Make: "It's New to You" Bit

[StuckInSynth]

So sorry to not complete this posting/project in a timely fashion. I'm having quite an issue designing a workable PWM output filter (R/C based, Sallen-Key, or otherwise). All designs thus far result in a scaling issue on the top or bottom end of the 5 volt range, hence the displayed input does not exactly match the voltage out. May be looking around for some help on this one to get it completed. Excellent idea @JackANDJude on integrating the threshold into this module, would be easy if I could get the output right, I do plan on building this and it would make a cool custom bit.

[JackANDJude]

I actually made a number bit. I remember becoming frustrated at it not being quite right. I kept fudging the mapping to correct for differences between the usb power vs the battery power. I think one of the powers would only get to 4.8 when the other would get to 5.0.

I put it away for a day when they released the code. Then they released the code, and I didn't understand it. HA! It's weird but for a long time I felt like I needed to make a bit first before I would allow myself to buy the pre-engineered version...

Anyhoo...
@Philip_Verbeek, maybe you have some insight into the issue @StuckInSynth is experiencing?

[Philip_Verbeek]

Nice project @StuckInSynth @JackANDJude !

To "convert" a PWM-signal to an analog voltage for my NFC-bit I only used a low pass filter:

See also this link: http://provideyourown.com/2011/analogwrite-convert-pwm-to-voltage/

I used R = 3.9K and C = 0.1uF. This did the trick for me:)

Let me know if it does for you too.

PS: This is low pass filter littleBits uses on the arduino-Bit: https://github.com/littlebitselectronics/eagle-files/blob/master/WIRE/LB_BIT_w6_ARDUINO/LB_BIT_w6_ARDUINO-v03(4-5)/LB_BIT_w6_ARDUINO-v03(4-5)OHW.pdf

[chris101]

This thread just keeps getting funner and funner! The number bit is just a bit much for me, but a bargraph seems just right up my alley! So here is my own 'new-to-me' bit, the bargraph+ ...

and a closeup:

It's got a ten segment bargraph in a DIP package, and special effects, powered by an on-board Arduino Micro. The effects include normal mode, single bar mode (each individual LED can be controlled with the input voltage), and cylon mode. Cylon mode actually has two modes of it's own, Knight Rider, and Warp Engine. Here are my special bargraph effects in action:

If I get some bitsnaps, I'll make this into a real bit on a perf board.

[JackANDJude]

@chris101 What an awesome mashup of the number and bargraph! I like the modes. Bonus points for your wires and resistors being all snug as a bug in a rug!

[JackANDJude]

[chris101]

Thanks Jude - I look at breadboards like little canvases. Not only should they function, they should also look good!

But this started out looking all prototypy. In fact if you have 3D glasses ( ), you can appreciate just how messy my project began:

[JackANDJude]

Hilarious, @chris101! I wish I had 3D glasses. Before I forget, I hope we'll see you at the next community call! Please bring your Bargraph Bit and your Purple People Counter, @chris101.
...
@StuckInSynth, I also hope you can join us? Bring your most recent breadboarded bits so you can show off to others in real time!

@Kadin907 You still with us? We'd love to hear from you.

April 29th at noon EST! Global Chapters! New Instruments! A Bus! Bananas!

It’s a party! Join us for our largest, loudest and most groovy community call ever! Thanks to all of YOU April was our most incredible month as a community together. We had the first class of 3000 bitSTARS graduate and launched our Global Chapters program that received over 200 applications in a week! You all knocked our bit-socks off with your events, projects and enthusiasm and we want to have a BIG virtual party to celebrate. There will be live music, human (and non-human) instruments, A …

[chris101]

Thanks as always @JackANDJude!

If I can squeeze a visit in, I will. Unfortunately noon Eastern translates to 10 in the morning out here in the West. And on Wednesday 10am means it's time for organic chemistry. The semester will be over in a few weeks though, I'll try to keep 10am on Wednesday blocked out, so I can participate in these - I'd love to see y'all in real-ish life!

[JackANDJude]

I moved 10 posts to an existing topic: Programming ATtiny chips

[JackANDJude]

I moved 6 posts to a new topic: Programming ATtiny chips

[shaiss]

Hope this is the right place to post. We created a range sensor module and submitted it to the bitlab. I'm sure it could be improved. But I'm not an electrical engineer and this was my son and mines first bit: https://github.com/shaiss/LittleBitsUltrasonicRangeSensor?files=1

[JackANDJude]

Hey, friends! Here's a video from William (WCR). He commented on my Instructables with a video of his "SimpleBits, Ebits" Check it out! I invited him to come here and say hi.
@StuckInSynth @Philip_Verbeek @joey, @kadin907, @matthiasmwolf, @ludvikherrera @shaiss, @alexpikkert, @chris101

[chris101]

This is interesting because there are only 2 connections instead of 3 (lately, since getting into twi, I've been wanting 4 connectors.) This is much simpler than using 3 connectors from the circuit design standpoint, however it seems it would be a problem when designing digital devices, such as arduino or number bits.

I hope William Ribeiro does join us - I'd love to hear how he mixes his power and signals into a single line. I've read of, but never used something called a one wire interface.

ps, I want to see more of his robot work as well!

[WilliamWCR]

Hello guys, how are you? hehe

good, come talk some more of my SimpleBits project.
I started creating the modules as a joke but when I showed to my profesor he liked and has now become a project in my university (UTFPR, Technological Federal University of Parana, study Electrical Engineering).
I created another project in my university about garbage electronic, you want to make maximum use of waste electronic and one of those options is to create educational modules such as LittleBits, with as much as possible of e-waste components with simple modules and simple components, hence the name SimpleBits.

The design intent is to meet at first the matter of Physics in schools, teaching profesor using SimpleBits and teaches them to replicate and insentivar to create more modules that they can use in their classes .... since modules have most of the components from junk mail making the cost even lower.

the video is already a bit outdated, do not intend to post another video as soon as it became a university project is safer not to divulge too much until I publish a scientific paper etc ...

but I will post some pictures.

the project focuses on assisting the student in big trouble: Theory vs. Practice.

I created a resistor modules and capacitors that can help and demonstrate in practice the association in Series and Parallel.

[chris101]

Hiya William! Thanks for coming by!

As you might tell from my post above, I am MOST interested in how you pass a signal AND power your electronics with but two wires in your SimpleBits project? Does that limit what kind of circuit you can put on each bit? They look and work great as seen in your video. Please post more teasers here, for sure!

ps, at my school we just finished the series/parallel labs with our second semester physics classes. We had some modular stuff from decades ago, and just this semester upgraded to real breadboards and radial lead components. Your modules would be great, so ... DO rush them to market!

[WilliamWCR]

Hello,

First I apologize for the delay in responding here.
good at first the idea is to use only analog components, leaving only the two poles (positive and negative) to better teaching and learning, have a better basis of how things work as well as having a wide range of electronic garbage reusable components that can be used.

My project will begin testing with high school students stage, as it's just me in the project, apart from my mentor teacher, this just delaying in a way the project because besides this I have other projects in my university.

this link Instructables I comment on one of my projects: E-waste Project

In the future I plan to go on that side of digital circuits .... but the idea is to take components of e-waste to teach physics to students in both schools and in university and foster their creativity so that they feel up to play and avontade simplebits create new modules, since most of the components are derived from junk mail access to these components will be easier and lower cost of production.

Here a module example I've done, is the coherer module, which functions as an alloy key when it applied an electromagnetic pulse to turn it off should only take a small hit.

Video: SimpleBits - Module Coherer

Among other possible things with junk mail, how to create a mini Slayer Exciter

Or an Electromagnetic Train

Also interact with other devices and / or equipment that already exist on the market as the conductive ink 'CircuitScribe'

VIDEO

I think this is it haha

If you need anything, I'm at your disposal

Sincerely, William C.Ribeiro

[alexpikkert]

Hi William @WilliamWCR,
I am curious how your coherer module is built.
Can you please show more details ? Did you put iron filings inside ?

[WilliamWCR]

Hi @alexpikkert,

that's right, put iron filings in, coherer on this photo is the second I did, I got iron filings from a flat bar printer where I sanded.
The transparent tube i used a spoiled pencil and the metal parts nothing more is than two CNC drills broken, the image is possible to see a few digits on the drill.

sorry my English, to write faster I used the google translator

[WilliamWCR]

Hi,
In your opinion, the LittleBits is more focused on teaching or entertainment?
If be teaching, would be teaching more physics or electronics?
thank you