4 ms·

What courses/topics does one need to learn to be able to create this kind of hardware themselves?

stonemetal 13y ago
Depends on if you mean off the shelf chips or not. If not then I would expect a second or third year EE student to be able to pull it off. It is way to simple for an EE undergrad senior project. If you mean design and fabricate the chips then that is a bit more.
- alexchamberlain 13y ago
  The main thing I struggle with is the confidence to actually manufacture something; I can sketch a schematic, but I've never produced a PCB.
  - femto 13y ago
    It's educational and confidence building to DIY for a simple circuit. Try a board with all "though hole" components first. Start with a simple schematic, maybe a 555 timer flashing an LED[1]? Grab a PCB layout program, such as gEDA/PCB [2], Eagle [3] or an old version of Protel. You can even use an everyday drawing package, such as Inkscape for really simple boards, if you think a CAD package is too complex. Alternatively, use a resist pen [7] to draw the circuit directly on your blank PCB. Buy a PCB making kit, which includes a blank piece of PCB, chemicals and instructions [4]. Follow the instructions [5]. Solder the components on [6]. Turn on the power! [1] http://www.instructables.com/id/Flashing-LED-using-555-Timer/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Flashing-LED-using-555-Timer... [2] http://pcb.geda-project.org/ http://pcb.geda-project.org/ [3] http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/ http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/ [4] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990 [5] http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/pcboards.pdf http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/pcboards.pdf [6] http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/sokolov/library/datasheets/solderng.pdf http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/sokolov/library/datasheets/solder... [7] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TM3000 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TM3000 --- Edit: add resist pen suggestion
  - cdawzrd 13y ago
    With companies like OSH Park[1], the cost barrier to getting a bare board professionally manufactured is so low that you ought to just try it sometime. If you already sketch schematics, go through a basic Eagle tutorial or two, then try laying out a simple board based on your schematic. If you keep it small, you'll only be out $15 or so! [1] http://oshpark.com http://oshpark.com
    - alexchamberlain 13y ago
      Do they deliver internationally?

Depends on if you mean off the shelf chips or not. If not then I would expect a second or third year EE student to be able to pull it off. It is way to simple for an EE undergrad senior project. If you mean design and fabricate the chips then that is a bit more.

alexchamberlain 13y ago
The main thing I struggle with is the confidence to actually manufacture something; I can sketch a schematic, but I've never produced a PCB.
- femto 13y ago
  It's educational and confidence building to DIY for a simple circuit. Try a board with all "though hole" components first. Start with a simple schematic, maybe a 555 timer flashing an LED[1]? Grab a PCB layout program, such as gEDA/PCB [2], Eagle [3] or an old version of Protel. You can even use an everyday drawing package, such as Inkscape for really simple boards, if you think a CAD package is too complex. Alternatively, use a resist pen [7] to draw the circuit directly on your blank PCB. Buy a PCB making kit, which includes a blank piece of PCB, chemicals and instructions [4]. Follow the instructions [5]. Solder the components on [6]. Turn on the power! [1] http://www.instructables.com/id/Flashing-LED-using-555-Timer/ http://www.instructables.com/id/Flashing-LED-using-555-Timer... [2] http://pcb.geda-project.org/ http://pcb.geda-project.org/ [3] http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/ http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/ [4] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=HG9990 [5] http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/pcboards.pdf http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/pcboards.pdf [6] http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/sokolov/library/datasheets/solderng.pdf http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/sokolov/library/datasheets/solder... [7] http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TM3000 http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TM3000 --- Edit: add resist pen suggestion
- cdawzrd 13y ago
  With companies like OSH Park[1], the cost barrier to getting a bare board professionally manufactured is so low that you ought to just try it sometime. If you already sketch schematics, go through a basic Eagle tutorial or two, then try laying out a simple board based on your schematic. If you keep it small, you'll only be out $15 or so! [1] http://oshpark.com http://oshpark.com
  - alexchamberlain 13y ago
    Do they deliver internationally?