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The TROBOT
A Miniature Articulated Robot
The TROBOT is a compact six-axis robot powered by RC-style servo motors. An MCUтАИacts as a servo controller interface between the robot and a PC running robot programming software.

Keywords: Robot, servo, RobotStudio, W7100, EKK-LM3S9B96, IRC5, IRB 6640, SafeRTOS, Ethernet, PWM, MG946R, SG-90, webserver

MCU-Based GSM Connection
A Fixed Cell Phone with Emergency Auto-Dial
A little embedded intelligence (EI) goes a long way. This microcontroller-based design features a GSM platform, a controller, a keypad, and a handset for easy dialing and wireless calling.

Keywords: Cell phone, GSM, TR800, SMS, emergency, fire, PIC24FJ64GA002, temperature, MCP9700, SIM, keypad

Li-ion Battery System Solution
Implement a BCU and Safety-Certified RTOS
Current lithium-ion (li-ion) systems can be problematic. Here you learn how to implement a battery control unit (BCU) with a safety-certified RTOS. The design enables battery monitoring, data reporting, and circuit protection.

Keywords: Lithium-ion, battery, SafeRTOS, EK-LM3S9B96, control unit, monitoring, balancing, QVGA LCD, protection, CAN, MCP2551, INA213, RS-232, SPI, MCP9700, LTC6802-2, ADC

Passwords Through a Touchpad
A Gesture-Based Security System
Password usage is ubiquitous, which makes password theft and reproduction a big concern. While many password-entry techniques have been created to increase security, there are disadvantages associated with most of them. Using a gesture-based password security system helps to successfully create, store, and match passwords, making them safer and more difficult to reproduce.

Keywords: Security, touchpad, gesture, password, timing, PC, ATmega644, USB, FT232R, TM41PUM1311-2, C, Java

COLUMNS

THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER
Sine Wave Synthesizer
If seasonal time changes cause your WWVB radio-controlled clocks to lose synchronization, building your own WWVB simulator is the first and necessary step for devising a remedy. With a few inexpensive parts, you can build a robust sine wave synthesizer as the heart of a WWVB simulator.

Keywords: WWVB, clock, synthesizer, distortion, THD

LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES
Design Development (Part 2)
Product Implementation
It's time to dig deeper into the design process. This month schematic capture software is used to define the hardware portion of a design.

Keywords: Product development, implementation, schematic, instrumentation, monitoring, Altium Design Explorer, humidity, SHT21, time, MCP794xx, acceleration, ADXL325, LIS331DLF, pressure, BMP085, compact flash, power

FROM THE BENCH
Vehicle Diagnostics (Part 2)
Pre-CAN Protocol Standards
The first part of this series was a primer on automotive control systems and OBD-II data. This article explores the pre-CAN protocol standards still in use. You can use this information to diagnose trouble codes and more.

Keywords: CAN, OBD-II, automotive, protocol, packet, mode, DTC, diagnostic trouble code, ISO 9141-2, ISO 14230-4, SAE J1850, PWM, VPW, ELM327