The Future of Essentials Learning Modules

With Essentials: Connectors II going live, comments on this new programme of learning modules have been echoing loudly in the element14 halls.

Thanks to your enthusiastic response to Connectors I. We've got big plans for Essentials, and naturally you're a significant part of them. We've been kicking a few ideas around for future Essentials learning modules with the Top Members, and now it's time to put them in front of you guys and get some feedback on topics before composing new modules.

At the minute we see Essentials as our 'learning technologies' modules; and later this year we will be launching Masterclasses, our 'how to' technology implementation modules - more on these later.

So make your voice heard and vote on your favourite option from the following subjects, then we will start planning all that delicious content. And don't worry if your top choice doesn't win; none of these potential topics are off the table. It's more about prioritisation .

Tick the Essentials topic you'd like to learn about most - technologies OR product categories - and feel free to make as many other suggestions as you like in the comments section below too!

We'll be deciding on the next Essentials subject in the next couple of weeks, so don't delay, vote today!

Top Comments

ajens23 over 8 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

smd soldering = toaster oven
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danteo over 8 years ago

Waiting for all good stuff.
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boltspinner over 8 years ago

Hard to decide for next essential, as long as we can eventually get around to all of them.
Good to know more about how to plug all of them in first.
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macmonkey over 8 years ago

I would love to see a segment on soldering and other tools & techniques.
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fluxxuate over 8 years ago

I voted for transistors, but perhaps I am misinterpreting the wording and purpose of an "Essentials" topic. I am very new in the community and a complete neophyte in terms of anything electronic. In my thinking an "essentials" topic would build from level to level...it seems futile to know all about PCBs and/or soldering if you know little or nothing about the components on the PCB or being soldered. Still, at some point, these topics are all equally important and necessary (i.e., Essential). Each needs to be explored in the manner you all are devoting to it (i.e. in-depth & approachable) so I am solid with whatever choice is made.--Cheers
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michaelkellett over 8 years ago in reply to alanmcdonley

I'm speaking from my own experience here but I don't think Python is the right language for ADCs at the level most of your bullet points suggest.

Almost all of my ADC code is in C and the rest is in Assembler or VHDL.

Micros tend not to be supported by Python at all and bigger processors running a full OS are more likely to use drivers written in C (or maybe C++) (due to the direct to hardware access needed for performance and control).

MK
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michaelkellett over 8 years ago

I voted for Microcontrollers but actually it's a very big subject and will need to be broken down into many separate bits and pieces.

MK
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spannerspencer over 8 years ago in reply to bradmabe

Hey, that's an interesting idea! Maybe there's room for an Essentials Update, or Connectors 2.5 or something like that?
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bradmabe over 8 years ago

Very cool. Could we possibly get a learning module specifically for RF connectors?
Thanks!
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alanmcdonley over 8 years ago
Essentials I would like to see: Using Analog to Digital Converters
- ADC Concepts
- Raw Chip and Board Options
- Processor Interfaces
- Sensing Interfaces (direct connect, voltage dividers, +/- offset voltage, over-voltage and reverse voltage protection, noise reduction, averaging with capacitor)
- Sensor software interface
  class vs. function library,
  parameters,
  static values for averaging,
  asynchronous sensing-decoupling sensing from sensor value consumers
  reading recovery time
With Python code samples please.
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