# Tinkerforge

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tinkerforge.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerforge
> Source revision: 1258402456
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name     = Tinkerforge GmbH
| logo     = 200px|Tinkerforge logo
| type     = [GmbH](/source/GmbH)
| founder          = Olaf Lüke, Bastian Nordmeyer
| foundation       = 2011
| location         = [Stukenbrock](/source/Stukenbrock), Germany
| products         = [Microcontroller](/source/Microcontroller)
| homepage         = {{URL|www.tinkerforge.com/}}
}}

'''Tinkerforge''' is an [open-source hardware](/source/open-source_hardware) platform of stackable [microcontroller](/source/microcontroller) building blocks (Bricks) that can control different modules (Bricklets). The primary communication interface of the building blocks can be extended using Master Extensions. The hardware can be controlled by external programs written in [C](/source/C_(programming_language)), [C++](/source/C%2B%2B), [C#](/source/C_Sharp_(programming_language)), [Object Pascal](/source/Object_Pascal), [Java](/source/Java_(programming_language)), [Perl](/source/Perl), [PHP](/source/PHP), [Python](/source/Python_(programming_language)), [Ruby](/source/Ruby_(programming_language)), [Shell](/source/Command-line_interface) and [VB.NET](/source/VB.NET) over a [USB](/source/USB), [Wi-Fi](/source/Wi-Fi) or [Ethernet](/source/Ethernet) connection, and running on [Windows](/source/Windows), [Linux](/source/Linux) and [macOS](/source/macOS). This non-embedded programming approach eliminates the typical requirements and limitations (development tools, limited availability of RAM and processing power) of conventional embedded software development (such as [Arduino](/source/Arduino)). Tinkerforge hardware and software are both [open source](/source/open_source), and all files are hosted on [GitHub](/source/GitHub).

The [computer magazine Chip](/source/CHIP_(magazine)) awarded Tinkerforge 2012 the "Product of the Year" award.<ref>''[http://www.chip-media.de/uploads/media/PM_CHIP_AWARDS_winners.pdf These are the winners of the CHIP AWARDS 2012]''</ref>

== Bricks ==
thumb|Master Brick with WIFI Extension

Bricks are {{times|4×4}}&nbsp;cm circuit boards. They can evaluate measurements, control motors and communicate with other building blocks. Each Brick has a 32-bit [ARM](/source/ARM_architecture) microcontroller, a USB connector and connectors for more Bricks and Bricklets.

It is possible to stack several Bricks onto each other. The bottom Brick of such Stacks needs to be a Master Brick.

== Bricklets ==
Bricklets extend the features of Bricks. They provide means for the input and output of data. Many Bricklets are sensors, but there are also [LCD](/source/LCD)-Bricklets and Bricklets for [digital](/source/Digital_signal_(electronics)) and [analog](/source/Analog_signal) in- and output.

== Master Extensions ==
Master Extensions extend the communication interfaces of Bricks. Like Bricks, Master Extensions are {{times|4×4}}&nbsp;cm circuit boards. There are Extensions for [Wi-Fi](/source/Wi-Fi), [Ethernet](/source/Ethernet) and [RS-485](/source/RS-485). From a programming perspective, the different interfaces are transparent. A stack with Master Extension behaves as if every board in the stack would be directly connected to the PC over a USB connection.

== See also ==
* [List of open source hardware projects](/source/List_of_open_source_hardware_projects)

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.tinkerforge.com/}}
* https://github.com/Tinkerforge

Category:Open hardware organizations and companies
Category:Organizations established in 2011
Category:2011 establishments in Germany
Category:Information technology organisations based in Germany

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tinkerforge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerforge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerforge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.