New Models Simulate RF Circuits

Its no news to those who simulate that the accuracy of SPICE is directly related to the accuracy of the models. What may be news is that simulation of high frequency circuits well into the gigahertz range is now possible due to the introduction of some new RF SPICE models.  click on image to enlarge To illustrate the improved simulation accuracy, the RF models were used to analyze a 500 MHz oscillator (Figure 1). The  oscillator generates a relatively high power output with a very distorted output waveform (typical at power levels over the 1- 2mW range). The simulation goals were to study the start-up characteristics, oscillating...

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Smoke Detector Circuit

The A5347CA is a low-current, CMOS circuit providing all of the required features for an ionization-type smoke detector. A networking capability allows as many as 125 units to be interconnected so that if any unit senses smoke, all units will sound an alarm. In addition, special features are incorporated to facilitate alignment and test of the finished smoke detector. This device is designed to comply with Underwriters Laboratories Specification UL217.  The internal oscillator and timing circuitry keeps standby power to a minimum by powering down the device for 1.66 seconds and sensing smoke for only 10 ms. Every 24 on/off cycles, a check...

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FINGERPRINT BASED VOTING MACHINE

The complete Voting machine consists mainly of two units - (a) Control Unit and (b) Balloting Unit with cable for connecting it with Control unit. A Balloting Unit caters upto 3 candidates. Four Balloting Units linked together catering in all to 64 candidates can be used with one control unit. The control unit is kept with the Presiding Officer and the Balloting Unit is used by the voter for polling. The Balloting Unit of EVM is a small Box-like device, on top of which each candidate and his/her election symbol is listed like a big ballot paper. Against each candidate's name, a button is provided. The voter polls his vote by pressing the button...

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Voice Switching Circuit

This circuit uses an MC2830 to form a voice activated switch ( VOX ).  click on image to enlarge A traditional VOX circuit is unable to distinguish between voice and noise in the incoming signal. In a noisy environment, the switch is often triggered by noise, or the activation sensitivity must be turned down. This circuit overcomes this weakness. The switch is activated by voice level above the noise and not activated by background noise. This is done by utilizing the differences in voice and noise waveforms. Voice waveforms generally have a wide range of variation in amplitude, whereas noise waveforms are more stable. The sensitivity...

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High 800Watts Amplifier-using MOSFET

The 800 Watt AV amplifier is based on My 1kw Amplifier and shares the same topology and basic PCB layout. The only real difference is the number of Output devices that the unit uses. The 1kw design has 20 O/P devices, while the AV amplifier has 14 O/P devices. This amplifier can be used for practically any application that requires High power, low noise, distortion and excellent sound. Examples would be Sub-woofer amp, FOH stage amplifier, One channel of a very high-powered surround sound amplifier etc. The AV amplifier has four main stages of amplification. We will begin by looking at each stage in reasonable detail. click on image to enlarge  ...

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Current Sensor

High-wattage appliances like electric irons, ovens and heaters result in unnecessary power loss if left ‘on’ for hours unnoticed. Here is a circuit that senses the flow of current through the  Appliances and gives audible beeps every fifteen minutes to remind you of power-’on’ status. click on image to enlarge  This is a non-contact version of current monitor and can sense the flow of current in high-current appliances from a distance of up to 30 cm . It uses a standard step-down transformer (0- 9V, 500mA) as the current sensor. Its secondary winding is left open, while the primary winding ends are used to detect the current. The...

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Locker Security System

The project locker security system is aimed at protecting the offering box from robbery. The project is based on micro-controller AT89C51 and some associated components. The major advantage of this security system other than the available security system is that this sounds and alarm and calls to a predefined mobile number when an attempt of robbery is detected. The mobile number can be of any persons managing the offering box and there is an option for a second mobile number to which the controller makes a second call at the time of robbery. The second mobile number can be the number of police station, so police will get notified and they can...

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Low-Cost Transistorised Inverter

This is an inexpensive fully transistorised inverter capable of driving medium loads of the order of 40 to 60 watts using battery of 12V, 15 Ah or higher capacity. Transistors T1 and T2 (BC548) form a 50Hz multivibrator. click on image to enlarge For obtaining correct frequency, the values of resistors R3 and R4 may have to be changed after testing. The complementary outputs from collectors of transistors T1 and T2 are given to PNP darlington driver stages formed by transistor pairs T3-T4 and T6-T7 (utilising transistors BD140 and 2N6107). The outputs from the drivers are fed to transistors T5 and T8 (2N3055) connected for push-pull operation. Somewhat...

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Universal IR Remote Control

Here is a circuit which can switch on and switch off any appliance with the help of a common type of infra-red remote control (transmitter).  click to enlarge This circuit senses the IR pulse and then controls the appliance accordingly. The circuit functions such that a short pulse from the remote tran- smitter switches on the triac (and the load) while a longer pulse switches off the triac as also the load. The circuit is built around hex inverter IC CD 4049. When the infra-red pulse is received by the sensor, its output (Note: Here VR1 denotes the in-circuit resistance of preset VR1.) The output of multivibrator is fed to the base of...

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Audio Perimeter Monitor

This circuit is intended for audio surveillance of an unattended area, examples being a back garden or open space. It can be used to listen for wildlife or just as an extra pair of ears.  Click to enlarge Using a single cable such as speaker wire or doorbell cable, this circuit can be remotely positioned, for example, at the bottom of a garden or garage, and used to detect all sound in that area.  The cable can be buried in a hosepipe or duct and is concealed out of sight. The mic is an ordinary dynamic mic insert and should be housed in a waterproof enclosure with the rest of the circuit. The mic output is amplified by the two transistors,...

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security Alarm circuit

As you can clearly see from the schematics, the circuit is utterly primitive and consists of two identical transistor switches. Each has its own alarm LED and they're coupled to a neat 82dB buzzer. click to enlarge The two 1N4148 diodes are used to prevent a signal from one sensor from triggering both LEDs. The sensors used are either wire loops or normally closed reed switches or even a combination of both. You could, for example, tie a wire loop to your suitcase and place a reed switch to the door of your hotel room.Since this little alarm is intended to be kept in arms reach at all times, there aren't any provisions for automatic shutdown...

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Phone Amplifier

While talking to a distant sub- scriber on telephone, quite often we feel frustrated when the voice of the distant subscriber is so faint that it is barely intelligible.  click to enlarge To overcome the problem, circuit of an inexpensive amplifier is presented here. It can be assembled and tested easily. There is no extra power source needed to power up the circuit, as it draws power from the telephone line itself. The amplifier will provide fairly good volume for the telephone conversation to be properly heard in a living room. A volume control is included to adjust the volume as desired. The circuit is built around IC LM386. Diodes...

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Object Counter Circuit

Presented here is the cheapest 8-digit programmable object or event counter. It is a fail-proof, fool-proof, power failure-proof, one evening project. A general-purpose (arithmetic) calculator has some inherent shortcomings which can, however, be used in many ways by proper programming sequences. click to enlarge For example, there is no squaring key in a general-purpose calculator, but it can not only square it has even the inherent capability of a single touch successive multiplication, thus giving us a choice of making a geometric progression (G.P.) or successive addition or forming an arithmetic progression (A.P.). For example, operating...

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Water Tank Overflow Preventer

There is practically no house without an overhead tank (OHT). People who use electrically-operated water pumps for filling the OHT find it very inconvenient to switch off the pump when their overhead tank starts overflowing, specially when they are busy. So there is plenty of water wastage as well as wastage of power (consumed by the pump). However, there is a solution to get rid of this headache.  click to enlarge The circuit given here will switch off the pump and also generate a melodious tune when the overhead tank gets filled up to the maximum desired level. All you have to do is switch off the power supply to the circuit when you...

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Audio amplifier output relay delay

Component listC1    100 uF 40V electrolyticC2    100 uF 40V electrolyticD1    1N4007D2    1N4148Q1    BC547R1    33 kohm  0.25WR2    2.2 kohm 0.25WRELAY 24V DC relay, coil resistance >300 ohm click to enlarge Circuit operationThen power is applied to the power input of the circuit, the positive phase of AC voltage charges C1. Then C2 starts to charge slowly through R1. When the voltage in C2 rises, the emitter output voltage of Q1 rises tigether with voltage on C2. When the output voltage of Q2 is high enough (typically around 16..20V)...

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Motor Speed controler

  The circuits shown below are a few of many suggested circuits as published by SCR and TRIAC manufacturers and cannot be construed as beeing the exact application for your requirements and I cannot be held responsible for their use and end results .  click to enlarge It is suggested that the subject of TRIAC and SCR as well as motor drive control systems be researched before making a final decision as to the application of these control circuits . For satisfactory and safe results, knowing the exact type of motor you wish to control is of prime importance and all data available should be obtained before you contemplate to add...

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Night Rider Light For Bikes

  Always looking for ways to be seen at night. So wanted something that was a novelty and would catch the motorists eye. So looking around at  fellow cyclists rear lights, Its is a Hobby circuit for bikes,'NITE-RIDER'. NINE extra bright LED's running from left to right and right to left continuously. It could be constructed with red LEDs for use on the rear of the bike or white LED's for an extra eye catcher on the front of the bike. click to enlarge All IC's are CMOS devices so that a 9V PP3 battery can be used, and the current drawn is very low so that it will last as long as possible. The circuit comprises of ... 1...

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LEDs Display

The circuit presented here uses bicolour LEDs to generate a display in three colours, namely, red,green, and yellowish green. Transistors T1 through T20 form a grid to which common-cathode bicolour LEDs (LED1 through LED10) are connected.  click to enlarge  Transistors T1 through T10 have their collector terminals connected to the emitter of transistor T21. Similarly, transistors T11 through T20 have their collector terminals connected to the emitter of transistor T22. The bases of each pair of transistors (i.e.  T1 and T11, T2 and T12,…, T10 and T20) are tied to outputs Q0, Q1,…, Q9, respectively, of IC1 (CD4017) through 10-kiloohm...

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IR Headphone

Using this low-cost project one can reproduce audio from TV without disturbing others. It does not use any wire connection between TV and headphones. In place of a pair of wires, it uses invisible infrared light to transmit audio signals from TV to headphones. Without using any lens, a range of up to 6 metres is possible. Range can be extended by using lenses and reflectors with IR sensors comprising transmitters and receivers. click to enlarge  IR transmitter uses two-stage transistor amplifier to drive two series-connected IR LEDs. An audio output transformer is used (in reverse) to couple audio output from TV to the IR  transmitter....

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