Internet becomes important tech support tool

With microcontrollers and FPGAs now used in very many electronic products, the design process relies heavily on access to design tools, IP blocks (cores) and sometimes even specialist design and software development services.

As a result direct customer training is an important characteristic of technical distribution.

Our Xpress Track training programmes, for example, include both short presentations and longer seminars, some of which run over several days.

These involve technology reviews and hands-on laboratory sessions with products or reference designs.

Face-to-face meetings and seminars are not always possible. Many engineers are under such strict cost and time constraints that they don't have the resources to attend such events.

Here, the availability of high-speed Internet access has led to the growth in the use of video tutorials. Semiconductor manufacturers have been particularly active in producing these and a selection of them, together with some created in-house, are available on our website.

Complementing video and face-to-face training, there is still a need for technical printed materials. Application notes are designed to guide engineers through the process of interfacing different devices together.

The documents identify the key elements in the design process and topics are organised by design task.

For example, an application note entitled "Creating a Power Subsystem for Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGAs using Linear Technology Power Devices" gives designers all the information they need to complete this part of their project, saving design time and cost, and ensuring that proven, compatible devices are selected for the task.