Silicon ChipProduct Showcase - January 2022 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Risk aversion stifles innovation
  4. Subscriptions
  5. Feature: All About Batteries - Part 1 by Dr David Maddison
  6. Project: Two Classic LED Metronomes by Randy Keenan
  7. Review: Dick Smith Autobiography by Nicholas Vinen
  8. Feature: Solar Power with Batteries by Dr Alan R. Wilson
  9. Project: Multi-Channel Speaker Protector by Phil Prosser
  10. Product Showcase
  11. Project: The Raspberry Pi-based PicoMite by Geoff Graham & Peter Mather
  12. Feature: El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser by Jim Rowe
  13. Vintage Radio: The Mysterious Mickey Oz by Ian Batty
  14. Serviceman's Log: Designing for unrepairability by Dave Thompson
  15. Project: Remote Control Range Extender by John Clarke
  16. PartShop
  17. Market Centre
  18. Advertising Index
  19. Notes & Errata: SMD Trainer, December 2021; Hummingbird Amplifier, December 2021; Pocket Weather Station, November 2021
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the January 2022 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 38 of the 112 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Articles in this series:
  • All About Batteries - Part 1 (January 2022)
  • All About Batteries - Part 1 (January 2022)
  • All About Batteries – Part 2 (February 2022)
  • All About Batteries – Part 2 (February 2022)
  • All About Batteries, part three (March 2022)
  • All About Batteries, part three (March 2022)
Items relevant to "Two Classic LED Metronomes":
  • 8-LED Classic Metronome PCB [23111211] (AUD $5.00)
  • 10-LED Classic Metronome PCB [23111212] (AUD $7.50)
  • Classic LED Metronome PCB patterns (PDF download) [23111211-2] (Free)
  • Dial labels and drilling guide for the Two Classic LED Metronomes (Panel Artwork, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Home Solar Panel Electricity: Is It Worth It? (May 2015)
  • Home Solar Panel Electricity: Is It Worth It? (May 2015)
  • Solar Power with Batteries (January 2022)
  • Solar Power with Batteries (January 2022)
Items relevant to "Multi-Channel Speaker Protector":
  • 4-way Loudspeaker Protector PCB [01101222] (AUD $5.00)
  • 6-way Loudspeaker Protector PCB [01101221] (AUD $7.50)
  • Multi-Channel Speaker Protector PCB patterns (PDF download) [01101221-2] (Free)
Items relevant to "The Raspberry Pi-based PicoMite":
  • Firmware for the PicoMite (Software, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • The Raspberry Pi-based PicoMite (January 2022)
  • The Raspberry Pi-based PicoMite (January 2022)
  • VGA PicoMite (July 2022)
  • VGA PicoMite (July 2022)
  • The PicoMite 2 (February 2025)
  • The PicoMite 2 (February 2025)
Articles in this series:
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
  • Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
  • Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
  • El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
  • Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
  • Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
  • A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
  • A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
  • Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
  • Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
  • MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
  • MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
  • PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
  • PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
  • Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
  • Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
  • Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
  • Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
  • UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
  • UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
  • VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
  • VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
  • pH Meter Module (September 2023)
  • pH Meter Module (September 2023)
  • 1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
  • 1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
  • 16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
  • 16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
  • 1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
  • 1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
  • 14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
  • 0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
  • 0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
  • 14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
  • The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
  • TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
  • The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
  • TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
  • Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
  • Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
Items relevant to "Remote Control Range Extender":
  • Remote Control Range Extender IR-to-UHF PCB [15109212] (AUD $2.50)
  • Remote Control Range Extender UHF-to-IR PCB [15109211] (AUD $2.50)
  • PIC12F617-I/P programmed for the Remote Control Range Extender (UHF to IR part) [1510921A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC10LF322-I/OT programmed for the Remote Control Range Extender (UHF transmitter part) [1510921M.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Kit for the Remote Control Range Extender IR-to-UHF adaptor (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Software for the Remote Control Range Extender (Free)
  • Remote Control Range Extender PCB patterns (PDF download) [15109211-2] (Free)
  • Lid panel label artwork and box drilling diagrams for the Remote Control Range Extender (Panel Artwork, Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $11.50.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Global power supply repair Switchmode specialises in the repair of all power supply equipment, including those where technical information, support, spare parts and/or test fixtures are scarce or unavailable. Since 1984, Switchmode has serviced over 6000 models of equipment from more than 1400 different manufacturers. We have undertaken power supply repair for many standard power supplies as well as more unusual units. Switchmode’s engineers and technicians are supported by a technical database from which they can readily access computer records (held for more than twenty years) of every electronic component removed, tested and replaced in the power supplies repaired. For professional service, send your power supply repairs to Switchmode. Examples of power supply equipment that we regularly repair includes converters, amplifiers, rectifiers, UPSes, switch-mode power supplies, DC regulated power supplies and AC power supplies from medical lasers and radio broadcasting to ship’s anchors and radar systems. Switchmode is based in Hornsby, Sydney, serving all of Australia and beyond. Contact us to discuss how we can help you with your power supply repair requirements. Switchmode Power Supplies Ltd U1 37 Leighton Place, Hornsby NSW 2077 Phone: (02) 9476 0300 www.switchmode.com.au Espressif ESP32-S2 MINI WiFi modules from Mouser Mouser Electronics is now stocking the ESP32-S2 MINI modules from Espressif Systems. These generic 802.11 b/g/n WiFi microcontroller modules provide engineers with high-performance, single-core SoCs in both PCB and IPEX antenna configurations. They are an ideal choice for IoT, wearable electronics and smart home applications. The Espressif ESP32-S2 MINI modules offer secure and cost-effective communication, incorporating an Espressif ESP32-S2FH4 SoC with a 240MHz LX7 CPU. They have 4MB of external SPI flash and cryptographic accelerators to enhance security performance and protection. The ESP32-S2 MINI modules also include a low-power co-processor for monitoring SPI, I2S, UART, I2C, the camera interface, as well as the modules’ 43 GPIO pins. Both modules operate from -40 to +125°C, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial, consumer and lighting environments. Mouser also offers development tools for the ESP32-S2 MINI modules, including the Espressif ESP32S2-MINI-1 development kits and the DFRobot ESP32-S2-DevKitM-1 development board. To learn more about the ESP32-S2 MINI modules, visit www.mouser. com/new/espressif/espressif-esp32s2-mini/ Mouser Electronics Inc. 1000 North Main St, Mansfield, TX 76063 USA Phone: (852) 3756 4700 www.mouser.com Low input bias operational amplifiers from Microchip Microchip's new MCP6006/7/9 and MCP6476/7/9 series of operational amplifiers have low input bias currents and rail-to-rail input and output operation. This family is unity-gain stable and has a typical gain-bandwidth product of 1MHz or 3MHz. The benefits of these low-cost devices include: • Operation from a single supply as low as 1.8V • A low maximum offset voltage of only 1.6mV and low noise, enabling excellent measurement accuracy without breaking the budget 52 Silicon Chip • Both the MCP6006/7/9 and MCP6476/7/9 series of amplifiers consume as little as 90µW (1MHz GBW [gain bandwidth]) and 252µW (3MHz GBW) per channel, respectively • With a start-up time of only 6µs, these devices can be switched on and off, so they only draw power when they are needed • They are ideal for harsh, electrically noisy environments • Integrated EMI filters provide additional rejection of high-­frequency interference • They are specified over the Australia's electronics magazine extended temperature range from -40°C to +125°C. The MCP6006/6R/6U, MCP6007, MCP6009 are single, dual and quad 1MHz op amps - see siliconchip.com. au/link/abbc The MCP6476/6R/6U, MCP6477, MCP6479 are single, dual and quad 3MHz op amps - see siliconchip.com. au/link/abbd Microchip Technology 2355 West Chandler Blvd, Chandler Arizona 85224-6199 USA Phone: (480) 792 7200 www.microchip.com siliconchip.com.au