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Projects & Features
28 Build an Analog-Style LED Clock
— Part 2
Last time, we looked at a test circuit that had 12 LEDs.
Using Charlieplexing, we ran those LEDs with only four
I/O lines and determined that expanding the LED matrix to
14 I/O lines would enable us to individually control 182
LEDs. We also looked at how to incorporate the reading of
four pushbuttons by connecting them to the LED matrix
with a handful of other discrete components. This time,
we’ll expand the LED matrix to run the 182 LEDs that the
clock uses and make a printed circuit board (PCB) for the
clock. Then, we’ll wrap it up with a discussion of how the
software works and put the finishing touches on our
unique timepiece.
58 Setting Up the Raspberry Pi 3
Tired of canvasing the Internet trying to find clear and
comprehensive information on how to use the Raspberry
Pi 3? Well, this is the tutorial for you! We’re going to build
a simple camera stick with the Pi camera which snaps a
picture when a button is pushed. This is akin to a “Hello,
World!” initiation for using a camera module with the
Raspberry Pi. It teaches you how to set up the Pi, install a
camera, use a couple General Purpose I/O (GPIO) pins,
and a smidgen of Python programming.
■ By Morgan Chen and Robert L. Read
■ By Robert Gill
36 Build a Continuity Tester
During a recent vacation, I challenged myself to come up
with a design for a continuity tester that suits my
particular testing requirements. Most of the time, I go
straight for a microcontroller, but this time I decided to
use only non-programmable components. I also decided
to use only through hole components to make soldering
easier.
Page 36
■ By Douglas Booth
40 Build the Musical Laser
Rainbow Machine
I’ve been searching for a way to give our band’s
performances the kind of visual elements that can only
otherwise be achieved by true lighting artists. As a
musician, inventor, and laser enthusiast, I decided to draw
on all my hobbies and try to make something myself. By
programming software and combining lasers, stained
glass, and motors, I have created a light machine that has
unique responses to each tone, frequency, and beat. This
unit can enhance the listening experience for live shows
or recordings of your favorite music.
■ By Victory Chaney
52 Understanding Ohm’s Law with
a “Trick” Question
For many years, I have enjoyed learning about various
aspects of our universe such as electricity, computer
systems, and physics. I have met engineers who “just got
it” when it came to Ohm’s Law and others who struggled
due to incorrect preconceptions. Just because we can
“work the math” does not mean that we really
understand Ohm’s Law well enough to make it work for
us. This article will help you gain a real usable
understanding of Ohm's Law.
■ By John Pawlicki K8AG
Page 58
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