Author Topic: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!  (Read 7798 times)

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Offline fourfathom

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #50 on: September 08, 2022, 10:09:55 pm »
You saying, essentially, "we can't call this hardware because, hey, look over there, someone did something similar with software!, or "there's 'software' inside that component" is not being helpful.

No, I'm not saying that.

If you like, I can show the quotes where you at least strongly implied that.

But let's chalk this up to a misunderstanding in communication, not disagreement on fundamental principles.  These days I'm designing RF hardware that runs software, and I spend way more time writing the software -- because that's the best mix for the task.
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Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #51 on: September 12, 2022, 06:28:17 pm »
That 'configure and Play' software sounds interesting, and likely complex.
   In 'old days', before COVID lock-down mania, you would find a CONFERENCE, like for game developers etc. which is collosal expensive party-time, (after hours).  But you could nurse your drink (tonic water) while schmoozing with folks who, to meet people, will host a reception upstairs, in hotel suite.  You might see a sign saying something like:
   Apple Developers:. We are currently looking for graphics experts in several locations.
Come to our hotel suite #210 A, for coffee and donuts, 7 am every day, during Conference, we can talk.

   That sort of informal hook-ups, that occur at conferences, help to get some good genuine background info, plus folks may help with any nagging professional issues (that most everyday folks don't appreciate).
   
   A fellow here in town, (M.E.) did similar 'plant' work, in San Francisco city high-rise buildings, with their heating and cooling 'plants', some tantamount to complete 'city', in the one building.

   I do Inventions (attempted,...lol), which, as originally an EE, interested in writing firmware, I already used to broadened fields, doing embedded code.
But, I've also done physics related areospace and microwave 'specialties',   It's a learned tolerance.
   As an Inventor, Business involved Tech developer,  I've also (had to) navigate things like Office space Landlord / real estate managers.  Local police and crime situations sometimes needed attention (unsafe parking lot).
   It's been a deliberate process, for sure, to tolerate all these skill sets, outside of basic engineering.
But something like a good Conference, if you have the resources / airplane ticket could help with both professional, and casual boost, to your career.

Any eevblog user can always send PM with questions about Software / Hardware. Thanks
Thanks for the chat. I need to do some digging then!
 

Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #52 on: September 12, 2022, 06:37:34 pm »
The only problem I have is the degree is in Computer Science (software-oriented).
But yeah, I'll get on with a suitable project.

Shrug. I like to have fun with people that think there is an obvious difference between hardware and software. It is easy to provide counterexamples to their statements, and show them it is a very grey area.

I strongly recommend you learn about Finite State Machines (FSMs), and not in the context of compiler front ends. They are a good way of thinking about realtime systems, both in terms of specification and implementation. Learn how to implement them in hardware and in software. That leads to an understanding of how to choose to implement an FSM; frequently part is implemented in hardware and part in software.

Such system partitioning is an essential skill, whether working with low-level analogue signals or telecommunications billing systems.

Quote
BTW, my main project hasn't started yet. I wanted to do something about improving the image recognition algorithms but it seems like a huge ask for a novice like me.

Sounds like you are already deciding what isn't practical within the constraints. Excellent. Write that kind of thing down as part of the documentation and discuss it with interviewers.

One of my heroes was Professor Eric Laithwaite at Imperial College. He used to set exams where one question was easy and sufficient get you a pass mark, several were more challenging and could get you a good degree, and one could not be answered adequately in the time available. He expected his undergraduate engineers to be able to determine which questions to avoid. If they couldn't, they wouldn't make good engineers anyway.

Quote
So, I'm thinking of a more electronics-oriented idea. I have always loved working with LEDs (addressable RGB LEDs). So, I'm thinking about developing windows or raspberry pi software that can detect individual LEDs and configure them to display the image or a video that you have in hand. So, you can put multiple led strips into a sort of like in a billboard and the software, with the help of a camera, configures and display the image you have on the 'screen'.

Is it a good start?

I don't know; that's your decision :) Doesn't seem like a wrong start :)

You're going to have to determine "low level" timing constraints (e.g. setup and hold times when shoving data into LEDs), and "high level" timing constraints ( e.g. meeting frame rates). You will need to be able to explain how your design guarantees all timing constraints without testing and hoping you've spotted the worst case.

IIRC, I have heard about the FSM but cannot pinpoint the context!
I need to do some research!

Reg. the constraints:
Yeah, its one of the skills I have learnt the hard way as a mechanical design engineer but still, I do aim for the stars sometimes and land on the moon :P

Reg. the project:
Thanks, I need to re-learn C or study python to do that I guess.

 

Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #53 on: September 12, 2022, 06:46:35 pm »
BTW, my main project hasn't started yet. I wanted to do something about improving the image recognition algorithms but it seems like a huge ask for a novice like me.

These days, image recognition seems to revolve around Convolutional Neural Networks - software plus other skills.  The program costs a bit but I really recommend DeepLizard.com.  I finished the Dictionary course yesterday and it answered a LOT of questions.  PyImageSearch.com is another even more expensive program but it's got excellent material.

If you're not using Linux, you soon will be...

I believe the future is going to revolve around big data and AI - particularly Deep Neural Networks and CNNs.  If I wanted a project to show off, I would do something with the Jetbot and some kind of image based path finding around the kitchen or house (if the wheels will negotiate the carpet).  There is already a demo project that does all this but I'm sure there is room for improvement.  The idea is to create the network on a PC and somehow port it to the Jetbot.  You could probably develop the model on Google Colab which might speed up training.

https://www.amazon.com/Accessories-Wireless-Bluetooth-Recognition-XYGStudy/dp/B07WMZ3KLY

I believe you need to source a 4GB Jetson Nano separately and the price seems to be outrageous at the moment.  Even at the Nvidia store, it is marked "Get Quote".  I didn't pay anything like the current prices for mine.


There's a bit of linear algebra involved (usually handled by the library) and the preferred language is Python and there are libraries for everything.  You can also use the Nvidia SDK and write the project in C++ or Fortran.  In any event, it is helpful if your PC has an Nvidia graphics card with a bunch of CUDA units.  Not required, but helpful.

You could also do the project in MATLAB. 

The Holy Grail is a self-driving car that doesn't crash into Police cars.

You get CS experience in image recognition, AI experience in Convolutional Neural Networks (and image recognition) and embedded experience in making the Jetbot respond to whatever the AI is doing.

Not an inexpensive project.

Maybe a Raspberry Pi will be enough as long as the CNN is already built and just ported over.  Or maybe that is overkill.  The nice thing is that you could possibly do the entire project on the Pi.  It makes a fairly decent workstation.  Plan on taking a LOT of photos of proper and improper paths, possibly while driving it around with a wireless PS4 game controller.

Maybe the AI runs on a laptop connected via ethernet to the 'bot.  Berkeley Sockets comes to mind...

Search around, there are a bunch of similar projects.
My project supervisor is into AI research and I guess he can help a great deal. But it seems like HUGE in terms of materials to go through.
To make matters complicated, my partner would be joining me soon after a long break and I would be spending a lot of time with her. She's a CS graduate (web dev) but we'll be doing other things ;)
I'll definitely discuss it with my supervisor before changing the project. May be he can point me in the right direction!

Thanks for the input by the way. Appreciate that!
 

Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #54 on: September 12, 2022, 06:58:51 pm »
Interesting reading in this thread!

BTW, for the time being, I'm going to re-learn C and try to get hold of my project supervisor who's supposed to return after his vacation this week.
I'll have a chat with him and let's see what comes out of it.

Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results
 

Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #55 on: September 12, 2022, 08:10:10 pm »
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

That's quite a price range to choose from.  Cost from 2.95£ up to 700£ or more.  You need to close up the range because all of the high dollar meters will be acceptable.

Dave sells a couple of Brymen meters, both are excellent:  https://www.eevblog.com/store/

What you are after is range (low uA and low Voltage scales) and accuracy.  Start a spreadsheet and see how meters compare and what they cost.  The first one I picked from your list has lousy accuracy, 0.8% on DCV compared to  0.1% for the 121GW that Dave sells.  I gave up!  The only brands I recognize are Fluke (expensive but really good meters) and Amprobe which I think are rebranded.  Be wary of meters that target electricians, they may not have the low uA and mV scales.

So, as a rough guess, if you are measuring 5V, you can be off by 40 mV on the cheap meter or 5 mV on the 121GW.  Your choice.

Accuracy counts as do digits, ranges, True RMS (desirable) and so on.

So, I'm no help at all!


You might chase this further down the rabbit hole over in the Test Equipment forum.  It usually gets quite animated!  Have a price range in mind before posting.  Otherwise, all you will hear is how great Fluke meters are.  Yes, they're quite good but they are pricey.  Disclaimer:  I have a Fluke 189 - a very good meter currently selling on Amazon for nearly $1000.  I bought it for around $400 about 20 years ago.  Talk about inflation!

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-189-True-Digital-Mutimeter/dp/B000MXB5C2

The search feature might be useful - or not...

« Last Edit: September 12, 2022, 08:17:07 pm by rstofer »
 
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Online tggzzz

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #56 on: September 13, 2022, 12:04:22 am »
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

To do what?

If to measure logic and opamp power rails, almost any piece of junk will be sufficient. If to measure whether an output is high or low, a resistor and LED is sufficient.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
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Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #57 on: September 13, 2022, 11:24:07 am »
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

To do what?

If to measure logic and opamp power rails, almost any piece of junk will be sufficient. If to measure whether an output is high or low, a resistor and LED is sufficient.
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

To do what?

If to measure logic and opamp power rails, almost any piece of junk will be sufficient. If to measure whether an output is high or low, a resistor and LED is sufficient.

I'm trying to do some simple LED-based projects (addressable RGB LEDs) first. Then I plan to do more like drones as I have some aerospace design knowledge.
So for the time being, might need to check the resistance, test a diode, continuity and maybe... maybe the capacitance? All low voltage stuff.
The budget is quite low - like 30-40 quid?
 

Offline x_marxTopic starter

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Online tggzzz

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #59 on: September 13, 2022, 02:33:44 pm »
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

To do what?

If to measure logic and opamp power rails, almost any piece of junk will be sufficient. If to measure whether an output is high or low, a resistor and LED is sufficient.
Edit:
Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

To do what?

If to measure logic and opamp power rails, almost any piece of junk will be sufficient. If to measure whether an output is high or low, a resistor and LED is sufficient.

I'm trying to do some simple LED-based projects (addressable RGB LEDs) first. Then I plan to do more like drones as I have some aerospace design knowledge.
So for the time being, might need to check the resistance, test a diode, continuity and maybe... maybe the capacitance? All low voltage stuff.
The budget is quite low - like 30-40 quid?

Buy the cheapest piece of crap you can get your hands on. Learn what it can and can't show you a plus what you need to measure. Then, if necessary, you will be in a position to know what you need next.

If you wouldn't touch a naked conductor at the voltages in your system, or currents could melt metal, then you need better than cheap crap.
There are lies, damned lies, statistics - and ADC/DAC specs.
Glider pilot's aphorism: "there is no substitute for span". Retort: "There is a substitute: skill+imagination. But you can buy span".
Having fun doing more, with less
 

Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #60 on: September 13, 2022, 03:54:44 pm »
Look around for the Aneng AN8008
https://www.amazon.com/Yosooo-True-RMS-Multimeter-Transistors-Temperature/dp/B07NQ24SJZ

Dave did a review on the meter, I don't recall the outcome.


Ultimately, you will need 3 DMMs - watch some of w2aew's videos or Dave's.  You will often see projects where 3 meters are used simultaneously.  These tend to be the educational tutorials where they are trying to make a point.  Two of the three can be less expensive and maybe, at some point, you buy a more expensive meter with better specs.  Or not...

I use mine all the time in preference to the higher dollar meters.

If you don't trust the CAT rating, don't use the meter on mains during a lightning storm.
 
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Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #61 on: September 13, 2022, 03:58:06 pm »
This deal...is it any good?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AstroAI-Multimeters-Capacitance-Transistors-Temperature/dp/B071JL6LLL

It looks like an AN 8008 to me!  Sure, it will be fine for a first meter (I say glibly without checking specs or reviews)
 
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Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #62 on: September 13, 2022, 04:09:52 pm »
I'm trying to do some simple LED-based projects (addressable RGB LEDs) first. Then I plan to do more like drones as I have some aerospace design knowledge.
So for the time being, might need to check the resistance, test a diode, continuity and maybe... maybe the capacitance? All low voltage stuff.
The budget is quite low - like 30-40 quid?
If the signal is time-varying, a scope is more appropriate than a DMM.

Either of these Siglents will do the job.  The difference is bandwidth and inputs.  We got by for a thousand years with 2 channel scopes but today we seem to think of 4 channels as the standard.  I bought a 4 channel scope when I upgraded to a DSO - The Rigol DS1054Z which was the hot setup a few years back.

Today the Siglents are hot:

SDS1202X-E  2 channel 200 MHz $359
https://www.amazon.com/Siglent-Technologies-SDS1202X-Oscilloscope-Channels/dp/B06XZML6RD

SDS1104X-E  4 channel 100 MHz $475 
https://www.amazon.com/Siglent-SDS1104X-oscilloscope-channels-standard/dp/B0771N1ZF9


There are some epic threads about the Rigol over in Test Equipment.  It is easily unlocked to provide 100 MHz bandwidth and the other options are now free from the factory.

https://www.amazon.com/Rigol-DS1054Z-Digital-Oscilloscopes-Bandwidth/dp/B012938E76

« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 04:30:21 pm by rstofer »
 

Online RJSV

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #63 on: September 14, 2022, 04:27:33 am »
(Sorry Dave, but we DO HAVE an eevblog multimeter in the house.)
   I bought a slightly cheapo and rugged rubber encased multimeter, right here down the street, at:
   O'R••••••s Auto Parts (in California).
PLUS, pay attention to some of their misc. LED and audio products.  I picked up a 'cigarette lighter' receptacle add-on (under dashboard), where the thing has a USB Charging port.  ow, with the (Auto Parts Store) Solar Trickle chargr I've got solar capacity to at least keep phone going, if disaster blackouts occur.
   And the LED accessories are cool too.
I don't even drive, LOL.
 
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Offline armandine2

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #64 on: September 14, 2022, 07:32:16 am »

Can anyone suggest any decent budget multi-meter (UK)?
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/test-equipment/multimeters-clamp-meters/prl/results

Can't resist a punt here - this is well over your budget, and I don't know its availability - but if you're not going to get the dirt cheap DIY one I'd look at a Kewtech, in the technician range.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-ac-dc-true-rms-digital-multimeter-600v/5205p
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Offline armandine2

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #65 on: September 15, 2022, 08:19:03 am »
Regards suitable EE training, I've been scanning the Open University  website T212

https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/t212

which I'm in two minds whether to take up, myself.
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Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #66 on: September 15, 2022, 05:16:16 pm »
If that course is 30 credits, how many credits does it take to get a Bachelor's Degree?  Around here it is around 150 units (not equal to credits, I suppose) and most courses are 4 units and the program typically lasts 5 years assuming the Freshman is ready to take college level Calculus 1.  Otherwise, add 2 semesters (likely 1 year) for pre-Calc.  There are typically 2 semesters per year with an optional summer program for select courses.  Summer programs are intense if they are STEM oriented.  There's the same amount of material to cover and a much shorter period.

Pre-calc is quite popular because high schools do such a lousy job of teaching math to the level required for college.

Distance learning became a way of life for colleges and universities during the height of Covid.  It was either get up to speed with distance learning or go out of business.  I think the plan is to keep the program because it gives them a larger market with very little in the way of additional costs.

The downside is the lack of networking with other students (relationships, not wire).  Study groups aren't what they used to be.

If you have the pre-requisites and the cost isn't too high (I didn't check $), go for it!  Better hit the math books, engineering is all math.
 

Offline rstofer

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Re: Starting a new CompSci/Electronics career -need advice!
« Reply #67 on: September 15, 2022, 05:29:21 pm »
Even Oxford has distance learning:  https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/distance-learning

Open University has been doing distance learning for about 50 years.  They should be pretty good at it!

MIT has OpenCourseWare: https://ocw.mit.edu/search/?s=department_course_numbers.sort_coursenum

The distance learning thing is going to be huge!  A lot more people are going to be able to get an advanced education and we need a lot more smart people!
 


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