looking for prototyping test bead/board

[Philip McKee]

Hi can anyone give me some advice,

I'm a degree level-computing student, and am looking at a developing a
portable biometrics reader for my final year project.

I am not am electronics engineer, non-are likely to become one. My
main area of strength and interest is in the software development.

What I am looking for is some form of prototyping test bead/board,
containing a CPU and an easy way of attaching input/output devices
such as optical scanners, digital cameras, LCD and a wireless
networking card.

If this is not enough all this needs to be at a reasonable price.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking. I have of course been
looking on the net, and have found many possibilities for any one (or
two) of the above requirements, but am concerned in the difficulty of
getting everything on the one board.

Many thanks for your help in advance.
Regards Phil

 

[Roger Gt]

: Hi can anyone give me some advice,
:
: I'm a degree level-computing student, and am looking at a
developing a
: portable biometrics reader for my final year project.

Does a "Degree Level" have a bubble?

: I am not am electronics engineer, non-are likely to become one.
My
: main area of strength and interest is in the software
development.

Also non-are likely to pass English 101~?

: What I am looking for is some form of prototyping test
bead/board,
: containing a CPU and an easy way of attaching input/output
devices
: such as optical scanners, digital cameras, LCD and a wireless
: networking card.
:
: If this is not enough all this needs to be at a reasonable
price.
:
: Can anyone suggest where to start looking. I have of course been
: looking on the net, and have found many possibilities for any
one (or
: two) of the above requirements, but am concerned in the
difficulty of
: getting everything on the one board.
:
: Many thanks for your help in advance.
: Regards Phil


Phill, if your unlikely to have a modicum of Hardware knowledge,
get something simple.

My recommendation is for you to attend a Texas Instrument "TI430"
seminar. They'll GIVE you a free board with the full
documentation and a software development system. You will need to
add some interface to attach your sensors, but the diagrams show
where to connect. I have two different boards from these
seminars, so I don't know which you might get, however both would
work for your need.

Otherwise Look for a simple development board (Google for them)
with complete docs. The price is usually less than $100 and
sometimes as low as $39 plus shipping.