Very Compact's Blog

Holiday Special

2020-12-21T21:03:47Z

I'm playing with my S100 Bus computers which I built over 40 years ago.They still work!!They played a major role with making computers mainstream.(read more)

Unusual Pyneboard

2020-07-16T10:00:07Z

I was expecting little bits of pine saw dust compressed and glued together to form a monolithic board.(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 09

2017-03-31T04:45:41Z

31ST JULYMore on the U7 voltage regulatorThe XL_STAR schematic dated Monday 21st February 2011 does not contain any details of U7 (the IC that can get really hot).From the picture in the XL_STAR Users Manual on page 9, U7 and C28 have replaced U2 and...(read more)

An Easy Peasy Power Supply!

2017-03-30T05:51:33Z

We're definitely heading towards technology of Star Wars and Star Trek. Intel/Altera have tiny power supply modules that are so simple that anyone could use them.Their EM2120H01QI for a lazy 1.3V - 5V @20A continuous power supply at 90-95%...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 08

2017-03-28T21:23:21Z

31ST JULYCrawling aboutWith the preliminary shakedown tests out of the way it was now time to delve into the detail.I spent bits of today learning about the ins and outs of the CodeWarrior IDE, its C compiler and freescale MC9S08MM128.I learned a few...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 07

2017-03-25T22:29:22Z

29TH JULYMy First ProgramUsing my process of having to "Learn to crawl before you Walk before you Run", I wrote the proverbial "Hello World" program for embedded processors that does nothing more than turn LEDs on and off. The procedure followe...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 06

2017-03-23T00:00:43Z

29TH JULYThe Big BangAll armed and ready to go I accidentally blew my XL_STAR up.I had a lapse of concentration when reconnecting my XL_STAR and connected the USB cable to the wrong USB connector.There are two USB connectors - the right one and the w...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 05

2017-03-20T23:49:44Z

26TH JULYFreescale CodeWarrior IDEPutting the battery subject aside, It was time to check the CodeWarrior Installation. I plugged in the XL_STAR to my PC.The USB device drivers installed without a hitch. I then ran up the FreeScale CodeWarr...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 04

2017-03-19T05:53:41Z

26TH JULYBatteryWith the battery holder soldered in it was time to find a suitable battery.I could not find any specific reference to a particular type of battery in the manual so I needed to consult the schematic diagram and the battery holder data ...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 03

2017-03-17T08:36:31Z

26TH JULYThe XL_STAR kit arrived last night.As a bonus, all of the crosshair LEDS are installed and also got a coin battery holder.Thanks very much element14! The coin battery holder is not installed so I'll have to install it.This is a good...(read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 02

2017-03-16T01:03:06Z

25th JulyWhilst waiting for the board, I commenced work by laying out the Static Memory LCD adapter board.This board fans out the 0.5mm spaced pins to a more human friendly 100mil (0.100 inch) connector. (read more)

VY Canis Majoris Part 01

2017-03-14T23:44:46Z

This is a reprint of my original experiences with the XL_STAR RoadTest.The original posts were lost with a site upgrade but thank goodness I kept a backup copy. Enjoy! XL_STAR board Project Blog (19/07/2011) Waiting with anticipation ...(read more)

Decoys

2017-02-02T23:37:32Z

I've left a trail of decoys to make things harder!(read more)

CSD or CSI

2017-02-02T23:26:50Z

Computer Security is important.Make sure you employ the appropriate measures.Shutting down your Computer is a sure fire way to limit its exposure to online threats.(read more)

EAGLE gets an upgrade!

2014-11-28T22:30:27Z

I just started EAGLE 7.1 and it informed me that 7.2 has been released.This has been downloaded and installed. Details for 7.2.0 available here:http://www.element14.com/community/message/133107/l/eagle-version-72-released#133107 In addition...(read more)