Open Source Hardware

Open Source Hardwarehttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/What is the connection between Open Source Hardware and traditional engineering companies. How can professionals & hobbyists learn from each other. What can hardware developers learn from Open Source Software.en-USTelligent Community 12File: The Steam Deck's Screen Now Works on a Raspberry Pihttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/m/managed-videos/151656Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:31:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6f753730-3bd1-4345-98cb-fddf01c10adastantoYou can use the Steam Deck's touchscreen LCD with a Raspberry Pi thanks to this HAT. Thanks to Scandent for open sourcing their design and code to make this work! Mentioned in this video: - Steam Deck LCD Pi TV070WXM-HAT: https://github.com/Scande...driverlcdcsimipitouchconnectorhardwaredsichiptouch screensbctopcomputerretroattachedrepairsteam deck7 inchraspberry piusedgamingopen sourceffcdisplayfpcscreenhandhelddimmingmounthattilinuxrecompileForum Post: Use the Steam Deck's LCD Screen on a Raspberry Pi (or something else, I'm not gatekeeping)https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57218/use-the-steam-deck-s-lcd-screen-on-a-raspberry-pi-or-something-else-i-m-not-gatekeepingThu, 27 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:45f8b26e-37a7-486d-a863-1e0c14e3a40fstantoNice video coverage by Jeff Geerling here: www.youtube.com/watch The Steam Deck LCD screen panel's MIPI pinout was unobtanium for ages, and since there are so many of these screens available, people want the pinout, mainly to be able to have different screens on the Steam Deck. Finally though, someone's decided to open this up a bit. It's in the form of a HAT but the project is open source: https://github.com/ScandentLLC/tv070wxm-hat Check it outsteam deck lcd screenlcd streenraspberry pi screensteam deckraspberry pisteam deck lcdopen source<link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=4a513be4-d90d-48d3-944d-0461f773d2d1</link><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:13:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4a513be4-d90d-48d3-944d-0461f773d2d1</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>Does AoE say how you use the 'active load', or do they just give you that partial schematic? They elaborate on the current source and on the active load. The dedicated subsection "Biasing with a current source" and "Current-mirror active load" give (short) background. I'll do the extra measurements when the heat wave is over...</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=ecf447b0-0573-4502-8482-cdb4de4e3a5d</link><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:11:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ecf447b0-0573-4502-8482-cdb4de4e3a5d</guid><dc:creator>jc2048</dc:creator><description>Does AoE say how you use the 'active load', or do they just give you that partial schematic? It's not going to work well open loop - the operating point and the gain that results as the two sources (the mirror output and the diff pair output) fight comes from the slopes specified by the Early voltages, and they're not well characterised, and not necessarily balanced between the PNP and the NPN part. [It works best used with further stages and then overall feedback to determine the operating point and the actual, precise gain.] Besides which, that's not how Shabaz is using the mirror, anyhow. He's got it the other way round so that it's mirroring the output current that flows in the passive resistor load as feedback to the other transistor in the diff pair. It's unconventional, and I'm not very sure what all the consequences of doing that might be. It seems to give a small amount of loop gain (which we might expect to [slightly] improve the distortion performance (maybe not - the diode-connected transistor at the mirror input is itself a major source of distortion in the output), lower the output impedance, maybe give some PSRR, and all those kinds of benefits that you get from feedback). The biggest obvious problem is the higher gain on the left side will drive the other diff pair transistor into the saturation region with larger input signals, compromise the operation of the diff pair, and result in the sudden onset of output distortion. And it's all a bit uncontrolled, and most definitely the simulation won't get it right because the Early voltages in the transistor models probably won't be very typical of the actual parts. If you view an FFT of the output, do you see the output distortion suddenly rise at some point as you increase the signal level? It should be around the same point that the waveform on the other side limits against the lower transistor collector. As to the current source in the tail of the diff pair, the two transistors would lead to a higher slope on the current vs voltage characteristic, which you would think would result in more output distortion (over the simpler, one-transistor sink), but maybe Shabaz was adjusting that to partially counter one of the other distortion sources.</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/simple-dcr-assembling-a-7-mhz-40m-direct-conversion-radio-receiver-part-1?CommentId=b9a71430-6531-4692-bb31-89793cac47a9</link><pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:34:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:b9a71430-6531-4692-bb31-89793cac47a9</guid><dc:creator>rsjawale24</dc:creator><description>As a kid, I always wanted build a receiver myself, but I could never build one as it was difficult to find toroidal cores locally and then wind the inductors. I used to look for circuits that do not use them.</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236459Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:24:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:2550ab3f-ae99-4b51-9be8-20c19c3d19a9cstantonDoes this mean you're going OwainM ? You could even take some community swag to unofficially give out.Forum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236458Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:d7ceaee6-a9c0-4b2e-a1f4-86f9a4b71db7OwainMIf you're around Hebden Bridge before or after the camp, the Hebden Bridge Picture House is also in the centre of the town. It's a beautiful 105-year old cinema which has interesting film showings on, I saw some indie films there last year. Their website is here, only a couple of showings seem to be on during the camp: hebdenbridgepicturehouse.co.uk/HebdenBridgePictureHouse.dll/Home<link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=4e67ec02-7bed-45f9-8040-52b6171d1c3d</link><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:30:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:4e67ec02-7bed-45f9-8040-52b6171d1c3d</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>In LTSpice, with NPX BC547C model: ... and the zoom:</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=510d4ee5-40cb-4310-aa3f-02d7921952ad</link><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:37:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:510d4ee5-40cb-4310-aa3f-02d7921952ad</guid><dc:creator>jc2048</dc:creator><description>I'd do it like this with Tina-TI. Here I've asked for a DC Transfer Analysis where it sweeps a generator between two voltages and plots the result. I imagine you'll be able to do something equivalent, because it's almost certain to be fundamental to the spice simulator. The graph then shows the compliance of the source. Not very useful below 2V, but fine above, with a reasonably flat top. Below 0.5V the current goes negative, because there's a path back through the base-collector diode from the potential divider, but you can ignore that. This is with the vertical scale magnified so that you can see the slope better. Keep in mind that that's coming from simplified transistor models in a simulator - so the real slope may be different, and may not even be a precise straight line like that.</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=8258906f-774a-4e70-93c8-e2af2b0abca8</link><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:51:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:8258906f-774a-4e70-93c8-e2af2b0abca8</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>IN1 out Q4 collector conditions: V+: 9V IN1: sinus 1 kHz, 100 mV rms IN2: ground</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236422Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:04:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:0034cd00-4d28-472b-a9d8-20c1f0816945dang74Thanks<link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=6fe42aca-7ad9-4cf4-8105-e9fb2de76a91</link><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:51:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6fe42aca-7ad9-4cf4-8105-e9fb2de76a91</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>First attempt to simulate the current source / sink:</description></item><item><title>Forum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236419Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:17:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:911524a1-cfb9-42e7-bc1e-24415e4d1677michaelkellettThe OSHG weekend is still happening this year. MKForum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236418Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:16:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:690b6581-9f06-4ddb-a524-48d2480a6de4michaelkellettWuthering Bytes isn't happening this year but it's never all about one subject. You can check out some history here: https://wutheringbytes.com/about MKForum Post: RE: Open Source Hardware Camp 2026 — Sat 29/08 & Sun 30/08, Hebden Bridge, Englandhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/f/forum/57080/open-source-hardware-camp-2026-sat-29-08-sun-30-08-hebden-bridge-england/236417Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:06:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:832dc1c1-59dc-47b0-9ba2-cf6aa5953cefdang74I just watched a video on Tiny Tape out. Getting your chip fabricated sounds intriguing. Is this what Wuthering Bytes is all about as well?<link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=f9a6c97d-ac31-419d-baf9-d10aa41cc573</link><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:04:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:f9a6c97d-ac31-419d-baf9-d10aa41cc573</guid><dc:creator>jc2048</dc:creator><description>"...since there are two inputs and I'd have to keep changing the signals..." Something that's handy for these kind of situations are the controlled sources in spice. Here I've got a voltage-controlled voltage source on the second input controlled by the generator on the first. If I set the controlled source gain to -1, then the second input is simply the inverse of whatever the generator is set to, and if I set the gain to 1, both inputs are the same and the second tracks the generator.</description></item><item><title>File: BJT Differential Amplifier with Active Load & Cascode Current Source Example 6https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/m/managed-videos/151525Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:27:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:824c46c9-eeb0-45ae-8680-8acd0b5b5075Jan CumpsIn this video, we will discuss the sixth example of a BJT differential amplifier. In this example, the differential amplifier is biased using a cascode current source, which ensures the tail current source connected to the two emitters of the diff...nodal analysisthevenin nortonwiskundecalculuscircuitscontrol systemsbode plotRegeltechniekComplexe getallenanalog electronicsknooppuntsmethodesteady-state analysislinear algebrpower amplifierssuperpositionmatlabstabilitydifferential equtionsinleiding elektronicaSPICE PID Controllerelectronicselectrical engineeringelectric circuitssimulinkmesh current analysissource transformationelektrische netwerken<link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---dc-analysis?CommentId=0cf445c9-3082-49cb-948e-ee7c975d8113</link><pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:26:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:0cf445c9-3082-49cb-948e-ee7c975d8113</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>Explanation from CAN education. There are a few differences in the circuit but the overall explanation holds: - slightly different active load / current mirror (connection of the Q2 and Q3 basis, R13 - different current source topography. Assume 2.2 mA in our circuit www.youtube.com/watch</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=6662c01b-e955-4572-ac7e-9aaac3c0434f</link><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:14:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6662c01b-e955-4572-ac7e-9aaac3c0434f</guid><dc:creator>shabaz</dc:creator><description>From memory I originally didn't have any of that, and used a resistor, but needed beyond a certain value to then be able to have lower gain and low distortion (since this stage wasn't intended to have high gain; I would have been happy with just 6 dB or so) but couldn't find a combination that would also give me a good signal input range (I needed at least several hundred mV to suit the circuitry preceeding it). Eventually I gave up and tried the BJT current sink, there may well be more optimal biasing that could have eliminated the need for the BJT sink at all, I just couldn't find it through trial-and-error (I'm not an analog designer otherwise I may have known a better technique). (By trial-and-error I mean using the KiCad simulator). Once I went down that road although I took some time on it, I believe better results could be achieved. I likely just started with one transistor and then for some reason switched to the darlington pair, but there are better current sink topologies. For the combination of relatively large input (few hundred mV p-p), what seemed like good common signal rejection, low desired gain and low distortion in the speech bandwidth, the tweaks had reached a point where the simulator results suggested there was no need to improve further. I was finding it took ages to find something optimal since there are two inputs and I'd have to keep changing the signals to check it was still working fine across these requirements.</description></item><item><title /><link>https://community.element14.com/technologies/open-source-hardware/b/blog/posts/discrete-difference-amplifier---ac-analysis-gain-and-bandwidth?CommentId=ae165b30-dc7f-459d-b099-43041b891ac7</link><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ae165b30-dc7f-459d-b099-43041b891ac7</guid><dc:creator>Jan Cumps</dc:creator><description>Testing common mode rejection. Same signal to + and - input, then measure if the output is "nothing".</description></item></channel></rss>