October 2009 Issue
A summary of this month's contents.
Programmable Ignition System for Cars (Part 2)
This amazing professional-quality allows auto tuning experts to precisely adjust the characteristics of a vehicle’s ignition system. Our constructional project includes a hand controller with LCD display for advanced control of a vehicle’s timing characteristics. Our PICmicro-controlled module allows auto tuning experts to precisely adjust the vehicle’s ignition system. It is a completely stand-alone system for most 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines that is triggered by an engine position sensor and then drives the ignition coil.
In Part 2 the assembly of the module options and interwiring are published, with set-up and use to following Part 3 next month.
WARNING Programming an incorrect timing map into the Ignition Timing Module could cause serious engine damage. Do NOT modify your car by fitting this device unless you know what you are doing.
Minispot 455kHz Modulated Oscillator
This simple transistor design produces a 455kHz carrier waveform, which is amplitude modulated with a 500Hz tone. It can be used to align the IF stages of any AM broadcast or short wave radio. Just the thing if you are restoring vintage radios! Battery operated, small p.c.b. design.
1 p.p.s. Driver for Quartz Clocks
An add-on module for the GPS-based Frequency reference published in EPE April and May 2009. It uses the 1 Hz GPS pulses available at the rear of the frequency reference, so that a quartz wall clock can display local time with GPS accuracy. Full instructions and easy clock adaptation details are included in our article.
Guitar to MIDI System
This low-cost PIC-based interface allows a guitar player – at last – to access the world of MIDI technology, or Musicial Instrument Digital Interface. This monophonic design employs a PIC microcontroller and a handful of components to produce an inexpensive design that is easy to build. Full construction details are included and free source code is available from our Library, or buy pre-programmed chips from select component suppliers.
Also in the October 2009 issue:
- Circuit Surgery offers a hugely-applauded guide to Poles and Zeros as used in filter circuits
- Ingenuity Unlimited (readers’ own circuit ideas) offers a simplified LED stroboscope
- Recycle It! Shows how to improve the sound and performance of some typical scrap loudspeakers
- Interface for PC Users illustrates some simple ‘virtual visual indicators’
- PIC n MIX starts a mini series investigating real-time operating systems (RTOS)
- Net Work – the Internet column – browses over Bing, the attractive new search engine from Microsoft.
