Hobby Library

Analogue Synthesizers you could build. Modular and Stand alone boxes. Simple schematics for the modules. The electronic analog basics to build your own synth.

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There are Web widgets related to learning electronics and also demonstrating the subtle aspects of Product Design Technologies. This blog also has the widgets made by delabs around 2005.

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Building discrete semiconductor and passive designs, using Opamps and Mixed Design Circuits are the first step in electronics. Most consumer Electronics have a high analog circuit content.

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a. PCB Assembly.

First Inspect PCB for hairline shorts and cuts and also traces of unwanted copper in the edges and repair them.

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I have made some Web Widgets, these are analog opamp tutors. Interactive Tutorial with Simulated Meters and Potentiometers, demonstrating how Operational Amplifier functions in different configurations.

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Systematic and Meticulous work has its own Rewards. An Engineers Notebook or a Hobby Experiments Log Book can go a long way in making a Cauliflower out of every Cabbage.

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Series and Parallel Transformers

Series and Parallel Connections in transformers. Observe the Dot-Polarity. When windings are in parallel the current capacity doubles.

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Analog is the first thing in electronics. Valve Radios had Amplifiers and RF sections that were analog. Even the first computing methods are analog.

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Here are some Test and measurement notes. These ideas come from practical experience. But the jots are not in any order but are quite important.

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Product Design includes Schematic and Firmware Design. The Mechanical Engineering that goes into making the enclosure and internal construction is also important.

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In Switching Power supplies and RF Circuits, the coils and transformers have many types of cores. Ferrites, Powder Iron, Air and others.

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Capacitors ares like reservoirs of charge. In the Water Analogy they are like your Overhead Tank or Sump. It can be like a Lake or Pond, when water is the charge.

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In Test and Measurement and Industrial Process Control a common factor is instrumentation. The measuring aspect is common to both.

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Resistors start from Wires to Wirewound Types. Carbon Film Resistors are most Common, Metal Film Resistors are more stable and accurate.

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Selecting the parts for your product design, choosing the components intelligently is a part of Product Design Engineering. Budget, Availability, Size, Alternate Vendors, Product Life and Quantity to be manufactured are some factors that determine the selection by a prudent and experienced design professional.

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When you wish to Interface an Embedded System to your computer, you will need a Terminal Emulation Software to communicate with the device over the serial port.

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Power Supplies and SMPS, Transformers, Drive circuits for Motors, Heaters and Solenoids are all Power Electronics. Thyristors, Mosfets and High Power Transistors are important components used in these circuits.

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An Embedded Microcontroller or DSP system is made of Chips, Circuits and Firmware. The digital voltage levels, speed, bus width, fan out, power consumption are some factors that a designer has to keep in mind.

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Keith S. Rucker has provided full plans for a Mechanical Workbench. Electronic Enthusiasts will need such benches when they work with industrial robots or manufacturing machines.

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These Digital Tutors are interactive and started with very basic JavaScript and CSS. You can operate the controls and see the Truth Table and Results in LED Displays.

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