373 Project Page

Schedule

See lab schedule.

Requirements

Project requirements and hypothetical project evaluations are provided in the project handout. Project Handout

Project Proposal Example

A pretty good project proposal example.

References

For a comprehensive list typical project components, see this F12 power point presentation. F12 Project Overview ppt pdf

See past 373 projects.

Project Posters

Suggestions for poster composition, examples and other details are provided here.

Demonstration Sheet

As described in the project handout, you must provide a demonstration sheet during the project demonstration. It will include the date of the presentation, project name and list of group members with percentage effort listed for each group member. A general description of what each member did be included. For example:

Jack (50%)
Developed hardware and software interface for servos
Developed I2C hardware and software interface to gyro

Jill (50%)
Developed hardware and software interface to display
Developed graphics for display
Developed keypad hardware and software interface

Jack and Jill
Worked equally together on system integration and debugging.

Here is a link to a demo sheet form.

Project Expense Reimbursement

Some of your project expenses are reimbursable. This will depend on the item and budget. You must follow this procedure if you expect to be reimbursed.

Send a list with links to items you want to order for approval to Matt Smith matsmith@umich.edu. This should include the total cost.
You will receive an email of approved items within 24 hours.
You can then order the items and have them delivered to your preferred address. You should avoid expensive shipping fees Usually ground or 3 day shipping will do.Expensive shipping will not be approved.
Once you know the total cost for an order including shipping, enter the item, vendor and some other details in this spreadsheet. An example is provided.
You can then use this petty cash reimbursement form to recover your money. Fill out the necessary info being sure to include an email address. The receipts must be signed and dated by Matt Smith. A receipt should have a line showed the amount payed. If this is not available, you can use a credit card statement with a line showing the amount payed to the vendor.
Each petty cash submission (form) must not exceed $200. Submit multiple forms if your expenses exceed $200.
The form should then be taken and submitted to Yolonda Coleman.
Once it is ready, Yolonda will email you. Take the approved request to the UofM Credit Union in the Pierpont Union across from the bookstore. They will give you a cash reimbursement.
This process can take a week or two, so plan accordingly.

Stock Components

At this link you will find a list to components that are typicaly in stock. The list is incomplete, but represents most of the typical components.

Project Showcase/Exhibition

project showcase will be during the last class period of the term. For W15 it is 4/21 from 1:30p - 3p. The location for W15 will be the EECS atrium. Tables will be available by 12:30p. There is roughly one table available per group, but a few of you may have to share. Be sure to get started early enough to start exhibiting by 1:30p. If you need a lab power supply, a few of these will be unlocked. Extension chords and power strips will also be supplied.

Support Hours

The staff will continue with their usual support hours. Unlike typical lab support, project support can take extended periods of time. Instead of on demand open lab hours, Matt Smith will provide 30 minute group appointments on a weekly basis. In this way, your group can plan on a 30 minute support time. Usually, 2 appointments can be provided per group per week. Look for announcement the week before to schedule an appointment.

Normal project support will not be available after the project due date (last day of class). Project support will be on a very limited appointment basis only during the late phase (finals week). Be sure to consider this when electing the project late phase.

Station Priority and Sharing

The following polices will be enforced during the project phase.

Generally speaking, priority hours for either lab class (498 or robotics) are during there home lab hours. Students in these home labs will have priority for stations.
Restrict station usage to one group per stations during high demand times. You may be asked to give up one of your stations if necessary.
You may not reserve a station by leaving it unattended except for very short breaks. We reserve the right to log your off and move your project materials for unattended stations when demand is high.
Some groups may obtain special permission to setup a project permanently if need be.

Alternate Resources

Consider loading the Libero SoC and Softconsole v3.3 tools on your laptop to avoid limited station access. They are free from Microsemi. Since the kits are portable it is possible to do much of the work outside the lab. You may take your project components and work outside the lab if you wish. If you want to borrow a Saleae logic analyzer, let the staff know. You can download the Saleae software free of charge at Saleae.

Lab Cleanup and Maintenance

There are no regular lab cleaning services except weekly trash removal and biweekly floor cleaning. Otherwise, it is up to us. Abiding by the following policy will keep the lab orderly and usable by all.

Clean up your station after use. Put cables back and remove any debris from the stations
Place your project on the shelves above the stations.
Put all recyclable cans etc in the recycling containers down the hall.
Put the trash can outside the doors if it is full otherwise the cleaning staff will not empty it until the end of the week (maybe).
Clean up the solder station when you are finished.

Fabrication

You are not evaluated for sophisticated construction or fabrication. Typical fabrication materials consist of foam board, balsa wood even discarded cardboard boxes and miscellaneous hardware. Fastening may be with hot glue, double sticky tap and miscellaneous nuts and bolts. If your project requires involved construction or fabrication, for the most part you will need to find these resources. We have some power tools that can used with supervision, but they are limited to a power drill and Dremel tool.

There are some North Campus resources. The Wilson Center has a nice shop with power tools such as band saws, drill presses, table saws and various hand tools. You will need to take a training class before you can use the shop. The intro classes are typically offered once a week through the 2nd and 3rd month of the term. Check the website for offerings.

We have some miscellaneous materials in the lab, but for the most part you will have to obtain your own materials. The Campus Book store on North Campus has some supplies like foam board, balsa wood, glues and tape.

Carpenter Brothers Hardware Store near North Campus (2753 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor) has many useful materials for projects. There staff welcomes University students and I find them very accommodating. They will even cut materials for you and help you with mechanical questions.

Michaels Arts and Crafts store is also good for general fabrication supplies, but a bit further from North Campus. They are located at 3655 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI

Safety

You may not use power tools without supervision.
You may not use cutting tools such as hand saws without supervision.
Use safety glasses when doubt.
Do not hesitate to call campus safety by dialing 911 on the wall near the lab entrance in the event of an emergency.