ECE 473 - System Design with Microcontrollers
CRN 15482

This is a design course. This means that you will be expected to show considerable creativity, resourcefulness and persistence. You will need to read long datasheets, improvise around problems, and extract information from obscure sources. You will need to apply material from many of the courses you have already taken. You will have to find solutions on your own from incomplete specifications. If you haven't been here before, welcome to the real world of design.

There is a considerable reading load for this class. Consider this typical for doing real design work. The number of pages is not daunting but the material can be obtuse. I will not be looking for detailed bit-by-bit details but clear understanding of concepts and how to apply them. Weekly self evaluation are provided to will check your understanding.

The labs will require detailed design based on a general specifications. Step-by-step instructions will not be provided. Detailed designs will be generated by the student. Complete designs to be graded include C and/or assembly language code, digital and analog circuit schematics, and documentation.

I will expect your in class participation. I don't want to be a talking head as I don't know all the answers. Some of you will have innovative solutions and approaches. They need to be shared too. Be prepared to voice your opinion, strut your stuff, and show your code.

You may work in groups on homework and projects if you wish. Sharing of design approaches, philosophy, flow charts or coding ideas is strongly suggested. However, sharing of detailed information such as design calculations, or actual code is not approved and will meet with the strongest action that I can bring.

A mail reflector (or group, list) for the class will be established by the beginning of class. This "mail group" is where you find information about important "stuff". The mailgroup is how I communicate with you outside the classroom. It can also be used as an interactive forum where you discuss problems and solutions. Such usage is encouraged.

Students who register early for ECE473 are automatically added to the class mail list. You may not be on the list at first if you register late. You should be added within a day or so. The name of the class list for ECE473is: ece473-001-f09@engr.NOSPAM.edu This name is case sensitive. (NOSPAM = orst).

We will have a comprehensive midterm and final exam. However, the bulk of your grade will come from the project. You can earn extra credit with class presentations.

I suggest that you buy a three ring notebook to hold your lab notes, code and datasheet/appnotes. Put sticky note tabs in the datasheet as a quick index.

Commit yourself to learning either emacs or vi. To write code, you need to use a programming editor. Forget notepad or pico. Those are for noobs. It dosen't matter if you are going to be a CpE or EE, you almost surely do a lot of programming in your career. To think otherwise is to fool yourself. Ask any working design engineer doing leading edge work. So, don't fight it, once you catch on, writing code can be really fun. Heck, I do everything in vi now. Its just so much faster.

Don't come to lab unprepared to work. If a circuit must be built, you should come prepared with detailed schematics, datasheets, parts, and whatever else you need to get started right away. In other words, lab has a homework component. If you don't do it, you will squander your time there.

On the day your lab is due, you will give the TA a printed copy of your code and any schematic used. This must happen before the board is demonstrated. You will then submit your code in a tar file to the TEACH class submission site. The same code will then be compiled and downloaded to your board. You will then demo the board and show the TA how it works (or not!). You may be asked questions about why or how you implemented something. Your ability to clearly answer will become part of your grade.

If you are late in getting your board to work or having your materials ready you will be penalized as follows:
1 day late                  -10%
2 days late                -20%
3 or more days late   -30%

No food or drink is allowed in the lab. No horseplay is allowed. Take care of the lab equipment. We can have a fun time if we act like mature adults.

The cost for the lab parts kit will be taken from your student account. The cost is about $60. Soldering irons are supplied in the lab. We will be using industrial quality irons with fine tips to make soldering as easy as possible.

If you break parts, its up to you to get replacements. The part numbers are listed on the web page for either Mouser or Digikey. A credit card plus five days gets you new parts.