Starting out with microcontrollers

[nradam]

Can you recommend an ebook to start out with microcontrollers. I am a first year mechanical engineering student and i have no idea about electronics (We only learned electricals in high school). So do i need to learn anything as a prerequisite before i learn microcontrollers?

 

[mgb_phys]

Don't know if there is a book but the place to start is http://www.arduino.cc/
There are dozens of websites and companies based around teaching this micro.

ps the hardware as well as the software and development environment are open source so you can buy different versions of the board from many different places or download the schematics and build one yourself.

 

[oswaler]

I would recommend the ebook "Getting Started with Arduino" by Massimo Banzi as a great resource for beginners to learn about microcontrollers. It provides a clear and easy-to-understand introduction to microcontrollers and their applications.

In terms of prerequisites, it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of electrical concepts such as voltage, current, and resistance. However, it is not necessary to have prior knowledge of electronics to learn about microcontrollers. The ebook mentioned above covers the necessary background information and provides step-by-step instructions for beginners. Additionally, as a mechanical engineering student, you may have a strong foundation in problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which will be beneficial in learning about microcontrollers.

I would also recommend practicing hands-on with an actual microcontroller kit, such as the Arduino starter kit, to gain practical experience and reinforce your learning. Overall, with the right resources and determination, anyone can learn about microcontrollers, regardless of their background in electronics.