Introduction to ECE Design

This course is no longer offered

(1-0-3-2)

CMPE Degree: This course is Elective for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Elective for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 3 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Groups / Course Categories: Seminars / Special courses

Course Coordinator: Kevin Toby Johnson

Prerequisites: None

Catalog Description

An introduction to basic concepts useful for all areas of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Focus on hands-on, team-based activities using robotics.

Textbook(s)

Course Outcomes

  1. Recognize the effects of sampling interval, quantization/precision, and forms of numerical representation, on sampled signals.
  2. Apply fundamental concepts of charge, voltage, and current flow to simple circuits
  3. Recognize basic mechanisms of physical sensing (light, sound, touch) in electronic sensors
  4. Apply basic concepts of computer program flow and organization to implement desired behavior in software
  5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of DC motor control (PWM, power, speed, torque, and tradeoffs using gearing)
  6. Describe the many subdisciplines of ECE
  7. Modify the design of an autonomous robot to add behavior based on sensor inputs and using motors/actuators to accomplish simple tasks
  8. Assess the factors affecting the reliability and repeatability of the programmed tasks (How consistently does it work? How well does it work? Why?)
  9. Work in teams, including: a. Fair delegation of tasks b. Communicating with peers
  10. Creating a realistic timeline for a project and sticking to it or assessing why it didn't work
  11. Create engineering reports outlining a design strategy and assessing its strengths, weaknesses, and feasibility, and describing functional/technical specifications of the proposed design strategy

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

Not Applicable

Topic List

  1. Electricity
    1. Charge, Current, Voltage
    2. Energy, Power
    3. Ohm's Law
    4. Basic Circuit Elements
  2. Signals and Signal Processing
    1. Representing information using electronic signals
    2. Analog vs. digital signals
    3. Accuracy, precision, range, and resolution
    4. High-pass and low-pass filtering
  3. Sensors and Actuators
    1. Theory of operation of various sensors such as light, sound, position, and movement
    2. Theory of operation of DC motors and stepper motors
  4. Programming for Microcontrollers
    1. The Arduino family of microcontroller boards
    2. The Arduino programming environment
    3. Analog signal acquisition and processing
    4. Motor control
  5. Engineering Project Management
    1. Time-management
    2. Teamwork and task delegation
    3. Effective technical communication
  6. Engineering Design
    1. The design process
    2. Debugging hardware and software systems