In these times with viruses and other threats from the Internet it would be nice to have reassurance that the PC cannot be infected. That is why this circuit was designed. It makes it possible to install multiple hard disks inside the case of a PC, which are separated in such a way that viruses cannot move from one disk to another. In this case there are three drives installed, one for use of the Internet via ADSL, one for working with email and one for other applications.
If data from the Internet never arrives on the third disk, it is effectively protected against viruses. The solution outlined here has been in satisfactory use for a couple of years. There is an additional benefit: if there are ever any problems with the operation of the computer, then it is very easy to change to another hard disk to check if the problem manifests itself there as well. In this case, fault finding can be made much easier. The circuit operates by only switching over the power supply voltages (5 V and 12 V) of the hard disks. The hard disk is out of service without a power supply. This works without a problem with S-ATA disks.
Circuit diagram:
Hard Disk Switch Circuit Diagram
With IDE disks this only works with modern drives. There may only be a combination of hard disks on the relevant port and no CD-ROM, DVD-drive, CD-burner or something similar. The selection of the desired hard disk is done with a rotary switch. This has to be set to the correct position before the computer is switched on. When the power supply is turned on, one of three relays is driven via diode D1, D2 or D3. The relays are provided with a hold circuit via a second diode (D4, D5 and D6). In this way the selected relay remains energised as long as the power supply voltage is present.
After switching on, electrolytic capacitor C1 is charged via R1, so that the common contact of the rotary switch is quickly at 0 V. This prevents an accidental change of hard disk while the computer is in operation. The ADSL modem is powered from the PC. This power supply voltage is only present if hard disk number 2 is selected. This prevents the use of the Internet if one of the other disks is selected.
Author: Uwe Kardel - Copyright: Elektor Electronics Magazine
When turning a computer on and off, various peripherals (such as printers, screen, scanner, etc.) often have to be turned on and off as well. By using the 5-V supply voltage from the USB interface on the PC, all these peripherals can easily be switched on and off at the same time as the PC. This principle can also be used with other appliances that have a USB interface (such as modern TVs and radios). This so-called ‘USB-standby-killer’ can be realized with just 5 components. The USB output voltage provides for the activation of the triac opto-driver (MOC3043) which has zero-crossing detection. This, in turn, drives the TRIAC, type BT126.
Circuit diagram:
USB Operated Home Appliances Circuit Diagram
The circuit shown is used by the author for switching loads with a total power of about 150 W and is protected with a 1-A fuse. The circuit can easily handle much larger loads however. In that case and/or when using a very inductive load a so-called snubber network is required across the triac. The value of the fuse will also need to be changed as appropriate. The circuit can easily be built into a mains multi-way powerboard. Make sure you have good isolation between the USB and mains sections.
Source : www.extremecircuits.net
This circuit was designed to protect a computer monitor from overheating. It is recommended to attach this circuit to power users’ monitors! Most computer monitors of the CRT type fail owing to over-heating. After one or two hours of use, the rear of a monitor may become as hot as 45 degrees C, or 20 degrees above ambient temperature. Most heat comes from the VGA gun drivers, the horizontal circuit, vertical circuit and power supply. The best possible way to extract heat and so prolong monitor life (and save the environment) is to add a brushless fan, which is lighter, energy-wiser and more efficient than a normal fan.
In the diagram, diodes D2, D3 and D4 sense the monitor’s temperature. These diodes have a total negative temperature coefficient of 6 mV per degree Celsius. To eliminate noise, shielded wire should be used for the connection of the temperature sensor to the circuit sensor. The +12-V supply voltage is borrowed from the computer’s power supply. Alternatively, a mains adapter with an output of 12 VDC may be used. C1 and C2 are decoupling capacitors to eliminate the ripple developed by switching or oscillation. R1 provides bias current to D1, a 6-V zener diode acting as a reference on the non-inverting pin of opamp IC2.B.
IC1, a ‘precision shunt regulator’ raises the sensor diodes’ voltage to just over 6 V depending on the adjustment of P1. C4 is the decoupling capacitor with the sensor network. Integrator network R4-C5 provides a delay of about 3 seconds, transforming the on/off output signal of IC2.B into an exponentially decreasing or increasing voltage. This voltage is fed to pin 3 of the second opamp, IC2.A. The hard on/off technique would produce a good amount of noise whenever the load is switched, hence an alternative had to be found. IC3, a TLC555, is used as an astable multivibrator with R5 and C6 controlling the charging network that creates a sawtooth voltage with a frequency of about 170 Hz.
Circuit diagram:
Monitor Life Extender Circuit Diagram
This sawtooth is coupled to pin 2 of IC2.A, which compares the two voltages at its input pins and produces a PWM (pulsewidth modulated) output voltage. The sawtooth wave is essential to the PWM signal fed to power output driver T1 by way of stopper resistor R6. The power FET will switch the fan on and off fan according to the PWM drive signal. The back emf pulses that occur when T1 switches on and off are clamped by a high-speed diode, D7. Initially, turn P1 to maximum resistance.
Blow hot air from a hair dryer onto the sensor-diodes for a minute or so, then get the temperature meter near the sensor diodes and adjust P1 slowly towards the minimum resistance position with a digital meter hooked up on pin 7 of IC2.B. Roughly calibrate the temperature to 40 degrees C. At this temperature, the meter will show approximately 12 V. The circuit will draw about 120 mA from its 12-V supply.
Author: Myo Min - Copyright: Elektor July-August 2004
Life in the 21st century would be almost unbearable without some of the computer peripherals that PC users now look on as essentials - take for example the USB powered teacup warmer; this device is obviously an invaluable productivity tool for all users but it could prove a little tire some if the extra current it draws from the USB port is sufficient to produce a localised meltdown on the motherboard. In a slightly more serious vein a similar situation could result from a carelessly wired connector in the design lab during prototyping and development of a USB ported peripheral. What’s needed here is some form of current limiting or fuse to prevent damage to the motherboard.
The MAX1562 shown in Figure 1 is a purpose-built USB current limiter from the chip manufacturers Maxim. The device operates with a supply voltage from 4.0 to 5.5 V with an operating current of typically 40 µA or 3 µA in standby mode. The circuit introduces a very low resistance in the power line (typically 26 m but guaranteed less than 50 m) from an internal MOSFET. The FET gate bias voltage is generated on-chip from a charge pump circuit.
The chip can distinguish between an overload and a short circuit condition in the supply line by measuring the voltage drop across its internal resistance; if the voltage is less than 1 V a short circuit is assumed and the chip pulses a (limited) output current every 20 ms in an effort to raise the output voltage. This approach will eventually be successful if the short circuit was caused by a large value capacitor across the USB supply pins or an external hard drive which have a high in-rush at start up. If the supply rail is not pulled up within the first 20 ms the FAULT output (pin 2) is driven low. The output current limit is set by a single resistor on pin 4 (ISET): LIM = 17120 / RSET.
The circuit diagram shows a fixed 5.6k resistor in series with a 10k preset giving an adjustable current limit between 1.097 and 3.057 A. This range should be sufficient for the majority of applications. Increasing the preset resistance reduces the current limit level. Any intermittent connection in the preset (caused by a dirty track etc.) will switch the chip into shut down. The MAX1562 also contains a thermal cut out which turns off the output when the chip temperature exceeds 160 degrees C.
Figure 2 shows a diagram of the manufacturer’s application circuit. The FAULT output drives an LED via a series limiting resistor which reduces the LED current to 2 to 3 mA. The MAX1562 is available in a HESA variant (with an active high ON signal) or ESA version (with an active low ON signal). The chip is packaged in an 8-pin SMD outline. Figure 3 shows a small PCB layout for the circuit using mostly SMD components.
COMPONENTS LIST
Resistors
R1 = 5k6 (SMD 1206)
R2 = 1k5 (SMD 1206)
P1 = 10k preset
Capacitors
C1 = 1µF (SMD 1206)
C2 = 4µF7 10 V, tantalum
C3 = 220nF (SMD 1206)
Semiconductors
D1 = LED, low current
IC1 = MAX1562ESA
Author: Andreas Köhler - Copyright: Elektor Electronics
The increased availability of fast ADSL Internet connections has made it more attractive to install a small RJ45 Ethernet network in the home. Not only can you exchange files between computers, you will also have fast Internet access for everybody! This does of course require an ADSL modem with a router. It’s not possible to use a simple USB modem on its own. For laptops we recommend wireless Ethernet connections. If you find the laying of cables too difficult or inconvenient you can also add wireless capabilities to ‘ordinary’ PCs. You should bear in mind that the range of wireless connections could sometimes be disappointing. When a network is set up round a router you should use a star configuration for the cabling. This means that only a single PC is connected to each router socket.
The connecting cable may have a maximum length of 90 m and usually terminates at a connection box. You should use a CAT5 cable with 8 conductors for this, which is suitable for speeds up to 100 Mb/s. The 8 conductors are arranged in 4 pairs, with each pair twisted along the length of the cable. It is extremely important that the wires of each pair are kept together and that they are kept twisted as much as possible. At the connector ends you should therefore make sure that the non-twisted sections of the cable are kept as short as possible, at most a few centimetres. Should you fail to do this you may find that the network won’t operate at the full rated speed or possibly cause interference. The wiring itself is very simple. Connect the plugs to the cables such that each pin connects to the corresponding pin at the other end.
So pin 1 to 1, 2 tot 2 and so on. This also applies to all patch leads between the connection boxes and PCs (or if you prefer, the cable can go directly to the PC, without a connection box). It is only when two computers are connected directly together without a router that a crossover cable is required. The plugs are attached to the cable using a special crimping tool. It is also possible without the tool, using just a screwdriver, but this isn’t easy and we don’t recommend that you try it. The wires in the cable have different colours and there are no official standards in Europe how you use them (EN50173). However, the colour code in the American T568B standard is often used:
The coloured/white wires and the solid coloured wires alternate nicely. For Ethernet cabling you only need connections 1, 2, 3 and 6. The central contacts on pins 4 and 5 are in the middle of the green pair and may be used for analogue telephones. You then have to make sure that 4 and 5 aren’t connected to the Ethernet plugs because the voltages found on analogue telephone lines are high enough to damage an Ethernet card and/or router. Wires 4 and 5 should then be routed to an RJ11 telephone socket. We don’t recommend it, but it is possible. It is also possible to pass ISDN signals through the same RJ45 plugs and cabling. In this case you can’t use the same cable for both Ethernet and ISDN, since the latter uses pins 3/6 and 4/5.
If you use patch cables it helps to keep things organised by using coloured cables. Blue for Ethernet (red for a crossover cable), yellow for analogue telephones and green for ISDN. Sticky labels or coloured cable markers can also be used for identification when you can’t get hold of coloured cables. A new standard has recently been introduced, although you probably won’t use it in the home for a while. Since around two years ago you can also use a GG45 connector, which is compatible with RJ45. This has 4 extra contacts and is suitable for speeds up to 600 Mb/s (Category 7/Class F).
Author: Karel Walraven Copyright: Elektor Electronics
Many modern motherboards are equipped with an infrared data interface compliant with the IrDA standard, but this interface not very often used. However, it is not difficult to build a data transmission module and connect it to the corresponding header. As can readily be seen from the schematic diagram, this doesn’t exactly involve a large array of ICs. This is because transceiver ICs are available for the IrDA standard, so only a few passive components have to be added to obtain an operational circuit. The author has successfully built this circuit many times using the TFDU5102 from Vishay Semiconductors (formerly Telefunken). If this IrDA transceiver is no longer available (it has been officially discontinued), the largely pin- and function-compatible TFDU6102 can be used without any problems.
Circuit diagram :
IrDA Interface Circuit Diagram
This IC is faster and meets the latest IrDA specification. The TFDU6102 low-power receiver IC supports IrDA at data rates up to 4 Mbit/s (FIR), HP-SIR, Sharp ASK, and carrier-based remote control modes up to 2 MHz. The IC contains a photodiode, an infrared emitter and CMOS control logic. The IC also has internal protection against electromagnetic immissions and emissions, so no external screening is necessary. The IC works with a supply voltage of 2.7–5.5 V, so it is suitable for use in desktop PCs, notebooks, palmtops, and PDAs. It is also used in digital still and video cameras, printers, fax machines, copiers, projectors, and many other types of equipment.
PCB Layout
Parts PCB Layout IrDA Interface Circuit Diagram
Parts:
Resistors:
R1 = 7Ω5 (shape 1210)
R2 = 47 Ω (shape 1206)
R3 = 100 k (shape 1206)
Capacitors:
C1 = 100nF (shape 1206)
C2 = 4µF7 (shape 1210)
Semiconductors:
IC1 = TFDU6102TR3 (Vishay) (Farnell)
Miscellaneous:
X1 = 5-way SIL pinheader
The author has designed a printed circuit board for the IrDA module that is only 20 × 20 mm square. Of course, this means that all of the components are SMD types. The TFDU6102 in the ‘babyface’ package is available in upright and flat versions. Here the upright version (suffix ‘TR3’) is used. Thanks to its small size, the assembled circuit board can easily be placed behind a drive bay cover or the like. It is connected to the motherboard by a five-way flat cable. The pin assignments for header X1 must match the mating connector on the motherboard. After you have fitted the module, you may have to edit the BIOS settings to activate the UART for IrDA operation. These settings enable the (Windows) operating system to boot the new device and automatically install it. You may have to briefly insert the Windows CD to modify the settings. There is an abundance of free programs on the Internet that use the IrDA interface.
Source : Author: A. Bitzer Copyright: Elektor Electronics
Downloading and CD-burning programs usually provide the option of automatically shutting down the PC on completion of their tasks. However, this energy-saving feature is of little benefit if even after the PC has been switched off, all of the peripheral equipment remains connected to the mains and happily consumes watt-hours. The circuit shown here provides a solution to this dilemma. It is connected ahead of the power strip and connects or disconnects mains power for all of the equipment via a power relay. A connection to a 12-V PC fan (which may be the processor fan or the fan for the chipset, if the latter is present) indicates whether the PC is switched on.
If you are certain that the 12-V power supply voltage is switched off when the PC is in the sleep mode, you can use this connection instead. To switch everything on, press the Start button to cause the power relay to be energized and provide mains voltage to all of the equipment. If the PC has an ATX board, its Power switch must be pressed at the same time to cause the PC to start up. When the PC fan starts to run, low-power relay Re1 engages and takes over the function of the Start switch, which can then be released. This state is stable. If the PC switches to the sleep state, the 12-V voltage drops out.
The electrolytic capacitor ensures that Re1 remains engaged for a short time, after which it drops out, followed by the power relay. D1 prevents the electrolytic capacitor from discharging through the connected fan, and D2 is the usual freewheeling diode. The system is disconnected from both mains leads and is thus completely de-energized. Be sure to select components that are suitable for their tasks. Naturally, the contacts of Re2 should be rated to handle the total current drawn by all of the peripheral equipment and the PC, and the relay coil must be suitable for use with mains voltage (6 mm minimum separation between coil and contacts).
A low-power 12-V relay that can switch mains voltage is adequate for Re2. The Start pushbutton switch is connected to the mains voltage, so a 230-V type must be used. The circuit board layout and enclosure must also be designed in accordance with safety regulations. A separation of at least 6 mm must be maintained between all components carrying mains voltage and the low-voltage components, and the enclosure must be completely free of risk of electrical shock. With a bit of skill, the circuit can be fitted into a power bar with a built-in switch, if the switch is replaced by a pushbutton switch having the same mounting dimensions.
Note:
Source : www.extremecircuits.net
This simple device allows two computers to share a single USB printer or some other USB device, such as an external flash drive, memory card reader or scanner. A rotary switch selects the PC that you wish to use with the USB device, while two LEDs indicate the selected PC.
The most common way to share a USB printer between two PCs is to use one machine as a print server. However, that’s not always convenient because it means that the server PC must always be on if you want to print something.
Picture of the project:
That can be a real nuisance if you just want to quickly fire up the other machine and print something out. It also means that the two PCs must be networked together, either via a hub/router or directly via an ethernet crossover cable. Another way is to use a dedicated USB print server. However, as before, this must be connected to an ethernet network, along with the PCs. Such devices also need their own power supply, generally cost well over $100 and are overkill if you just want to share a single USB printer between two computers for occasional printing in a home set-up.
Parts layout:
That’s where this simple device comes in. It’s basically a 2-way switch box that lets you manually switch your USB printer from one PC to the other, as required. The switching is performed using a rotary switch, while two LEDs on the front panel indicate which PC has been connected to the printer. This method has several advantages. First, you don’t need to network your two computers. Second, you can print from either machine with the other turned off. And third, the device doesn’t need a power supply.
Circuit diagram:
The circuit uses switch poles S1a-S1c to select either USB socket CON1 or CON2 and connect its pins through to CON3. The fourth pole (S1d) selects either LED1 or LED2, to indicate which PC has been selected.
Source: Silicon Chip14 April 2009
This converter may help if just the serial port on a personal computer is free, whereas the printer needs a parallel (Centronics) port. It converts a serial 2400 baud signal into a parallel signal. The TxD line, pin 3, CTS line, pin 8 and the DSR line, pin 6, of the serial port are used - see diagram. The CTS and DSR signals enable handshaking to be implemented. Since the computer needs real RS232 levels, an adaptation from TTL to RS232 is provided in the converter by a MAX232. This is an integrated level converter that transforms the single +5V supply into a symmetrical ±12V on.
The serial-to-parallel conversion is effected by IC1. This is essentially a programmed PIC controller that produces a Centronics compatible signal from a 2400 baud serial signal (eight data bits, no parity, one stop bit). The IC also generates the requisite control signals. If there is a delay on the Centronics port, the RS232 bitstream from the computer may be stopped via the Flow signal (pin 17). This ensures that no data is lost. The controller needs a 4 MHz ceramic resonator, X1.
Source : www.extremecircuits.net
A portable USB hard drive is a great way to back up data but what if your USB ports are unable to supply enough "juice" to power the drive? A modified version of the Silicon Chip Usb Power Injector is the answer. For some time now, the author has used a portable USB hard drive to back up data at work. As with most such drives, it is powered directly from the USB port, so it doesn’t require an external plug pack supply.
Project's Picture:
In fact, the device is powered from two USB ports, since one port is incapable of supplying sufficient current. That’s done using a special USB cable that’s supplied with the drive. It has two connectors fitted to one end, forming what is basically a "Y" configuration (see photo). One connector is wired for both power and data while the other connector has just the power supply connections. In use, the two connectors are plugged into adjacent USB ports, so that power for the drive is simultaneously sourced from both ports.
USB Cable:
An external USB hard drive is usually powered by plugging two connectors at one end of a special USB cable into adjacent USB ports on the computer. This allows power to be sourced from both ports. According to the USB specification, USB ports are rated to supply up to 500mA at 5V DC, so two connected in parallel should be quite capable of powering a portable USB hard drive – at least in theory.
Complete Project:
Unfortunately, in my case, it didn’t quite work out that way. Although the USB drive worked fine with several work computers, it was a "no-go" on my home machine. Instead, when it was plugged into the front-panel USB ports, the drive repeatedly emitted a distinctive chirping sound as it unsuccessfully tried to spin up. During this process, Windows XP did recognise that a device had been plugged in but that’s as far as it went – it couldn’t identify the device and certainly didn’t recognize the drive. Plugging the drive into the rear-panel ports gave exactly the same result. The problem wasn’t just confined to this particular drive either. A newly-acquired Maxtor OneTouch4 Mini drive also failed to power up correctly on my home computer, despite working perfectly on several work computers.
Circuit diagram:
The revised USB Power Injector is essentially a switch and a 5V regulator. The Vbus supply from USB socket CON1 turns on transistor Q1 which then turns on power Mosfet Q2. This then feeds a 6V DC regulated supply from an external plug pack to regulator REG1 which in turn supplies 5V to USB socket CON2.
Source: Silicon Chip 26 June 2008
