So far, I’ve documented the original FPGA-based project and the framework used to turn it into an actual Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), along with its functional description in Part 1. In Part 2, I covered a few key design considerations I learnt as a beginner when transitioning from FPGA to ASIC, specifically related to … Continue reading RGBW Controller ASIC Part 3 – Design for silicon, colour space conversion algorithm and final block diagram
I initially had an idea to implement an RGBW LED color controller in hardware, but I only had access to an FPGA along with free tools (though not necessarily open-source). Later, while participating in the ETHZ Summer School in Zurich, I discovered how it's possible, even for individual contributors, to affordably create an IC. At … Continue reading RGBW Controller ASIC, part 1 – An FPGA design forged into an ASIC
In the watchmaking industry there are not only cogs and gears. Nowadays, even the high watchmaking industry focuses on sophisticated digital technology, to combine it with the fine art of mechanics. And it exists, once open-source, even an RTOS owned by Swatch, for which I had the pleasure to use, and mostly to be mentored … Continue reading The EdoSplay RTC project
In need of a new pair of headphones, I wanted to go more towards brands which were less anonymous and more reliable. As I needed a Bluetooth headset but also the Active Noise Cancellation feature for when I work or travel on a train, I wanted to give it a try and I found the … Continue reading Teardown of Marshall MID ANC
I've received one of those (supposedly) Chinese powerful LED torches from my brother. To be precise, this one: I was not expecting too much from it, it's awesome and does a lot of light and the like. But I do not want to praise it, rather I got very suspicious when I've discovered that contains … Continue reading When an LED torch can kill
I started to experiment with the WS2812 LED, more specifically the WS2812B, which is a better revision in term of connections. These are the very famous individually addressable RGB LED, where tons of sources are available. Mainly due to their low cost, they are spread to the maker scene like a rhinovirus in a primary … Continue reading Experiments in implementing the WS2812B protocol in AVR MCUs without bit-banging
It was not long time ago in which was developed a small DC-DC LED driver - Glighter-S, my first switching LED driver. It was the natural consequence of the need for efficiency after the development experiment of the linear LED driver - Glighter. No long time after these experiments, the need for analog control in … Continue reading Glighter-A driver LED – The mixed signal control
In the last PWM discussion, we devised how is composed the average current, specially when the PWM frequency is faster than it should be, making the period duration comparable with the rise and fall slopes duration of the current. The results were packed up in 2 equations to summarize what is the best choice for … Continue reading Dimming LEDs (part 3/3) – The overlooked boundaries
While messing around with dimmable DC-DC converters for LED drivers, I had the need to quantify the contrast ratio of a dimmable light. Turns out it is not that trivial, specially when combining switching periods, transients and mixed analog/PWM dimming. Looking for contrast ratio on the internet is only useful if you want to buy a TV, not if you want to build a LED driver. Also, on the web not all information seems to be correct, therefore this article and its possible continuation is the result of long investigations and discussions between engineers.
It has been a while since the last LED related article. Was experimented the linear current source, its pros and cons and the field of application. Now arises the need of a small version, handling the same high power, things that are contrapposed in the linear regulator. I need something that I can bring with … Continue reading Tiny, robust, low cost, fail-safe LED driver: the Glighter-S project
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