Electronics Now articles from March 1994

Electronics Now archives from March 1994

RF signals deter auto theft. (radio frequency) (What's News)
March 1, 1994... An ignition key with an embedded transponder that emits a unique digital code and a radio-frequency reader on a car's steering column form a new automobile theft deterrent. This vehicle-immobilization system, based on Texas Instruments'...

The dynamics of music and the evolution of audio instrumentation. (Audio Update)
March 1, 1994... As I indicated last month, I didn't find much of interest at the recent Audio Engineering Convention (AES in New York City. But that is more a reflection of my perhaps overly narrow focus on home audio than of the presentations and exhibits at...

Dallas Semiconductor DS1620 demonstration kit. (integrated circuit for temperature measurement and control) (Equipment Reports)
March 1, 1994... A new integrated circuit promises to simplify the task of temperature measurement and control. The DS1620 thermometer/thermostat from Dallas Semiconductor (4401 South Beltwood Parkway, Dallas, TX 75244-3219; 214-450-0448) has both a...

PC-based RF signal generator. (personal computer; radio frequency)
March 1, 1994... A look at the design of a 2-GHz RF signal generator. RF (RADIO FREQUENCY) SIGNAL GENERATORS ARE ESsential equipment for radio-frequency design. The TG2000 described in this article is a PC-based synthesized signal generator. It can also...

Build this distinctive ring decoder. (Distinctive Ringing Decoder)
March 1, 1994... Get the benefits of a second--or third--phone line at a fraction of the cost. IN RECENT YEARS, MANY NEW FEAtures have been added to the telephone system. One of them, a distinctive ringing service, assigns more than one phone number to a...

Upgrade your car stereo.
March 1, 1994... Install a stereo in your car or remove one for servicing. It is easy to do and will save you money if you follow this procedure. IF YOU'VE HELD OFF FROM BUYING the car stereo you always wanted because of the high cost of custom installation...

Power line modem for home control.
March 1, 1994... This power-line modem lets your personal computer send signals over your home's wiring to control lights and appliances. THE PERSONAL COMPUTER MAKES it possible to control just about anything these days--if you have the right hardware and...

The lost art of regeneration. (regenerative receivers)
March 1, 1994... Look again at classic regenerative receivers and their importance in radio history, and build these modernized, transistorized versions IT IS NOT MUCH FUN TO BUILD A MODern superheterodyne radio receiver these days because so much of the...

Audio amplifiers.
March 1, 1994... Learn about the audio amplifiers in stereos, tuners, and tape and CD players, and apply your knowledge to experiments or designs. TRANSISTORS ARE THE KEY COMPOnents in many different kinds of audio preamplifiers, amplifiers, and tone-control...

FM radio data service. (frequency modulation) (Hardware Hacker)
March 1, 1994... Frequency modulation broadcasters are scrambling all over each other to offer a brand new feature called the Radio Broadcast Data Service, or RBDS for short. RBDS sends out short digital messages along with the usual audio program material....

Suites for the sweet? (integrated collection of Windows applications programs)
March 1, 1994... Low cost, high functionality: Those are the watchwords of one of today's fastest growing software categories--the "suite." What's a suite? A more-or-less integrated collection of top-ranked Windows applications programs from one or more vendors....