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Last Updated 9th Jan 2010
BTc PICsound
One-bit sound recording/playback on a PIC
One of my best works, this is PC software that displays a 8-bit mono sound
file (.WAV file) and ENCODES it into a 1-bit bitstream! The bitstream can
be played back very simply on any PIC or other micro with one digital
output pin and one resistor and capacitor (RC network). Now updated to v3.0
BTc Encoder manages Sound Library files, and can export .BTL format
to be loaded direct into the
TalkBotBrain
cheap sound playback hardware.
SuperFind 2.0 (for Windows)
A super-fast file finder program, SuperFind is a very handy tool to find
any file or quantity of files on your PC instantly.
HexCon 1.0 (for Windows)
A programmers helper, HexCon is a small fast tool to convert between
Decimal-Hex-Binary. It can also display PC keyboard codes.
A Binary Clock for Windows!
Here is a working binary clock that runs under Windows and uses my
Black-Standard
for easy-readable binary clocks. I have also provided
my source code for Borland C++ Builder in case you want to make your own
Windows binary clock.
WavMak Waveform Maker
This is software that reads numerical data from a text file
and creates a wave file of any specialised waveform shape.
Useful for audio testing.
BMP Hider
This is software that can "hide" any file within a standard Bitmap image.
The hidden file cannot be seen and can only be extracted with this program.
A Random Number Generator
This is Windows software to generate 1mbyte of pure random data and/or generate
a sequence of random numbers to your spec.
It generates random data using my algorithm seen here;
Black RNG Engine.
2nd Jan 2010.
MikroElectronica BIGPIC6 PIC development board review.
This development board works with the big 80-pin 5v PICs like 18F8520.
And of course I did some nice
BIGPIC6 RS232 projects.
11th Oct 2009.
MikroElectronica EasyPIC6 PIC development board review.
Finally my new EasyPIC6 arrives! I review it and compare to my
trusty old EasyPIC4. I also did some fun
EasyPIC6 projects.
Book review; 'PIC Microcontrollers' - Bert van Dam
I review the book 'PIC Microntrollers 50 Projects for Beginners and Experts'
by Bert van Dam.
The Micro Grid-Tie project
My design for absolute minimalist topology of a half-wave grid-tie inverter
to feed power from a small solar system back into the AC mains grid.
Page updated 21st Nov 2009.
Zero-error 1 second timer algorithm for PIC.
Based on Bresenham's algorithm, my implementation will generate a 1 second
(or other) timer period from ANY frequency crystal or ANY
frequency interrupt. An obvious use is to add a one-second clock pulse to
an existing design that has an "imperfect" crystal like 4MHz etc.
PIC source code supplied. NEW 21st Nov 2009 - Added ZEZJ This is a
Zero Error Zero Jitter algorithm, it produces an exact xtal-locked period
from any xtal and any period value, just change the one easy PERIOD constant.
2nd Jan 2010.
PIC-thread, multi-thread "parallel" processing using PICs.
I create some simple systems to do multi-thread type projects (a form of
parallel processing) in firmware just using a normal PIC microcontroller.
There are code examples and some simple PIC "multi-thread" projects.
"The Black-Standard" for binary clocks.
This is my standard for easily viewable binary clocks. An adaptation of
pure binary display in hours/quarters/minutes in a form more easily
utilised as a practical clock display.
"The Black RNG Engine"
An algorithm I developed to generate pure entropic data (random numbers)
for use in encryption and probability (predictive) systems.
LiniStepper - stepper motor microstep driver board
Based on a microstep driver I created for my own use, this is now an
open-source project; circuit, PCB and full PIC software. A very high performance
stepper motor driver at a great price.
9th Jan 2010.
High efficiency 2-transistor SMPS Black regulator
A cheap simple circuit that can replace 3-pin voltage
regulators (like the 7805) and gives SMPS efficiency.
Can be used as a high-efficiency 12v to 5v converter or 24v to 12v converter.
NEW for Jan 2010; Using just a
PIC as a complete SMPS!
NEW for August 2009; Added a page of high-effiency SMPS drivers
for high-power white LEDs!
3rd Nov 2009.
My Shift1 Protocol - using one PIC pin to drive a latched shift register
This is a system using timed pulse-length to send 7 bits to a shift register
AND also to latch the final 7bit value to the register outputs.
This means that you only need 1 PIC pin to control an entire text LCD
and it's backlight. I also include some
Shift1-LCD Projects
like a LCD clock-timer, an RC servo controller and a solar battery
charge controller. Plus more projects to come soon.
26th Oct 2009.
I play with the Osram optical tilt sensor!
This tiny device is a modern version of the old mercury tilt switch,
or gravity tilt sensor. But this one uses an internal inrared beam and tiny ball.
2nd Jan 2010.
Some PIC projects you can do on the BIGPIC6 development board! Updated - 2nd jan 2010.
Some PIC projects you can do on the EasyPIC6 development board! updated 21st Nov 2009
Bitbang serial data to/from the PC with no hardware needed!
Here is code to send and receive serial data with a PC serial port, using
only 2 resistors and a serial plug. It does not require a PIC with a
USART and can be used on the cheapest and smallest PICs. This also
has a full project using the Sharp GP2 IR distance sensor!
The sensor distance is converted to actual cm and transmitted to PC
serial port every 2 seconds. It uses my own code for converting the
exponential output of the GP2 sensor to linear distance in cm.
Using a mini TrackBall as a controller!
I found a source of very cheap miniature trackballs, so I hacked the trackball
and used it to control X and Y values. First project is a TrackBall
controlled RGB LED, to control colour and brightness.
12 digit LED display using NO PARTS
Driving a 12-digit 7-segment LED "calculator" type display directly from one
PIC using NO resistors and NO other chips. I include PCB design suitable for
toner transfer and PIC source code for a clock, stopwatch, and a serial controlled
12-digit display.
My regulated psu "Gainclone" amp
I built a high performance "Gainclone" hifi amp with full regulated power
supply in a great rugged old 1980's power amp rack case.
The MIDI-Bash project
Some very simple, easy to build MIDI drum controllers using PIC micros.
Hit the pads and they send MIDI messages to any standard MIDI sound module
to make your own electronic drums etc.
Now with photos and full PIC source code!
The MIDI-Bloop project
Some more simple, easy to build MIDI "sound-source" devices using PIC micros.
When MIDI note commands are received, these PIC "synths" play
musical notes.
Partially finished.
Make a OCXO (xtal oven) for $1
Using just one transistor and a cheap NTC thermistor this little circuit
keeps a crystal at a regulated temperature so it can be used to drive a
high accuracy real-time clock.