrtoolbox — Open Source and
Version Control.
64 Open Communication
The Latest in Networking and
Wireless Technologies
New Versions of the 555 Timer IC.
Nuts & Volts (ISSN 1528-9885/CDN Pub Agree #40702530) is published monthly for
$26.95 per year by T & L Publications, Inc., 430 Princeland Court, Corona, CA 92879.
PERIODICALS POS TAGE PAID AT CORONA, CA AND AT ADDI TIONAL MAILING
OFFICES. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nuts & Volts, P.O. Box 15277,
North Hollywood, CA 91615 or Station A, P. O. Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5;
cpcreturns@nutsvolts.com.
Page 10
6
February 2011