Circuit Cellar

I've been reading this magazine off and on since Electronics Now and Popular Electronics went down hill, and have been pleasantly suprised by the depth and quality of information provided. Design and implementation of topical projects are laid out and explained clearly along with the underlying theory. Don Lancaster always has an interesting spin on new products and ideas. If you're looking for insights into embedded systems development, look no further.

-but I'm not quite sure who it's for. It's just so cool, though, that probably doesn't matter. This month's issue has projects that use FPGAs, that generate RF test signals, that do encryption on PIC processors, and, well, lots of other stuff. It's all at that place where analog circuitry, digital design, and software become interchangeable, like that software tone detector people would have implemented as an analog filter back when.

So who is likely to enjoy this magazine? Serious electronics hobbyists, for sure, garage robot-builders and gadgeteers, engineering students at any level (grade school to grad school), and the people who teach those students or at least try to keep up. It's probably good for consultants who do electronic prototypes and one-offs, where fast turnaround and proof of principle matters more than volume production or FAA certification. And I bet it's good for any hardware engineer who wants to know more about software, or vice versa. It's for anyone who thinks embedded system development is just plain fun, if you do it right.

Who's not going to read this? Well, it's not a trade rag, so there's nothing about industrial deals and dealmakers. It's not an academic journal, and math is at the upper-high school level, at most. It's not for the hardened pro, except maybe as a way to unwind from a day of serious engineering or research.

It's a little quirky, and it's a bit away from my interests these days. But it helps me remember why I got into engineering in the first place `cuz it's a blast!

//wiredweird

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Circuit Cellar occupies a unique place in the world of electronics literature. Its scope (embedded systems) is a little too limited and the articles a little too advanced and discipline-specific to serve most of the dwindling hobby community. On the other hand, the magazine carries an enthusiasm and a sense of fun that's rarely seen in professional magazines.

This magazine won't do much good for a beginning electronics aficionado, but it's a godsend for advanced hobbyists and for professional engineers and technicians who love their field.

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I'm an experienced electronics and embedded systems engineer, and also a hobbyist. I somewhat agree with other reviewers that CC is too shallow for professionals and too hard for novices. However, in every issue I always find useful bits of information and inspirational ideas for my next project at work or home.

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There is no better publication if your enthusiasm for making things still equals your desire to understand the digital world student, hobby builder, or pro. Not trivial, but not pedantic. Very how-to, projects by readers not writers. Will not waste your time.

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