Trace Systems, Inc

Here's question we get asked a lot:

"Where do I get started getting somewhat up to speed on all the tools that Microchip has? I'm sure that they have courses and training material where I can catch up.  What do I need to look at? "

The best answer - in only 2 words - is "Microchip MASTERs."

Here are some things you may have noticed during the video:

0:55   Every year, Microchip puts together together a huge, week-long, world-class learning opportunity called the Microchip MASTERs Conference. The MASTERs is packed with first rate technical classes, lots of opportunities to get your questions answered, and a chance to have fun in the process, too!

1:04   The lab rooms are crammed with equipment for YOU to use during your sessions. 

1:19   Bring the kids! Bring the family! There's plenty to do for everybody.  Your family will have fun having fun. During the daytime sessions, you'll have fun learning. Then in the evening, you can relax and have regular, "normal-people fun" yourself.

1:34   It ain't all work for you, either.

1:55   Please don't be frightened by that wild-eyed crazy looking guy who shows up at 1:55.  I promise he won't hurt you.    He's harmless.    Mostly.

2:10   Notice the scale of this thing: Roughly half of the nearly 100 classes are Hands-On classes, so YOU get a chance to learn by DOING.  (That's the most powerful learning technique there is!)

2:14   PCs, PIC development systems, meters, scopes, networks, whatever it takes - it's all at your fingertips, right at your seat, ready to help you learn and explore.  Every class has a world class instructor and a team of Microchip engineers standing by, ready to help you immediately.

2:57   Fred Eady says MASTERs is habit forming.  We agree!

Reasons You Should Go To MASTERs 2011

An extremely important thing about the conference is the Microchip Store: you can get deep discounts (up to 50% in some cases) on development tools and software: from Microchip, and from Third Party Partners like us.  (Yes, you can get deep discounts on Trace software if you come to the Microchip MASTERs.)

Here's another big reason to go: Microchip's "Ask The Experts" booths (usually located in the Microchip Store at MASTERs.)  How many times have you had some problem with the technology, or some particular processor, or some particular part of Microchip's software or compilers? 

Of course, if you are one of our customers, you know that we answer questions like that right away, but if you aren't one of our customers yet, or if the question doesn't have anything to do with the kinds of things that we can help you with, you might have found that it can be difficult to get a timely answer. You can try posting on the forums, but you often find that the folks answering your post don't know much more about the subject than you do.

At the Ask The Experts tables, you can talk to the actual Microchip engineers who are part of the team designed that compiler or chip or technology that you need help with. It is the best opportunity you've ever had - to get the answers you need, from the folks who really know.

Finally, there are the many classes themselves - roughly half of which are hands-on lab classes.  Sometimes you get a chance to use what is truly the lastest technology - stuff that is just being introduced at the MASTERs.  Learning the latest technology, by actually using it in a hands-on lab setting, is the very best way to keep up to date - and ahead of your competition!

Introductory and Technology Focus Classes Too!

But don't be intimidated by all the emphasis we have placed on "the latest technology."  Sometimes you need an introduction to a technology, for some particular technology that is new to YOU.  Or maybe you are moving into a new technical area, and you need to get a thorough briefing on that technology, to be fully prepared for your new venture.

Microchip MASTERs has introductory classes and technology focused classes as well.  The 2011 Microchip MASTERs Conference has introductory classes on subjects like these:

1503 GST - Getting Started with Microchip Development Tools: MPLAB® IDE, MPLAB SIM Simulator and MPLAB ICD 3

1505 GS8 - Getting Started with Mid-Range Microcontroller Family Architecture and Instruction Set

1520 IFD - Introduction to Firmware Design

1523 CPL - Introduction to the C Programming Language

1532 CAN1 - Controller Area Network (CAN) Basics

1538 TCP2 - Designing Embedded TCP/IP Monitor and Control

The Masters covers all sorts of technology areas that are relevant to PIC microcontrollers (and these days, just about ANY technology is relevant to PIC micros).  There are groups of classes on each technology area.  Technologies covered at the Masters are not just on we might call "implementation" technologies such as PICs and compilers and connectivity types (e.g. USB, Ethernet, CAN, wireless, and so on).  The Masters also covers what we might call "application" technologies as well - areas like power supplies, motor control, lighting systems, and more.

The point here is that, after you attend one of the introductory classes like the ones we listed above, you can then take more classes that go into that technology in more depth. 

In fact, if you go visit the Microchip MASTERs web site and download the PDF that shows the classes available, your biggest problem may well be "How do I fit in all the classes that I want to take???" 

I have 2 kinds of good news for you about that:

1. There is a 2-day Pre-Conference during MASTERs Week, so you can go to that and fit in more classes.
2. And when you register at the conference, you get a USB thumb drive that contains ALL* the class slides, lab manuals and source code files (with solutions!), and other supporting materials for ALL the classes. So, even if you couldn't schedule a particular class, you still get the materials so you can go through it on your own.

(*I'm not sure if you get the slides for the Pre-Conference classes if you don't register for the Pre-Conference.  Check with Microchip on that!)

When and Where Did You Say It Was?

The 2011 Microchip MASTERs Conference will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ . [http://www.jwdesertridgeresort.com] The main Microchip MASTERs 2011 Conference is 8/24 - 8/27.

Dr. Bob's hands-on TCPmaker classes will be held in room Grand Sonoran J at these times:

• 8:00 AM Friday 8/26
• 8:00 AM Saturday 8/27

There is also an available 2-day Microchip MASTERs Pre-Conference on 8/23 and 8/24 at the same hotel, at an additional cost. With almost 90 different classes available at the main MASTERs Conference, there is simply no way you can see them all, but the Microchip MASTERs Pre-Conference gives you more opportunity to attend some of the classes that you just couldn't schedule during the main conference.

On the subject of cost, please note that the conference registration fee also includes hotel and meals for the registered person during the conference. 

If you bring your family, you might need to get a larger room, though you might not.  Your other family members will certainly have to make other arrangements for meals.  The hotel complex is right across the street from a shopping mall, which contains not only less expensive restaurants, but also a grocery store.   You have LOTS of options for keeping the rest of your family fed at reasonable cost.  Send me an email if you have further questions on this.

Click here to learn more about the Microchip MASTERs Conference and Pre-Conference at the Microchip MASTERs web site.

Tell Me Again, WHY Would I Want to Go?

• Meet Dr. Bob in person!
• Try out TCPmaker for yourself, in a friendly hands-on lab setting
• Get great discounts on development tools
• Choose the classes YOU need, ranging from introductory to advanced / detailed
• Learn about lots of other Microchip technologies, with your choice of lecture or lab classes
• Meet with other engineers in your field
• Meet Microchip engineers
• Microchip's "Ask the Experts" - ask Microchip experts about those arcane questions you've been wondering about
• Ask Dr. Bob about what you are trying to do - he'll be happy to help!

Click here to learn more about the Microchip MASTERs 2011 Conference and Pre-Conference at the Microchip MASTERs 2011 web site.