Archive for the Category


DC motor runs off of calculator solar cell in dim light

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008


How do we achive 10nA operation? By using diodes in place of pull up resistors, and by isolating the DC load from the trigger circuit via junction drops and the 10nF capacitor. If there is too much power comming from the solar cell then the motor might run too often or even continuously. You can [...]

Simple light sensor adapter for oscilloscope

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008


This circuit is a simple visible light or IR detector for testing any equipment which outputs light. The circuit can be also used for measuring ambient light levels. This circuit is based on one photodiode which is used in photocell mode so that the photodiode generates a voltage and current signal when it get light.
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Two LEDs perform rudimentary spectral analysis

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008


A pair of LEDs having different wavelengths can supply the stimulus for a rudimentary spectral analysis during quality-control sorting operations. By measuring the reflectance of each LED, the circuit in Fig 1 can provide information about the spectral response of the object under test. The circuit’s operation is akin to the human eye’s using three [...]