New and probably mainly confused

[flashzac]

Hi guys, just started to get into electronics after buying a raspberry and arduino, well... around a year ago. Have dabbled before as my father used to be a electronic engineer but I went the Programmers root. I'm from not so sunny Cornwall in a town called Redruth. Only just starting last night and getting first to grips with analog rather than digital so arduino will probably be shelved for another 6 months or more. Expect so really simple questions from me, I'm not dim I'm a newbie

 

[(*steve*)]

Hi and welcome to Electronics Point.

Ask away and we'll see if we can provide understandable answers. With programming experience you are already streets ahead of where most newcomers are when they start to dabble in these things.

Digital stuff is probably the easiest. Why are you starting with analogue?

 

[flashzac]

Hi and welcome to Electronics Point.

Ask away and we'll see if we can provide understandable answers. With programming experience you are already streets ahead of where most newcomers are when they start to dabble in these things.

Digital stuff is probably the easiest. Why are you starting with analogue?

Hi thanks for that oh there will be plenty of questions.

I have just realised I may have the terminology wrong. Is analogue dealing with transitors, capacitors, resistors etc rather than driving these from a digital source such as a microprocessor? If so then I have alway been someone that starts at the very basics as it helps my understanding, unfortunitly I am one of these persons that asks "why does it do that" and "how is it possible that it does that". That's why i'm never taking a quantum physics degree as sorry, a cat can't be alive and dead at the same time and I don't want any sleepless nights thinking about that lol.

I am finding the programming is helping a lot. I did venture a while back in programming PIC chips using an breadboard built audrino that I put together with some plans from the internet with some success. I was abled to put the PIC into a certain state and read from it. But it was from google electronic and cut and paste programming and did manage to kill 2 PIC's and a Raspberry Pi in the process I think I dived in at the deep end to early

 

[(*steve*)]

I have just realised I may have the terminology wrong. Is analogue dealing with transitors, capacitors, resistors etc rather than driving these from a digital source such as a microprocessor?

Digital circuitry involves devices that are either turned on or off. In terms of transistors, they are generally either saturated or in cut-off. This means that voltage levels are typically in one of two states. These states are essentially on or off with some no-man's land between them.

Analog circuitry generally involves varying levels with devices that are kept between cutoff and saturation.

and did manage to kill 2 PIC's and a Raspberry Pi in the process I think I dived in at the deep end to early

Mistakes aside, it can be easy to kill things until you know what voltages and loads are appropriate. It pays to get acquainted with datasheets.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

unfortunitly I am one of these persons that asks "why does it do that" and "how is it possible that it does that". That's why i'm never taking a quantum physics degree as sorry, a cat can't be alive and dead at the same time and I don't want any sleepless nights thinking about that lol.

LOL

I totally agree. I'm an ailurophile - a cat lover. If Erwin Schrodinger was still around, I would be reporting him to the appropriate authorities! Here in New Zealand it's the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals); in England I think it's the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and I think in America it's the AHA (American Humane Association). A cat that's simultaneously alive and dead... He's just SICK! The authorities wouldn't let him off easily!

Seriously though, I hope you enjoy your time at Electronics Point. We have many well-informed and helpful folks here who are more than happy to advise you and help you learn.

Please feel free to post any questions you have, on the appropriate forum.

Kris in Wellington, New Zealand