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Contents Vol.29, No.11; November 2016 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Features 16 Airbags: Your Car’s Explosive Guardian Angels Most new cars sold in Australia have six or more airbags, ready to explode into action if a crash is detected. Here’s a look at how they were developed and how they work – by Dr David Maddison 26 What Is The Internet Of Things (IoT)? 50A Battery Charger Controller – Page 32. Ask most people what is meant by “The Internet of Things” or IoT and you’ll get a blank look. It’s the same with “LoRa”. So what do these terms mean and why are they becoming increasingly important? – by Ross Tester 58 Micromite Plus Advanced Programming The Micromite Plus has important new programming features such as SD card support and a graphical user interface application library, making it easier than ever to develop an interactive touchscreen control panel – by Geoff Graham 88 Review: Siglent SDS2104 4x100MHz Mixed Signal Scope Siglent’s SDS2104 mixed-signal oscilloscope isn’t their newest but with optional extras now included free of charge, it’s great value for money – by Jim Rowe Pro jects To Build Passive Line To Phono Input Converter – Page 46. 32 50A Battery Charger Controller If you have an RV, caravan or campervan, you’ll be well aware of the problems when it comes to charging your 12/24V batteries. This charger controller will allow you to charge them in a fraction of the normal time – by John Clarke 46 Passive Line To Phono Input Converter Need additional line inputs on an amplifier or mixer? This passive converter circuit lets you use the phono inputs normally reserved for a turntable as a pair of line-level inputs – by Nicholas Vinen & Bao Smith 64 Micromite Plus LCD BackPack This new version runs 2.5 times faster than the original. It also has more RAM, more flash memory, on-board SD and microSD card and USB interfaces, and mounts on the back of a 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD – by Nicholas Vinen Micromite Plus LCD BackPack – Page 64. 74 WiFi Switch Control Using A Raspberry Pi & Smartphone Check your garage doors via a web browser by installing a WiFi camera, then bake your Raspberry Pi with a smartphone and a relay board to open or close the doors remotely – by Greg Swain & Nicholas Vinen Special Columns 40 Serviceman’s Log Odd happenings in my new house – by Dave Thompson 82 Circuit Notebook (1) Simple Split Supply Generator; (2) Precision Switched Capacitor DAC Needs No Precision Components; (3) PICAXE-Based Data Logger 94 Vintage Radio Using Your Raspberry Pi With A Smartphone As A WiFiControlled Switch – Page 74 The incredible shrinking mantel set: GE’s T2105 – by Ian Batty Departments   2 Publisher’s Letter   98   6 Mailbag 103 siliconchip.com.au 57 Product Showcase 104 80 SC Online Shop 104 Ask Silicon Chip Market Centre Advertising Index Notes & Errata Note: due to space restrictions, Pt.2 of the Touchscreen Voltage/Current Reference has been held over until next month. November 2016  1