Practical
Electronics
Volume 55. No. 08
August 2026
ISSN 2632 573X
Contents
Projects and Circuits
USB-C Power Monitor, part one by Tim Blythman
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It is always handy to know what voltage and current a USB device is using. Now that
USB-C is prevalent, it’s time for a USB-C Power Monitor. It can be used for all modern
USB-C devices, as well as legacy USB devices, with the right adaptor.
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The RP2350B Computer by Geoff Graham & Peter Mather
This small computer board can be purchased pre-assembled and comes with a dualcore RP2350B processor, HDMI video output, stereo audio, four USB ports, a microSD
card socket, 14MiB of integrated storage, and RAM that’s expandable to over 6MiB.
Series, Features and Columns
4
How USB-C Power Delivery Works by Andrew Levido
The widespread adoption of USB 3.2 introduced the Type-C connector, plus a new
Power Delivery (PD) capability that allows up to 100W (20V <at> 5A) to be delivered. It is
quite a bit more complicated than previous USB power schemes.
Teach-In 12.10: the World of Wireless by Mike Tooley
This month, our focus shifts to short-range wireless devices (SRD). These
versatile chips and modules enable data transmission and reception between
remote devices without requiring a wired connection.
18
The Fox Report by Barry Fox
A review of the new Manhattan Freesat receiver.
39
Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell
40
Measuring circuit frequency response using a PC sound card, part 11: anti-aliasing
& reconstruction filter circuits. We look at multi-pole active filters using op amps.
These filters are handy for reconstruction filters but have many other uses too.
48
Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent
Weird & Wonderful Arduino Projects, part 20: pogo pins and pixel grins. We get busy
creating some test jigs and then start assembling our VFD-based countdown clock,
piece by piece.
56
Power Electronics, part five by Andrew Levido
Power factor correction & EMI filtering – we look at circuit design rules to meet EMI
regulations. We also describe how conducted EMI can be measured and investigate an
example power-factor correction (PFC) evaluation board and circuit.
66
Audio Out by Jake Rothman
A phase-linear crossover board, plus all-pass filters, part five and final notes. We
present a circuit and PCB for this special kind of active crossover for loudspeakers. We
also have some more information on the NE5532 fiasco mentioned last month.
74
Techno Talk by Max the Magnificent
Scan me! – CynLr’s robots learn by interacting with their environment, Brilliant Labs is
making smart glasses and Itera’s circuit boards can rewire themselves!
Regulars and Services
Made in Australia & the UK.
Written in Britain, Australia,
the USA and Ireland.
Read everywhere.
© Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd 2026
Copyright in all drawings, photographs, articles, technical
designs, software and intellectual property published in
Practical Electronics is fully protected, and reproduction
or imitation in whole or in part are expressly forbidden.
The September 2026 issue of Practical Electronics will be
published on Wednesday, 5th of August, 2026 (see p80).
Practical Electronics | August | 2026
Editorial
Europe needs a proactive policy on local tech & manufacturing
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Next month! – highlights of our next issue of Practical Electronics
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