Project Ideas

The following are ideas for EE204 projects to help get you started. All projects should be run by the course instructor before they are started.

Speedometer

On page 299 of the Nilsson Riedel book is a discussion of an integrating amplifier. Use a linear integrator to integrate the output of an accelerometer (will arrive second week) to create a speedometer.

Digital Adder

Google search will reveal ways of making logic gates using transistors. Create logic gates with transistors and connect them together to create a digital adding machine.

Actuator Control

Seattle Central has a feedback actuator--a device in which a motor rotates a shaft through a gearing system, and the position of the shaft is measured with a potentiometer. Create a circuit that allows a user to control the position of the actuator via a knob.

DC Voltage Multiplier

A transformer allows the increase of a rapidly changing voltage. Create a circuit that sends pulses through a transformer, and then uses the output to charge a capacitor, so that a DC voltage is obtained in the circuit which is larger than the source (this kind of circuit is used in disposible cameras to power the flash).

Light Follower

Use photoresistors and a gearmotor (will arrive second week) to create a rotating platform that always points in the direction of maximum light.

Computer Demo

Seattle Central has a Z-80 microprocessor, and a static RAM chip (will arrive second week). Figure out a way to connect them along with other chips to demonstrate how a computer works at the chip level (can you make it programmable?).