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Contents Vol.31, No.8; August 2018 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Features & Reviews 14 Introduction to Electroencephelographs (EEG) The brain generates tiny electrical signals which can be detected on the scalp – and you can monitor them (yours or someone else’s) to “look inside” your brain waves – by Jim Rowe 28 Taking an Epic Voyage through your Alimentary Canal! There’s been a breakthrough in medical technology recently with miniature cameras built into tiny capsules. Many of them transmit photos and data to health care professionals as they make their journey! – by Dr David Maddison 36 Review: Altium Designer 18 It’s the software we primarily use at SILICON CHIP for both PCB design and circuit development. Recently we upgraded to Altium Designer 18, the new version for 2018 – and there are many worthwhile tweaks – by Nicholas Vinen Constructional Projects 18 Brainwave Monitor – see what’s happening in your brain We put the theory into practice: with this Arduino-based project and a Windows PC you can actually detect and view brainwaves There are even theories that you can use the data to reduce stress and for other self-help – by Jim Rowe 42 Miniature, high performance sound effects module Want to play audio tracks, model train sounds . . . in fact, just about anything? This tiny PCB plays files from a microSD card, up to four at a time. And there’s even an on-board 1.2W amplifier – by Tim Blythman & Nicholas Vinen 66 Turn any PC into a media centre – with remote control! Build this low-cost controller to watch video, music, movies etc on your computer, with the added benefit of infrared remote control using a standard I/R controller (you’ve probably got one lying around!) – by Tim Blythman 76 Bedroom (or any room!) no-connection door alarm Got pesky siblings invading your space? This simple-to-build (and cheap!) alarm simply hangs on the door handle – and if they even touch it, you’ll hear about it! No more sneaking up on you with this one – by John Clarke Your Favourite Columns 57 Serviceman’s Log Roped into fixing a friend’s dishwasher – by Dave Thompson 84 Circuit Notebook (1) GPS or WiFi clock using a PIC and LCD screen (2) 36/48V charger controller for golf carts, ebikes etc (3) Measuring air pollution with an ESP32 module (4) Dual high-power sinewave generator (5) DIY magnetic connectors for batteries, magnetic locks and more 90 Vintage Radio The AWA model B13 Stereogram from 1963 – by Graham Parslow Everything Else! 2 4 71 82 Editorial Viewpoint 96 Ask SILICON CHIP Mailbag – Your Feedback 103 Market Centre Product Showcase 104 Advertising Index SILICON CHIP Online Shop 104 Notes and Errata How are brain waves detected – and what do the squiggly lines mean? Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening in your brain! – Page 14 Swallow a pill, get the pics! A tiny real-time camera in a capsules can now give health-care professionals a “real time” image of your alimentary canal to detect problems – Page 28 Our Arduino-based Brainwave Monitor detects and amplifies the tiny signals in your (or anyone else’s) brain and displays them on a PC screen – Page 18 WOW! What a performer! It’s the best Sound Effects (SFX) board ever published! Reads WAV files from an SD card and gives a huge range of control. And it’s so tiny (just 55 x 24mm) – Page 42 Add Leonardo to your PC and turn it into a “smart” media centre with full infrared remote control – Page 66 One for the kids! If you have a brother or sister who likes to sneak into your room, give them a scare with our Bedroom Door Alarm. All they have to do is touch the doorknob and . . . – Page 76 www.facebook.com/siliconchipmagazine