element14, the first collaborative community and electronics store for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts and a part of global electronics distributor Premier Farnell, has announced the launch of a newly updated version of its industry leading online knowledge tool, the Knode.

The Knode on element14 is the only online resource for embedded and PCB design engineers who want to quickly find the best products and solutions to complete a project. Unlike time consuming searches on multiple supplier sites, or product-oriented distribution sites, the Knode connects engineers with the latest technical information and resources from the world’s leading suppliers, helping accelerate the design process.

Based on feedback from the element14 design community, that now boasts over 100,000 engineering and developer members, and from looking at how to help speed up the design process, element14 has improved the Knode in the following key areas:

New design

A cleaner design and intuitive navigation that makes it easier to find information fast.
More space for new solutions, better access to video, application specific content and downloads.
Improved search.

Quick access to technical content and solutions with:
One click search from the Knode home page across all areas of the design flow with all required technical content from a single search bar
Better sharing and storing of information

New personalisation features such as ‘My List’ that helps securely store and share relevant information gather and store parts, code, examples and documents.
New content across the design flow.

More rich technical content and resources for embedded design and PCB design flows with quick access to detailed information, app notes, datasheets, videos and downloads.
Access development kits, development tools and embedded software from leading manufacturers like ARM, Freescale, Micrium, Microchip and TI. Plus exclusive development kits, PCB design software, schematics and CAD models.

Following the recent announcement of the group’s acquisition of Embest, the integration of CooCox IDE will enable design engineers to leverage the Knode as a one-stop solutions resource centre for all their component, and now systems, design requirements.

“The Knode is such a fantastic resource for anyone working in electronics engineering or design and a place that many in our industry have come to rely on,” says element14 group chief technology officer David Shen.

“We have integrated the Coocox Integrated Development Suite onto the Knode to provide yet another open source design environment for design engineers and make it as easy as possible for them to write, compile, debug and test their designs faster and more efficiently.”

Launched in 2011, the Knode now features over 1000 development kits supported by more than 11,000 pieces of related technical content and resources including application notes, simulation models, reference manuals, code examples and tens of thousands of CAD models that free to download.

Found within the element14 community, the improvements to the Knode now make it even easier to connect with manufacturers, industry experts, fellow engineers and access technical videos, webinars, documents to solve real design challenges. The overall advantage is to help design engineers improve time to market.