Hi all, I learn computer from colleague and all my development experience is on desktop computer. I want to do something new. I want to begin to do interface with hardware and, hopefully, can do something useful (say, to make a simple toy). I don't know how to start and I need you suggestion/help. Say, where/what hardware should I buy? And how to "program" those little device? Any knowledge I should know (please help to list ADAP)? Thanks for all.
Hi there !
You should start with simple projects. Think about something you'd like to try. How about a small PCB board that has flashing LEDs ? Interfaced through a pareller port, perhaps ? When this works, you could try upgrading it to interface through a USB port, for example, to increase the complexity without doing radical changes. Put your software skills to work and write a device driver for the USB version ?
Another fine example of a simple embedded design is a measurement or control of somekind. How about coding a remote control unit, that's plugged to your PC and can control your TV ? Or how about an audio device ? Take your home CD-player, build an audio digitizer board (a simple ADC IC is enough), plug in the stereo cord from the CD-player and have your PC read it through USB, for example.
All these can be considered 'toys'. They start simple, but offer a large variety and lots of challenges. Also, by doing small 'upgrade' changes, you can practise more and still keep a good basis of the original work.
-Antti Keskinen
Hi,
You can search the net for hobby electronics projects. If you`d like to do some work with microcontrollers, which is what ud like to do for making small "toys", you can start with simple ones like the 8051s or TinyAVRs. Search for these on google, youl find plenty of stuff for beginners.
Have Fun!
Have a look at:
Don...
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