Microcontroller (Moorabbin) - Meetup

Presentation-1: Analog and PCB design example.

Presentation-2: Speedy Bluetooth Serial Data Connections Using Bluetooth Modules.

Typically, we have 15 to 25 attendees at our evening meetings (2nd Wednesday each month).

Building entry can be tricky, but it's easy with our GUIDE: location & building entry (http://www.melbpc.org.au/contact-us/)

DESCRIPTION OF MEETING

Presentation-1: Analog and PCB design example.

Design of an children's night light using RGB LEDs and purely analogue techniques. Covering principles, subtleties and trade-offs in the circuit design, a brief demo of free DesignSparkPCB software, and the remarkable experience of getting stupidly cheap, high quality Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) made in China.

Presentation-2: Speedy Bluetooth Serial Data Connections Using Bluetooth Modules.

Bluetooth software stacks can be daunting, however using Bluetooth modules with inbuilt software stacks can speed Bluetooth data communication developments significantly. Bluetooth modules can be evaluated and tested in hours rather than months or weeks. Goals: Explain Fundamentals of Bluetooth® Classic and Low Energy Technologies; Understand Capabilities of Microchip Bluetooth Data Modules; Know How to Use Microchip Bluetooth Data Modules to Exchange Data in an Application.

General discussion time: Question & Answers, News (new products, purchases, projects), Introduce a component, technique, tip, etc, Tea/coffee break/chat.

DESCRIPTION OF GROUP

Our group is for people to develop microcontroller projects (including the software-programming) – gadgets for fun and more serious purposes. We make machines, using microcontrollers, and other electronics, to do things. We cater for all levels of knowledge, novice to experienced - users helping users. We are a sub-group of Melbourne PC User Group, and we model our sub-group along the style of http://makerspace.com .

Our monthly Wednesday meetings involve discussion and presentations.

Our associated Saturday Workshops are informal and hands-on – bring-your-own project/stuff. The Saturday Workshops are a "Maker Space". They are a space to express your creativity, build your own stuff, and investigate ideas. The activities depend on those who are involved and their interests. If you are looking for a space that facilitates sharing of ideas and support, this could be it. (We have some electronic equipment that many starting hobbyists may not, e.g. oscilloscopes etc.) The Workshops are an informal group, a place to work on your project, start a new project, or join a group project.

If you are new to this: microcontrollers are small cheap computer-chips with measurement or sense inputs (e.g. temperature, door-open) and control outputs (e.g. displays, motor control), i.e. all combinations of analog & digital, inputs & outputs. They need very few other components to function, and are in many products (e.g. cameras, cars, toys).

Building entry can be tricky, but it's easy with our GUIDE: location & building entry (http://www.melbpc.org.au/contact-us/)