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The datasheet of this flash module lists that Pin 16 should not be connected (N.C.), but the board being examined has a connection on this pin.

The Voltage Mismatch Problem      I²C looks deceptively simple: two wires (SDA and SCL), lots of devices, and everything “just works.” But the trouble starts when devices don’t agree on voltage. Most modern microcontrollers run at 3.3 V Many sensors, displays, and older peripherals still run at 5 V If you directly connect them:…

According to Texas Instruments, this calculator was designed to use a Zilog Z80 MCU operating at 6 MHz, but upon inspection, I find that the device was actually using a custom ASIC marked ‘INVENTEC 6SI837 0A JAPAN 0209EAI’.

When we talk about electricity, there are a few key units of measurement that we use to describe how it flows and how it is used. These units are voltage, current, and resistance. Let’s take a closer look at each of these…

Retro-Electro is a long-form article series for Digikey’s magazine ‘We Get Technical.’ Each of these will have stories you’ve never heard before. Builder of Tomorrow: Reginald Fessenden’s Legacy in Radio and Beyond At the dawn of the twentieth century, amid a whirlwind of invention and rivalry, Reginald Fessenden emerged as a visionary who dared to…

The ATtiny1614 is a microcontroller that has been designed to help people bring their ideas to life. It’s a member of the tinyAVR 1-series and packs a punch with its advanced features and capabilities. With a clock speed of up to 20 MHz, 16 KB of Flash memory, 2 KB of SRAM, and 256 bytes of EEPROM, this little chip…

December 16, 2025/David Ray/Article One simple trick that will save you a lot of time when routing your traces. The ‘F’ and ‘D’ key combination is great for productivity. Use ‘F’ To Auto Complete Your Trace Here’s a quick KiCAD trick to save you time when routing your traces. Use the ‘F’ key to autocomplete…

Gerber files are like a recipe for making printed circuit boards (PCBs). They provide manufacturers with a map of each PCB layer, including copper placement, hole drilling, and board shape. People create these files inside the PCB design software and send them to the board fabricator.

December 5, 2025/David Ray/Electronics & KiCAD Tips Circuit Board Design is easier now than it has ever been. KiCAD has really democratized the industry and is actively creating a renaissance of electronic hardware. Visit www.KiCAD.org In your Browser The KiCAD software is a free and open-source Electronic Design Automation package. Sometimes people ask how they…