Electronics is one of the main areas of robotics and it is essential to get a good grounding in electronic principals. The following sections will introduce you to the most common electronic components and why they are so useful.
Resistor |
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| A Resistor restricts the flow of electric current. A simple circuit can be constructed from a battery, and Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a resistor; the resistor would be used to limit the current passing through the LED. |
| Capacitor |
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| Capacitors store electrical charge much like a battery, although much simpler as they only store charge and do not produce it. Capacitors are used in circuits where a temporary ‘Reservoir’ of charge is required or where unwanted charge needs to be handled, such in power supply filter circuits. |
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Transistor |
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| Transistors are semiconductors used to amplify or switch electrical currents. |
| Diode |
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| A diode is a semiconductor which allows electrical current to flow in one direction and stops flow in the opposite direction. |
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Integrated Circuit (IC) |
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| An Integrated Circuit, or IC, is a small electrical device that contains a miniaturised electronic circuit. |
| Light Emitting Diode (LED) |
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| A Light Emitting Diodes, or LED, is small light-bulb based on a diode. LEDs are being increasingly used in electronic devices as they are very efficient, producing very little heat and much light compared to other traditional light bulbs. |
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