Hardware and Software Resources for Senior Design

Hardware and Software Resources for Senior Design
The first rule of resource acquisition: Never pay for something you can get for free:
	Check with manufacturers and their distributors to see if they will GIVE you samples.
		If you are not looking for a particularly expensive part, they will probably give you one or two, particularly if they think the sample might lead to a large production run in the future. This is where your market and product cost estimates become particularly relevant.
	Software companies are normally very willing to provide trial or educational copies of their software
		If they can get you interested now, you might decide to use their software when you work for a company that will pay substantial licencing fees.

Hardware

All Electronics - New and Surplus Electronic Parts and Supplies: general assortment of low cost electronic parts

Armbar Industries: Armbar is a local distributor of all kinds of electronic components. I met the owner at the AFCEA conference. He has ties to Stevens and is willing to donate surplus inventory. Contact me for details

B&B Electronics - Computer Communications Tools: serial/optical/USB/wireless interface devices

Bruce McNair's private stock of rare and exotic RF components: all kinds of Minicircuits, discrete components, etc., rescued from the dumpster at a local major telecommunications company

Jameco Electronics: a wide variety of electrical components, especially ICs. They cater to hobbyists and low volume sales to people who are prototyping systems.

Newark Electronics: A major electronics distributor with just about any component you can dream of.

Small Parts Inc.: Mostly mechanical parts and components - useful if your electronics are driving mechanisms

SmartHome - All kinds of devices to automate home control (heating, lighting, security, etc.)

Software

Programmer's Paradise - development tools and other assorted packages

General Reference

ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications: This is a practical, down-to-earth reference on all kinds of electronics and communications technology. Formerly known as the Radio Amateur's Handbook

Circuit Cellar magazine: Anything you want to know about embedded systems, home control, interfacing, and other computer applications is covered. Published by Steve Ciarcia, former writer for Byte magazine when it was a technical experimenters magazine.

Reference Data for Engineers Radio, Electronics, Computer & Communications: A compendium of tidbits of all kinds of electronic and communications information

This is intended to be an evolving resource, check back as I add more links. Email me if you find other useful resources

Note: This is intended to be one set of resources for students in Senior Design. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement of any particular product or company.

This material is provided for the specific use of students enrolled in EE/CpE 415-416/423-424 and for general research purposes only. Deep linking to this page or subsequent pages is permitted, as long as proper attribution of the source is provided. Electronic or other duplication of this material without prior permission is prohibited.

This page was last updated on: November 25, 2002