So you have an Intel HEX (.hex) file from your microcontroller firmware (from Atollic TrueSTUDIO for a STM32 micro, for example), but you need a .dfu file in order to program your microcontroller using dfu-util? And can’t (or don’t want to) use the Windows-only DfuSe software? I hope this guide helps you out!
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Programming TrueSTUDIO .hex files over DFU on linux
Posted by Robert on September 29, 2018
https://www.rs20.net/w/2018/09/programming-truestudio-hex-files-over-dfu-on-linux/
Do beeswax candles produce negative ionisation? Nope.
This short note is heavily based on Are Ions Good for You, a beautiful exposition of the actual science of ionisation and pollution of the air.
There are lots of claims around the internet, mostly by beeswax candle makers, that beeswax candles are “natural ionizers”. The theory goes that beeswax candles emit “negative ionisation” which spreads through the room and causes pollutants and allergens to bind together because, apparently, those things are positively charged. No source or explanation is ever provided, and I very much believe that’s because the claim is bogus.
Read the full post »
Posted by Robert on December 1, 2013
https://www.rs20.net/w/2013/12/do-beeswax-candles-produce-negative-ionisation-ions/
Using MOSFETs as blocking diodes
Connecting a battery backwards to an electronic circuit can rapidly do a lot of damage — current will flood through (and destroy) many integrated circuits when powered up the wrong way, and electrolytic capacitors have a famous tendency to explode. For this reason, it’s common to use a blocking diode in a circuit to provide reverse polarity protection:
If the battery is connected correctly, as shown, current flows through the diode to the circuit, and the circuit operates normally. If the battery is reversed, the battery tries to pull current through the diode the wrong way, and the diode refuses to conduct — protecting the load from damage.
Find out the disadvantages of this circuit, and how to do better…
Posted by Robert on February 22, 2013
https://www.rs20.net/w/2013/02/using-mosfets-as-blocking-diodes-reverse-polarity-protection/
XKCD’s ‘Click and Drag’ comic in Google Maps form
I just threw together a zoomable view of xkcd’s latest comic using the Google Maps API and US$0.27 of Google App Engine quota: Click and Drag. It helps to find some of the more off-the-beaten-track easter eggs, view it here!
If I get enough (i.e., any) interest, I will clean up the source code and make it available.
Posted by Robert on September 20, 2012
https://www.rs20.net/w/2012/09/xkcds-click-and-drag-comic-in-google-maps-form-whole-picture-zoom/
Wyprowadzanie magnetyzmu z elektrostatyki i teorii względności
Wyobraź sobie świat, w którym w ogóle nie było magnetyzmu – tylko siły elektrostatyczne. Okazuje się, że dodając do tego świata prawa specjalnej teorii względności Einsteina i patrząc na wpływ, jaki szczególna teoria względności wywiera na ruchome ładunki, pojawiają się prawa magnetyzmu – po prostu łącząc ze sobą elektrostatykę i teorię względności.
Innymi słowy, poruszające się elektrony w cewkach silnika elektrycznego widzą świat z innej ramy odniesienia niż atomy miedzi tworzące uzwojenia silnika – i to właśnie brak równowagi powoduje, że silnik się obraca!
W Internecie jest wiele rzeczy, ale trudno mi to przetworzyć, ponieważ dotyczy ogólnych zależności między polami magnetycznymi i elektrycznymi, a nie konkretnych przykładów. Jestem pewien, że jest to w rzeczywistości bardzo ogólne i przydatne, ale także poza moim bezpośrednim zrozumieniem. Próbowałem więc podejść do problemu na swój własny sposób, stosując specjalną teorię względności i fizykę na poziomie szkoły średniej, i to działa!
Posted by Andrzej on August 30, 2012
https://www.rs20.net/w/2012/08/how-do-magnets-work-magnetism-electrostatics-relativity-pl/
Deriving magnetism from electrostatics and relativity
Imagine a world where there was no magnetism at all — just electrostatic forces. It turns out that by adding Einstein’s laws of special relativity to that world, and looking at the effects that special relativity has on moving charges, the laws of magnetism appear — just by mashing electrostatics and relativity together.
In other words, the moving electrons in an electric motor’s coils see the world from a different frame of reference to the copper atoms making up the windings of the motor — and this imbalance is what makes the motor turn!
There’s a bunch of stuff around on the internet on this, but I find it hard to process because it deals with general relationships between magnetic and electric fields, not specific examples. I’m sure this is actually very general and useful, but it’s also beyond my immediate understanding as well. So, I tried approach the problem in my own way using just special relativity and high-school level physics, and it works!
Posted by Robert on August 9, 2012
https://www.rs20.net/w/2012/08/how-do-magnets-work-magnetism-electrostatics-relativity/
Automatic vs Manual transmission cars
Don’t worry, this post is not advice on how to live your life. Actually, on second thought, it is. Well, no, not really, it’s mostly about cars. And life.
Maybe I should start off with my main point:
Things which are “easy-to-use” often come with hidden drawbacks.
Some examples:
- Point-and-shoot digital cameras (vs Digital SLR cameras) – Due to their larger sensors, SLR cameras can give much sharper images and more beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds. As well as much better performance in low-light situations, and more versatility with a variety of lenses. However, the compact size and low cost of point-and-shoot cameras make them a perfectly valid choice for casual photographers.
- Automatics cars (vs manual cars) – Unlike point-and-shoot cameras, there is no valid reason (special circumstances aside) I can think of or find that justifies wanting a car with an automatic transmission – if you’re blessed with two legs.
At this point, I’m going to drop the illusion of making a general argument about “easy things” and just rant about automatic cars instead.
What’s the actual difference between auto and manual?
Posted by Robert on March 9, 2012
https://www.rs20.net/w/2012/03/automatic-vs-manual-transmission-car/
Where’s the North Pole on Google Maps?
I’ve seen several posts on the internet asking about the North Pole on Google Maps: where is it? Why isn’t there any snow there? Where’s Santa’s house?
There’s a couple of reasons why the ice around the North Pole is not shown on Google Maps.
Posted by Robert on February 21, 2012
https://www.rs20.net/w/2012/02/north-pole-google-maps-earth-arctic-ice-cap/
The Galaxy Nexus PenTile display: comparing apples and oranges
There has been a lot of discussion on the ‘net about the infamous PenTile display. Lots of sites are throwing numbers around, comparing the ‘subpixel resolution’ of competing phones such as the Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4/4S. Some commentary has been insane, comparing apples with oranges and declaring PenTile an abomination regardless of resolution. Others, like this one, are a lot more reasoned, but still seem to ignore the well-proven fact that the eye’s visual acuity depends on the colour in question. Let’s rattle off a couple of undeniably true facts:
- Hypothetical 1000ppi RGB and PenTile displays can both look absolutely sharp and perfect.
- The acuity of the human eye varies significantly between colours. Acuity is particularly poor with blue light.
Take the following example: these four squares consist of fine lines. From left-to-right, they are: #1: white/black, #2: red/cyan, #3: green/magenta, and #4: blue/yellow.
Stand well back from your monitor, until you can’t tell the lines apart. Now slowly move back in. Notice how the blue/yellow (#4) lines look almost the same as white/black (#1), and red/cyan (#2) look very similar to green/magenta (#3)? Very roughly speaking, this is because our eyes smear out blue light slightly, so we can’t tell the difference between white lines (yellow+blue), or alternating yellow and blue lines. Similarly, the only difference between red/cyan and green/magenta is where the blue lies.
I started this not-terribly-scientific experiment with the “hypothesis” that the eye had a higher acuity to green than red and blue. This is apparently the reason that is used to justify PenTile’s use of twice as many green subpixels as red or blue. However, although my pictures above suggest that green is more visible than blue, my eyes are more-or-less equally acute with respect to red and green light. This is backed up by at least one actual proper study, as well. [Interestingly, the original PenTile technology was RRGGB, which makes much more sense!]
So, we can conclude that the resolution of red subpixels might be the limiting factor for an RGGB “Retina” PenTile display, whereas the resolution of green subpixels might be the limiting factor for an RGB Retina iPhone 4 display. Comparing the two of these numerically is very difficult and highly subjective. The sharpness with which the eye can see these colours is different, and even this difference varies according to the brightness of the image, and the individual. To see numbers calculated with no apparent regard to these factors and presented to five significant figures is just laughable.
The closest you can come to a meaningful comparison is stating what sort of displays would be equivalent if green sub-pixel resolution was all that mattered, and what would be equivalent if red/blue sub-pixel resolution was all that mattered. The linear green sub-pixel resolution is the same for both RGB and PenTile displays, because both feature full green sub-pixels. The linear red/blue sub-pixel resolution of PenTile is compromised by a factor of sqrt(2), because red pixels are diagonally separated. So, here we go:
The effective equivalent RGB resolution of a 1280×720 PenTile display probably lies somewhere between 905×509 (if red/blue is the limiting factor by far) and 1280×720 (if green is limiting factor by far.) That is, somewhere between the-highest-resolution-ever-seen-on-a-smartphone (except the iPhone 4S by a hair) and the-highest-resolution-ever-seen-on-a-smartphone (by a mile, although some [dirty LCD] RGB 720p devices have been launched since.)
And we’ve come all this way without mentioning display size. The bigger the display, the bigger the font can be and the further you can comfortably hold the device from your eyes. A bigger display should therefore mean a lower linear resolution limit before the display be reasonably considered a ‘Retina’ display.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
My conclusion? It is virtually impossible to pre-judge a display that we haven’t even seen before. I would love to hear subjective comments from people who have seen the device in person; otherwise, I’m not interested.
Continue reading, including simulated images from a 720p PenTile display…
Posted by Robert on October 24, 2011
https://www.rs20.net/w/2011/10/720p-pentile-galaxy-nexus-comparison-simulation/
Rattling Nikon MH-18a charger: how to fix/prevent
During my holiday in Thailand, I was silly enough to drop my Nikon MH-18a battery charger on the floor from a height of a metre or so. As soon as I picked it up, I heard a rattle. When I looked inside, this is what I found:
The core of the inductor had broken into several pieces. The pieces are shown here, below the copper coils of the inductor. Even though inductor cores are made from ferrite, a notoriously brittle ceramic, I was pretty disappointed to see that the charger was so fragile. After failing to find any suitable replacement parts, I decided to figure out what it was for.
What is the inductor’s job? (Don’t care? Skip to ‘How to fix to fix the problem.’)
A reverse-engineered schematic of the mains electricity conditioning part of the circuit is shown below, with the broken inductor core depicted in red:
The flyback converter draws pulses of current at a frequency much higher than the 50 or 60 Hz of mains electricity. The two capacitors and inductor combine to form an LC filter, which prevents this high-frequency energy from leaking back into the electricity supply and interfering with other devices.
What effect does the broken core have?
If you plug in the charger while ferrite fragments are still sitting in the box, all sorts of nasty short-circuits could happen.
Even with the inductor effectively absent, the voltage in the two capacitors is still topped up 100 times per second by the mains electricity supply. The flyback converter should therefore have plenty of energy to run the rest of the circuit with, and the battery charger should still function normally. As mentioned in the previous section, the only issue I can identify is that the current waveform being drawn from the electricity supply will be different and noisier, which may cause interference to other devices nearby, or a slight reduction in efficiency.
How to fix the problem
Do not open the charger while it is plugged in, or if it has been plugged in for the past few hours. Capacitors inside the device are charged to potentially lethal voltages during operation, and may maintain this charge after being unplugged. Do not plug the device in unless it has been completely re-assembled, and test it under close observation at first as overheating/fire are possible with any mains electricity device. Do not open the charger if you don’t completely understand all the points mentioned in this box.
Opening up the charger and removing the shattered pieces should remove loose bits of shrapnel that might have caused short circuits, and leave your charger completely functional — the inductor core is completely unnecessary.
To disassemble the charger, simply remove the sticker on the bottom (which is hiding one of the screws) and undo the two screws. The screws are designed to take a funny 6-point star driver, but fortunately a plain small flathead screwdriver did the trick for me.
How to prevent the core from breaking
If you’re very clumsy, or want to cover all your bases, you may wish to open up your charger and preemptively pot (surround) the inductor with epoxy (e.g. Araldite) or similar. Make sure you pay attention to all the notes in the yellow box above, though.
Posted by Robert on August 11, 2011
https://www.rs20.net/w/2011/08/nikon-mh-18a-dropped-how-to-fix-prevent-shattered-inductor-core/