Warning: Planned shutdown of this website on 12/31/2026.

Panda's DIY

Originally, I am an electrician-slash-engineer, so I occasionally get caught up (besides software engineering) in electronics development, especially microchips. The results are not profie, but maybe I will inspire someone in his creation. Above all, I try to aim with the style "a lot of music for little money" = getting the most out of a simple device. I mainly focus on ATmega processors, but recently I got hooked on Raspberry Pico.

Microcomputers

	PicoLibSDK - Alternative Extended C/C++ SDK library for Raspberry Pico and RP2040.
	Pico16VGA - 16-colour VGA display on Raspberry Pico for analogue VGA monitor and digital LCD panel.
	ATX-80 - Clone of ZX-80 computer with ATmega8, ZX-80 BASIC bios rewritten into AVR code.
	AT4004 - Intel 4004 and 4040 4-bit processor development kit with Busicom 141-PF calculator emulation
	PicoQVGA - minimalistic QVGA display on Raspberry Pico
	PicoVGA - VGA/TV display on Raspberry Pico
	RaspPicoSDK - Easy compilation of Raspberry Pico under Windows RaspPicoAsm - Assembler on Raspberry Pico and instruction timing measurement
	ATpad - Gaming console with ATmega8 processor. Output to TV (PAL, NTSC) or VGA monitor. Running programs from SD card. Port with 2 digital inputs/outputs and 2 analogue inputs (analogue joystick connection possible).
	ATX-81 - A clone of the ZX-81 computer, an unfinished semi-finished product for inspiration.

Calculators

	ET-57 - Clone of TI-57 calculator with ATmega8 processor.
	ET-57M - programmable mini-calculator. Clone of TI-57 calculator with ATmega8 processor.
	ET-58 - Clone of TI-58 calculator with ATmega328 processor.
	TI58T tiny - Replica of TI-58C calculator with ATmega8 processor. Accuracy of calculations to 19 valid digits, exponent 4 digits. UNFINISHED
	TI59R revival - Upgrade of TI-59 calculator with ATmega644P processor. Accuracy of calculations to 19 valid digits, exponent 4 digits. UNTESTED

Measuring instruments

	RBox - Reference resistor decade 0.1%.
	FreqGen - Frequency function generator with ATmega8 processor (1 Hz to 8 MHz).
	FreqMeter - Precise frequency meter with ATmega8 processor (1 Hz to 50 MHz, or 1 Hz to 100 MHz). FreqMeterInfo - description of the method of accurate frequency measurement.
	RCLmeter - Meter for resistors, capacitors, coils, ESR, voltage and short circuit indicator, with automatic range change.
	Simple DC voltmeter - 2 inputs (10V and 100V ranges) are captured using an A/D converter and displayed as 2 values on the EL1602B LCD display. There is no circuit board, only a schematic, it remains in the form of a sparrows nest.:-)

Processor Microchip PIC16F84

	Microprocessor kit P84 - development environment, compiler and programmer for Microchip PIC16F84 processors. This project was started in 2000, at a time when PIC16F84 processors were the king of microchips in terms of low price, performance and low power consumption. The basis is a universal PIC16F84 unit that connects to a PC via a COM port and serves both to program the processor and as a test development board. Additional modules can be connected to the output connector - LCD display, LED array with buttons and speaker. To program the module, a PicDev compiler was created, compiling the program in assembler and allowing to write the program via COM port to the module.
	CycloMet - is a measuring unit for various sports equipment. It measures run distance, displays run time, speed and total distance. It is powered by 2 pencil monocells and equipped with a PIC16F84 processor. It uses a 3 1/2 digit LCD display and is controlled by 1 button.
	EyeWatch - watchdog of time spent on the computer. The module (with a PIC16F84 processor) monitors the time spent at the computer and if the limit is exceeded, it will alert you with a signal. Unlike the software solution, there are no problems of collisions with other running programs (e.g. fullscreen). When the computer is not in use, a screensaver is triggered to pause the time countdown.

Miscellaneous

	GDG Sharp - How Sharp GDG was dissected
	Craft - Minimalist VGA demo with ATmega88 processor by Swedish author Linus Akesson.
	Christmas lights with 320 LEDs - LEDs in 5 colours are arranged in a matrix of 8 x 8 segments and controlled by a multiplexer. Any of the LEDs can be controlled individually by software to achieve interesting effects.
	PandaProg - universal programmer and tester for processors, memories and logic circuits ... UNFINISHED!

<< Back