Physics 331 - Electronics Lab
Final Projects - Spring 2022
Due: Tuesday, May 17
Your final lab of the semester is to build a circuit of your own design. You
could build a more complicated circuit related to things we have tried in class,
or you might choose to build something that you would be interested in, that
might be useful or fun to you. You will research a design, build a prototype on
a breadboard, and then a final circuit soldered permanently. You will do an oral
presentation to the class on your circuit; you should consider including some
background or history, if relevant. You should also simulate the circuit (or
appropriate parts of it) in circuit simulation software.
Please note that it is a frequent occurrence that a student gets their circuit
to work (perhaps on the prototype, but not soldered, or perhaps it works one
moment and not the next). At the moment your circuit works, if I am not present,
you will want to document that with something like video so that you can prove
to me it worked in case it does not work later.
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Tuesday 5/3 or earlier: research ideas.
Come up with an idea and/or find a design.** Make a precise list of
parts that are needed, including part number and where they can be
purchased. If parts need to be ordered, they MUST be ordered this week. Keep
in mind that it takes time for it to get here. If you order it yourself
(preferred), be SURE to check the date the shipment is expected to arrive.
Please use Digikey or Amazon for your parts. If you cannot find them there,
then try Adafruit. If you need them from somewhere else and you want me to
order them, we can try to make that work. You can order your own parts and have me
reimburse you, no problem at all. Cost limit for me to pay/reimburse
$100/project.
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Fri 5/6: learn to solder (we will go to Vector Space
for a workshop!) and research ideas.
Supply me with a complete parts list, and a receipt for what you have
ordered, or a link to a shopping basket for what you need me to order - you
must have searched for and found all the parts you need (10 points).
Some
parts become obsolete - certain transistors and IC's - you may need to
research what the modern equivalent is.
-
Tues 5/10, due at the start of lab, 1:15 pm:
Show circuit in Multisim, and have design approved (10 points).
-
Fri 5/13, due at the start of lab, 1:15 pm:
Must show prototype built on breadboard (20
points) whether working or not.
-
Tues 5/17, due at the start of lab, 1:15 pm: Must have shown me that the prototype works.
Show the soldered circuit works (15 points). Oral presentation in class (25 points).
The last 20 points is assigned for the quality of your circuit, your effort,
troubleshooting, and research. Oral Presentation: minimum
5 minutes, maximum 10
minutes.
** Deciding on a circuit: I will not approve something completely trivial;
I expect it to be somewhat involved with numerous components - it must have a
minimum of 20 electrical/circuit connections. You may make
your own design, but more likely you will find a design that exists. Be sure to search the Web
and the books I supply. Some good websites for circuits:
I also have six Radio Shack "Engineer's Mini-Notebooks", and
two "Evil Genius" books that might be good references.