HARDWARE SELECTION MATERIALS
    EE Circuits Archive
    Mechatronics Tutorial Information -- info and tutorials on several hardware components including DC motors, op-Amps, transistors, etc.
   The Learning Centre -- "a collection of tutorials, FAQs, and other info ... about designing with microcontrollers [uCs] and robotics"

A/D Converters

    ADC0801/ADC0802/ADC0803/ADC0804/ADC0805 8-Bit µP Compatible A/D Converters -- data sheet for the National Semiconductor ADC0803 used in our project
    Designing with High-Speed A/D Converters -- a National Semiconductor Application Note, AD-01
    Dynamic Tests for A/D Converter Performance -- a Burr-Brown Application Bulletin, AB072
    High-Performance ADCs Require Dynamic Testing -- a National Semiconductor Application Note, AD-02
    Selecting an A/D Converter -- a Burr-Brown Application Bulletin, AB098
    Understanding A/D Converter Performance Specs -- a Microchip Application Note, AN699

Fabrication

    Layout Tips for 12-bit A/D Converter Application -- a Microchip Application Note, AN688.  This document also has relevance for A/D converters and for op-amps
    PCB Design Tips for PSpice

LCDs

    LCD FAQ
   How to Use Intelligent LCDs (Part I) (Part II) -- a two-part tutorial from EPE Magazine

Microcontrollers

    About Microcontrollers -- similar in content to Microcontroller.com below
    ePanorama.net has Microprocessor and microcontroller pages
    Microcontroller.com -- covers different kinds of uCs, includes Selection Guides, Development Tools, and more
    Microcontroller Primer FAQ
    Neatsite Microprocessors -- another site similar to About Microcontrollers and Microcontroller.com

         8051

             8051 uC FAQ
             8052 Online Tutorials
             DS87C520/DS83C520 EPROM/ROM High-Speed Micro -- the specific processor we originally decided to use was the DS87C520
             High-Speed Microcontroller User's Guide -- the Dallas Semiconductor high-speed uCs were our first choice for a microcontroller before moving to a PIC
             "Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks" -- goes into the advantages of Dallas' higher speed uCs

        Basic Stamps

              Parallax, Inc. -- the place to go for Stamp stuff

        PICMicro MCUs (or PICs) (see Software Sourcecode)

Op-Amps

    Op-Amp AC Specs & Apps -- a Microchip Application Note, AN723
    Op-Amps Note -- describes the use of op-amps for the kind of configuration we wanted to use for our sensing circuits, namely, an instrumentation amplifier
    Op-Amp Topologies & DC Specs -- a Microchip Application Note, AN722
    Using Single Supply Op-Amps in Embedded Systems -- a Microchip Application Note, AN682

Resistors & Capacitors

    Reading Passive Components -- a pamphlet from EPE Magazine on how to determine the values of resistors & capacitors
    Resistor Color Code Calculator -- a Java applet for calculating resistance values from J. Adams Internet Guide to Electronics