https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/your place for all things related to learning about electronic engineering. en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/m/managed-videos/151686Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:42:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a30c7cf9-767a-40a3-822d-e85bc4a6bf32MikeNZRetore control of your Hasbro Smart R2D2! Hasbro's Smart R2-D2 was sold in 2016 with an Android app that controlled it over Bluetooth. Modern phones will not install it, so the toy lost a lot of functionality and playability. Nothing is wrong with...esp32Homemade sensorsHasbro R2D2webserverCasio graphing calculatorCasio FX-9860keypadremote controlhmiHasbro Smart R2D2DroidXRIGELMaker Sciencehands-on mathshuman machine interfaceScience toolsCasio FX-9750low cost scienceR2D2 apphttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/b/blog/posts/open-source-casio-fx-9750-and-web-broswer-app-to-restore-hasbro-smart-r2d2-functionalityMon, 31 Aug 2026 11:41:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:7cc226f4-11a2-4f33-999c-7a4547cc2930MikeNZThe droid that outlived its app A graphing calculator, an ESP32, and a toy nobody can play with - until now... Hasbro's Smart R2-D2 was sold in 2016 with an Android app that controlled it over Bluetooth. Modern phones will not install it, so the toy has lost a lot of its playability - until now! Nothing is wrong with the robot. It still advertises itself over Bluetooth LE to anything that knows how to ask. What died was the software, and with it every one of these toys still sitting in a cupboard. This project puts a Casio FX-9750 graphing calculator in charge of it, through the same 2.5 mm serial port and the same four-component interface circuit as every other build in this family of projects by the author. It then adds DroidX , a block-coding web page served by the ESP32 itself, so a phone or tablet can drive the droid with no app, no install, and no internet connection. Not just a phone app Restore phone control of your Hasbro Smart R2D2 The Casio remains a teaching tool connecting to R2D2 AT THE SAME TIME as the ESP32 serves an app to your phone, tablet or laptop webbrowser. The calculator sends the commands. The ESP32 translates them into Bluetooth. The droid moves. And the calculator screen shows what the droid is actually doing, read back from the robot rather than assumed. The calculator is the interesting control surface, but it is not the only one. Because the ESP32 has WiFi, it can run as its own access point and serve a page. A phone will not find the Hasbro R2D2 droid in its Bluetooth list, but it will find the ESP32 in its WiFi list. Join it, open a browser, and the controller appears. DroidX is that page: snap blocks together into a sequence, press Run, and watch the droid execute it while the calculator mirrors each step. There is no app to install, no store, no account, and no internet connection anywhere in the chain. [ Phone / tablet browser ] --WiFi WebSocket--> [ ESP32 ] --serial--> [ Casio screen ] DroidX block UI | +--Bluetooth LE--> [ droid ] Not just a toy controller This is an extension of my 2008 research, which carried classroom validation and student feedback, now with a modern facelift and cross-platform compatibility. Learners can record heart rate, temperature, sound level, and other readings using sensors they build themselves, for cents or a few dollars. The simplest build is a Casio FX-9750 or FX-9860 graphing calculator, a microcontroller costing a few dollars, and a cross-over cable. Sensor readings arrive at a set interval and land in the calculator's own lists, where the graphing and statistics tools students already know are waiting for them. For a few dollars more, the Casio can log data from remote sensors wirelessly and serve a web page with data to smart devices including phones, tablets, and laptops. The calculator needs no modification or firmware change. It does not need to know what is on the other end of the cross-over cable. https://mikefentonnz.github.io/projects/casio-calculator-r2d2-droidx.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bs8HlcWaaY All open source, low cost, for educational purposes only. And fun!codingHasbro R2D2michael fentonstemCasio FX-9860educationremote controlHasbro Smart R2D2robotprogrammingMaker ScienceCasio calculatorwirelessstar warsCasio FX-9750funhttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/microbit/b/blog/posts/use-a-casio-caclulator-as-a-microbit-display-and-keypad---data-logging-remote-control-and-moreSat, 29 Aug 2026 09:27:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:60125b43-f53d-4583-b496-de67e5b14936MikeNZA discovery from 2007 fully exploited in 2026 - hacking the Casio calculator serial protocol The Microbit is the board most schools already own for jumior classes. Using these as cross-curricula sensor units requires adding a display, a keypad, SD module to save data. But what if you could build something greater than the sum of the parts? And cheaper? Greatly extend the capabilities of a calculator many students already own. You can even upcycle old Casio FX-9750 G Plus calculators - and transform both the Microbit and Casio calculator into a general purpose tool for physical education, health, science, mathematics, Internet-of-things (IoT), and robotics / instrumentation. Reduce electronic waste at the same time! What is that port for again? The forgotten feature in the 2.5 mm port of a Casio FX-9750 and FX-9860 is now available on my GitHub, open-source and free. It takes the burden off the teacher, because the learners become the experts - constructing, coding and repairing their own smart data logger that also acts as a remote control and automation control interface. This is an extension of my 2008 research, which carried classroom validation and student feedback, now with a modern facelift and cross-platform compatibility. Full serial communication between the Casio and Microbit Full bidirectional communication using the Casio serial protocol works with Arduino, Picaxe, Microbit, ESP8266, and ESP32. Learners can record heart rate, temperature, sound level, and other readings using sensors they build themselves, for cents or a few dollars. Use an old Casio G Plus (I got one very a few dollars from a second-hand shop) to give a alphanumeric display and a keypad to the Microbit. There low-cost universal serial interface is simple and connects with 5V and 3V microcontroller and Casio models safely. Instructions, C++ code, teacher and student manual are here: https://mikefentonnz.github.io/projects/casio-calculator-data-logger-hack.html So, what do you want to build using a keypad and display most students already have access to at senior level? A historical heart rate monitor? A NASA Mars orbital surveyor simulator? A colorimeter to monitor a chemical change that logs every 2 seconds or every 2 minutes? A remote control for a robot? A PIN pad to open a secure system? All these ideas are demonstrated and work - and the calculator still does maths!tutorialmakerspacestemteaching programmingmicrobit v1microbit v2microbit projectsdiyfitnessbbc microbitcodebig ideassensorlesson planshttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/52707/green-envy-finally-gets-to-make-its-debut-at-lake-gairdner/237955Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:21:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:5951ed82-30f9-41c5-87c0-4f69ed66b277beacon_daveWell, I did try... https://community.element14.com/members-area/f/forum/55579/top-tech-voices-podcast-episode-5-evs-the-race-to-electrify-power-management/227213https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/52707/green-envy-finally-gets-to-make-its-debut-at-lake-gairdner/237951Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:20:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e05dc997-62fd-4bcf-a5cd-7a1006aa858fbeacon_daveFinal run for this event, finishing with a good result. The weather held out, which is a factor when you have to ship your machinery and mobile workshop halfway around the world for an event window typically lasting just a few days. The next outing should be even more interesting now that a lot of the initial gremlins appear to have been evicted. (Co-pilot Dolly looks pleased with this week's result.) ('Top Time of The Meet!' award)https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/52707/green-envy-finally-gets-to-make-its-debut-at-lake-gairdner/237950Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:46:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:229a6db8-4dc9-4446-a6fa-b895622b48d7cstantonI feel this whole thing deserves a dedicated blog post with more info, this is so cool.https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/52707/green-envy-finally-gets-to-make-its-debut-at-lake-gairdner/237949Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:29:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:9cdc5b9c-23a1-4b67-87da-9834b4d6758cbeacon_daveMeta glasses and LED matrix displays at 222MPH... https://www.instagram.com/eva_hakansson/p/DcfCSyCCF0Y/https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/52707/green-envy-finally-gets-to-make-its-debut-at-lake-gairdner/237915Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:50:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:a7d99001-e0a5-4b00-bb2b-e283cb1a33bdbeacon_daveGreen Envy is currently at Bonneville this week ready for the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials 23rd - 27th August. Salt looks good, the shakedown runs on the runway last month went well, so hopefully a chance for some fast runs at long last.https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/the-tech-connection/b/blog/posts/modular-precision-ate-test-platforms-for-next-generation-validationTue, 28 Jul 2026 13:26:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:9c5a420d-694c-4841-9745-825f8679c0e1Vinod-GAdvancements in semiconductor technology, optoelectronics, and power electronics have introduced new challenges for test and measurement infrastructure. Modern devices require higher precision, faster throughput, and more flexible test configurations. Traditional benchtop instruments often struggle to scale efficiently and integrate seamlessly into automated workflows. They consume excessive rack space, lack reconfiguration flexibility, and cause costly downtime during maintenance, turning these limitations into critical bottlenecks. Modular precision test platforms address all these challenges effectively. The Tektronix MP5000 Series Modular Precision Test System redefines Automated Test Equipment (ATE) by combining high-density modularity, sub-microsecond synchronization, and embedded automation in a compact 1U chassis. This spotlight explores the technical architecture of the MP5000, specifically detailing how its embedded Test Script Processor (TSP®) technology and modular design solve the "Cost of Test" equation. What is a Script-Driven Modular Test System? A script-driven modular test system represents the latest evolution of standard ATE. Unlike traditional instruments that rely on a central PC to send individual commands for every action (source, measure, decision), a script-driven system embeds a processor directly within the instrument. This enables the instrument to execute complex test sequences locally. This feature, when combined with a modular chassis design, allows users to mix Source Measure Units (SMUs) and Power Supply Units (PSUs) in a single frame. Such systems provide a high-density solution that maximizes channels per rack unit. Key Challenges in Conventional Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Precision degradation in high-channel systems: Accuracy and resolution often decline as channel count increases, particularly for low-level current and voltage measurements. Poor Low-Current Measurement Capability: Many ATE platforms struggle with picoamp-to-nanoamp measurements due to noise, leakage, and inadequate front-end design. Synchronization and Parallel Testing Limitations: Difficulty in tightly synchronizing multiple instruments results in sequential sampling, timing errors, and reduced test fidelity. High System Footprint and Rack Density Constraints: Traditional ATE consumes significant rack space and requires extensive infrastructure, limiting laboratory and production floor efficiency. System Downtime During Maintenance and Calibration: Calibration complexity and module-level servicing often result in extended downtime and reduced test availability. Calibration complexity and long-term accuracy drift Maintaining traceability and precision over time is costly and operationally intensive. Automation and Software Complexity: Steep learning curves, fragmented software stacks, and custom scripting increase development time and maintenance overhead. High Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Initial capital expense combined with ongoing costs for calibration, maintenance, infrastructure, and upgrades reduces return on investment (ROI). What Makes the MP5000 a Precision Test Platform? Precision measurement requires stability, repeatability, and seamless integration into automated environments. The MP5000 achieves this through a combination of technologies and design principles that distinguishes it from both standalone bench instruments and other modular test architectures. The key USPs are: True Mix-and-Match Modularity: The MP5103 mainframe provides three slots that accept any combination of MSMU60-2 source measure units and MPSU50-2ST programmable power supplies. Independent slot power control means engineers can remove, replace, or upgrade modules without powering down the system. They can swap a module in minutes while the remaining channels continue testing. This capability transforms maintenance from a system-disrupting event into a routine operation that barely affects throughput. Unprecedented Channel Density: The MP5000 packs up to 6 independent channels into a single 1U mainframe, optimizing rack space and reducing overall system costs compared to bulkier alternatives. A traditional six-channel SMU configuration consumes approximately 12U of rack space. The MP5000 accomplishes the same in 1U. The MSMU60-2 provides two complete four-quadrant source-measure channels, while the MPSU50-2ST delivers two isolated 50-watt power supply channels. Ultra-Low Noise Precision: With current resolution down to 100 fA and voltage down to 500 nV (6½-digit accuracy), the MP5000 is tailored for sensitive measurements in low-power devices like photodiodes and sensors. Embedded Automation: The built-in Test Script Processor (TSP®) runs Lua-based scripts directly on the instrument, eliminating PC latency for faster, more reliable test execution. When paired with the TSP Toolkit (a Visual Studio Code extension for debugging and no-code generation), it simplifies custom automation. Engineers can choose their path: code with the Python driver (tm_devices beta; IVI-C/.NET and LabVIEW soon), script effortlessly using the free TSP Toolkit VS Code extension (with autocomplete, validation, and live debugging; beta auto-generates I-V scripts), or go no-code with the upcoming Automated Characterization Suite (ACS) for drag-and-drop test sequences. Sub-Microsecond Synchronization: TSP-Link® technology delivers <500 ns timing across up to 32 linked mainframes, perfect for parallel multi-site testing in production lines. Future-Ready Scalability: The engineer can stack, rack, or link units effortlessly. While current modules cover essential needs, development continues on enhancements like a 200V high-pulse SMU module. This module is slated for early 2026 release to handle higher-voltage applications in semiconductors. Fig 1. MP5000 Series Modular Precision Test System ( Source ) A few special technologies power these features: TSP and TSP-Link: TSP handles on-instrument processing with human-readable commands, custom APIs, and tools for rapid script development. TSP-Link extends this to distributed systems, ensuring tight synchronization without external controllers, crucial for reducing test times in high-throughput scenarios. Advanced digitization and sensing: 1 MSa/s ADCs per channel capture waveforms accurately, while features like 4-wire remote sensing, asymmetric compliance, auto-sense resistors, and hardware protections (OVP/OCP) safeguard devices and enhance measurement integrity. User-friendly interfaces: A modern touchscreen and embedded web server provide real-time insights, troubleshooting, and control, making it accessible for both benchtop and rack-mounted setups. Challenge Conventional Rack Systems MP5000 Advantage Channel density 1–2 channels per 2U 6 channels per 1U Synchronization ms-level triggers ≈500 ns via TSP-Link Downtime Full rack recalibration Module-only calibration Automation PC-dependent Embedded scripting Performance specifications: A technical deep dive The MP5000 ecosystem starts with the MP5103 Mainframe (1U, 3 slots), supporting Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, digital I/O, and TSP-Link for seamless expansion. The available modules are: MSMU60-2 Dual-Channel SMU : Channels: 2 independent, 4-quadrant bipolar. Voltage/Current: ±60 V / ±1.5 A, 30 W per channel. Resolution: 100 fA current, 500 nV voltage. Features: 1 MSa/s digitizers, asymmetric compliance, output disconnect relays. Ideal for precise IV sweeps and low- current measurements. Fig 2. MSMU60-2 Module: Dual Channel SMU ( Source ) MPSU50-2ST Dual-Channel PSU: Channels: 2 isolated, stackable for extended ranges (±100 V / ±10 A). Voltage/Current: ±50 V / ±5 A, 50 W per channel. Features: Bipolar outputs without lead switching, 4-wire remote sense, fast OVP/OCP. Perfect for power delivery in mixed setups. Fig 3. MPSU50-2ST Module: Dual Channel PSU ( source ) These specs ensure 6½-digit accuracy across quadrants, with low-noise performance critical for AMS validation. Connectivity options such as USB-C and web interfaces further streamline integration into modern workflows. Application Showcase: MP5000 Driving High-Speed VCSEL Validation VCSELs are core to a large number of applications ranging from smartphone facial recognition to automotive LiDAR. Validating these devices demands fast, tightly synchronized LIV (current–voltage–light) measurements, something conventional test setups struggle to deliver at production scale. The Challenge: Accurate VCSEL LIV characterization requires sourcing a precise drive current while simultaneously measuring forward voltage and photocurrent from an integrated photodiode. Even minor timing skew between these measurements leads to inaccurate results. In production, the challenge intensifies: 50–100 current points must be captured in seconds to meet throughput and cost targets, which is well beyond the limits of command-by-command automation. The MP5000 Advantage: A Tektronix MP5000 system configured with two or three MSMU60-2 modules solves this festering problem. One SMU sources fast, highly stable laser current; a second captures forward voltage with nanovolt resolution; a third measures photocurrent with femtoamp sensitivity. Built-in 1 MSa/s simultaneous digitizers ensure all parameters are captured in perfect time alignment. Using a single TSP script, the MP5000 executes a complete LIV sweep from threshold to maximum current in under one second, returning a fully correlated dataset. For multi-site testing, TSP-Link synchronizes multiple MP5000 mainframes, enabling parallel validation of large VCSEL arrays without crosstalk or thermal distortion. The result is up to 10× higher throughput, dramatically reducing cost per device and redefining VCSEL production test efficiency. Fig 4. VCSEL Module Functional Test Other Real-World Applications: Clarifying Use Cases The MP5000 is designed to solve specific challenges in precision testing: Semiconductor and sensor characterization : In IC functional testing or AMS production, engineers can combine SMU precision for low-current probing (e.g., photodiodes, sensors) with PSU channels for stable biasing. Parallel testing via linked mainframes boosts throughput, ideal for high-volume fabs. General device validation in industrial settings : Handle emerging low-power IoT sensors or high-reliability components with femtoamp-level sensitivity and hardware interlocks, ensuring safe, repeatable results in critical environments like aerospace or automotive electronics. Zero-Downtime Precision Without the Hassle The Tektronix MP5000 Series, with its modularity and embedded intelligence, represents a fundamental shift in the architecture of precision test systems. By addressing pain points like downtime and scalability while delivering unmatched accuracy, it builds trust through proven performance and supports faster innovation cycles. For R&D teams, this means test systems that evolve through product development cycles without repeated capital investments. For production engineers, it means optimizing cost-performance on a per-application basis while maintaining scalability for volume growth. For facilities managers, it means dramatic space efficiency improvements that translate directly to reduced infrastructure costs. Featured Products MP5103 Buy now MPSU50-2ST Buy now MSMU60-2 Buy now For more innovative products from Tektronix Shop Now ABOUT THE SPONSOR Tektronix designs and manufactures test and measurement solutions to break through the walls of complexity, and accelerate global innovation. Together we empower engineers to create and realize technological advances with ever greater ease, speed, and accuracy. For more information, click here.tektronix-e14Tektronix MP5000Modular Test SystemsSource Measure Units (SMU)Automated Test Equipment (ATE)Semiconductor Test and Measurementhttps://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/57127/do-you-want-to-build-a-computer/237555Sat, 25 Jul 2026 19:01:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:bb8c290c-4d51-4245-a50e-8dceee553d10DABI did bit-slice design in college. Not sure I want to delve back into that world.https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/stem-academy/f/forum/57127/do-you-want-to-build-a-computerThu, 23 Jul 2026 22:55:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6d8a32ca-2f0c-4f6f-8de7-3e979bf30db2stantoCome on out and play~~~ (to the tune of 'do you want to build a snowman? from Frozen) https://nandgame.com/ The interface is a little janky but it's still quite fun. I'm not affiliated with whoever made it.nand gamebuild your own computer