Содержание номера:

Task Manager
The Future Is Now, by C. J. Abate

Priority Interrupt
Electronic Alzheimer’s, by Steve Ciarcia

New Product News, edited by John Gorsky

FEATURE ARTICLES
The FreeSpace IMU
A Quaternion-Based Algorithm for Attitude Estimation, by TJ Bordelon
An unmanned robotic vehicle requires a working inertial measurement unit (IMU), which outputs an estimation of the attitude, or orientation, of a vehicle in 3-D space. For attitude estimation, you need MEMS sensors (e.g., gyros, accelerometers, and magnetometers) and a sufficient algorithm to “fuse” them together. This article covers a simple quaternion-based algorithm for an IMU project

INTELLIGENT ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Home Automation for an Energy-Efficient House (Part 1)
System Design and Server Software, by Stefan Siegel
A 21st-century energy-efficient house requires more than extra insulation and a solar panel kit. A home control system based on some serious embedded hardware is essential. This series details how to build a home automation system based on a CAN bus running a CANOpen software stack. Here you learn about the overall design and server software.

Portable Network Service Monitor, by Alexander Popov & Peter Popov
This portable network service monitor was developed to help network administrators supervise datacenters. The handy monitor is equipped with a 4 ? 20 LCD that can display important messages from any configured server in a local network. It also continuously checks connectivity to predefined services on different machines. When problems occur, it triggers an alarm.

OAE Probe Amp and Intercom (Part 1)
System Planning and Design, by Chris Paiano
This series covers the design of an otoacoustic emission (OAE) probe amp and touch-to-talk intercom system. The design is used for professional otoacoustic studies in a laboratory setting. Here you learn about the study of otoacoustics and how to perform hearing experiments with a standard PC.

COLUMNS

LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES
Put C Language to the Test (Part 2)
Program Specifics
by George Martin
In the first part of this series, you learned about an interesting project for implementing C language: a program for solving 2 Ч 2, 3 Ч 3, and 4 Ч 4 Sudoku puzzles. Now that you have a starting point (C language) and an ending point (a program), it’s time to focus on the programming details.

FROM THE BENCH
Machine Control
Customize and Implement MCU-Based Control Circuitry, by Jeff Bachiochi
You can use your design skills to control virtually any machine. Doing so is just a matter of proper preparation and planning. This article details the process of building an MCU-based tread speed control system. Try these design techniques in your own project.

SILICON UPDATE
IC Therefore IR, by Tom Cantrell
You don’t have to look farther than your favorite gadget to realize that “touch sensing” is all the rage. Whether it’s a cell phone, MP3 player, or even a touchscreen PC, it’s easier than ever to let your fingers to do the walking. But now Silicon Laboratories has come up with some clever chips that let your design get up close and personal.

Crossword

Index of Advertisers

PREVIEW
Issue #239 June 2010 — Communications
OAE Probe Amp and Intercom (Part 2): Otoacoustic Experiments
Home Automation for an Energy-Efficient House (Part 2): Embedded CANOpen Node Hardware & Software
Custom Interpreter Development: An Innovative LED Movie Project
THE DARKER SIDE DC/DC Converter Basics
ABOVE THE GROUND PLANE Totally Featureless WWVB Clock (Part 3): Signal Processing
FROM THE BENCH Application Communication with USB (Part 1): The Enumeration Process Explained
SILICON UPDATE Ditch the Switch?