VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

NEWS & ARTICLES

Winners of the 2025 Configurable Logic Design Challenge

The challenge showcased innovative uses of Configurable Logic Blocks, including a custom 16-bit DAC, a hardware-based true random number generator, a binary rate multiplier, an audio spectrum visualiser, and an open-source laser tag module.

Busting AI processor myths

NVIDIA's GPU tech has sparked myths about AI processors, like the idea that GPUs are the best option; in reality, different processors excel in training and inference, each with unique requirements and limitations.

A dollar computer that runs BASIC

Check out the TinyBasRV, a tiny PCB computer that runs BASIC, uses a CH32 microcontroller, connects to a PS/2 keyboard and VGA monitor, and offers GPIO expandability—all for around a dollar!

Keeping your power converter cool

Managing heat is crucial for reliable automotive USB PD systems, especially with high power levels up to 240 W, as excessive heat can damage components and affect performance. Read on to explore effective methods to enhance thermal management in your designs.

A wearable that tracks lithium levels in sweat

A new device lets patients with bipolar disorder monitor lithium levels through sweat, providing a needle-free, real-time alternative to blood tests.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

Vibration detection with XIAO ESP32-S3

This lightweight kit monitors and identifies abnormal vibration patterns in real-time, providing early warnings for mechanical faults and preventing damage before it happens.

WeatherPaper: your desk's weather buddy

WeatherPaper keeps you updated on the weather with a minimalist e-paper display that lasts for months, featuring no buttons, no backlights, and no distractions.

Non-contact temperature sensing with Arduino and MLX90614

Want to measure temperature without ever touching the object? Hook up an MLX90614 infrared sensor to your Arduino and start logging accurate ambient and object temperatures with ease—perfect for smart thermometers, motion sensing, and more.

Tutorial: Thermopile sensors explained

Thermopile sensors measure temperature without contact, using infrared radiation to provide quick, safe, and precise readings.

Current sensing with op-amps

Learn how to measure current using low side and high side circuits with op-amps and resistors, exploring their pros and cons for different applications.

Smart RFID door lock project

Create an IoT smart RFID door lock system with NodeMCU ESP8266, RFID module, and Blynk, letting you monitor and control your door lock from anywhere using your smartphone.

Building with the PT2313 audio processor rocks!

Looking for more bass, treble, and volume? Look no further than this project using the PT2313, a four-channel digital audio processor that combines volume control, bass and treble balance, and fader processing in one chip, plus it offers loudness and selectable input gain, all programmable via a serial bus.

PRODUCTS

Smart battery tech for precise monitoring

Texas Instruments has launched single-chip battery fuel gauges, the BQ41Z90 and BQ41Z50, featuring adaptive Dynamic Z-Track technology for accurate battery capacity readings, helping engineers avoid oversized batteries in their designs.

Transparent LCD magic

This 0.8″ transparent LCD module has a 48×64 resolution, is easy to interface with any microcontroller, and could be used with AR applications or creating unique lighting effects with lenses and RGB LEDs.