Intermediate Electronics with Rob Cruickshank
NOTE: This is a 2-session workshop taking place on November 30th and December 1st, from 11AM-5PM. The registration fee covers both days, as well as a fun grab bag of electronic materials we'll use in the workshop
NOTE 2: This is an Intermediate level workshop for people with some electronics background. Ideally by taking the intro course offered earlier in November! If you've read the prerequisites and you're still not sure whether or not this workshop is for you, please e-mail me at workshops@interaccess.org and we'll figure it out together.
About the workshop:
you know the basics. Now learn how to build more complex digital circuits, and how to use CMOS chips as "glue" between microcontrollers and the external world, or to make circuits with more complex behaviour without using microcontrollers at all. We'll cover clock circuits, counters, and learn about addressing and decoding. Got 256 LEDs and only 8 output pins to control them? This one's for you
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Electronics, or equivalent experience. You should be combertable with logic functions such as AND OR, and NOT, and be familiar with the binary number sustem, and be able to build a circuit on a breadboard without assistance. There will be a bit of review at the start if it's been a while. Microcontroller (PIC, STAMP, Arduino, etc.) experience will be helpfu, but not required.
What to bring
Bring a pencil, eraser, ruler, paper for taking notes, and a calculator. Scientific calulators are preferable if you know how to use them. If you own a digital multimeter, a breadboard, or a logic probe, bring them.(This is optional, these will be supplied)
If you bring your own breadboard, you will be able to take your project home with you without taking it apart. A medium sized one is recommended.
You will receive a small kit of electronic parts as part of the workshop, as well as printed handouts.
About the instructor:
Robert Cruickshank, an IA board member, is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. His works in various media including electronic and robotic installations, sound art, electroacoustic music, and photography have been exhibited in Toronto, and internationally. As a long-term member of InterAccess, he has participated in many collaborative projects, such as the shows Space Probe and SenseBus, and the Art interface Device project. he has developed a number of workshops at InterAccess, providing artists with an opportunity to learn electronics, and has assisted numerous artists with the technological challenges of realizing their works.
References
Physical Computing:Sensing and controlling the Physical World with Computers by Dan O'sullivan and Tom Igoe
CMOs Cookbook by Don Lancaster
Forrest Mims Engineer's Notebook by Forrest M.Mims III.
Breadboards, multimeters, parts, etc. available at
Creatron: 255 College Street
Honson: 289 College Street
Active Surplus: 347 Queen St West.