Understanding binary, decimal, and simple analog electronics with a BASIC Stamp module and a few sensors.

Analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion make it possible for a digital device, like the BASIC Stamp 2, to both measure and control "real-world" values such as voltage, light level, and frequency. The experiments in the 164-page Basic Analog and Digital spiral-bound textbook introduce PBASIC commands for A/D conversion with resistor/capacitor circuits, interfacing an ADC0831 8-bit A/D converter, scaling analog outputs into meaningful digital values, analyzing time-varying signals, and using PWM as analog output. These concepts are conveyed using potentiometers, LEDs, speakers, photoresistors, and pushbuttons. This Stamps in Class text is an excellent companion or sequel to What's a Microcontroller?

This book does not include a development board or parts. To go through the activities in the textbook, you will need a BASIC Stamp Board of Education Full Kit or HomeWork Board Activity Kit, as well as a collection of parts to build the circuits in this book's exercises.

Unless you have a lot of parts on hand, you probably should consider purchasing the Textbook and Parts Kit instead of this book by itself.

Basic Analog and Digital Textbook Activities

• Building a comparator
• Building a simple digital DC voltmeter
• Building a resistive ladder network for D/A conversion
• Recording and displaying frequency and light data
• D/A conversion with pulse width modulation

You can download a PDF version of this textbook.

Hours to completion: 25
Level of Difficulty (out of 10): 6