Category: Devices

Controlling BK Precision 1697 Power Supply automation

Features Modern GUI: A clean and intuitive user interface built using the customtkinter library, providing a cross-platform experience. Serial Communication: Manages connections to the power supply, automatically detecting available serial ports using the pyserial library. Manual Control: Allows users to set the output voltage and current with a few clicks. Automated Cycling: Executes timed on/off…
Controlling Phidget 0/0/4 Relay with Python

I have develop a Python GUI application for controlling the PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/4 relay board.This tool provides both manual relay toggling and automated on/off timing control with counters and time tracking. You can find my code here: GitHub Features Control up to 4 relays from a single window. Manual toggle: switch any relay ON/OFF with a…
Controlling Picoscope 2204A with python

Controlling Picoscope 2204A with python This is a modern, cross-platform desktop application that simulates a multi-channel oscilloscope. Built with customtkinter for a dark, professional user interface and matplotlib for real-time waveform visualization, this tool serves as an excellent educational and simulation platform for electronics and signal processing. It is designed to be highly responsive, allowing…
3 Channel Simulated Oscilloscope Python

A modern, multi-channel simulated oscilloscope application built with Python. This project provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for generating and visualizing various waveforms while displaying real-time signal measurements. It’s a perfect tool for students, hobbyists, or anyone needing a simple yet powerful way to explore signal theory without physical hardware. The application leverages the customtkinter…
Dry Transducer Tester Development

Development of a New Dry Transducer Tester I developed a tester that verifies the functionality of transducers designed to operate with water between them, but does so in a completely dry environment. Until now, these transducers (typically supplied by manufacturers like Audiowell or CTS) arrived pre-tested, but as part of our incoming inspection process, we…
N6705C DC Power Analyzer

A DC Power Analyzer is a powerful instrument used for measuring, analyzing, and characterizing DC power in electronic circuits and systems. It is commonly used in power electronics, battery testing, power supply design, and energy efficiency analysis. I am using the Keysight N6705C DC Power Analyzer in my job for precise power measurement, analysis, and…
Improving Tester & Testing Process

I was tasked with enhancing the testing process for both mechanical components and PCBA units. Previously, the testing procedure lacked consistency and clarity, leading to suboptimal quality assessments. The process was time-consuming and not operator friendly, and there was uncertainty regarding the criteria for defining a unit as either PASS or FAIL. My objective was…
Building an RF Chamber for Experiments and Testing

As part of my job, I designed and built an RF chamber to conduct independent experiments and testing, focusing on determining transmission (Tx) and reception (Rx) power. The chamber provides a controlled environment, minimizing external interference and ensuring accurate measurements. This setup allows for precise performance evaluation of RF components, optimizing system efficiency and reliability.…
My Test jig for PCBA development

I was tasked with developing a comprehensive testing solution for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) that are returned from the field for reuse. The objective was to create a robust and efficient tester capable of thoroughly assessing the functionality and integrity of these cards before they are put back into service. The tester definition and…
RF Anechoic Chamber

An RF Anechoic Chamber is used to test and measure radio frequency (RF) performance of devices in a controlled environment. The chamber is lined with RF-absorbing materials to eliminate reflections and external interference, creating a free-space condition for accurate measurements. Common Tests in an RF Anechoic Chamber: Antenna Testing Radiation pattern (directionality) Gain and efficiency…
Battery Impedance Meter

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a battery impedance meter (KIKUSUI BIM1030), a vital tool in my failure investigations at work. Its primary use is to check the health of special capacitors (HLC) and batteries in our company’s devices. The tool’s ability to measure internal resistance and assess performance makes it indispensable for…
Traffic Light Controlled with Arduino Nano

In this project, I created a simple traffic light system using an Arduino Nano and three LEDs (red, yellow, and green) controlled by a button. The system simulates a basic traffic light sequence, with the green light as the default. When the button is pressed, the green light flashes three times before transitioning to yellow…
Controlling an 8-Channel Relay with Arduino Nano

In this guide, I’ll walk you through controlling an 8-channel relay using an Arduino Nano. This setup is great for automating multiple devices or systems, such as home automation, robotics, or industrial applications where switching multiple components is essential. What You’ll Need: Arduino Nano 8-channel relay module Jumper wires Power supply for the relay module…
PCBA Electronic Tester Analysis

In the world of electronics testing, accuracy and reliability are crucial. I recently encountered an issue with our testing setup where an Ingun probe did not make proper contact with a via on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). This resulted in inconsistent test results and wasted time. In this post, I’ll share how we…
IDC 30-Pin Connector Breakout Board

IDC stands for Insulation-Displacement Connector. An IDC Connector Breakout Board is a small circuit board that allows easy access to the individual pins of an IDC (Insulation-Displacement Connector). The IDC connector on the board is typically attached to a ribbon cable, and the breakout board “breaks out” each wire from the ribbon cable to separate,…
How to Send ZPL Commands to a Zebra GK420t Printer

In this tutorial, I will explain how to send ZPL commands to a Zebra GK420t printer to make it standalone, walk through the process of creating labels step by step. What needed: Zebra printer, in this case its the Zebra GK420t with COM port. Zebra barcode scanner, Im using the Zebra DS46 series. Part 1) …
WatchGaurd – FPGA Controlled Robot with IoT Connectivity

The project I built is a remotely controlled security robot equipped with the ability to transmit images, serving as an efficient and innovative tool for security systems. The ability to control the robot remotely allows for quick and efficient action, with security personnel able to establish an immediate response to events in real-time. The robot…
DC-DC Buck Converter

A DC-DC buck regulator is a type of voltage regulator that steps down a higher voltage to a lower voltage. The buck regulator operates by controlling the duty cycle of a switching transistor to regulate the output voltage. It is called a “buck” regulator because the output voltage is lower than the input voltage, and…
Voltage Regulator LM7805

The LM7805 is a popular voltage regulator integrated circuit that provides a stable 5 volts output voltage from an input voltage source that can be higher than 5 volts. It is part of the 78xx series of voltage regulators produced by various manufacturers. Schematic The manufacturer advises incorporating capacitors both on the input and output…