Pages
Miniconda/Anaconda (Python) Installation Tutorial
how to install the Anaconda distribution of Python
All About Serial
What are serial protocols?
I2C, SPI, and UART are three of the most common protocols for serial data transmission. An overview of these protocols can be found here:
Microchip AVR Microcontrollers
What microcontrollers does Atmel specialize in?
Atmel was one of the top IC manufacturers that makes a number of 8-bit, 32-bit, and ARM microcontrollers, including the AVR microcontroller used in the Arduino. Microchip purchased Atmel in 2017 and is maintaining the AVR line of microcontrollers. The following is a list of helpful resources for getting started with Microchip AVR microcontrollers.
Particle Argon Wifi Board
What is the Particle Argon? What does it do?
The Particle Argon is a “wi-fi for everything” development kit that includes a microcontroller, wi-fi hardware, and easy-to-use web-based IDE (Integrated Development Environment). It is typically used to add wi-fi functionality into products without spending a huge amount of development time on the wi-fi hardware and software. A more detailed introduction is available here.
Soldering and Desoldering Tips and Tricks
Video Walkthrough
How do I turn on the soldering irons in PRLTA 103?
How do I solder through-hole components by hand?
- Soldering through-hole components video from EEVblog
- How to solder - through hole soldering tutorial from sparkfun
How do I solder surface mount components by hand?
Capacitors, diodes, inductors, resistors
- How to solder SMT 0805 components video from ItsInOurKernel
- Surface Mount Soldering 101 video from CuriousInventor
DPAK-style components (MOSFETs, voltage regulators)
- Soldering DPACK components video from EEVblog
Integrated circuits (ICs)
- Soldering large ICs video from EEVblog
- Surface Mount Soldering 101 video from CuriousInventor
- Soldering QFN and QFP package video from Nick Leijenhorst
How do I solder surface mount components using a reflow oven?
This method involves applying solder paste to the pads on the PCB, manually placing your surface mount components into the solder paste, and baking the board in a special oven to solder the entire PCB at once. This method is not really easier than hand soldering for one-off PCBs; you are trading one set of challenges for a different set. If you are interested in using solder paste and the reflow oven to solder your components, please contact Osama Jameel in PRLTA 109.
