Although COVID-19 tests are one means to determine infection, the rapid spread of the disease has created a shortage of test kits and a tight supply of reagents that are used to create test kits. Symptoms are another indication, but some of the infected show very mild or no symptoms. Another method leading to a […]
The working principle, applications and limitations of ultrasonic sensors
The ultrasonic sensor (or transducer) works on the same principles as a radar system. An ultrasonic sensor can convert electrical energy into acoustic waves and vice versa. The acoustic wave signal is an ultrasonic wave traveling at a frequency above 18kHz. The famous HC SR04 ultrasonic sensor generates ultrasonic waves at 40kHz frequency. Typically, a […]
Embedded security: Do you know what you don’t know?
by Lynnette Reese, contributing editor Most of us assume that security comes from the operating system or application software. However, firmware is also at risk, including anything that barely hovers over the physical layer (silicon) in the chip. Embedded security is especially important in blocking seemingly innocuous pathways for hacking, such as in an automotive […]
What could happen if there’s an EMP or solar superstorm? Part 2
Read Part 1 here. In 2006, the creators of the TV series Jericho imagined how nuclear detonation would affect a small Kansas town. Large solar-based EMPs have been documented. In 1859, a solar storm dubbed the Carrington Event hit the Earth’s magnetosphere. One of the largest solar storms on record, the CME in 1859 caused […]
What happens to an MCU if there’s an EMP or Solar Superstorm? Part 1
An Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is an impulse or blast wave that’s generated by geomagnetic activity due to solar flares, solar storms, solar superstorms, or the detonation of nuclear weapons. The horrible truth is that an EMP can wipe out electronics by inducing inductive coupling on traces, wires, or any conductive media within hundreds to thousands […]
Mistakes to avoid when submitting a design for PCB assembly
Simple prototype Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) require, on average, 11.6 physical prototypes, whereas more complex PCBs require as many as 16.[i] And according to Advanced Assembly, a prototype PCB assembly house, “94% of assembly data is accidentally submitted with errors.”[ii] PCB assembly houses will extract design data from PCB design files and create a PDF […]
Understanding wireless across the spectrum
Waves are part of our world as both waves in the ocean and radio waves coming in from the Sun’s corona share fundamental properties.[i] Wireless communication was born from the science of waves and how they travel. After more than a hundred years of study, we’ve organized waves into a large electromagnetic spectrum (EM) that […]
Considerations for battery-powered designs
How can you make your resume really stand out? This has been the topic of books, articles, class assignments, and blogs for decades. It came up in conversation one day, and a friend of mine had a unique story. I’ve included it below, with some edits. “With so much written on the topic, there is […]
When asked the impossible, ask questions before proceeding
Sometimes a client will ask for the impossible and expect it at low cost. Or worse yet, the sales engineer in your company will win a project on a low bid because he/she thought it could be accomplished in a “creative” (but impossible) way. What if you were tasked with a wirelessly communicating embedded project […]
The best (and nearly) free education that you can get…earning $67K to $103K a year in under 3 months
If this sounds too good to be true, it is not: read on. Abe Lincoln was one of those guys that didn’t have a college education but made it to the top as a self-educated man. Back then, you didn’t have to have a 4-year college degree to get a decent paying job. Nearly everyone […]
