This updated edition is an introduction appropriate for both the student and hobbyist to the theory and practice of electronics. It leads the reader through introductory understanding of the science underlying electronics, building basic circuits, learning the roles of the components, the application of digital theory and the possibilities for innovation by combining sensors, motors, and microcontrollers. Each chapter contains a brief lab to demonstrate the topic covered then moving on to the final projects that build a programmable robot with the Netduino or Arduino microcontroller and projects using the Raspberry Pi. The companion disc has videos of the labs, soldering skills, and code samples for programming of the robot. eBook Customers: Companion files are available for downloading with order number/proof of purchase by writing to the publisher at info@merclearning.com.Features:* Leads the reader through an introductory understanding of electronics with both simple labs and progressing to the construction of a microcontroller-driven robot using open source software and hardware and projects to run on a Raspberry Pi * Companion disc contains videos of labs, tutorials on soldering/ de-soldering, code for the microcontroller robot project, and figures from the text

Jean Riescher Westcott has written broadly on technology in books and online. She is a co-author of The Complete Idiot s Guide to Electronics 101 (Alpha/Penguin Books) and Digitally Daunted: The Consumer's Guide to Taking Control of the Electronics in Your Life (Capital Books).