High Pin Count QFP Alignment Tool

I tried this guide. But over 36 pins on a side, proper alignment is an issue  initial alignment was difficultcorrect placement on all four edges (36 pins x 4) holding the correct alignment difficult  I came up with a process to create a 3D-printed alignment toolIn Kicad Add 2 or more alignment holes...

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FEMM Analysis for Power Planes

Instructions for using FEMM program to analyze current densities of PCB Planes/Traces.  Only useful for a single plane as multiple power planes of the same signals cannot be analyzed.   Export from PCB Layout 1.       Fill all planes/copper shapes for PCB. 2.       Select...

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SlowerFire SoC

Perhaps you've heard of PolarFire Soc by Microchip.  It's a very capable Risc-V SoC with an FPGA component, but it will set you back nearly $500.If you don't have that kind of cash and don't think you need the superior capabilities of that system, I present "SlowerFire SoC". The "SlowerFire Soc" is based on the DE0-Nano Altera Cyclone IV board that is loaded with the Linux-on-Litex-Vexriscv bits.There are five...

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Verilog Mem File from Compiled ELF

I've seen many ways to convert a compiled ELF file (like a.out) to a Verilog Mem file.  Some of the ways to use Python or some custom converter program or shell script or ????.  What if you want to move between Linux and Window without have to recompile the converter program or install the heavyweight Python. The trick is to use the SRecord program.  There are three steps 0. Install the SRecord program for Linux,...

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Safer Sparkfun Pro Micro

I needed an Arduino type board that had these requirements  Fused  Protected digital outputs.  IO was 3.3V  Rugged USB. Fused I didn't want the Arduino to consume all the power if there was a short. Protected Digital Outputs If an output was directly connected to ground I didn't want that pin to be shorted out and...

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Gigis Flashlight

It's a flashlight App.  ON turns it on OFF turns it off. The missing features are numerous: no registration no contacts harvesting no ads no bitcoin mining no Snapchat, Facebook or Twitter anything. Since this isn't a Google Play Store app and you need to install it manually.  First, go to Androids Settings and check "Unknown...

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Using Arrow Electronics to Source Parts

The trick of any DIY electronics project is to get parts reasonably cheaply and reasonably fast. In the 1980s getting parts was tricky unless you lived in a city that had a number of electronics suppliers.  My town had one supplier and its store was about 2000sqft. They were able to keep a lot in the back storage and would bring...

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