Note:

Lab Outline:
Due to the open-ended nature of the design project, as well as the variety of design projects that may be chosen, all of the laboratory work will be completed on an "open shop" basis (i.e., laboratory facilities available 24/7 with consultant on duty at scheduled times each week). Lab use will therefore be on an arrange-hour basis.
Examples of lab activities associated with completing the semester-long design project include:

• Learning how to use various CAD/CAE tools: schematic capture and PCB layout software.
• Learning how to use various hardware/software development tools: target microcontroller assembler, complier, linker; target microcontroller debug monitor; target microcontroller evaluation board; logic analyzer (timing and state analysis); in-circuit flash programmer.
• Designing and testing target microcontroller system hardware and interface circuitry.
• Designing and testing application software for target microcontroller system hardware.
• Integrating system hardware and software along with packaging the final product.
• Demonstrating the final product.

Counts as:

Experimental Course Offered:

Fall 2007

Catalog Description:

A structured approach to the development and integration of embedded microcontroller hardware and software that provides senior-level students with significant design experience applying microcontrollers to a wide range of embedded systems (e.g., instrumentation, process control, telecommunications, intelligent devices, etc.). The primary objective is to provide practical experience developing integrated hardware and software for embedded microcontroller systems in an environment that models one which students will most likely encounter in industry.

Learning Outcomes:

1. an ability to apply knowledge obtained in earlier coursework and to obtain new knowledge necessary to design and test a microcontroller-based digital system. [a,b,c,e,I,j,k]
2. an understanding of the engineering design process. [b,c,e,f,h]
3. an ability to function on a multidisciplinary team. [d,h,j]
4. an awareness of professional and ethical responsibility. [f,h,j]
5. an ability to communicate effectively, in both oral and written form. [g]

Lecture Outline:

Assessment Method:

Students must demonstrate basic competency in all the course outcomes, listed above, in order to receive a passing grade. Demonstration of Outcome (i) will be based on the satisfaction of the design component homework, for which a minimum score of 60% will be required to establish basic competency. Demonstration of Outcome (ii) will be based on the individual lab notebook, for which a minimum score (on the final evaluation) of 60% will be required to establish basic competency. Demonstration of Outcome (iii) will be based on satisfaction of the general and project-specific success criteria, for which a minimum score of 80% will be required to establish basic competency. Demonstration of Outcome (iv) will be based on the professional component homework, for which a minimum score of 60% will be required to establish basic competency. Demonstration of Outcome (v) will be based on the Design Review, the Final Presentation, and the Final Report. A minimum score of 60% on the Design Review and a minimum score of 60% on the Final Report and a minimum score of 60% on the Final Presentation will be required to establish basic competency.

Since senior design is essentially a "mastery" style course, students who fail to satisfy all outcomes but who are otherwise passing will be given a grade of "I" (incomplete). The grade of "I" may subsequently be improved upon successful satisfaction of all outcome deficiencies. If outcome deficiencies are not satisfied by the prescribed deadline, the grade of "I" will revert to a grade of "F".