Circuit Cellar Online -This Month

THE MAGAZINE FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS Circuit Cellar Online offers articles illustrating creative solutions and unique applications through complete projects, practical tutorials, and useful design techniques.

	THE FUTURE IS NOW
		Wireless Internet-Based Remote Control Using a Pager Interface by Bob Brown In this article, Bob describes a simple manner of remote control using some technologies that are time-tested, stable, inexpensive, and do not require that your house be wired to the Internet. Motorola's FLEX Stack and CreataLink receiver make it possible for your weekend retreat to be ready for your arrival with home control through the use of alphanumeric pagers. What was once thought of as futuristic is right here and now. July 2001
	WHICH EMBEDDED IDE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
		by Geoff Revill The embedded marketplace is changing rapidly. This growth poses a new challenge for embedded designers. IDEs help to increase productivity by integrating best-in-class, scalable tools that fit across the various stages of the development process. This month, Geoff takes us through four routes to buying by categorizing the different types of decision-makers. In the end, you'll walk away with the knowledge to determine the best IDE to suit your needs. July 2001
	FINE TUNING AN EMBEDDED IDEA
		Part 1: The Land of BL2000 by Fred Eady As article submission deadlines loomed, Fred needed an idea and he needed it fast. When he began to pluck the strings of his bass guitar, inspiration hit. Z-World's BL2000, a member of the Wildcat series, would be the next Circuit Cellar Online subject for him to explore. He's done his time with Rabbits, so cats are the next item in his wild-kingdom adventure. July 2001
	AN ELECTRONIC LITESHOW DISPLAY
		Part 2: Controlling the Lights with Software by James Antonakos This month, James moves from the hardware details to software in the second part of his series. There are still 384 lamps, all individually controlled by only three signals from the printer port, but now you can start thinking about the applications, like Ping-Pong games, a mouse maze, simple animated scenes, fireworks, or a holiday tree with blinking lights. A bit of imagination is the last ingredient in the LiteShow recipe. July 2001
	SPECIAL FEATURE • TAKE MY COMPUTER, PLEASE!
		Part 4: Is the Pen Mightier than the Sword? by Steve Ciarcia Way back at the dawn of the microcomputer age, Steve Ciarcia was blazing a trail (sometimes literally) through the hardware and software issues of the era. At the request of many of our readers, we've brought back a series of articles, written by Steve, chronicling the design adventures of those early days in the Circuit Cellar. This month, it's chapter one from Take My Computer, Please! July 2001
	CONNECTING THE DOTS
		by George Martin Working with Board-to-Board Connectors Don't be afraid to get creative with your daughterboard connector selections. This month, George takes us down a number of paths for adding a daughterboard to your design. The classic solution: chassis with backplane. With several manufacturers, good pricing, and availability, the moral of the story is to move with no fear in making that connection. July 2001
	YOU SAY TOMATO
		by Tom Cantrell What's the difference between a mini-van and an SUV? Is it what's under the hood, or is it in the marketing? Tom tackles the distinction between DSPs and micros this month and shows us that the line is blurring between the two. Labels are inevitably misused and there are pure DSPs and MCUs, but hybrids are now commonplace. If Cadillac can make an SUV, why can't chip manufacturers follow suit? July 2001
	ASK US
		Got Questions? Want Answers? ASK US Browse Q&As from other engineers or submit your tough technical questions to the ASK US team and let us help keep your project on track or simplify your design decision.
	WHAT'S YOUR ENGINEERING QUOTIENT?
		Test Your EQ presents some basic engineering problems for you to test your engineering quotient. Problem 1—Why is aluminum the preferred material for heatsinks? Problem 2—What is the difference between the Discrete Fourier Transform and the Discrete Cosine Transform, and why is the latter preferred for compression algorithms? . The rest of this month's questions
	RESOURCE LINKS
		Each month Circuit Cellar's Resource Links provide helpful links and information on a variety of featured topics. Ultrasonic Ranging by Rick Prescott CDR and CDRW by Brant Schroeder Peripheral Component Interconnect by Brant Schroeder
	NEW PRODUCT NEWS—edited by Rick Prescott
		Programmable Pressure Sensors Core Modules with Ethernet Color Megapixel Camera Shutter Assembly Two-Channel PCI Bus Serial Comm Card RS-232-to-USB Converter Single Board Computer New Product submissions may be sent to Rick Prescott 4 Park St. Vernon, CT 06066
	PRIORITY INTERRUPT
		An Embedded Future by Steve Ciarcia Read Steve Ciarcia's latest editorial exclusively presented by AVNET. July 2001
	CIRCUIT CELLAR's Print Magazine
		Take advantage of more than 12 years of engineering editorial experience with Circuit Cellar's print magazine! Full of unique, application-oriented articles. Come see what's in this month's publication! July 2001
	COPYRIGHT
		CIRCUIT CELLAR� Online, (ISSN 1527-8131) and Circuit Cellar are published monthly by Circuit Cellar Incorporated, 4 Park Street, Suite 20, Vernon, CT 06066 (860) 875-2751. Entire contents copyright � 2001 by Circuit Cellar Incorporated and eChips, Inc. All rights reserved. Circuit Cellar and Circuit Cellar INK are the registered trademarks of Circuit Cellar Inc. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without written consent from Circuit Cellar Inc. is prohibited. Disclaimer