This book and kit were designed to answer the question: how do I get started in microcontrollers? Now, in clear, simple English, you can learn what a microcontroller is, and how to use one. Everything that you need to get started is included (requires Windows PC with at least one USB port) in this one low-cost kit, including the introductory text book.

In seven easy sections, you will learn:

• What a microcontroller is
• How to put one together
• How to program it
• How to interface the microcontroller to simple input and output devices.

All of the components, including the microcontroller itself, are included on the small development printed circuit board (PCB.) You will even get a size-AA battery case, but you only need a battery if you want to set up a stand-alone system - all of the experiments may be completed with the power from the computer's USB port.

Your introduction text book, including the assembly instructions, all quizzes and answers and the sample programs, may be downloaded from our web site - the location will be included in the kit.

Uses 4 AA sized cells (not included) for the battery.

There is a growing collection of projects/educational posts on our blog. You can take a look at: http://projects.granzeier.com/category/projects/2313-es-projects/. Keep checking back, we haven't been as diligent as we should, but we are trying to update our project blog on a weekly basis.

If you have a large parts drawer, and would like to build your own, you may check out our Instructable at: http://www.instructables.com/id/Learn-About-Microcontrollers/.