Learn Electronics & Microcontrollers
If you’re an electronics hobbyist of any sort or even just the curios type, you may wonder how LCDs work. The LCD screen is ubiquitous. From our big screen TVs to our computers and “smart” devices like watches and phones to small displays we use in our projects, the LCD is now truly the go-to display for hobbyists and manufacturers alike. [Read more…] about How LCDs Work
What is an LED? How do LEDs work?
Many of us take the humble LED, or light emitting diode, for granted despite their ubiquity.
LEDs not only show up in many of your projects, they find a home in a myriad of consumer and commercial products and are now making headway into lighting, driving incandescent and fluorescent lighting into obsolescence.
Before we answer the question what is an LED or delve into how LEDs work, let’s do a quick history lesson on a few common types of light emitting devices you’re probably familiar with. After that, we’ll talk about what LEDs are made of and how they work. Then, we’ll get into the practical side of LEDs and how to use LEDs in your projects and designs.
[Read more…] about How LEDs Work
Let’s go into more detail on how the BJT (bipolar junction transistor) works.
The last article on transistors (An Introduction to Transistors) started with a little history on the devices and what was in use before them. Then, it glossed over the two main types you’ll work with: BJTs and MOSFETs. Finally, the two modes of transistor operation were briefly discussed.
This time, we’re going to take a deeper dive into BJTs specifically. This article will go into a bit more detail on how the BJT or bipolar junction transistor works and some basics on using them in your creations.
[Read more…] about How BJTs Work
Like digital to analog converters or DACs, the analog to digital converter or ADC is everywhere.
A while back, I published an article on DACs titled Digital to Analog Converters – An Introductory Tutorial. I strongly advise you check it out before reading this article if you haven’t already.
There are a few reasons for this. First, some analog to digital converters use DACs as part of their makeup. Second, a lot of the specs that apply to DACs also apply to analog to digital converters. Finally, ADCs are more complicated, but a good understanding of DACs can help you better understand how ADCs work.
Like the DAC post, this one is introductory, so we won’t cover every analog to digital converter that exists; rather I’ll discuss the most common ones in use today. [Read more…] about Intro to Analog to Digital Converters
It’s been almost 2 years since the last electronics related quiz, so it’s time for our third installment! As before, the quiz is here to assess your knowledge, perhaps help you learn something along the way, and most of all, have some fun.
[Read more…] about Test Your Knowledge with Electronics Quiz #3
When someone poses the question what is a transistor or how does a transistor work they can literally find tons of material that answers those questions and gives more detail than perhaps one would care for.
Indeed, many books exist on the subject of transistors, semiconductor physics, transistor characteristics, and their operation. They range from the beginner level to the engineering level and even on to cutting edge research and new breakthroughs in the design of transistors and semiconductors.
Because of this, the answers you will find to the questions above (and similar ones) range from the simplistic to the extremely complicated.
[Read more…] about An Introduction to Transistors
