[AndroidThings Tut I] Electronics 102
Schematics
The Internet of Things will most likely be built by embedded developers. One of the things that scare software engineers about learning electronics is Schematics. It looks intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with it, and majority of software developers are.
In electrical circuits, a schematic is simply a drawing representing a circuit. In general terms, a circuit can be described as any group of electrical or electronic devices connected together by conductors.
We use schematics when constructing or designing a circuit board. Components my be rearranged in order to accommodate physical constraints. Each symbol represents a physical component and each line represents a wire that connects the components together.
Understanding how to read and follow schematics is an important skill for any IoT engineer. We’ll go over all of the fundamental schematic symbols:
Main Components
Resistor
This is a device that resists the flow of charge. Its symbol reflects this characteristic by making the line jagged
Potentiometer/ Variable Resister
The resistor whose electrical resistance value can be adjusted as per requirement by adjustable component attached to it is called variable resistor. It is an electronic component. It is applied in an electronic circuit for adjusting circuit resistance to control voltage or current of that circuit or part of that circuit. The electrical resistance is varied by sliding a wiper contact along a resistance track.
A capacitor
These is device used to store an electric charge, consisting of one or more pairs of conductors separated by an insulator.There are two commonly used capacitor symbols. One symbol represents a polarized (usually electrolytic or tantalum) capacitor, and the other is for non-polarized caps. In each case there are two terminals, running perpendicularly into plates.
The symbol with one curved plate indicates that the capacitor is polarized. The curved plate represents the cathode of the capacitor, which should be at a lower voltage than the positive, anode pin. A plus sign might also be added to the positive pin of the polarized capacitor symbol.
A diode
This is semiconductor device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only. Basic diodes are usually represented with a triangle pressed up against a line. Diodes are also polarized, so each of the two terminals require distinguishing identifiers. The positive, anode is the terminal running into the flat edge of the triangle. The negative, cathode extends out of the line in the symbol.
Light Emitting Diode
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) augment the diode symbol with a couple lines pointing away.
Integrated Circuits
Integrated circuits accomplish such unique tasks, and are so numerous, that they don’t really get a unique circuit symbol. Usually, an integrated circuit is represented by a rectangle, with pins extending out of the sides. Each pin should be labeled with both a number, and a function.
Once you have picked up a few basics, schematics are simply easy to understand . You may Google “List of Schematics” to find a printable list. You may also download a schematic online and use it to wire a breadboard.
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