TinyBlueX - A Low Power Bluetooth Arduino Board

The TinyBlueX is a Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled microcontroller module that combines an ATtiny85 microcontroller and CC254x Bluetooth Low Energy chip. The TinyBlueX is compatible with the Arduino platform (IDE) and the BLExAR iOS Arduino app. The TinyBlueX is very low power and has a low profile, which makes it great for very low power internet of things (IoT) applications with analog and digital sensors. The TinyBlueX can read sensors and transmit the data back to an iOS device, while also being able to read iOS commands and control LEDs, indicators, and motors. Pins 2,3,7 are available on the ATtiny85 aboard the TinyBlueX, allowing users to control/read up to 3 different devices or sensors. In this tutorial series, the TinyBlueX will be explored by instructing users on how to upload code to the module, how to control LEDs, and how to send data back to an iOS device using the BLExAR app.

PCB Design and Fabrication with NextPCB

The printed circuit board (PCB) is at the center of nearly all electronics products in the 20th century. PCBs originally consisted of wires placed along paths connecting a series of components on a rigid board — these were deemed printed wiring boards. Eventually, the printed wiring board morphed into the circuit boards with conducting strips etched into multi-layer boards that we see on PCBs today. The PCB industry is associated with nearly $1 trillion in sales of electronics each year [read more at: "Printed circuit board industry"]. Thus, it is important for engineers to know at least the basics of PCB design, even if the manufacturing is outsourced to companies. In this tutorial, we will introduce the design of a simple PCB and the process required to get the PCB manufactured by a company called NextPCB. Their process is simple and easy, and even allows the engineer to view their design on their online gerber file viewer.