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Partial challenge kit has arrived.

RWReynolds

Cool!

 

Just received a package from Newark Element 14. Looks like everything is here except the Wurth switch kit, Dave addressed this in the update video, and the EZR32WG starter kit. Again, Dave explained this in an earlier thread. Since the EZR32WG kits are region specific they are being shipped separately to ensure that everyone receives the correct operating frequency radio for their region. So all according to plan. The EFM32 Starter Kit is however in the package so we can now get familiar with both SimplicityStudio and the online mbed compiler. And we have them in hand for the Silicon Labs mbed webinar. Learning is so much better when it's hands-on!

 

Funny, it has "Newark" on the box. I worked for a marine radio, coast, station in the early to late '80s. WLO, Mobile Marine Radio! We did a lot of our own R&D and either built or modified a lot of our own equipment. I was an R&D tech and the resident UNIX sysadmin and C programmer there. We used components that came mostly from Newark. So seeing a Newark box show up at the door brings back a lot of memories. Mostly good! image

 

Thanks for the toys Newark Element 14. I will proceed to put them to good use.

 

Cheers,

Rick

  • Good to see things starting to move time to get working now still waiting but I'm in the UK so could be longer

  • in reply to shanesissons

    Yeah, I'm liking the way E14 is running this show. Everything is coming together nicely.

     

    Just waiting on the wireless MCUs. In the meantime, I'm about to start working with the EFM32 board. I love the small LCD displays on these boards. It's nice to have some onboard visual feedback in such a small footprint.

  • in reply to RWReynolds

    Yea I do like how the boards are like an all in one system with a lot of features built in unlike a lot  of other boards I've looked at

     

    Only downside I have found for using development boards is its sometimes harder to use the chip on a custom board for a product that will be mass produced is you are not familiar with what components on the development board need to be included on your custom board

     

    For that scenario I like to connect the chip directly to a breadboard and build it from ground up then it's easier to turn the breadboard schematics into a pcb layout

     

    (just to note I am 100% self taught so my wording for some terms might be incorrect but I hope you get what I mean)

  • in reply to shanesissons

    I definitely get what your saying. The dev baords make for quick prototyping. They are great for proof of concept.

     

    On custom use of the micro, keep in mind that the complete dev baord schematics are available. This can be very useful for understanding what supporting circuitry and componenets for each interface and system on the micro or SoC. I know our design engineer at work uses the dev boards and schematics in this way. For hobby and home stuff the dev boards are great. And if you come up with a viable custome design then you can always get your hands on the components and build it up. I haven't in a while, but I used to do a good bit of one-off PCB board development for my own projects. There are so many alternatives for designing and making custom baords these days it's crazy. Even the conductive inks seem to be pretty viable these days. Back in the day it was a pretty involved and messy process. lol...