For DIY IoT setup, we already have guides with IBM Watson IoT. In those guides, we have mentioned an Android App named "HTTP Shortcuts" for making the thing a bit smarter and professional. You'll not need to set up IoT to only locally control a device, for example, a water pump probably does not need control over the internet. In these cases, you only need Wi-Fi. Here is the code snippet for … [Read more...]
Hardware
Detailed article on computer hardware parts like RAM, Motherboard, Processor, Graphics card. Hardware also covers topics on hardware of Server, Single Board Computers like Raspberry Pi to Libre Hardware Projects.
What Are the Problems of Smart Switches and Smart Sockets
Automation does not always need microcontrollers and Wi-Fi. The ICs, transistors and basic sensors can help to automate a lot of things. Smart sockets and smart switches are definitely great tools to control electronics of one house from another house. But, we are a necessity to tell you the potential problems and limitations of smart switches and smart plugs. Smart switches and smart plugs … [Read more...]
What is an Open Source Hardware?
Open Source Hardware is a piece of hardware that is manufactured according to the free blueprints. The movement and idea are close to or goes back to the Free Software, Open Source and DIY movement. Even if "open source hardware" often has a lot in common with open source software, "open hardware" can also take place far away from software technology: For example, the project "Open Source Car" … [Read more...]
ESP32 and Coin Vibrator Motor
Coin vibration motors or small vibration motors can be used for different purposes, such as an alert instead of a beep. A Vibration Motor Module is sold which includes the required resistors and transistors. They cost around $3-$4 per piece. 10mm and 12mm coin vibration motors are also sold as a component. If you are using the module, you can connect : ----------------------- ESP32 |Vibration … [Read more...]
Raspberry Pi Pico vs ESP32
You can get the Raspberry Pi Pico on Amazon for just under $4 plus shipping costs. The much older ESP32 you get in various forms for just under $10. You see, you get the ESP32 for a little more money with additional sensors or a display to display sensor data (or even the IP address of the microcontroller) or a camera. On the Raspberry Pi Pico, there are quite new chip RP2040 installed which was … [Read more...]
How to Make ESP32-CAM IP Camera Access from Anywhere in the World
First and foremost thing to warn - you can not compare the pro-grade IP cameras, something like EZVIZ IP camera with ESP32-CAM IP camera. ESP32-CAM IP camera module is dirt cheap and it is great to increase the number of video capturing devices. I would suggest you have some pro-grade camera to cover the main unsecured points of house/office and use ESP32-CAM IP camera module as an "add-on" to … [Read more...]
How to Test USB to TTL Converter
A USB-to-TTL adapter (USB-to-UART adapter, USB-to-UART bridge) is a USB device that lets us connect a device with TTL/UART port to our PC through the regular USB port. We can use it to update firmware on routers, modems, mobile phones, hard disks, and so on. For testing AT Commands, we need a USB-TTL module built on CP2102 IC. For the sake of proper description, we will describe how to wire The … [Read more...]
How to Use PWM in ESP32
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a widely used technique for power delivery. ESP32 has dedicated hardware for PWM. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) of a signal or power source is a technique in which the duty cycle of a periodic signal (a sinusoidal or a square signal, for example) is modified. The duty cycle of a periodic signal is the relative width of its positive part relative to the period. … [Read more...]
ESP32 IoT Setup For Concealed Conduit Wiring
In this article, we will discuss the electrical wiring required to set up a DIY IoT smart control system to control 8 3W spotlights, one ceiling fan and one Indian jhar bati (chandelier lamp). We have a total 8 number of connections where 8 out of 8 are dimmable and we are using the traditional piano/rocker switches. We have discussed about interfacing the piano/rocker switches with ESP32. We … [Read more...]
How Do I Choose the Best Refrigerator?
Refrigerators are sold since the year 1887. It is an appliance for which, we need to know certain points to select the correct one and enjoy it at least for the next decade. A refrigerator must be repairable by the company and third party with minimum effort from the customer. The gross story of most families on this earth is pretty common : the First generation used a low volume … [Read more...]
How to Make a Non-Contact Voltage Tester
Non-contact voltage contact testers are difficult to classify as a tester because they are not subject to a special standard. Non-contact phase testers use a sensor to detect the electric field strength in the immediate vicinity of the conductor and visually signal via a display. A battery is required for operation. Depending on the sensitivity, the existence of voltage can also be determined even … [Read more...]