Contents
Vol.29, No.12; December 2016
SILICON
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Features
14 A Look At Nuclear Submarines
Despite the speed, range and endurance advantages offered by nuclearpowered submarines, Australia has opted to build 12 diesel-electric versions of
a French nuclear sub. So what we are missing out on? – by Dr David Maddison
34 Keep Track Of Anything With TrackR
This little device can be attached to all sorts of things: briefcases, purses,
luggage, pushbikes, cars . . . even pets – by Ross Tester
38 Don’t Let Your Credit Cards Get Skimmed
Thieves don’t even need to get their hands on your credit cards to steal data.
Protect them from skimming with passive or active sleeves – by Ross Tester
A Look At Nuclear Submarines
– Page 14.
40 Altronics: 40 Years And Going Strong
Founded by Jack O’Donnel and headquartered in Perth WA, Altronics is now 40
years old. Here’s how it all started – by Leo Simpson
74 Micromite Plus Advanced Programming, Pt.2
This month, we take a look at how even more advanced GUI controls are built
using screen pages and touch interrupts – by Geoff Graham
Pro jects To Build
24 Automotive Sensor Modifier
Trick your car’s ECU with this unit. It can change the signal response of many of
the car’s sensors to correct air/fuel ratios after engine modifications, prevent turbo boost cuts, alter throttle response or improve driveability – by John Clarke
Easy-To-Build Automotive
Sensor Modifier – Page 24.
44 Arduino-Based Digital Theremin
This experimenter’s mini-Theremin is based on an Arduino Uno and an ultrasonic sensor, so it’s cheap and easy to build. And when you’ve finished playing
games, you can use the Arduino Uno in other projects – by Bao Smith
64 Voltage/Current Reference With Touchscreen, Pt.2
Second article describes the assembly and and provides all the testing and
operation instructions – by Nicholas Vinen
82 Using An Ultrasonic Sensor Module As A Door Sentry
Cheap, prebuilt Asian electronics modules are now readily available. This month,
we look at the HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance sensor, describe how it works and
show how it can be used as a door sentry – by Jim Rowe
Special Columns
Arduino-Based
Digital Theremin – Page 44.
58 Serviceman’s Log
Two crook MacBook Pro laptops – by Dave Thompson
86 Circuit Notebook
(1) PWM-Based Temperature-Controlled Fan; (2) Automatic Speaker Switching
Between Two Power Amplifiers; (3) WiFi Christmas Light Controller; (4) Level
Shifter/Inverter For Back-EMF Sensing
92 Vintage Radio
Grundig’s 1958 Taschen-Transistor-Boy 58 – by Ian Batty
Departments
2 Publisher’s Letter 98
4
Mailbag
103
siliconchip.com.au
57 Product Showcase
104
96 SC Online Shop
104
Ask Silicon Chip
Market Centre
Advertising Index
Notes & Errata
Touchscreen-Controlled Voltage/
Current Reference, Pt.2 – Page 64
December 2016 1
