Circuit Cellar Magazine - February 2017 - Issue 319

In this issue

Theme: Wireless Communications

06 : PRODUCT NEWS

09 : CLIENT PROFILE
EzPCB (Shenzhen, China)

10 : EDITORS' PICKS
Wireless Communications
Several of the Circuit Cellar team’s favorite articles on wireless-related topics

17 : Full-Stack Python
Rapid Embedded Hardware and GUI Development
By Matt Oppenheim
Use Micropython to develop a platform for wirelessly measuring and recording hand gestures

26 : Rectifying an A/D Conversion Error
By David Ludington
A solution to an error that has been spreading throughout the “maker” community

30 : Virtual Keyboard Design
By Vitchyr Pong and Gulnar Mirza
How to design and build a microcontroller-based virtual keyboard system

42 : QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The Pi Maker
An Interview with Eben Upton
By Wisse Hettinga
The inventor of the Raspberry Pi on the development of the tiny computer and the future of the Foundation

46 : THE CONSUMMATE ENGINEER
Electrical Power Converters (Part 2)
TRIAC and Thyristor Applications
By George Novacek
A look at TRIAC and thyristor applications in phase control, zero crossing triggering, and more

50 : EMBEDDED IN THIN SLICES
Build and Embedded Systems Consulting
Company (Part 2)
More Core Values
By Bob Japenga
Four more core values that are essential for running a successful embedded systems consulting company

54 : THE DARKER SIDE
Impedance Matching Fundamentals
By Robert Lacoste
A primer on impedance matching for engineering pros and electronics enthusiasts alike

62 : FROM THE BENCH
Real-World Mapping (Part 2)
GPS Data
By Jeff Bachiochi
Why logging GPS data matters and what you can expect in terms of accuracy

70 : CC REBOOT
Wireless Authentication
RFID Checkout System Design
By Jigar Shah and Kevin Yang
A review of wireless authentication, RFID tag structure, antenna tuning, and more

76 : CROSSWORD
77 : TEST YOUR EQ

80 : The Future of Wireless Technology
Six innovators share their thoughts on the future of wireless

Circuit Cellar Magazine Description:

Circuit Cellar magazine features engineering tutorials, detailed microcontroller-based projects, and embedded systems industry news for professional electrical engineers, EE/ECE academics, and highly skilled electronics enthusiasts. Since 1988, Circuit Cellar has featured projects and tutorials from the world's top engineers on subjects such as embedded development (e.g., prototyping and programming), signal processing (e.g., DSP chips and signal conditioning), programmable logic (e.g., FPGA projects), sensor systems (e.g., smart sensors and MEMS), 'Net-connected devices (e.g., IoT projects and protocol stacks), robotics (e.g., robotic systems and proximity sensing), and much more. Circuit Cellar is the ultimate resource for all of your electrical engineering-related needs.