Electronics Concepts and Theory
Overview of I2C
Developed by Philips in the 1980's, I2C has become one of the most common serial communication protocols in electronics. I2C enables communication between electronic components or IC to IC, whether the components are on the same PCB or connected via a cable. The key feature of I2C is the ability to have a vast number of components on a single communication bus with only two wires which makes I2C perfect for applications that demand simplicity and low cost over speed.
Selecting Between I2C and SPI
Choosing between I2C and SPI, the two main serial communication options, can be quite a challenge and have a significant impact on the design of a project, especially if the wrong communication protocol is used. Both SPI and I2C bring their own advantages and limitations as communication protocols which make them each suited for specific applications.
SPI Overview
The SPI communication protocol is one of two major serial communication protocols used in electronics. Developed by Motorola, SPI offers low power operation, multiple devices on the same communication lines, and high speed data transmission.
Getting Started In Electronics
Getting started with electronics can be a daunting task for the beginner with lots of technical jargon, complex explanations, and a sharp learning curve. Luckily there are a few great resources for the beginner that explains even the most complex topics without jargon and with easy to understand analogies.
Getting Started In Electronics - Resources
Getting started with electronics can be a daunting task for the beginner with lots of technical jargon, complex explanations, and a sharp learning curve. Luckily there are a few great resources for digging in to topics, finding help, and designing projects.
Digital Logic Basics
Digital Logic - the stream of one's and zero's represented by high and low voltage signals that is the underlying language of all digital electronics. Digital signals can control the state of a device, transmit complex information, and be encoded in a number of formats that provide discrete advantages like error checking, fault tolerance, addressing, and flexible data handling.
Electrostatic Discharge Overview
ESD, or electrostatic discharge, is a major problem that impacts the reliability of electronics and can destroy components. ESD has caused problems in industry since the beginning of black powder manufacturing where a small ESD event or spark can cause significant safety issues. While ESD does not cause as many direct safety issues in the...
How Electronics Work
All electronics start with semiconductor devices and understanding how these devices work is essential for any electronics design or troubleshooting.
Kirchoff's Law
The basics of analyzing electronic circuits starts with Kirchoff's Laws and understanding how voltage and current behave in circuits.
Electronic Resonance
Like mechanical resonance, electrical resonance can be very useful if desired and very destructive if it appears unintentionally in a circuit.
Electrical Circuit Network
Every circuit is an electrical network made of components, connections, and return loops. Learn about the various type of networks and rules that apply to all networks in this article.
Basic Electric Circuit Concepts
A collection of articles and topics covering the basics of electronics and electrical engineering.
How Components Behave in the Real World
The ideal world of electronics, schematics, simulations, and circuit diagrams have one fatal flaw; no electronic device is ideal. Resistors have capacitance and often inductance, inductors have resistance and capacitance, capacitor leads are inductive and they are not perfect insulators, and even wire and PCB traces have inductance and...
Energy Harvesting Basics
Energy harvesting is a way to generate electrical energy from the ambient environment. For example, ambient light, radio waves, and temperature differences can be directly converted in to electricity with solid state components. Energy harvesting techniques are a great option for low power applications as a replacement for batteries. The...
Preventing ESD
Electrostatic Discharge, ESD, is a serious reliability issue with electronics, reducing the life of products and destroying electronic components. Preventing ESD begins in the laboratory with methods to reduce the chance for static to build up and to allow static charges to be dissipated safely, rather than through sensitive electronics.