What happens when you have a random chip or sensor you want to interface with an Arduino, but don’t know how? You search for a pre-existing library of course. And where are many libraries hosted and available from? A place where eager developers hack together code, post updates, and collaborate with others: Github!
If you’re using serial (or UART) communication between two devices and seeing data corruption, there could be a simple fix. For example you might be trying to communicate between two Arduino boards, using one Arduino Uno as a Serial-to-USB adapter for another board, or have an Arduino connected to a Raspberry PI.
If you’re getting corrupted transmissions that get worse at lower speeds, double-check you have common grounds between the boards. Inductive coupling is probably letting the communication work. Without the common ground though, your transmission is going to be susceptible to all kinds of noise.
Remember. Ground is a reference. It needs to be common to everything in the circuit.
Oscilloscopes are the most critical tool when it comes to debug and analysis of electronic circuits. In recent years, digital oscilloscopes finally surpassed their analog equivalents. (10 years ago I would still make an argument for analog, but not anymore.)
The most innovative change to digital scopes came with “Mixed Signal Scopes.” In addition to the high-resolution analog channels, you get 16+ digital channels time-correlated. Digital channel in this context means only seeing a 0 or 1, kind of like a logic analyzer.
Rigol’s MSO1104Z combined 100MHz of Analog Performance on 4 channels along with 16 Digital Channels for $1000 (MSRP: $997) USD! That’s an amazing package. Full specs and Quote request available here.
MinutePhysics, one of my favorite YouTube channels, has done a collaboration project to provide an animated short on a scientifically correct version of the Children’s song, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
They are also offering an eBook at: http://minutephysics.com/twinkle
(Looks like if you pre-order the printed book, you’ll get a free copy of the eBook.)
After mentioning how much I like using a brass sponge when soldering, I came across this App Note from OK International. This is a great note to read through. It discusses what is inside of a soldering iron tip, why they fail, and how to keep them in good shape.
The note actually makes me realize two of my own mistakes.
First, most cleaning should be done with a wet sponge not the brass sponge. (Oops!)
Second, pre-made tip tinners are meant for occasional cleaning. Moving forward I think I’ll modify my soldering behavior so that I start with a quick clean in the brass, use the sponge while working on a board, and then use standard solder to protect the tip when done.
