Back in the '80s I think the answer would have been the Z80B microprocessor - I know I pretty much memorised the hex codes for all the instructions(!).
These days I'd go for sneaky specialist ICs like the LTC3588 energy harvester, one of those MEMS gyros or the AD98xx/AD99xx DDS chips - although for instruction-set fun nothing these days beats the Parallax P8X32A Propeller I think.
When I was a young engineer (in the mid 80's) we used to have bookshelves full of things like this from TI, National Semiconductor, Intel, IDT, Motorola, AMD, Atmel, etc.
Now everything is online and there are lot more choices, so you need a better idea of what/where to look for.
I still have my National Semi Linear Applications Handbook, but usually I just look up online what I need.
Application notes are really helpful too - Atmel has a bunch, as does Maxim, TI, and others.
I have a couple of huge printed catalogs at home - Mouser and Digikey I think.
When I was a young engineer (in the mid 80's) we used to have...
When I was a young engineer (in the mid 50's) we used to have... cool multifunction stuff like 6SN7's
Data Sheet: 6SN7 - Wikipedia
(Later, George Philbrick made an Operational Amplifier out of something like 3 6SN7's)
But today, right after the Operational Amplifier, I'd suggest a comparator like the LM339 (4 comparators) or LM393 (2) You can do SO much with a comparator.. all kinds of cheapo resistor-capacitor timing, easy oscillators, pulse generation, etc etc.
Datasheet: http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM139.pdf
[Hey thanks, Crossroads, that TI book's in my Library now!]
I'm not knowledgeable like the veterans, but I've seen lots of stuff done with the 555 and 556.
CrossRoads:
When I was a young engineer (in the mid 80's) we used to have bookshelves full of things like this from TI, National Semiconductor, Intel, IDT, Motorola, AMD, Atmel, etc.
Someday, maybe I'll post pics and tell the longer story, but on Independence Day, at a group picnic, a couple ladies showed up with boxes of books, and I acquired the lion's share of the stuff on electronics. No space available to sort through it all, but one day, maybe I'll get to it somehow and post a photo. Gobs of app. manuals, etc., from RCA, Sylvania, Fairchild (I think), on and on. Plus tube guides, HAM, RC, ... too much to list really.
maybe I'll get to it somehow and post a photo. Gobs of app. manuals, etc., from RCA, Sylvania, Fairchild (I think), on and on. Plus tube guides, HAM, RC, ... too much to list really.
If some of those are old tube manuals, they tend to be pretty collectable and can sell well. Maybe check out E-bay for prices?
retrolefty:
If some of those are old tube manuals, they tend to be pretty collectable and can sell well. Maybe check out E-bay for prices?
I've no doubt there's some collector value there. Not that I have a huge collection, but I'm a book hoarder. Also, when I look at collectibles, I wish I had my school lunch boxes from the 60's. (And comic books, and ...)
i was just about to get a pair when i saw how much voltage you have to work with and eh i still dont feel im quite there to be working with anything that high.
but one day, if i can find them
Ok, i'm trying to decide on about a dozen very useful/popular Ics (mostly analog / Interface) that i can source from China at low cost. Probably sell a kit of all part numbers also??
Lefty, you have the Eagle spec. eye.. what's the best low-cost single supply, rail-to-rail opamp, 8-pin or 16 pin DIP?? There must be some recent goodies.
I'm also looking at the obvious:
LM339 / LM393 comparators
NE5532 opamp for low noise, audio, general purpose
LM324 for historical circuits??
ULN2003 / 2803 power drivers
L293 power driver / H bridge
LM386 Little Audio Amp
555 Of course
Some optocouplers:
4N35 oldie, cheap
6N139 ( VERY sensitive)
OK, more to come..
Everyone, what are your favorites or ones you'd like easily available??
Lefty, you have the Eagle spec. eye.. what's the best low-cost single supply, rail-to-rail opamp, 8-pin or 16 pin DIP?? There must be some recent goodies.
So many to choose from, I couldn't recommend anything specific, just go with price and avaliblity. My real fear is anything in the 'recent goodies' catagory will not be avalible in DIP package.
So many to choose from, I couldn't recommend anything specific, just go with price and avaliblity. My real fear is anything in the 'recent goodies' catagory will not be avalible in DIP package
Lefty, right about 'recent recent' . I will do reverse I guess and look at what my low-cost IC guy has and look at the specs..
Pwillard, thanks and I'm checking the ones I don't know well. Yes, voltage regulators 7805-6-9-12 anyway. And LM317 of course.
There are many other cool chips out there but I am trying to figure a basic low-cost collection that I can sell cheap for anyone who wants to "have most of what I need to breadboard stuff this weekend" in hand. I already have good discrete collections like these:
WS2801
You mentioned the TLC5940 so I"ll toss in the WS2801. This chip has what I consider the best number of fade step levels - 256 - matching the byte and has a smooth fade.
MSGEQ7 (and related shields)
Outside the atmegaxxx - this chip is my favorite as it provides fantastic music reading capabilities at a very low price point.
Hi, OK I did some digging and looking at a LOT of spec sheets. Weirdly enough, I enjoy that
Here's my pass at "Popular ICs: Analog, Interface, Opto, Digital". This collection I can sell for $10 and still make a little. Next will be a Power FET collection.
nice, i would go for that, i'd have to learn how to implement op amps and comparators , i am only begining to understand the theory side through some videos from MIT :), but i would def go for that send me a pm when available