Spring 2024
Attend laboratories beginning Monday, August 28, 2017. Please be aware that most sections are full and the demand for this course is high, so do not accidentally drop your section unless you simultaneously pick up another!

Semester Project Time Line

Build an Autonomous Wall-Following Robot

Design and Construction Hurdles:
  1. Construct the chassis and mount the motors
  2. Power motors with a battery so it run autonomously
  3. Turn motors on and off electronically
  4. Control the speed of the motors electronically
  5. Obtain information about the proximity of a wall using sensors
  6. Steer car using information provided by the sensors
Lab 1: Introduction
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Semester Overview Understanding Resistance Plotting in MATLAB
Lab 1 Procedures Arduino/RedBoard as power supply
Arduino as voltmeter
Automating Plotting in MATLAB
Etiquette and Safety Introduction to the Arduino/RedBoard
Learn to Control the Arduino Digital Outputs
Learn to Control the Arduino Analog Inputs
Reading Instruments
Lab 2: DC Measurements Using Bench Equipment
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Recording Measurements Understanding Resistance Power Supply Manual
Lab 2 Prelab Arduino/RedBoard as power supply
Arduino as voltmeter
Multimeter Manual
Lab 2 Procedures Introduction to the Arduino/RedBoard
Learn to Control the Arduino Digital Outputs
Learn to Control the Arduino Analog Inputs
Modules 6B: Slow down your cars by adding resistor networks
Lab 3: Resistor Networks
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 3 Prelab Understanding Resistance
Understanding Capacitance
Lab 3 Procedures Arduino/RedBoard as power supply
Arduino as voltmeter
Introduction to the Arduino/RedBoard
Learn to Control the Arduino Digital Outputs
Learn to Control the Arduino Analog Inputs
Arduino Programming
Lab 4: Kirchhoff's Circuit Laws
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 4 Prelab Arduino/RedBoard as power supply
Arduino as voltmeter
Lab 4 Procedures Introduction to the Arduino/RedBoard
Learn to Control the Arduino Digital Outputs
Learn to Control the Arduino Analog Inputs
Arduino Programming
Lab 5: Time Varying Circuits
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 5 Prelab Oscilloscope's XY Mode - Lissajous Figures Port Oscilloscope data to MATLAB using USB stick
Lab 5 Procedures Time-varying Signals Port Oscilloscope data to MATLAB using BenchVue
Arduino/RedBoard as Signal Generator
Arduino as Oscilloscope
Lab 6: Oscillator Circuit
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 6 Prelab (version 2...important correction with respect to a 10 kOhm resistor!) Module 6C: Build Motor Drive Circuit
Lab 6 Procedures Modules 4A, 4B, and 4C: Start learning to play with interfacing and programming the Arduino/RedBoard
Modules 3D and 3E: Learn to use the Arduino/RedBoard as Signal Generator and Oscilloscope
Lab 7: Motors and Batteries
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 7 Prelab Module 6D: Using the Arduino to Drive Vehicle Automated IV Collection in MATLAB - tutorial
Lab 7 Procedures Module 7A: Characterizing Resitive Sensors Automated IV Collection in MATLAB - ivcollect.mexw64
Module 6B: Interfacing Resitive Sensors (Digital)
Lab 8: Semiconductor Devices
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 8 Prelab Module 8B: Clipping Circuit
Lab 8 Procedures Module 6E: Arduino/RedBoard Wall-Follower
Module 7D: Characterizing Active Sensors - Optical
Lab 9: Pulse Width Modulation
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 9 Prelab Module 9B: Voltage Follower Buffer
Lab 9 Procedures Module 9C: Voltage Comparator
Module 9D: The Amplifier: Gain and Offset Control
Lab 10: Navigation
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 10 Prelab PWM Control via an Active Sensor Example of a Good Final Project Report
Lab 10 Procedures
Lab 11: The Project Proposal
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
Lab 11 Prelab See Modules
Lab 11 Procedures
Lab 12: Report Guidelines
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
No Prelab...Complete Modules and Work on Project! See Modules
Lab 12 Procedures
Lab 13: Preparation for the Finish!
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
No Prelab...Complete Modules and Work on Project! See Modules
Lab 13 Procedures
Lab 14: Demo Day!
Lab Procedures Modules Extra Content
No Prelab...Come ready to demo your Project! Too Late! The world is out there waiting!
Lab 14 Procedures