Learn to Read (Datasheets!)

Today I will teach you how to read datasheets, how to go from schematics to a real circuit, and how to find more information about your parts using Google.

1. Let's say that you want to make something blink regularly. I already know that I would use a 555 timer (an integrated circuit whose job it is to do just that!) or a microcontroller (and program it to blink). If I didn't know any of that, I would search google with: blink LED circuit. You might try replacing "circuit" with "schematic" or "tutorial" or something like that. It takes a little bit of effort to find something good. But that second result has a pretty easy looking picture!

2. OK now we know that 555 is something that will help us. We can be more specific with the search and find some more results. Try 555 tutorial. You're going to start getting too much information now. You have to be an editor and select what's best (what is the simplest, if you want simplicity - usually to build as is; what is the most thorough, if you want information - usually to modify). The first result here looks pretty good. And what's more, it gets simple towards the bottom with the exercises.

3. When you isolate a component that you are going to use, for example the 555 timer, you will absolutely want to print out the datasheet. Do everyone a favor and print out two (one for you and one for the lab). Put the datasheet in a folder for the project you're working on. Trust me! It's worth it to be organized. How do you find the 555 datasheet? Try to Google 555 datasheet. Print out tutorials and example circuits that you find as well. You'll definitely want this stuff on paper so you can go somewhere and figure out what the hell is going on.

So here are a few of the things that I think will be useful for us today:
1) 555 datasheet
2) basically a 555 fansite
3) this one is easier to read, but a little less thorough
4) illustrated blinking circuit that's easy to read, or see the wikibooks version
5) 555 calculators come in REAL handy
6) old application note on 555