Intro to Electronic Components

Capacitors

have the ability to store and discharge electrical potential energy and electrical charge

CAN bus

Communication protocol without the need for a host computer. Multiple devices share a twisted two wire bus. Designed for automotive technology.

I2C protocol

Uses two wires (SDA & SCL) with a master-slave architecture. Widely used for short distance communication.

Serial Communication

refers to the process of sending data one bit at a time over a communication channel or bus

Clock Signal

Oscillates between a high and a low state and is utilized like a metronome to coordinate how and when part of a circuits act.

Aspects of Clock Signal: Oscillating Signal

Alternates between a high state and a low state providing regular fluctuation.

Aspects of Clock Signal: Clock Cycle

The time of transitioning from a low state to a high state and then back to a low state. Determines the speed of the system.

Aspects of Clock Signal: Frequency

Determines how many cycles occur per second. Measure in hertz.

Aspects of Clock Signal: Duty Cycle

The ratio of time when signal is high to the total time of the cycle. 50% duty cycle means the signal is high for half the cycle and low for the other half.

Aspects of Clock Signal: Phase

The position of the clock's waveform in respect to other signals of clocks.

Transformers

A device that increases or decreases the voltage of alternating current. Used for long distance circuit distribution.

Conductors

materials that allow electric charges to flow through them easily. Passes out electrons.

UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter)

Used for serial data transmission
No clock signal
Data is sent one bit at a time with start and stop bits
Used for microcontrollers, computers, and peripherals over short distances

Bluetooth

Uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz frequency range
Master-Slave Model
Data is then transmitted in small packets

WIFI

Operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands to connect to a local area network (LAN) without physical cables.

A router, connected to the internet, transmits signals to devices within its range.

ESP-NOW

Low-power, wireless communication protocol developed for ESP32 and ESP8266 devices.

Ideal for low-bandwidth applications

Communicates quickly and efficiently over short distances.

LoRa

Wireless communication technology designed for long-distance, low-power data transmission

Part of the LoRaWAN protocol for larger, decentralized IoT networks

VESC Architecture

Open-source platform designed for controlling electric motors

Enables advanced features like field-oriented control (FOC), regenerative braking, customizable control algorithms, and data logging.

For brushless DC (BLDC) motors.

BDLC Motors

An electric motor that operates without brushes

Higher efficiency, reliability, and longer lifespan compared to brushed motors, as they produce less friction and heat.

FOC Motor

Particularly AC motors and brushless DC motors (BLDC)

Regulates the motor's magnetic field in real time

Convers the motor's stator currents into a rotating reference frame and controlling them independently to optimize motor performance

HFI Motor

High-frequency signal is injected into the motor windings to detect the rotor's position and estimate its magnetic field.

Useful in low-speed or standstill conditions

Enables precise torque control without the need for physical sensors

Battery Charging Curves

relationship between the battery's charge level (typically in terms of voltage, current, or state of charge) and time during the charging process.

curves vary depending on the battery chemistry (e.g., lithium-ion, lead-acid) and the charging method

Three stages are Constant Current, Constant Voltage, and Tapering Phase.

Battery Chemistry Types

Lithium Ion - high energy density but sensitive to overcharging.

Lead-Acid - Heavier but shorter lifespan, sometimes requires regular maintenance.

Nickel Cadmium - Long life cycle but toxic

Battery Management Systems

monitors and controls the performance of a rechargeable battery pack to ensure safe and efficient operation

crucial role in extending the lifespan, maintaining the health, and ensuring the safety of batteries

RC Circuits

Consists of a resistor and capacitors

filter signals, store energy, and create timing functions in electronic devices

RL Circuits

Consists of a resistor and inductor

These circuits are used to analyze and control the behavior of currents and voltages in systems involving inductance

RLC Circuits

Consists of a resistor, inductor, and capacitor.

create resonance at a particular frequency

commonly used in filters, tuners, and oscillators, where they can pass, block, or resonate at specific frequencies based on the values of R, L, and C.

EasyEDA

a web-based tool for designing schematics and printed circuit boards (PCBs)

It supports a wide range of components, offers real-time collaboration, and can generate files for manufacturing PCBs

KiCad

supports complex designs, including high-density PCBs and multi-sheet schematics. KiCad also provides tools for 3D visualization and electrical rule checking

vias

circuit board designs are small holes drilled through a printed circuit board (PCB) to connect different layers of the board electrically

trace widths

width of the conductive paths (traces) that carry electrical signals between components on a PCB

influenced by factors like signal integrity, resistance, and space constraints on the board

ESP Microcontroller

Easy IoT intergration and affordable

High power usage, has fewer input and output pins

STM Microcontroller

Wide range of microcontroller options of this type, low power consumption

More expensive and complex to learn

nRF Microcontroller

built in low power bluetooth, lower power consumption.

limited input and output pins, development complexity

ARM Microcontroller

Wide ecosystem with development tool and libraries

More expensive and high power consumption

RISC-V Microcontrollers

Scalability and therefore used on a wide range of applications

Performance is variable

Transfer functions in terms of System Dynamics Theory and Control Systems Theory

relationship between the input and output of a linear time-invariant (LTI) system in the frequency domain

H(s)=X(s)Y(s)

Damping Behavior in terms of System Dynamics Theory and Control Systems Theory

how a system responds to disturbances or changes over time, particularly in relation to oscillations.

Damping describes the reduction of oscillations in a system's response to an input or disturbance.

It is a critical factor in determining the stability and performance of dynamic systems.