Robert S. Villanucci, professor, holds an
A.Eng. from Wentworth Inst., Boston, Mass.,
BSET from Northeastern Univ., and an MSEE
from Tufts Univ., Medford, Mass. Email address: villanuccir@wit.edu
3 results found for Robert S. Villanucci, displaying items 1 - 3
August 14, 2008[Ideas For Design] Some Basic Math Creates A Low-Cost Nonlinear Thermocouple Interface
Measurement and process control loops often use 8-bit microcontrollers. The devices are inexpensive and widely available, and they can be programmed in many popular high-level languages—like C and Basic. However, if the loop requires a nonlinear sensor, the designer faces the added challenge of having to develop a software linearization algorithm. One solution is to design hardware to perform the required curve fitting before the sensor’s output...
May 8, 2008[Ideas For Design] "Intelligent NiCd Charger Avoids Battery Damage From High Currents
Care must be exercised when you try to “quickly” charge a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) cell or battery pack at a current density that approaches or exceeds one-third of its capacity (C/3). As the battery becomes fully charged, the high charging current raises both the internal cell pressure and temperature, which can quickly degrade the battery or destroy it. One way to avoid damage is to monitor the differential temperature (TDIFF) between the...
February 28, 2008[Ideas For Design] Interfacing Linear Sensors To An ADC Requires Only Basic Math
Adding “intelligence” to measurement systems has become commonplace because 8-bit microcontrollers are inexpensive and widely available, and they can be programmed in many of today’s popular higher-level languages (e.g., C and Basic). Often, the main challenge is signal- conditioning the sensor’s output into a signal-ended voltage that can fully exploit the input span of the microcontroller’s analog-to-digital converter (ADC). By using basic math and a...
