Technical musings from a learned idiot

And perhaps some interesting projects for you.

Miniaturized Phased Array RADAR For UAVs/Drones Project Progress

I started a project a while ago on how to create a miniaturized version of a phased array RADAR that could be used on very small UAVs/Drones. Extensive research was performed on this subject, which took a couple of years to complete. Was I to use low frequencies? Do I need an upcoverter? If so,…
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ADS-B Receiver and Server based on Raspberry Pi and RTL2832L chipset USB Dongle

ADS-B Receiver and Server are Operational

A while ago I purchased a few of the RTL-SDR USB dongles for the purpose of exploring Software Defined Radio (SDR) and to also act as a poor-man’s spectrum analyzer. While cleaning some things up yesterday, I found these receivers and decided to see what I could use them for. I was surprised to learn about tracking and plotting aircraft via the ADS-B radio signals that many aircraft transmit.

Analog Devices Chip Full Decapsulation

Presenting at the 42nd International Symposium for Testing and Failure Analysis (ISTFA 2016)

One of my main areas of study as a laser application scientist with Control Laser Corporation is in perfecting the process of laser decapsulation of semiconductors. As my entire life has revolved around semiconductors, and the electronics industry in general, this work is right up my alley, as we say. I work with some of…
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Dynamic Phased-Array RADAR for Drones, AD9959

It’s been a long time since posting anything here so I figured I’d give an update on what’s happening in the lab. Also, the fine folks from Analog Devices had me at their facilities up in Massachusetts, which was pretty awesome. Such smart people they have working there, and so many expensive analysis machines! While…
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Arduino AD9951 VFO Project Update

I am incredibly excited to announce that I’ve received my Arduino Mega AD9951 VFO design back from the fabricator and I have finally had a chance to assemble it. What’s more is that the darn thing actually works! Who would have thought?!?! Please visit the Arduino VFO using an AD9951 DDS project page for further information…
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Arduino Mega 2560 R3 Precision DAC

Arduino Library for Analog Devices, Inc. AD5724/AD5734/AD5754 QUAD DAC 0-10V UNIPOLAR-BI-POLAR

Please visit the Arduino DAC project page for more information on this project and for links to download the library. Arduino with a DAC I needed a DAC [Digital to Analog Converter] for a project I’m working on that includes an Arduino board, but I quickly realized that no such shield, nor library, exists for…
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