PIC
Flasher — no self-respecting December
issue is ever complete without this year's latest design for an electronic
Christmas decoration, and our PIC Flasher will fit the bill precisely! "Yule"
love the intriguing effects that this multi-mode unit will produce. Safe
low voltage design for powering up to 8 channels of l.e.d.s. Effects programmable
via DIP switch. Full constructional details provided, free PIC source code
available from our download
area.
EPE
Hybrid Computer (Part 2) — Real-time computation of complex system
behaviour is greatly simplified by combining analogue and digital processing
techniques — and that's exactly what we've done in this new Analogue
Computer design. Part 2 provides the remaining constructional details, plus
guidance on how to simulate real-world engineering problems. Full step-by-step
details are provided in our two-part series, along with free programs to
demonstrate its effectiveness. 
Door
Defender — the next best thing to having your own fully-armed member
of the Coldstream Guards on standy-by, the Door Defender is a simple to
build (4000 CMOS) self-contained mini alarm that will warn when a door is
opened. Keyswitch protection, portable, battery operation. An ideal beginner's
project, it will guard medicine cupboards, outdoor sheds and of course the
front or back doors to your home.
PICAXE
Projects (Part 2) — Temperature Sensor, Voltage Sensor and VU Indicator.
PICaxe is a great new way to introduce yourself to the world of PIC microcontrollers.
We use modified PIC16F627 devices that can be programmed in BASIC. They
do not need special programming hardware and they can be programmed through
a PC serial link. Also in this issue: Alternative Uses for Transistors - other intriguing ways in which they can be applied; Circuit Surgery gives you the low-down on a.c. motors and how to measure high-side and low-side currents with op.amps. New Technology Update: "Spin transistors" and their applications in non-volatile memory or magnetic sensors; Net Work looks at WorldSpace digital satellite radio; Interface - our PC interface column - guides you on choosing and using Visual BASIC.