Electronics professionals, makers and DIY lovers, and other hobbyists who want to learn about the world of electronics and start creating their own projects, are in luck, since today we will present DigiKey for those who don't know him. It is a huge platform with everything you could need, from hardware resources to software.
It is like a huge toy store for adults where you will find everything you need, since it is the largest and most complete online store in the world dedicated to electronics. It contains everything you need to carry out our projects, all the products we show on this website and more...
What is DigiKey?
DigiKey is a global distributor of electronic components for engineers, designers, hobbyists and manufacturers. On this online platform you will find a wide range of products from the world's leading manufacturers (TI, NXP, Philips, Siemens, Panasonic, Infineon, and a very long etc.). With an intuitive online interface and a huge product database, available in multiple countries and languages.
DigiKey has become a source of essential resources for any electronic project, from prototypes to large-scale production. A fantastic alternative to Aliexpress, Amazon, where there are many components, but not all of them are there, and of course competing against other specialized companies such as Mouser Electronics, Arrow Electronics, RS Componentes, etc., which we have already discussed...
To start enjoying all these resources, you just have to create a user account, like in any other online store, with all your shipping information and more. Once done, you can navigate through the different menus to find what you need, or directly use its integrated search engine to show you the results related to your search. Simply add the products you need to your shopping cart, and once you finish your purchases, you can proceed to the payment process and finish the order so that it arrives at your home.
Go to the official DigiKey website
What can we find on the online platform?
DigiKey offers a lot more than just an online store. It is a complete platform that includes:
- Product Catalog- With millions of electronic components, from resistors and capacitors to microcontrollers, sensors and complete modules.
- Design Tools: simulators, calculators and other online tools to help you design your circuits.
- Technical documentation: technical sheets or datasheets where you can find pinouts, specifications, application notes and other resources to help you select and use the right components.
- Technical support: a team of experts ready to answer your questions and help you find the solutions you need.
If we focus on the products DigiKey sells By categories, they include:
- Semiconductors: microcontrollers, microprocessors, transistors, diodes, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), FPGAs, and more.
- Passive components: resistors, capacitors, inductors, crystals, resonators and other passive components.
- Connectors and interconnections: connectors, cables, terminals, modular connectors and other components for interconnecting circuits.
- Electromechanical: relays, switches, fuses, transformers, motors, sensors and other electromechanical components.
- Development: development boards, evaluation kits, programming tools and other products for prototyping.
- tools and equipment: soldering irons, multimeters, oscilloscopes and other test and measurement equipment.
- Supplies: cables, wires, heat shrink tubing, solvents and other electronics supplies.
In addition to its extensive inventory, DigiKey also has other advantages over other stores. For example, it offers a fast and secure logistics service, to pay and buy online what you need and have it delivered wherever you want as soon as possible. It is also easy to use, with a web interface very similar to any other similar ones, so you will not be lost. You also have a technical support service at your service to help you when you need it, both to advise you on purchases and to resolve problems.
And, if what you are looking for are design tools for your projectsDigiKey also has a section for this, with tools developed by themselves to help you understand electronics from a basic to advanced level, to perform simulations, and everything you can imagine. And, if you're lost, they have an extensive community of users from all over the world who will be happy to help you and share their knowledge and experiences.
Featured DigiKey Resources
Among the latests Moravia's compositions DikiKey's notable tools, we can highlight the following:
- Online conversion calculators: These tools allow you to make conversions between different units of measurement commonly used in electronics, such as ohms, farads, henries, watts, etc. They are useful for making quick and accurate calculations in your designs. For example, you will have ways to calculate resistance using color coding, Ohm's Law calculations, calculate parallel and series resistances, conversions between units, etc.
- Cross reference tools- These tools allow you to find the equivalent of a component from one manufacturer to another. For example, if you need to find the equivalent of a transistor from a specific manufacturer, you can use this tool to search for it in the DigiKey catalog.
- EDA and design tools: refers to a set of software tools used in the design of electronic circuits. DigiKey offers access to a variety of EDA tools, which may include circuit simulators, PCB design tools, and schematic capture software. These tools allow you to design, simulate and verify your circuits before manufacturing them.
- PCB Builder- Allows you to design your own printed circuit boards (PCBs) quickly and easily. Generally, they offer an intuitive graphical interface and an extensive library of components so you can create your designs.
- Reference Design Library- This is a reference design library is a collection of pre-designed and tested electronic circuit designs. These designs can serve as a starting point for your own projects, saving you time and effort. DigiKey offers a wide variety of reference designs for different applications.
- scheme it- is another free and easy to use online circuit diagramming tool. It allows you to create schematic diagrams of your circuits quickly and easily. Additionally, you can share your designs with other users and export them to different formats.
Without a doubt, a good repertoire of products and resources with which you will have zero excuses to get to work and start creating your own devices...