Page 187 - Programming the Photon Getting Started With the Internet of Things

When designing a system, analog circuits are much harder and complex and require
more skill compared with digital systems. This is primarily why digital systems have
become more common; in addition, they are much cheaper to manufacture.

Digital systems are much easier to understand—they do not use a continuous range

like analog, so any noise or slight variation in the signal does not affect the result of a
digital signal. Digital systems generally have only two states, and they are represented by
two different voltages—usually 0 is equal to ground and 1 is equal to +V.

The main advantage of using a digital system is that when compared with analog, the

signal does not degrade over time and it can be quite easily replicated without any loss.
The main disadvantage is that digital circuits consume much more power than do analog
circuits, and when circuits consume more power, that generally means more heat, which in
turn increases the complexity of designing a circuit.

All of the parts used in this book are easily available for purchase from a number of
stores through the Internet. However, sometimes it can be quite difficult to find exactly
what you are looking for, especially in your own country. Finding suppliers in your own
country can reduce the cost of shipping, offering you a more affordable solution.

Suppliers

When searching for your components on the Internet, you will probably come across
many suppliers, all offering something different in terms of product selection. Photon

boards are available from a wide range of suppliers, as well as through Particle itself
(www.particle.io.com); you will also find a range of kits and shields and other interesting
Photon products.

Most of the components used in this book can be found in the Photon Maker Kit,

which is available from most suppliers or directly from Particle. This is the easiest and
most convenient way of sourcing the parts for this book. All of the components are also
available from many other suppliers, such as Adafruit Industries, SparkFun, or
SeeedStudios. These companies often specialize in the maker market and manufacture
their own products.

SparkFun, based in the United States, is an online retail store that sells various pieces
to make your electronic projects. In addition to their products, they provide classes and
online tutorials designed to help educate individuals in embedded electronics
(www.sparkfun.com).

Adafruit Industries was founded in 2005 by MIT engineer Limor Fried. Adafruit was
designed to create the best place online for learning about electronics and making the best-
designed products on the market. Adafruit designs and develops their own products in
house; they sell these on their website, along with several tutorials to get you started

(www.Adafruit.com).