Bench Talk

This STEAM-inspired three-article series will explore the available resources to assist you and your kids on a maker’s adventure and walk you through an embedded electronics project. We will cover the design, build, and code for the project as well as discuss how the data from the project can be useful to develop analytical and critical thinking skills.

Over the years, as wireless technology has evolved, so has the IEEE 802.11 standard, hence the different letters after the 802.11 designation. As Wi-Fi increases in scope and speed, network engineers should understand these designations and what they represent.

Nikola Tesla: Genius or charlatan? Maybe a little bit of both, but there is no disputing that Nikola Tesla, who would 162 years old on July 10th if he were alive today, had a flair for showmanship and a major impact on the advancement of applied electrical technologies. But what if Tesla were still alive today at a time when many of his inventions and ideas have been developed beyond even his wildest imagination? We decided to find out what electrical engineers thought....

Capacitor datasheets are notorious for omitting performance details, typically only including individual performance parameters in each graph or only including "typical" performance of combined parameters. KEMET’s capacitor parameter simulator, called K-SIM, solves this problem by combining multiple parameters into a single graph.

Want to learn or brush up on basic computer-processor concepts through the entertaining guise of a manga tale? The Manga Guide to Microprocessors encourages learning by adding an engaging framework covering the intricate details of the hardware and software that make up the central processing unit (CPU), the brain of all things electronic.

Recently, I was given a project that required transition from MCU to FPGA development. In this four-part blog series, I examine how I translated my existing knowledge and experience with MCUs into FPGA development. In Part 4, I delve into the bridges that compose the FPGA fabric.

Combine cloud-based services with open-source software and hardware to prototype a working vocal assistant.

Recently I was given a project that required me to transition from MCU to FPGA development. In this four-part blog series, I examine how I translated my existing knowledge and experience with MCUs into FPGA development. In Part 2, I explored example code and discovered additional useful resources. Now in Part 3, I learned about OpenCV and simple data transferring from the FPGA to the MCU.

The Politecnico di Torino, one of the leading academic institutions in in Italy, recently inaugurated their new laboratory, CLIK (Contamination Lab & Innovation Kitchen), a space where students can work together in an informal way. As an interface between academia and entrepreneurship, CLIK provide students not only with the opportunity to develop electronic systems, but also opportunity to learn how to present them in an appropriate way. A hackathon started the new installation, and Mouser Electronics as a sponsor sent its EMEA specialists.

If you’re like many people I know, inspiration rarely comes when you’re setting at your work desk, staring at a blank wall, or aimlessly exploring cyberspace while looking at your smartphone. Here are some tips to feed your creativity, get un-stuck from mental blocks, and pursue your never-ending quest for ideas.