The Engineering Projects

How to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi 3

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at How to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi 3. It's our second tutorial in Raspberry Pi 3 series. In our previous tutorials, first we have seen the basic Introduction to Raspberry Pi 3 and after that in our first tutorial, we have had a look at How to Install Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3. Now we are ready to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi3 and then will start our raspbian for the first time on Raspberry Pi 3. We will also connect keyboard and mouse. In simple words, we are developing our own simple computer. So, let's get started with How to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi3:

How to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi3 ???

• In our previous tutorial, we have Installed Raspbian on our SD card, so I hope you have done the same.
• So, now its time to plug your 16 GB SD Card in your Raspberry Pi 3, as shown in below figure:

• You will also need to buy this 7 inch TFT LCD which I have already bought.
• You will also get HDMI cable along with this TFT LCD, so we have to connect our TFT LCD with our Raspberry Pi 3 via HDMI cable, as shown in below figure:

• Now we also need Keyboard and mouse, I would recommend you to buy any usb mouse and keyboard.
• You have to plug them in the USB Ports of raspberry Pi 3.
• Let's first plug keyboard's USB in our raspberry Pi 3, as shown in below figure:

• The last thing, I need to plug is our USB Mouse. Here's the screenshot:

• Let me summarize it, till now we have connected following four things with our raspberry Pi 3:
  • 16GB SD Card.
  • 7 inch TFT LCD.
  • USB Keyboard.
  • USB Mouse.
• Now we have to power up our raspberry Pi 3 and TFT LCD, so you will need two USB type B cables which are simple Android power cables.
• Plug one usb cable in your raspberry Pi 3 as shown in below figure:

• Plug the 2nd USB cable in your TFT LCD as shown in below figure:

• First I am plugging USB Power cable of TFT LCD in my Laptop. Here's the screenshot:

• As we haven't yet powered up our raspberry Pi 3, that's why our LCD is showing No Signal.
• Now, let's power up our Raspberry Pi 3, here's the first look of Raspbian on Raspberry Pi 3, the OS is starting up:

• After this screen, a new screen will open up and you will see some configurations as you are running it for the first time. Here's the screenshot:

• It will take some time and then you will have something as shown in below figure:

• Finally it has started, now you can use this mini computer quite easily with your mouse and keyboard. :)
• Now we have to set some settings so that we could use it easily.
• As you can see the icons etc are too small, we have to increase the size a little so that we could read/click everything.
• For that, you have to Right Click on your desktop and then select Desktop Preferences.
• When you click it, a new window will open up, in this window you have to select System tab and then change the Photon Light value from 12 to 18.
• Click Ok and you will feel the differences. :P
• Here's a complete screenshot of our Mini computer designed using Raspberry Pi 3 and has Raspbian OS on it.

• So, that was all about How to Setup 7 inch HDMI LCD with Raspberry Pi 3. I hope now you can quite easily do it.

In the coming tutorial, we will have a look at How to control raspberry Pi from Laptop, as it will be quite easy to design code on your Laptop as compared to this TFT LCD. Thanks for reading, will meet you guys in the next tutorial. Take care and have fun !!! :)

Introduction to DG408

Hello Friends! I aspire you a very happy life. Whenever you come over and visit our site, we feel happy to keep you updated with relevant information that can help resolve your questions and queries. Most of the hobbyist and students take interest in electronic devices and components that are the building blocks of electronic projects. Today, I am going to uncover the details on the Introduction to DG408. It is a multiplexer, also known as data selector, that comes with 8 channel input, in which of one the eight inputs is connected to the common output for the transmission of data over network in a specific bandwidth and time. It is an ideal choice for audio signal routing and single supply system. I'll discuss each and everything related to this multiplexer so you don't need to go anywhere and find all information in one place. Let's dive in and explore what is this about and what are its main applications?

Introduction to DG408

• DG408 is a multiplexer, also called as data selector, that comes with 8 channel input, in which of one the eight inputs is connected to the common output for the transmission of data over network in a specific bandwidth and time.
• Multiplexing helps in the transmission of individual data using same transmission channel.
• DG408 allows to communicate with number of input signals and picks one of the input signals as an output signal. It is very helpful in the making of graphics controllers and CPUs (digital semiconductors).
• It is embedded with an array of 8 Analog switches that are equally matched for bidirectional signals, Enable input for device selection, Voltage reference for logic threshold, Compatible digital decode circuit for channel selection.
• Low power dissipation is an important feature of this device that makes it efficient and suitable for remote instrumentation and battery operated applications.

• Additional improvements has been added in the device using silicon-gate CMOS process that allows it to withstand absolute maximum ratings up to 44 V.
• A multiplexer is also referred as multiple input, single output device that allows to incorporate with number of signals at a time.
• It comes with a guaranteed matching between channels (8O Max) and allows to conduct in both direction equally well.
• This is a low on-resistance device that offers guaranteed low charge injection and comes with low input off leakage current around 5nA.
• The voltage range on which this device can operate is 5 V to 30 V with single supply and 5 V to 20 V with dual supplies.
• One important feature that makes this device ahead from its counterparts is using single channel for each data source instead of using separate channel for each data source.
• It is achieved by connecting single output of the multiplexer to the single input to the demultiplexer. In terms of cost, this feature is very valuable and economical because it refrains us from spending more money for separate channel for each data source.
• Most of the time, multiplexer is connected with demultiplexer into a single unit which is referred as multiplexer. Both ends of the transmission link require both circuit elements because transmission is required in both direction for most of the communication system.

DG408 Pinout

Following figure shows the pinout of this multiplexer DG408.

• The eight analog switches, shown in the figure above, are bilateral, that can be equally matched for AC signals.
• The on-resistance variation is very low that is associated with analog signals over a 5V range.
• Enable input is used for device selection and digital decode circuit is used for channel selection.
• Voltage reference is used for logic threshold.

Features of DG408

• Pin-Compatible Plug-In Upgrades for Industry Standard DG408
• Matching Between Channels is assured, 8O Max
• On-Resistance Flatness is guarantted, 9O Max
• Low Charge Injection is guarantted, 15pC Max
• Low On-Resistance, 100O Max
• Input Leakage, 5nA Max at +85°C
• ESD Protection >2000V per Method 3015.7
• Low Power Consumption, 1.25mW Max
• Rail-to-Rail Signal Handling
• Digital Input Controls TTL/CMOS Compatible

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Following figure shows the absolute maximum ratings of DG408

• It is important to note that singles will be restricted by internal diodes if they try to exceed from V+ and V- values.
• All terminals can be soldered to circuit board.

Truth Table

Following figure shows the truth table of DG408.

• Truth table shows the value of Boolean variable for each switch status.
• There are total 8 inputs across which we can obtain output that resonates with the value of one the Boolean variables.
• This truth table is important in depicting the status of On switch for input value.

Advantages of DG408

This multiplexer comes with a number of advantages including:

• Reduced Glitching
• Reduced switching errors
• Improved data throughout
• Low power consumption
• Low power dissipation
• Wide supply range
• Increased ruggedness

Applications

This multiplexer is widely used in number of applications, specially where transmission of data is required. Some of the main applications are given as follow:

• Data acquisition systems
• Single supply systems
• Audio signal routing
• ATE systems
• Medical instrumentation
• Sample and hold circuits
• Battery powered systems
• Remote instrumentation
• Test equipment
• Analog Selector Switch
• Guidance and control system

That's all for today, I hope you have enjoyed to article. I always try my best to give you most relevant information that meets with your needs and requirements so you can grab the main idea explained in the article, without much effort. We love when you keep us updated with your suggestions, they allow us to give you quality work that helps you resolve your problems related to engineering and technology. Thanks for reading the article. Stay Tuned!

Online PCB Supplier - JLCPCB

Hi Guys! We welcome you on board. We always strive to come up with useful information that adheres to your needs and requirements. Today, I am going to review about one of the best Online PCB supplier named as JLCPCB. As we are stepping forward in the world of smart technology, electronics is evolving and becoming innovative where devices are becoming tiny and compact, cover less space, carry less weight and capable of performing more tasks than their predecessors. PCB plays a vital role in the development and designing of any project. And if you really want your project gets off the ground in the early stage of development process, you need to pay extra heed in the development different types of PCB boards, specially when PCB board is an integral part of your project. Choosing and picking quality online PCB supplier service for the manufacturing of PCB is little bit tricky and you may feel exhausted and overwhelmed while searching for the best fabrication company that truly resonates with your needs and expectations and sets you free from the hassle of making quality board so you can pay more attention to other design and development process in order to complete your project well and on time.

Online PCB Supplier - JLCPCB

I have a wealth of experience working with multiple PCB board fabrication houses but there are only few companies who provide quality service when it comes to the development of precise and accurate product. JLCPCB is one of them, which is an online PCB supplier company. There are number of reasons why we prefer them over others and most important one is the quality assurance. They always strive to give you quality product that resonates with your demands. No matter if you are interested in the manufacturing of most basic design or multilayer complex PCB, they are expert in all of them, making sure to implement your ideas and requirements into all of their work so you don't need to keep coming back in order to fix your problems related to your board. Still, if you feel the product you ordered and anticipated doesn't meet your needs and unable to fulfill your requirements, you can send back the order immediately and they will fix it according to your needs and will keep following up with you until you are completely satisfied with your product. JLCPCB supplier comes with a team of experts who help you right from the start of the process i.e. from making to layout design, to the manufacturing of complete product and keep you updated with regular intervals so you don't feel you are left out in the process. Customer support is quick and responsive, that you don't need to wait too long to get your questions answered. Not everyone is expert when it comes to making perfect PCB layout design. If you feel you're one of them, you can get immediate help from their staff. They have a professional team of engineers who not only incorporate your idea into the product design, but also give you valuable suggestions that can make your design an ideal choice for your project.

What They can Deliver

PCB comes in number of forms ranging from single layer to double layer to multiple PCBs. Also, in terms of substrate used, many PCB boards are available including Flex board, Rigid board, Rigid-Flex board, Aluminum board, High Frequency board. JLCPCB supplier is proficient in making all of the above design with high precision and accuracy. PCB can be manufactured using SMD ( Surface Mount Technology) or Through Hole Technology, you can pick any of those based on your needs and demands of the project. You must be sure which type you want to pick, because it will help you the installation of PCB board  on your electronic project as some project are well suitable and prefer SMD while other are ideal for Through Hole mounting. Price of different PCB boards is as follows:

• 2 layer board incorporated with FR4 substrate material, green solder mask and white silkscreen - $2/10 PCS
• 4 layer board with same specs as above - $16/10 PCS
• 6 layer board with same specs as above - $80/10 PCS
• Similarly, SMT Stencil (190mm x 290mm) Frameless - $9/1 PCS

Keep one thing in mind - Lead time is different for different orders and it depends on the nature of the item you select, however, it ranges from 2 business days to 1-2 weeks. Rest assured, whenever they promise to deliver, they deliver within due date.

Why Choose Them

There are number of reasons, that we prefer JLCPCB over others. 1. They don't compromise on quality. They are highly concerned when it comes to maintaining the high quality throughout the whole fabrication process. If you want basics design to be manufactured or you are interested in the most complex design, they are there to help you. 2. They have recently installed advanced production lines that are properly maintained and supported by the technical team. They keep on checking every machine with regular intervals every now and then, in order to make sure the quality of product doesn't effect at any cost. 3. What makes them cost effective? Labor cost is very low in China that makes them stand out from others when it comes to producing high quality product with low cost. Labor cost  in China is almost half what is required in other countries like USA and UK, which makes it first preference for the manufacturing of economical product. No need to worry about if you intend to order fewer number of products, you can order as low as 5 number of PCBs. However, ordering in bulk quality gives you edge in terms of pricing. 4. On time delivery is another factor that puts them ahead form their competitors. Making quality product will of no use until you deliver on time. Because delaying in the orders can put your project at risk and effect number of factors that can alter the overall quality of the project. They are equipped with highly skilled supply chain team who keeps a close eye on the processing of your order and make sure your order is delivered on time. 5. Some people don't trust the PCB supplier company unless assurance and confidence given by the satisfied customers. JLCPCB has been serving their customers quite a while now with the intention of retaining them with flawless and impeccable service. Almost 200,000 customers around the world are using their service with complete satisfaction. What makes customers keep coming back and again for more orders is that JLCPCB keep updating their customers throughout the process with the complete revision of product until they are satisfied. That's all for today. I hope you have got enough information why you choose this online PCB supplier? Specially, when you want your presence and idea must be valued and respected. If you still feel skeptical or have any question related to this PCB supplier, you can ask me in the comment section below. I'd love to help you according to best of my expertise. Feel free to keep us updated with your valuable feedback and suggestions, so we keep providing your quality work that matches with your requirements. Stay Tuned!

Install Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at How to Install Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3. Today, I am going to start this new tutorial series on Raspberry Pi 3. In this series, we will first cover the basic tutorials for beginners and in the second phase, we will interface raspberry Pi 3 with different sensors and modules etc. In the third phase, we will involve cloud computing and will upload different data over to web server. I will take it step by step from basics to pro. I hope you will enjoy it. You should first have a look at Introduction to Raspberry Pi 3, where I have discussed the basic overview of this board, along with what it is capable of doing. Consider it a zero tutorial of raspberry Pi series. So, now its time to get this beast ready for the coming battles. ;) Raspberry Pi is like a mini computer and the SD card acts as a hard drive for it. As we all know, we have to install some operating system like Windows or UBuntu etc. on our computers in order to operate them. Similarly, we have to install some operating system on our mini computer Raspberry Pi 3 and this operating system of Raspberry Pi 3 is called Raspbian. You should also have a look at this video tutorial for better understanding:

• So, let's get started with How to Install Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3:

How to Install Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3

• First of all you will need an SD card, officially they recommend to use minimum 8GB card but I would suggest you to have at least 16GB SD card.
• You will also need SD Card Reader, which we will use to transfer our Rapbian OS from computer to SD Card.
• So, now insert your SD Card into your SD Card reader and plug it with your laptop or computer via USB.
• Some laptops have builtin SD card reader in them, so if you are lucky then you don't need to buy separate SD card reader.
• First of all, we need to Format your SD card:

1. Formatting of SD Card

• In order to Format the SD Card, you will need to download this great software SD Card Formatter.
• It's a free tool and you can quite easily download it from their official site by click above link.
• After download this software, install it on your computer and open it.
• If everything goes fine then it will look something as shown in below figure:

• Select your SD Card drive at top and then click on the Format Button.
• You can also change the name of your SD Card Drive, by default it changes the name to BOOT.
• It will format your SD card and will give the end results as shown in below two figures:

• Click OK Button and close this SD Card Formatter as we have successfully formatted our SD Card.
• Next thing we need to do is, we need to install Raspbian OS on our SD Card. So let's do it:

2. Raspbian Installation on SD Card

• First of all, download Raspbian operating system, I would recommend you to download Raspbian Stretch with Desktop.
• You can install any other OS as well but as a starter I think you should first get your hands on this one.
• NOOBS is also available but its not as flexible as Raspbian so overall, I think Raspbian is best.
• Once you have downloaded the Raspbian operating system then open the zip file and extract it on your desktop.
• In this zip file, you will find only one img file, its an image file and we will install it now.
• In order to install this img file on SD card, you have to download Win32 Disk Imager.
• Install this simple tool and open it up, as shown in below figure:

• Now follow these simple 3 steps as labelled in above figure.
• Browse to path of your Raspbian image file, which we have just extracted.
• Select your SD Card drive in the Device section.
• Finally click on the Write Button in order to install/write your Raspbian image file on your SD card.
• Here's a screenshot of this process in progress:

• It will take some time to install Raspbian on SD Card as in my case its taking around 8 minutes.
• If everything goes fine then you will get a success message at the end as shown in below figure:

• Simply click OK, close this Win32 Disk Imager software and remove your SD Card Reader.
• You have successfully installed Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3.
• In the next tutorial, I will setup How to Setup 7 inch LCD with Raspberry Pi 3 and will start our Raspbian OS for the first time.

That's all for today. I hope you guys have enjoyed today's tutorial. If you have any problem in Installation of Raspbian on SD Card for Raspberry Pi 3 then ask in comments or the Forum and our team will surely help you out. Thanks for reading, have fun. :)

Introduction to BC182L

Hi Guys! We welcome you on board. Electronic components play an important role in the designing and working of electronic projects. I have already discussed a number of articles on electronic components covering transistors, MOSFET, and FETs. I am going to continue the thread relating to transistors, because they are the building blocks for amplification and switching purpose. Today, I am going to cover the details on the Introduction to BC182L. It is an NPN (negative-positive-negative) general purpose bipolar transistor which is mainly used for switching and amplification purpose for the low demanding workloads. I'll try to highlight the main features of this component, so you can grab the main concept, what is this about and what are its main applications? Let's get started.

Introduction to BC182L

• BC182L is an NPN bipolar general purpose transistor which is mainly used for switching and amplification purpose at a collector current to 100mA.
• It is a bipolar transistor, means conduction is carried out by the movements of both charge carriers i.e electrons and holes, however, majority charge carriers are electrons.
• It consists of three terminals called emitter, base, and collector. Each terminal comes with a specific function associated with it.
• BC182L is an NPN transistor, where a base is positive with respect to emitter and voltage at the collector side is more than base. Emitter, base, and collector are different in terms of size and doping concentration.

• An emitter is highly doped as compared to collector and base, while a base is lightly doped.
• It is a current controlled device where small current at the base side is used to control large current at the emitter and collector side.
• When a voltage is applied at the base terminal, it gets biased and draws current which is used to control large current at the other terminals.
• The emitter emits the electrons which are then collected by the collector; the base is mainly used for controlling the number of electrons.
• Actually, free movement of electrons acts like a bridge between emitter and collector.
• Transistor is nothing but a combination of diodes joined back to back.

BC182L Pinout

BC182L mainly consists of three terminals. 1. Emitter 2. Collector 3. Base

• Movement of electrons plays an important role in the conductivity of the transistor.
• And electron reaction starts when a voltage is applied at the base terminal.

Circuit Diagram of BC182L

Following figure shows the circuit diagram of the BC182L.

• We can see from the figure, emitter current is equal to the sum of base and collector current. Because emitter is bigger than collector and base in terms of doping concentration.
• BC182L is an NPN transistor and it will source the base current to the transistor.
• The measure of a number of electrons that pass from base to collector is called transistor efficiency.
• The base is lightly doped and an emitter is heavily doped that will allow the electron to move from the emitter to base more than it will allow the holes from base to emitter.
• Forward current gain plays an important role for amplification purpose. It is called beta, denoted by ß, and it is a ratio between collector current and base current. Beta value ranges between 20 to 1000, however, it has standard value 200.
• Current gain is another important factor which is called alpha, denoted by a, and it is a ratio between collector current and emitter current. Alpha value ranges between 0.95 to 0.99 however, most of the time alpha value is considered as a unity.
• Almost all the transistors operate in forward biased mode. If we interchange emitter and collector and makes them reverse biased, then the value of alpha and beta will be much lesser than they will be in forward biased mode.
• This NPN transistor comes with electrons as major charge carriers while PNP transistor comes with holes as majority charge carriers.

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Following figure shows the absolute maximum ratings of this component.

• These are the stress ratings, which if exceeded from the absolute maximum ratings, can damage the device severely and affect the overall quality of the component.
• If these stresses are applied for the extended period of time, they can affect the reliability of the device.
• In order to avoid any loss or damage, it is recommended to follow the operating conditions given by the manufacturer. Taking measures and following proper protocols in the early stage of your project can save you both cost and time.
• I'd suggest you have a look at 2n3903 if you require different ratings as compared to this transistor.

Applications

• It is mainly used for amplification and switching purpose.
• Audio and signal processing makes use of this transistor.

That’s all for today. I have tried my best to explain each and everything regarding this BC182L transistor. However, if you still find any difficulty in understanding the concept of this transistor, you can ask me in the comment section below. I’d love to help you in this regard. Thanks for reading the article. Stay tuned!

Introduction to Raspberry Pi 3

Hey Friends! Electronic experts always strive to develop new electronic devices that meet the needs and requirements of the customers. Technology has been evolved remarkably well where devices are becoming compact and composed. Using old conventional ways to develop electronic devices are becoming obsolete that occupied more weight and space, turned out to be expensive and capable of doing fewer number of operations. Today, I am going to discuss the details on the Introduction to Raspberry Pi 3. It is just like a small computer that comes with CPU, GPU, USB ports and i/o pins and can be connected with external peripherals and helps in running number of operations like regular computer. First generation Raspberry Pi was developed in 2012, with the intention of making computer learning easy for school students. Learning advanced computer functions in the beginning of computer learning process is not easy for everyone. This tine computer was introduced, so everyone can get a hint of some initial functions advanced computer is capable of doing. Let's dive in and explore each and every feature of Raspberry Pi 3.

Introduction to Raspberry Pi 3

• Raspberry Pi 3 is tiny single board computer, introduced by Raspberry Pi Foundation, that comes with CPU, GPU, USB ports and i/o pins and capable of doing some simple functions like regular computer.
• This tiny computer was developed with the purpose of making computer learning process easy so an average student can get benefit and anticipate what an advanced computer can do.
• Raspberry Pi 1(first generation Model B) came into play in 2012, and soon got a renowned reputation in terms of ease of use and availability. Similarly, Raspberry Pi 2 was introduced in Feb,2015 will little improvement in design with added RAM than its previous version.
• Introduced in 2016, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B comes with a quad core processor that shows robust performance which is 10 times more than Raspberry Pi 1. And speed exhibits by Raspberry Pi 3 is 80% more than Raspberry Pi 2.

• The Raspberry hardware has gone through a number of variations in terms of peripheral device support and memory capacity. Every new addition comes with a little improvement in terms of design where advance features are added in the device so it can do as many function as possible like a regular computer.
• WiFi and Bluetooth that lack in older versions(Pi 1 and Pi 2), are added in the new addition of this device(Pi 3), allowing to maintain the connection with the peripherals without the involvement of any physical connection.
• Raspberry Pi Foundation recently launched Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ on 14 March 2018, which is the most recent version of Raspberry Pi 3 that exhibits all the specifications introduced in Pi 3 Model B, with the additional improvement including Network boot, USB boot, and Power over Ethernet which make the device useful in hard to reach places.

Raspberry Pi 3 Pinout

Following figure shows the pinout of Pi 3.  

• These are the 40 GPIO pins that are used for connection with other devices.
• You can see from the figure above, the UART pins are the serial input output pins that are used for serial communication for data and for the conversion of debugging code.

Hardware Specifications

• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B comes with 64 bit quad core processor, on board WiFi and Bluetooth and USB features.
• It has a processing speed ranging from 700 MHz to 1.4 GHz where RAM memory ranges from 256 to 1GB.
• The CPU of this device is considered as the brain of the device which is responsible for executing numbers of instructions based on mathematical and logical operation.
• The GPU is another advanced chip incorporated in the board that carries out function of image calculation. The board is equipped with Broadcam video core cable that is mainly used for playing video games through the device.
• The Pi 3 comes with GPIO (General Purpose Input Output) pins that are essential to maintain connection with other electronic devices. These input output pins receive commands and work based on the programming of the device.
• The Ethernet port is incorporated on this device that sets a pathway for communicating with other devices. You can connect Ethernet port to the router to maintain a connection for internet.
• The Board has four USB ports that are used for communication and SD card is added for storing the operating system.
• Power source connector is a basic part of the board that is used to provide 5 V power to the board. You can use any source to set up a power for the board, however, it is preferred you connect power cable through laptop USB port for providing 5 V.
• The Pi 3 supports two connection options including HDMI and composite. The HDMI connector is used to connect LCD or TV, that can support 1.3 and 1.4 version cables. Composite video connection is used to connect the older version of TV with the device that uses the 3.5mm jack socket for the audio production.
• The new device comes with a video core multimedia 3D graphics which is capable of playing 1080 MP video. This feature puts this advice ahead of its predecessors where video quality was not that much upgraded.
• The USB hard drive incorporated on the board is used to boot the device, similar to PC hard drive where windows is used to boot the computer hard drive.

Browser Used

• Recent addition of Raspberry Pi comes with a Chromium browser which is quick and robust than the browser available in its predecessors, but still it gets stuck when it comes to opening number of heavy duty sites, however, YouTube video buffering is too quick that you don't need to wait too long before video comes into play.
• Opening number of sites at once can take more time than you anticipate, which ultimately hangs the device, causing the device memory to freeze or stuck.
• Although, experts are in constant struggle to add more advanced features with every new addition, still Pi 3 doesn't support number of advanced applications.

 

Operating System

• The official Raspbian Linux operating system runs on Pi 3. Other third party OS that can operate on this device are RISC, Kodi Media Center, Windows 10 loT core, Ubuntu Mate and classroom management.
• There are other non-Linux based systems that can run on this device which you can pick based on your needs and requirements.
• Windows 10, the latest version of windows, can run remarkably well on the desktop computer, but running windows 10 on the Pi 3 is a whole new experience, not as good as desktop computer, but still you can get a little glimpse of running windows 10 on a tiny device like Pi 3.
• The windows 10 that run on this device is not a full version of windows 10, but a reduced version that is called windows 10 loT core, capable of running only one single full screen windows app at a time, however, still it supports number of software running on the background.
• Running windows 10 on Pi 3 is not a good option though, it can make use of more processing power than required for other operating system.
• Raspberry Pi 3 is a 64 bit device, which is capable of running official Raspbian operating system. The Raspbian Pi Foundation is also looking to modifying the Raspbian operating system to make it compatible for 32 bit devices that were introduced a while ago.

Points of Consideration

• If you want to remain in constant touch with this device, it is better to enclose in a case, it will help prolong the lifetime of the device, also covers it from heat and other external factors.
• You can run number of operating systems including Linux or Non-Linux based systems, but if you are highly concerned about performance and stability of device, then running official Raspbian operating system would be an effective choice, which supports the decent amount of programming and office software.
• In case you are feeling skeptical about the functions and setting it up, you can get valuable information from the Raspberry Pi site. They will go extra mile to help you out in order to resolve your questions and queries.
• The power consumption of Pi 3 is more than Pi 2, however it turns out to be almost identical in case of less demanding work loads. Turning Pi 3 into low level laptop is bit of interesting task, which can be achieved in few bucks only.
• Pi 3 can support up to SanDisk 64GB SD card. Before making purchase of this high speed memory card, make sure you are in dire need of this card for your project as it costs more than the actual Pi 3 device. If you intend to run official Raspbian operating system, 8GG SD card would be suffice to meet your needs.
• Making a purchase in only $35 would be a worth investment for a tiny computer like this. However, there are multiple Pi kits are available which you can select from, that are modified for performing different functions based on your needs and requirements, costing you little bit extra than simple Pi 3.
• Most of the Raspberry Pi devices come with an overclocking option, means they can be configured to operate faster than defined the by the manufacturer. This can be achieved by the software command without effecting the warranty.
• Overclocking may subject to rising temperature, which ultimately can damage the device. This is the reason some devices automatically stops the overclocking at the certain temperature in order to avoid the rising temperature that can effect both quality and performance of the device. However, in severe cases heat sink is added in the device to avoid overheating.

Features of Raspberry Pi 3

• 1.4 GHz 64 bit, Broadcom BCM2387 ARM Cortex-A53 Quad Core Processor, which is 10 times faster than Raspberry Pi 1.
• 1GB RAM (LPDDR2 SDRAM) which allows you to run more advanced applications
• On-board wireless LAN, used to connect device through wireless
• On-board Bluetooth
• 4 USB ports for communication
• 300Mbit/s ethernet
• 40 GPIO pins
• Full size HDMI 1.3a port
• 10/100 BaseT Ethernet socketbr
• Fully HAT compatible
• Combined 3.5mm analog audio and composite video jack
• Camera interface (CSI), for connecting camera
• Display interface (DSI) used for connecting Raspberry Pi touch screen display
• microSD slot for storing data
• Micro USB power source
• Full size HDMI
• VideoCore IV multimedia/3D graphics core @ 400MHz/300MHz

Comparison between Raspberry Pi 3  and Computer

• Raspberry Pi 3 is identical to regular computer in terms performing many valuable functions. But it has a leg over desktop PC when it comes to cost, and approaching to hard to reach places. Spending huge amount of money on advanced computer, when you are in a beginning phase of learning computer skills, would not be good choice. It is better to invest in a tiny device like Pi 3, so you can get a glimpse of what actual PC can do.
• This device can be modified into any module like a robot or laptop, based on your needs and requirements.
• If you are obsessed with games, then this device can turn out to be a very useful gaming console, as it can run low demanding vantage games, allowing you to get rid of spending huge amount of money on laptop.
• No doubt, Raspberry Pi 3 has so many functions identical to regular PC, but it is not as fast as desktop computer when it comes to uploading or handling heavy sites.
• Gamers can find this device addictive, because it can be capable of supporting number of vintage games, however, playing more advanced games will be little bit difficult than playing on the regular PC.

Applications of Raspberry Pi 3

The Pi 3 comes with a wide range of applications with the purpose of performing most of the functions like a desktop computer. Following are the main applications of the Pi 3

• Arcade Machine
• Media Streamer
• Tablet Computer
• Home Automation
• Controlling Robots
• Internet Radio
• Coffee Projects
• Cosmic Computer

That's all for today. I hope you have enjoyed the article. However, if you have any question, you can ask me in the comment section below. I'd love to help you according to best of my expertise. Feel free to keep us updated with your feedback and suggestions, they help us to give you quality work that resonates with your needs and requirements. Thanks for reading the article. Stay Tuned!

Reasons You Should Consider Buying An iMac

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at Reasons You Should Consider Buying An iMac. Are you on the verge of buying a new computer? If so, you should most definitely think about investing in a computer made by Apple. The company is best known for its smartphones, but their computers are pretty amazing as well. The company offers the Macbook and the iMac. If you’re looking for a desktop, you’ll definitely want to think about investing in an iMac. Why? You’ll find out in the guide below.

Great Software

First and foremost, you should know that Apple makes some of the best software on the planet. Apple computers do not have the versatility of Windows computers. Your software options will be limited. However, Apple’s software is pretty amazing. So, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a replacement. Whether you need a picture or video editing software, Apple has you covered.

Ease Of Use

Another thing to note is that iMac computer is great in terms of usability. It will take some adjusting to get used to an Apple computer. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be too tough. After all, Apple is known for creating some of the most user-friendly devices on the planet. This includes their smartphones and computers. Once you’ve invested in an iMac, you’ll find that Apple computers are really easier to use than their Windows counterparts.

Troubleshooting With Ease

It is also important to understand that Apple computers are easy to troubleshoot. They come with an abundance of programs that make fixing problems much easier than you could ever imagine. If you’re trying to figure out why Mac is running slow, you will most likely be able to open the Disk Utility and fix the problem within a matter of seconds. These computers are also equipped with great backup programs.

Better Security

It is widely known that Apple computers are far securer than their counterparts. This is the case, because there are fewer viruses that are capable of impacted these computers. If you want to make sure that your computer is safe, you should definitely think about investing in an iMac. It is still a good idea to use antivirus software and a firewall. Nevertheless, your iMac will be far safer than you could ever imagine.

Large Display Screen

The Apple iMac is available in both 21.5-inch and 27-inch. The 2.5-inch has a Retina 4K display and the 27-inch a 5K display. In addition to this both models are integrated with Radeon Pro 500 series graphics. This feature delivers both 3D graphics and visual effects like no other. Combing the screen with Apple’s amazing software will make all of your video-editing projects a breeze.

Great Productivity

Finally, you should know that iMacs are really one of the most powerful computers you could ever acquire. These computers are large and in charge. They’re capable of competing with some of the most powerful Windows computers. This is good for business people, who need to use their computer for work. If you need to have several windows open at once or edit long videos, you’ll be able to do so with your iMac.

How to add new Library in Proteus 8

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, I am going to show you How to add new Library in Proteus 8 software. As we all know that Proteus doesn't have all the components in its database so if you want to add a new component in Proteus and want to use it in your simulation, then you have to add or install the Proteus library first.

On our blog, we have posted many Proteus Libraries for Engineering Students, I have given Proteus library zip file download link in each post and I hope you guys have enjoyed those libraries. But I was constantly getting this complaint from students that they are unable to add Proteus Library, especially in Proteus 8 software. So, that's why I thought of writing this tutorial, although it says Proteus 8 but I will also show you How to add library in Proteus 7. I have shown the same procedure in the below video, so must watch it.

So, let's get started with How to add or install Proteus Library:

How to add new Library in Proteus 8

Step1: Download Proteus Library Files

• First of all, download any Proteus Library from our site, let's use Vibration Sensor Library for Proteus.
• Proteus Library zip file download link is given in the post, so simply click on the Download link in order to download Proteus Library zip file.
• Open this Proteus Library .zip file and you will get three files in it, named:
  • VibrationSensorTEP.LIB
  • VibrationSensorTEP.IDX
  • VibrationSensorTEP.HEX
• These are the Proteus library files of the vibration sensor and need to be placed in the Library folder of Proteus software.

Step2: Install Proteus Library

We have downloaded the Proteus Library zip file in Step 1 and now we need to install it in Proteus software. For installation, we don't need to execute any file, instead, we simply need to copy & paste these Proteus Library Files into the library folder of Proteus.

• If you are using Windows 7, 8 or 10, normally Proteus software is installed in the Program File (x86) folder, but it could be in the Program File folder as well.
• So, go to your C drive and then in both of these Program File folders, search for Labcenter Electronics.
• This Labcenter Electronics folder is automatically generated by Proteus setup.
• If you have installed Proteus 7 or Proteus 8 or both, they will be present here. Here's a screenshot of my Labcenter Electronics folder:

• Once you are here, now if you want to add Library in Proteus 8, click on Proteus 8 software as shown in the below figure:

• You can see the Library folder in the above image, so simply paste your Proteus Library files into this Library folder.
• Here's the complete link to Proteus 8 Library folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 8 Professional\LIBRARY.
• In some Proteus 8 Installations, you may find the Library folder at this link: C:\ProgramData\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 8 Professional\LIBRARY.

• After adding these Proteus Library files, restart your Proteus software. You have to restart it otherwise it won't update its components' database.
• Now in the components search box, type vibration sensor and you will get the results.
• Similarly, if you want to install Proteus Library in Proteus 7, open your Proteus 7 Professional and you will find the Library folder in it as well. Here's the screenshot:

• Here's the complete link to Proteus 7 Library folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 7 Professional\LIBRARY
• Let's open this Library folder and have a look at our Vibration Sensor Library files. Here's the screenshot:

• You can see our Vibration Sensor Library Files in the above image, I have encircled them as well. :P

Step3: Simulate Proteus Library

• After adding Proteus Library Files, open Proteus software or restart it(if it's already open).
• In the components database, search for Vibration Sensor & you will get results, as shown in the below figure:

• Place it in your workspace and you are now ready to simulate it in Proteus.
• Here's a working simulation of the vibration sensor in Proteus:

Note:

• Sometimes, it happens that the Library folder is hidden, so if you are unable to find the Proteus Library folder then check your hidden folders too.

So, that was all for today. I hope now you can quite easily add new Library in Proteus 8. If you have any questions, then ask in comments. I will try to help you out. :)

Why You Should Consider Outsourcing Software Development

Whether you are a start-up undergoing its teething phase or a fully fledged established entity that has its own IT department to cater to IT needs, there will be a point when you will need to develop software to cater to your business needs. When it comes to software development, many organizations find themselves debating a make or buy decision.  Outsourcing has been very common among business organizations in the recent past. This is mainly attributed to the effects of globalization and the advancements in the Internet and Communication technologies which has helped in bringing the world closer together. Although many large corporations have admitted the benefits of outsourcing partial or complete business operations to other parts of the world, many smaller companies are still reluctant to do that especially when it comes to software development. Some companies prefer to have their own in-house IT department take care of the development. The primary reason why most entrepreneurs and organizations feel uncomfortable with getting the software developed from elsewhere is that of the risk of losing confidential data. That being said, firms need to understand that they are operating in a competitive environment where competitive advantage is the key to success. This is why the benefits of outsourcing software development easily overshadow the cons. Here are a few reasons why you should hire a professional software development company to cater to the software needs of your business rather than doing it on your own.

Saves Your Cost

If you are a profit-maximizing business looking for attaining competitive advantage, cost-cutting should be your primary focus. Many firms avoid outsourcing because they feel that it would incur an additional cost to get it done by a third party. Contrary to this opinion, if you are going to get the software developed in-house, there is a high chance that you will have to recruit new resources to take care of that responsibility because your existent team might not have the capacity or competence to do so. This means incurring additional costs. Even if you somehow manage to find a good resource, there is no guarantee that your new team will be able to pull off an effective product. When you outsource to a software development company, you know that it is already an established entity that specializes in doing that kind of jobs and knows exactly what is required. Their cost of developing the same software is likely to be much lower than what you are likely to spend if you do it on your own. Furthermore, the product that you will get will be much more reliable.

Saves Your Time

Time is a very important resource in the business world and you cannot afford to waste it. Unfortunately, when you take up new projects that you are not accustomed to, such as developing a software, it is likely to get you more time than the usual to get it done because your team will be new to this and will require some time to get the hang of it. A company that has already been developing software and already has systems and teams in place will not have to develop any new systems. In fact, they will just have to process the order and finish and deliver it. This will save you a lot of time and hassle and you will get a ready, tested software on your deadline.

Lack of Experience within Company

Some organization argue why they should go to a third party software company when they have an IT department in-house. It needs to be understood that IT is a broad field and while the company's existing IT department might be competent enough to handle routine issues such as networking and hardware problems, they might not have the right experience that is required for software development. Professional software houses have software development as their main focus and therefore, they already have experienced teams in the board which work on numerous software for various clients every day. This enables them to have an in-depth experience and makes them competent enough to cater to your software needs. Moreover, a professional company might even be able to give you a consultation about the design and functionality of your software.

Benefit from Technological Advancements

Just as individuals and organizations specialize in certain areas, regions and countries specialize in certain sectors too. Some regions and countries are more technologically advanced and have better technological resource than the other. Even if you have a plan to hire the best IT professionals that are available in your region, you might still not be able to compete with the technological genius that is found in abundance in another region. Since software outsourcing also involves very economical logistical cost, it would be much wiser to get your software developed by a professional in India or Singapore rather than getting it done in your own hometown. This will allow you to benefit from the technological prowess of the other region and that too at a reasonable cost.  

Introduction to 2n5551

Hi Fellas! I hope you all are doing great and having fun with your lives. We always strive to give you quality work that resonates with your needs and allows you to come back again and again. I am back to give you a daily dose of useful information so you can excel and grow in your relevant field. Today, I am going to discuss the details on the Introduction to 2n5551. It is an NPN (negative-positive-negative) bipolar junction transistor BJT which is mainly designed for gas discharge display drivers and general purpose amplification. I'll try to cover each and every aspect related to this transistor so you don't need to go anywhere and you find all information in one place. You can also have a look at Introduction to 2n5401 which is a complementary PNP transistor of this NPN 2n5551 transistor. Let's dive in and explore what is it about and what are its main applications?

Introduction to 2n5551

• 2n5551 is an NPN bipolar junction transistor which is mainly used for general purpose amplification and gas discharge display drivers.
• It consists of three terminals known as the emitter, base, and collector and comes in a TO-92 package.
• Unlike FETs, this NPN transistor is a current controlled device where small current at the base side is used to control large current at the emitter and collector side.
• As it is an NPN transistor so the base will be positive with respect to the emitter.
• It features high breakdown voltage, low leakage current, capacity and beta value which are very useful over a wide range of current.

• Movement of electron plays an important role in defining the conducting nature of any transistor. This NPN transistor is known as BJT (bipolar junction transistor) because conduction is carried out by both electrons and holes but majority charge carriers are electrons.
• Whenever a voltage is applied at the base, it gets biased and controls the current at the emitter and collector side.
• The emitter emits the electrons which are collected by the collector. A base is used to control the number of electrons.
• The ability of the base to control the number of electrons is used for amplification purpose.

2n5551 Pinout

2n5551 is an NPN transistor, also known as a current controlled device which contains three terminals as follow. 1. Emitter 2. Base 3. Collector

• It is different than JFET which is a unipolar transistor, also known as a voltage controlled device.
• Transistor action is triggered when a voltage is applied at the base side which allows the free movement of electrons.
• Movement of free electrons is nothing but a bridge between emitter and collector.

Circuit Diagram of 2n5551

The circuit diagram of 2n5551 is shown in the figure below.

• The emitter current is equal to the sum of collector and base current.
• The voltage at the base side must be positive with respect to the emitter for current flow from emitter to collector.
• Forward current gain is an important factor in determining the characteristics of this transistor. It is called Beta and represented by ß. It is a ratio between collector current to the base current. As it is a ratio between two current so it exhibits no unit.
• Beta value is also known as amplification factor which determines the value of current being amplified.
• Beta value ranges between 20 to 1000 but it comes with a standard value of 200.
• The current gain of the transistor is another important factor which is called alpha and represented by a. It is a ratio between collector current and emitter current. Alpha value ranges between 0.95 to 0.99 but most of the time its value is taken as unity.
• The NPN transistor mainly consists of two diodes combined back to back.

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Following figure shows the absolute maximum ratings of 2n5551.

• Collector-Emitter and Collector-Base voltages are 160 and 180 respectively.
• And maximum power it can dissipate is 630 mW.
• These are the stress ratings which if exceeded from absolute maximum ratings, can damage the device at large.
• Similarly, if stresses are applied for an extended period of time, they can affect the overall reliability of the device.

Difference between NPN and PNP Transistors

• The main difference between these two transistors is the type of charge carrier.
• Electrons are main charge carriers in case of NPN transistors while holes are main charge carriers in case of PNP transistors.
• Most of the experts prefer NPN transistors for most of the applications because they consider conduction through electrons is better than conduction through holes.

Applications

• 2n5551 comes with high breakdown voltage and is mainly used in gas discharge display drivers.
• General purpose amplification is another feature of this NPN transistor which makes it an ideal choice for most of the professionals.

That's all for today. I hope you have found this article useful. However, if you have any question you can ask me in the comment section below. I'd love to guide you according to best of my expertise. We really appreciate if you keep us updated with your feedback and suggestions, they allow us to give you quality work. Thanks very much for reading the article. Stay Tuned!