August 2026

USB-C Power Monitoring (Part 1)

USB-C power ports are now seen on all modern rechargeable devices, everything from tiny earpods to powerful laptops. This in-depth feature examines the technology and terminology behind the latest iteration of this form of universal power supply, including Power Delivery (PD) features that enhance charging rates for compatible devices and USB-C leads.

USB-C Power Monitor (Part 1)

Continuing this month’s theme of USB-C power technology, this project is a very versatile ‘intelligent’ monitor that provides a readout of current, voltage, power, energy and elapsed time of USB-C charging rails. The compact design is based on a PIC microcontroller which drives a 0.9” OLED digital display. It is self-contained, powered by an internal rechargeable lithium battery. Constructional details follow in Part 2 next month.

Teach-In 2026: World of Wireless
An Introduction to Radio and Wireless Technology
Part 12:10: Short-range RF devices

Our tutorial series covering the world of radio frequency applications looks into how short-range wireless technologies are being adopted to transmit data from remote sensors or between distributed locations. Such inexpensive wireless systems eliminate the need for physical wiring, providing fast and reliable communication between distant devices, as this month’s article explains. The constructional project this month is a simple RF relative field strength indicator.

RP2350B Computer

This milestone project is an improved version of the Pico 2 Computer and requires almost no soldering at all. It has more I/O pins and a much improved stereo audio output. It forms a low-cost, compact boot-to-BASIC single board computer supporting USB keyboard, mouse and game controllers as well as DVI/HDMI video. A microSD slot offers external storage. Using this self-contained computer you can have fun coding your own programs, designing games, learning, teaching and utilising the latest version of this single-board computer.  The RP2350B can also be embedded into other systems as the heart of a powerful controller. The article contains all the necessary theory and constructional details for you to build with confidence.

The Fox Report: Manhattan TV SR-4 Freesat Receiver

Barry Fox reviews and wholeheartedly recommends the latest British-designed Freesat TV receiver, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder from Manhattan TV Ltd.

Circuit Surgery
Measuring circuit frequency response using a PC sound card
Part 11: anti-aliasing & reconstruction filter circuits

This advanced, in-depth primer turns its attention this month to the topic of multi-pole active filters using op amps. These are handy for reconstruction filters but have many other uses too. The article includes LTSpice simulations demonstrating the theory.

Weird & Wonderful Arduino projects
Part 20: pogo pins and pixel grins

Max gets to grips (literally) with the mechanics for making a jig to clamp down prototyping boards. Then attention turns to assembling the VFD-based countdown clock, piece by piece.

Power Electronics
Part 5: power factor correction and EMI filtering

Our series investigating electricity distribution and applications continues this month with suggestions for active techniques to optimise the power factor. The use of power factor correction and suppression capacitors is also examined.

Audio Out
All-pass filters (Part 5)
Phase Linear crossover and more!

The last part of our analogue audio expert’s series on all-pass filters rounds off with an accomplished practical design of an adjustable all-pass filter using an 8-gang potentiometer. The hardware construction and ‘metal bashing’ are included in an article that will certain appeal to those who enjoy more traditional constructional techniques.

Techno Talk

Max contrasts vivid memories of 1960s childhood visits to his GP with the state of the art of modern medical technologies. He highlights how life at the modern ‘edge’ (of network computing) could draw on and exploit 50-year old ideas.

Next month

Home Automation Satellite – setting up a HomeAssist hub; ‘Mic’ the Mouse novelty project; Ducted Heat Transfer Controller.