The inside-scoop on Embedded Electronics
The GoldShirt Electronics workshop is an electronics crash-course for 1st-year students targeted, but not limited to,
students in the BOLD center’s GoldShirt program. Emphasis of the workshop is on working with real hardware and datasheets without the abstractions that are commonly made in “entry-level” micro-controller systems.
Why Micro-Controllers
As of the 21st century, they are used everywhere, your cell phones, your car, your dish washer. They are miniature, inexpensive computers that have nearly unlimited possibilities.
Goals
At the end of the five-session program, participants will be able to:
- perform simple digital input and output such as reading a button and turning on/off an LED
- be able to read an analog sensor such as a light sensor or flex sensor
- be able to produce “analog” output to dim a LED or drive a servo motor
- hook up your circuit to a computer and control it via the keyboard
- build cool stuff that combines sensing, control and actuation!
Learning Modules
Going Further
If you are interested in further reading and inspiration regarding what you can do with microcontrollers the following pages might be inspiring.
Another commonly daunting task in dealing with embedded systems is finding parts for your projects. Some smaller, more user friendly suppliers are:
Instructors
- Chris Johnson
- Nikolaus Correll
- Tanya Ennis
- You!