Tutorials
Serial Terminal Basics
September 9, 2013
This tutorial will show you how to communicate with your serial devices using a variety of terminal emulator applications.
Using EAGLE: Board Layout
September 5, 2013
Part 2 of the Using Eagle tutorials, this one covers how to lay out a board after designing a schematic.
How to Install and Setup EAGLE
September 5, 2013
Not just how to download and install EAGLE, but how to install the SparkFun EAGLE Libraries and scripts.
My Drunk Kitchen Apron
September 5, 2013
A fun project that uses the LilyPad MP3 trigger. This apron will dispense helpful kitchen advice and humor from the host of My Drunk Kitchen, Hannah Harto!
Using the Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V
September 5, 2013
This tutorial is your guide to all things Arduino Pro Mini. It explains what it is, what it's not, and how to get started using it.
Alternating Current (AC) vs. Direct Current (DC)
September 5, 2013
Learn the differences between AC and DC, the history, different ways to generate AC and DC, and examples of applications.
ProtoSnap LilyPad Development Simple Hookup Guide
September 5, 2013
Interested in getting into LilyPad? Or maybe it's Arduino that tickles your fancy? Just want to add a little white-blinky-LED zest to your vest? All of the above? The ProtoSnap LilyPad Simple is a great tool to explore any of these subjects.
RN-52 Bluetooth Hookup Guide
August 29, 2013
A hookup guide to get you started with the RN-52 Audio Bluetooth Module Breakout Board.
Using GitHub to Share with SparkFun
August 19, 2013
A simple step-by-step tutorial to help you download files from SparkFun's GitHub site, make changes, and share the changes with SparkFun.
Dungeons and Dragons Dice Gauntlet
August 13, 2013
A playful, geeky tutorial for a leather bracer that uses a LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad accelerometer, and seven segment display to roll virtual 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, and 100 side dice for gaming.
MetaWatch Teardown and Arduino Hookup
August 13, 2013
Tearing down the nifty Bluetooth-enabled MetaWatch. Then building an Arduino sketch to control it.
Using the Serial 7-Segment Display
August 13, 2013
How to quickly and easily set up the Serial 7-Segment Display and the Serial 7-Segment Display Shield.
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
August 12, 2013
Learn the basics about LEDs as well as some more advanced topics to help you calculate requirements for projects containing many LEDs.
RedBoard vs. Uno
August 6, 2013
In this tutorial we discuss the differences and similarities between the RedBoard and the Arduino Uno (SMD and PTH). The development platforms
WS2812 Breakout Hookup Guide
July 24, 2013
How to create a pixel string with the WS2812 and WS2812B addressable LEDs!
Analog vs. Digital
July 18, 2013
This tutorial covers the concept of analog and digital signals, as they relate to electronics.
Integrated Circuits
July 15, 2013
An introduction to integrated circuits (ICs). Electronics' ubiquitous black chips. Includes a focus on the variety of IC packages.
How to Read a Schematic
July 12, 2013
An overview of component circuit symbols, and tips and tricks for better schematic reading. Click here, and become schematic-literate today!
Metric Prefixes and SI Units
July 11, 2013
This tutorial will explain how to use and convert between the standard metric prefixes.
I2C
July 8, 2013
An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.
Old Tutorials
Looking for the old, archived tutorials? Head on over to the
archived tutorials on the main
SparkFun site.
Please be aware that the tutorials you find there are no longer
actively maintained.