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TOOLS for THOSE...
Tools for those like me with the ability to learn but not the knowledge in a desired field of study.
My lack of knowledge in the field of electronic circuit building is what I will have to work on soon. If you are like me, disabled, it is not an easy chalenge but thanks to the internet, we can fill in the theory.
But what about practice or should I say guided practice for actual circuit building and testing. Last Xmas, my daughter who knows what my hobbies are gave me a small electronic circuit building kit. I have shown it to my friend who is very knowledgeable in electronic design and service and ten minutes later he was on Ebay buying one like it.
The kit is from Thames & Kosmos, Microcontroller computer system engineering kit. The microcontroller is an ATtiny2313, manufactured by Atmel. Not too expensive and all sits in a nice little case.
If you know other useful tools and like to share, be my guest.
Take care all,
Michel
My lack of knowledge in the field of electronic circuit building is what I will have to work on soon. If you are like me, disabled, it is not an easy chalenge but thanks to the internet, we can fill in the theory.
But what about practice or should I say guided practice for actual circuit building and testing. Last Xmas, my daughter who knows what my hobbies are gave me a small electronic circuit building kit. I have shown it to my friend who is very knowledgeable in electronic design and service and ten minutes later he was on Ebay buying one like it.
The kit is from Thames & Kosmos, Microcontroller computer system engineering kit. The microcontroller is an ATtiny2313, manufactured by Atmel. Not too expensive and all sits in a nice little case.
Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontrollers small, self-contained computers are the brains inside dozens of the devices and appliances in your home. Microwaves, washing machines, telephones, and stereos all have microcontrollers inside them. A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-microchip, and includes a processor, memory for storing data, timers, and ports for connecting to other components. As our everyday devices become increasingly smart with embedded technology, microcontrollers are becoming more and more important.
This kit introduces you to microcontrollers, sensors, and programming through 100 experiments. Build devices that use sensors to monitor and record data, and use the data to control motors, buzzers, lights, and a digital display. Write programs to control the devices you build. For example, you can build a light meter using a light dependent resistor and record the light levels in a room over a 12 hour period. Or measure and record the temperature outside with a temperature sensor, then graph the results. The number of possible experiments is infinite.
First, assemble a circuit and write a program, following the detailed instructions in the manual. Then, upload the program to the microcontroller using an infrared interface. The program tells the microcontroller how to perform your experiment and store the data. Finally, the data stored in the microcontroller can be downloaded to the computer using the infrared interface.
The 100-page, full-color experiment manual guides your circuit assemblies and programming. Ages 12 and up.
learn how computers and programs work
assemble circuits and write programs
design your own circuits and programs
conduct experiments with light, heat and sound sensors
store your work in a sleek, portable case
use your devices to collect many types of data for other science experiments
Software System Requirements
PC with Microsoftฎ Windowsฎ 98, 2000 or XP operating system
Minimum 64 MB of RAM
Minimum 5 MB of free hard disk space
Available 9-pin serial (COM) or USB port
CD-ROM drive
Power Supply Requirements
Requires one 9-Volt Battery (not included) or a standard Power Adapter (not included). Adapter specifications: DC 9-Volt output, barrel connector with out diameter of 5.5 mm and inner diameter of 2.5 mm, positive pole on outside, negative pole on inside. Do not use a "switch-mode" type adapter.
Ages 12 and up
144-page Manual
100 Experiments
Contents:
microcontroller module dual digital display module 3 transistors 7 light emitting diodes motor light sensor (light dependent resistor) temperature sensor (negative temperature coefficient type) potentiometer, microphone buzzer diodes capacitors resistors switches wires contact clips infrared interface device USB to 9-pin serial adapter (RS-232 type) software CD and portable case
Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontrollers small, self-contained computers are the brains inside dozens of the devices and appliances in your home. Microwaves, washing machines, telephones, and stereos all have microcontrollers inside them. A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-microchip, and includes a processor, memory for storing data, timers, and ports for connecting to other components. As our everyday devices become increasingly smart with embedded technology, microcontrollers are becoming more and more important.
This kit introduces you to microcontrollers, sensors, and programming through 100 experiments. Build devices that use sensors to monitor and record data, and use the data to control motors, buzzers, lights, and a digital display. Write programs to control the devices you build. For example, you can build a light meter using a light dependent resistor and record the light levels in a room over a 12 hour period. Or measure and record the temperature outside with a temperature sensor, then graph the results. The number of possible experiments is infinite.
First, assemble a circuit and write a program, following the detailed instructions in the manual. Then, upload the program to the microcontroller using an infrared interface. The program tells the microcontroller how to perform your experiment and store the data. Finally, the data stored in the microcontroller can be downloaded to the computer using the infrared interface.
The 100-page, full-color experiment manual guides your circuit assemblies and programming. Ages 12 and up.
learn how computers and programs work
assemble circuits and write programs
design your own circuits and programs
conduct experiments with light, heat and sound sensors
store your work in a sleek, portable case
use your devices to collect many types of data for other science experiments
Software System Requirements
PC with Microsoftฎ Windowsฎ 98, 2000 or XP operating system
Minimum 64 MB of RAM
Minimum 5 MB of free hard disk space
Available 9-pin serial (COM) or USB port
CD-ROM drive
Power Supply Requirements
Requires one 9-Volt Battery (not included) or a standard Power Adapter (not included). Adapter specifications: DC 9-Volt output, barrel connector with out diameter of 5.5 mm and inner diameter of 2.5 mm, positive pole on outside, negative pole on inside. Do not use a "switch-mode" type adapter.
Ages 12 and up
144-page Manual
100 Experiments
Contents:
microcontroller module dual digital display module 3 transistors 7 light emitting diodes motor light sensor (light dependent resistor) temperature sensor (negative temperature coefficient type) potentiometer, microphone buzzer diodes capacitors resistors switches wires contact clips infrared interface device USB to 9-pin serial adapter (RS-232 type) software CD and portable case
Take care all,
Michel
