Lab

Lab should be a relaxed place where we come together as a smaller group and get stuff working. We can collaborate, talk, see what others are doing, give and receive help. Those who help others will be noticed and may be given favor when grades are assigned.

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 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 project is demonstrated. You will then submit your code as 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.

No food or drink is allowed in the lab. No horseplay is allowed.

Documentation for your labs may be rejected unless it follows the following rules:


Schematics

Try to include everything on one sheet, even if it is an over-sized sheet of paper. If you draw it by hand (which is totally acceptable), make it neat. Otherwise, use a schematic drawing tool. It is often best to draw your schematic by hand. You will be surprised what design details you may have missed. If someone else cannot build your circuit without other documentation, your schematic is not complete.

Certain details that should always be on your schematic:

The schematic should include all parts of the project, not just the parts you added during the current lab. If you draw your schematic by hand, submit a photocopy. Then you can continue to add to your original throughout the term.


What You Will Need for Lab

  1. An AVR microcontroller board, a USB programmer, and basic (ECE112) hand tools including a soldering iron tip (pts7) barrel nut (ba60), and solder. Lead-free solder is not advised if you are new to soldering. These are all available from KEC 1110, the Tekbots lab. if you are unable to get the lab kits on campus, please let me know so we can mail them to you.
  2. Access to a laptop (hopefully your own) to develop your programs. You can use any physical platform but the class will be taught from a solely Unix/Linux perspective. Mac and Linux laptops will be the easiest to use as they are native *NIX platforms. PC users should load a Linux distro (Ubuntu recommended). Mac users already have BSD Unix available via the terminal app. Setup of your computer is your responsibility and is considered part of this course. Laptops will be used in class as well as in lab.
  3. Access to the ATmega128 Databook, Rev. 2467R-AVR-06/08. Its probably easiest to use the online version (linked from class web page) or a local pdf copy on your laptop.
  4. An oscilloscope probe. Look for at least 100Mhz bandwidth and a Zin of 10Meg in parallel with 10pf. For Fall 2020, if you will not be in lab, this is not required.

If you break things, 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. You will be responsible for repair of your own boards. Some limited help is available for soldering surface mount parts in the Tekbot lab.