VoltJots Issue 36

Issue 36

Author

VoltJots
April 10, 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of the VoltJots newsletter, linking you to the very best electronics and IoT news, products, and projects.

Hope you enjoy! Until next week,

VoltJots

NEWS & ARTICLES

Inspired by the character Wheatley from Portal 2, check out how this real-time conversational AI system was built on the ESP32.

Researchers have developed a wearable device that can simulate a wide range of sensations, including vibrations, stretching, and pressure, to create a more realistic and nuanced sense of touch for virtual reality and other digital experiences.

RFID tags come in three types—passive, semi-passive, and active—based on how they use power for communication, plus they can be classified by operating frequency and whether they have chips.

A three op-amp instrumentation amplifier offers high input impedance, low output impedance, adjustable gain, excellent common-mode rejection, and high accuracy, making it perfect for applications needing precise measurements like test equipment and patient monitoring systems.

The LM741 op-amp, once revolutionary, still lingers in electronics education despite its outdated specs, while newer models like the TLC081 offer vastly superior performance. Check out the video!

Switching converters need multi-stage filtering and shielding to tackle EMI issues, especially in automotive applications, ensuring they meet strict regulatory standards while providing efficient power conversion across various markets.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

This design idea presents a low-cost, high-performance digital oscilloscope that improves both measurement precision and noise rejection, yet keeps costs seriously manageable (~$50).

You can create a QR code reader using the ESP32-CAM board and Arduino IDE, which scans for codes and displays the data in the Serial Monitor.

This portable DIY electronics workstation packs a Raspberry Pi, touchscreen, custom PCB, and power modules into a compact, battery-powered setup.

Build your own laser distance sensor with a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller, and measure distances up to 2 meters with high accuracy and precision.

Designed for thermal hunting, this compact variometer combines solar charging, remote configuration, and audio cues that respond to altitude changes.

PRODUCTS

PrettyOTA is a free, user-friendly library that makes it easy to update Espressif ESP32 devices over-the-air, with a modern web interface and features like one-click firmware rollback and remote reboot.

The LILYGO T-Deck Pro is a compact ESP32-S3 LoRa messenger with a 3.1" e-paper display, keyboard, GPS, and optional 4G LTE or audio for off-grid communication.

Melexis' new Hall sensor, with its super high accuracy and fast response times, accurately converts magnetic fields into voltage, measuring current flow in micro- and milli-Tesla ranges for efficient monitoring up to 200 A.

This ultra-thin NFC chip fits into curved surfaces, opening up new possibilities for smart tech in healthcare and clothing.

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