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October 18, 2026
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STEM Lab covers STEM education, youth robotics, classroom technology, competitions, learning tools, and engineering literacy, with attention to safety, cost, reliability, and real-world teaching constraints.

PCF8574 Inputs: Write High First, Then Read the Port
STEM Lab

PCF8574 Inputs: Write High First, Then Read the Port

September 28, 2026September 28, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

PCF8574 pins have no direction register. A pin becomes usable as an input when its output latch holds 1, and a port read also clears its interrupt condition.

PCF8574 Inputs: Write High First, Then Read the Port Read More
MCP23017 Interrupts: Read INTF Before INTCAP Clears the Event
STEM Lab

MCP23017 Interrupts: Read INTF Before INTCAP Clears the Event

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

MCP23017 interrupt service is mostly a register-order problem: find the flagged pin in INTF before reading INTCAP or GPIO clears the condition.

MCP23017 Interrupts: Read INTF Before INTCAP Clears the Event Read More
HC-SR04 Echo Is 5 V: Divide It Before a 3.3 V GPIO
STEM Lab

HC-SR04 Echo Is 5 V: Divide It Before a 3.3 V GPIO

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

The HC-SR04 can accept a 3.3 V trigger, but its Echo output is 5 V logic. Two 10 kΩ resistors make the basic interface safe and predictable.

HC-SR04 Echo Is 5 V: Divide It Before a 3.3 V GPIO Read More
Choose the ACS72981 Range Before You Wire Its ADC Output
STEM Lab

Choose the ACS72981 Range Before You Wire Its ADC Output

September 26, 2026September 26, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

The ACS72981 carrier’s direction, supply and current range determine zero-current voltage, sensitivity and how much of an ADC’s input span is actually usable.

Choose the ACS72981 Range Before You Wire Its ADC Output Read More
3D-Printer Speed Is Capped by Volumetric Flow, Not the Headline Number
STEM Lab

3D-Printer Speed Is Capped by Volumetric Flow, Not the Headline Number

September 26, 2026September 26, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

Convert a hotend’s mm³/s limit into a realistic motion speed using extrusion cross-section, then verify which slicer limit is actually active.

3D-Printer Speed Is Capped by Volumetric Flow, Not the Headline Number Read More
5 V UART Into a 3.3 V MCU? Shift the Receive Path, Then Check the Return
STEM Lab

5 V UART Into a 3.3 V MCU? Shift the Receive Path, Then Check the Return

September 25, 2026September 25, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

A 5 V UART TX can overstress a 3.3 V-only RX input. Translate each direction from the receiving pin’s limits, then verify thresholds and edge shape.

5 V UART Into a 3.3 V MCU? Shift the Receive Path, Then Check the Return Read More
USB-C Board Works With A-to-C but Not C-to-C? Check Both CC Pull-Downs
STEM Lab

USB-C Board Works With A-to-C but Not C-to-C? Check Both CC Pull-Downs

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

A USB-powered board can work through an A-to-C cable yet stay dead on a C-to-C supply when its receptacle lacks the required Rd pull-down on both CC1 and CC2.

USB-C Board Works With A-to-C but Not C-to-C? Check Both CC Pull-Downs Read More
Raspberry Pi Debug Probe: Use UART for Logs and SWD for Halt-and-Step Debugging
STEM Lab

Raspberry Pi Debug Probe: Use UART for Logs and SWD for Halt-and-Step Debugging

September 23, 2026September 23, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

The Raspberry Pi Debug Probe exposes separate UART and SWD paths. UART shows serial output; SWD plus OpenOCD and GDB can halt, inspect, step and program an Arm target.

Raspberry Pi Debug Probe: Use UART for Logs and SWD for Halt-and-Step Debugging Read More
TCA9548A Channel Selection: One Control Byte Is the Difference Between Sensors
STEM Lab

TCA9548A Channel Selection: One Control Byte Is the Difference Between Sensors

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

A TCA9548A does not renumber identical I²C sensors. Its control byte connects selected downstream branches, and reset returns every channel to off.

TCA9548A Channel Selection: One Control Byte Is the Difference Between Sensors Read More
BMP390 Altitude Drift: Calibrate Sea-Level Pressure Before Blaming the Sensor
STEM Lab

BMP390 Altitude Drift: Calibrate Sea-Level Pressure Before Blaming the Sensor

September 22, 2026September 22, 2026 - by TVG Editorial Team - Leave a Comment

BMP390 altitude is calculated from a pressure ratio, so a stale sea-level reference can move the reported height while the raw sensor pressure remains stable.

BMP390 Altitude Drift: Calibrate Sea-Level Pressure Before Blaming the Sensor Read More

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TVG Report review-policy graphic explaining supplied products, independent conclusions, and verified results

Wonder whether a supplied review unit changes the verdict? You're right to ask. TVG Report discloses supplied products, keeps conclusions independent, and separates manufacturer claims from verified results. Our review policy: #ProductReviews

Sep 18, 2026 · 10:03 AM PT

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TVG Report infographic over a 3D-printing workbench highlighting first-layer, profile, and fit checks before adjusting and reprinting

You can lose an evening to a drifting first layer, a bad profile, or a part that prints cleanly and still does not fit. TVG Report looks past headline speeds to the checks, tradeoffs, and repair paths makers actually need. #3DPrinting

Sep 17, 2026 · 10:18 AM PT

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DS18B20 debugging infographic showing the 85.0°C power-on value, a three-wire probe, and checks for conversion, CRC, and power

A DS18B20 at exactly 85°C may be power-on data—not heat. Trust it after conversion completes and CRC passes. Our guide maps power mode and w1_therm checks.

Sep 16, 2026 · 3:54 PM PT

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