Robert Lang is a professional electrical engineer interested in embedded microprocessors, mechanical musical instruments, and MIDI. He is a freelance writer for electronic hobbyist, computer, and synthesizer magazines. He can be reached by email or by a GOOGLE search for HARPSITRON.
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PIC Video - Part 1
April 2005
Video Text Overlay With a PIC Microprocessor
PIC Video - Part 2
May 2005
Last month, I described the hardware necessary to build a unit that will allow one to do video text overlay with a PIC microprocessor. We will conclude this month with the software programming of the microprocessor, testing the system, and experimenting with the techniques of subliminal messaging.
High Stepping Automatic Coil Winder
June 2005
Have you ever thought of a project where you needed to position an object with great precision? Maybe you wanted to build a precision milling machine or maybe a computer plotter. My introduction to precision positioning came about from a need to wind wire coils for solenoids. Coils are used for all kinds of electrical applications – from solenoids for electromechanical actuators to coils for electric motors.
The Midi-Nator
August 2005
I have been a fan of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) since the 1980s. The idea of controlling musical instruments from a computer has always seemed cool to me.
The High Voltage PIC — Part 1
September 2006
Build a 200-volt DC boost power supply driven by an 18F2455 Microchip PIC microprocessor. The completed power supply will generate between five and 200 volts DC from a five-volt, DC input. Part 1
The High Voltage PIC — Part 2
October 2006
Let's build the power supply we designed in part 1and write the software needed to drive the PIC in a freely downloadable version of the C language. Part 2
An Electronic Slide Rule
November 2006
In 10 years, your computer will be in the landfill, but your slide rule will be operating just as fast as it did in 1700. As an engineer from the 1970s, I have a nostalgic place in my heart for those pre-electronic computer mechanical calculators...
