HackerBox 0131: Amberjack

Welcome to HackerBox 0131. Assemble a two-dimensional 9x9 matrix of 81 LEDs. Driven by two traditional LED chaser circuits arranged to control the vertical and horizontal axes of the 9x9 matrix, the LEDs exhibit vibrant cycles of oscillatory illumination under the control of two potentiometers. Configure the ESP32-2432S028R development platform, better known as the CYD, along with a custom laser cut acrylic enclosure. Connect a tablet speaker to an audio plug on the CYD to implement a graphical piano instrument and a colorful Tetris game. Wire an 8x8 addressable RGB LED matrix to one of the CYD I/O sockets to create a variety of visual effects using the vibrant touch screen user interface. Explore a wide variety of other CYD projects. Experiment with kneadable art erasers for holding components in place while soldering. Peek behind the curtain of international trade and the economics of loudspeaker technology including the fascinating connections between JBL, Harman/Kardon, Polk Audio, Marantz, and several other well known speaker companies. Hack the Planet!

There is a wealth of information for current and prospective members in the HackerBoxes FAQ. Almost all of the non-technical support emails that we receive are already answered there, so we'd really appreciate it if you can take a few minutes to read the FAQ.

This Instructable contains information for getting started with HackerBox 0131. The full box contents are listed on the product page for HackerBox 0131 where the box is also available for purchase while supplies last. If you would like to automatically receive a HackerBox like this right in your mailbox each month, you can subscribe at HackerBoxes.com and join the party. Subscription members save at least $15 every month and automatically receive each new HackerBox shipped immediately off the production line.

A soldering iron, solder, and basic assembly tools are generally needed to work on the monthly HackerBox. A computer for running software tools is also required. Have a look at the HackerBox Workshops for tools and supplies along with a wide array of introductory activities and experiments.

The most import thing you will need is a sense of adventure, hacker spirit, patience, and curiosity. Building and experimenting with electronics, while very rewarding, can be tricky, challenging, and even frustrating at times. The goal is progress, not perfection. When you persist and enjoy the adventure, a great deal of satisfaction can be derived from this hobby. Take each step slowly, mind the details, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN SOLDERING, WHEN TRIMMING WIRE LEADS, OR WHEN CUTTING, DRILLING, ETC.

Cobrastyle is da BOM...

The smaller circuit in the upper right corner of the image above is a fairly common project encountered during early days in the electronics hobby. The circuit is typically called an LED Chaser but is also known by some other entertaining monikers. The two-dimensional LED chaser featured here is basically two simple LED chasers arranged to control the vertical and horizontal lines into a two-dimensional matrix of LEDs as shown in the larger circuit diagram. Jamie, of Jamie's Hack Shack fame, vibed up this very cool online simulator for the 2-D LED Chaser.

SIMPLE (1-D) LED CHASER THEORY OF OPERATION

The 555 timer is configured as an astable multivibrator to produce trigger pulses with a specific frequency. The variable resistor serves to adjust that trigger frequency. The CD4017 counter chip then drives the ten LEDs via its counter output, which is based on the input trigger frequency.

ASSEMBLY

Placement of the components is fairly straightforward and provides for a rewarding solder skills practice session. Here are a handful of tips to review in order to avoid possible errors:

1. Resistors: Place the three different resistor values into their correct positions as indicated on the PCB silkscreen markings. Resistors can be inserted in either direction.
2. Capacitors: The three electrolytic capacitors (C1, C3, C5) are polarized and much be inserted with negative lead into the side illustrated on the PCB silkscreen with a hash-mark pattern while the positive lead must be inserted into the square solder pad. The three non-polarized capcitors may be inserted in either direction.
3. Transistors: When viewed from above, a TO-92 transistor has a "D shape" with a flat side and a rounded side. The PCB silkscreen as a similar D shape for each of the transistors. Each device needs to be inserted with the component shape matching the PCB markings.
4. LEDs: Each LED must be inserted with the long lead into the square hole marked with a "+" symbol on the PCB silkscreen.
5. Integrated Circuits: Insert the four DIP sockets, matching the orienting notch on one end of each socket to the same end notch on the PCB silkscreen. Solder those four DIP sockets into place. Inset the four chips into the respective sockets, matching the pin orienting notches (or chip one indicator dimples/dots) closest to the end notched on the sockets. Be careful not to bend any of the chip leads.

Better known as the CYD, the ESP32-2432S028R development platform features an ESP-WROOM-32 Dual Core MCU paired with a 320 x 240 full-color 2.8 inch touchscreen display. The ESP32 features a 240MHz Clock, 4MB Flash, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth Wireless.

When the board is first plugged into USB power, a demonstration of various user interface elements is presented on the touchscreen display.

Assemble the Laser Cut Acrylic Enclosure

1. Each acrylic panel as a protective frosted clear film on both sides (four sheets total)
2. The protective film should be removed (unless you like the frosted effect)
3. Put the acrylic with screen cutout over the screen with the notch lined up over R21
4. Place four longer (9mm) screws trough the front of the acrylic and through the PCB
5. Gently tighten the brass standoffs onto the back of the PCB
6. Position the second piece of acrylic onto the backside of the PCB
7. Line up the openings with the buttons and ports
8. Place the four shorter screws (7mm) through the back of the stack
9. Tighten the screws gently into the brass standoffs

Brian Lough created a CYD github repo. Visit the Setup and Configuration portion of that repo for details on setting up the Arduino IDE for use with the CYD and for configuring the TFT_eSPI library.

Also install the XPT2046_Touchscreen library by PaulStoffregen using the IDE's Library Manager

Connect the Tablet Speaker's JST lead to the two pin speaker plug on the rear of the CYD.

Download the attached CYD_Piano.ino sketch.

Compile and upload the sketch to the "ESP32 Dev Module" as discussed in the Setup and Config linked above.

Next, download the attached CYD_Tetris.ino sketch.

Again, compile and upload the sketch to the CYD.

These are both fun demos that only require the touchscreen and speaker peripherals.

Cut the male end off of the four Pin Male JST to Female JST Cable to create a female pigtail.

Plug the female pigtail into the CN1 connector on the rear of the CYD.

Follow the wires to the markings on the CYD for pins [GND, GPIO 22, GPIO 27, 3V3]

We will not be using the GPIO 22 wire.

Strip a few mm of insulation from the end of the other three wires.

Locate the solder pads on the rear of the 8x8 LED matrix that include an IN pin (not an OUT pin)

Solder three stripped wire ends like so:

1. V- to GND
2. IN to GPIO 27
3. V+ to 3V3
4. NC to GPIO 22

Note that the wire colors do not matter. It is the corresponding pin labels that matter. The colors likely match those in the image, but they may not. That is fine as long as the PCB markings match up correctly on both ends.

Download the attached CYD_8x8_LED.ino sketch.

Compile and upload the sketch to the CYD.

The Sensor Module is capable of measuring Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity

The module features two sensors AHT20 and BMP280 on the same I2C bus, but responding to two different I2C address. Here are the details:

AHT20 Temperature & Humidity Sensor

1. Temperature Range: -40 - 85 °C
2. Temperature Accuracy: ±0.3 °C
3. Humidity Range: 0 - 100 %RH
4. Humidity Accuracy: ±2 %RH
5. I2C Address: 0x38

BMP280 Pressure Sensor

1. Pressure Range: 300 - 1100 hPa
2. Pressure Accuracy: ±0.12 hPa
3. I2C Address: 0x77

Wire Sensor Module to CYD

Solder the sensor module's four pin header to the module's PCB.

Using the four Pin JST to DuPont Cable, wire the module up to the CN1 connector of the CYD like so:

1. VDD to 3V3
2. SDA to GPIO 27
3. GND to GND
4. SCL to GPIO 22

Firmware

Download the attached CYD_Sensors.ino sketch.

Using the Arduino IDE Library Manager, search for, and install two libraries:

1. Adafruit AHTXO
2. Adafruit BMP280

Compile and upload the sketch to the CYD.

Today's hackosphere is rife with an ever-increasing array of CYD projects to experiment with. Look here, or here, or do a quick web search. Here are a handful of very cool looking examples to start with...

1. Application Launcher
2. Micro Radar Flight Tracker
3. Virtual Sandbox IDE
4. Keywords Include: help, info, mem
5. wifi, ip, setup, cls, loop, stop, reboot
6. pinMode, dwrite, dread, aread, awrite
7. delay, millis, if, else, while, set, math, print
8. SquachWatch-CYD is an open-source surveillance detector.
9. ESP32 as counter-surveillance platform (DEF CON 34 Video)
10. Ham Clock Dashboard

We were first introduced to the nice trick of holding solder work with reusable adhesive putty (aka Blue Tack) about six years ago by MG in this video. That was while we were all working on DemonSeed assembly for HackerBox 0056. Two years ago, we included a big pack of white tack reusable adhesive putty in HackerBox 108. This sort of reusable adhesive tack is a versatile tool including its increasingly well know use of holding components, SMT parts, or clumsy connectors for soldering.

At DEF CON 34, Willie (featured here sporting multiple pieces of HackerBox schwaaaag) was experimenting with Kneadable Art Erasers in the HHV/SSV for holding components while soldering. He gave us some samples and indicated that they do, in fact, appear to melt/burn less readily than the traditional adhesive putty. We quickly snatched up huge order of kneadable erasers for all HackerBoxers around the world to experiment with as a component holders for soldering. Also, they can be just use as erasers. Imagine that?

Sidney Mortimer Harman was a truly astounding engineer, businessman, manager, and philanthropist active in electronics, education, government, industry, and publishing. Harman made “high-fidelity sound part of American life". His career highlights include: co-founder, CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Harman/Kardon, Inc, President of World Friends College, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce, Fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, board member of the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies, Isaias W. Hellman Professor of Polymathy at University of Southern California executive board chairman of Business Executives for National Security, member of the Council on Foreign Relations and CFO-owner of the Newsweek Daily Beast Co.

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