CE123B - Computer Engineering Design Project II

Catalog copy

CE123B. Second of two-course sequence in Computer Engineering system
 design.  Students fully implement and test system designed and
 specified in course 123A. Formal written report, oral presentation,
 and demonstration of successful project to a review panel of Computer
 Engineering faculty are required. Students are billed a materials fee.
Prerequisite(s): course CMPE123A and CMPE185.  Enrollment limited to 35.

Explanation of prerequisites
This is the second class of a capstone design course spread over two
 quarters meant to enable students to engage a worthy engineering
 system design project where students seamlessly continue with team
 projects developed in CE123A. Work from these two courses will
 necessarily overlap.

Required skills to pass the course.
1. Ability to apply the fundamentals of system design to a particular
    project, including:
    a. exercising judgment and independence in conceiving viable
       solutions to necessary modifications of a design project
       following the iterative design cycle;
    b. defining a reasonable time-line with target milestones;
    c. ability to do independent research and assess suitable resources
       like application notes, data sheets, etc.;
    d. participate in peer-group design reviews of one's own work as
       well as others;
    e. keep technical engineering notes consistent with current
       industrial practice;
    f. delivering satisfactory interactive oral presentations to
       the class.
2. Demonstrate independence in self-motivated learning to master new
    topics necessary to successfully complete a project's design.
3. Demonstrate technical competence in related hands-on experimental
    laboratory work.  This would include competence using all
    applicable laboratory test equipment for prototype concept
    evaluations.
4. Demonstrate technical competence in mastering necessary programming
    languages/environments, EDA and CAD tools as required.
5. Present a complete written and oral summary of project work,
    individually and as a group along with a successful demonstration
    of prototype system.

Core topics (must be taught)
1. Engineering design cycle. This should include:
    a. product design for manufacturability.
    b. cost analysis.
    c. prototypes vs. final designs.
    d. solicit outside speakers from industry to present on topics
       related engineering design and manufacturing.
2. Apply principles of interactive project management and teamwork in
    engineering.
3. Basic professional documentation skills, including:
    a. keeping a good technical engineering notebook;
    b. interim reports of project work;
    c. final summary reporting.
4. Information search tools:
    a. Library tools for science and engineering literature search, e.g.
       use of INSPEC data base
    b. Internet search tools
5. Standards of good laboratory (experimental) engineering practice,
    to include:
    a. Respect and setup of instrumentation quality equipment.
    b. Basic and advanced uses of standard laboratory equipment, including
       the oscilloscope, DVM, signal generator, power supplies, etc.
    c. Understand measurement limitations, accuracy and applicable use
       of all equipment.
    d. Measurement interpretation.
Text
Smith, Karl A., "Project Management and Teamwork", McGraw Hill 2000.
  This short book skillfully covers, from an applied perspective,
  salient topics necessary to developing an appreciation for the
  purpose, value, applicability and benefits of working in teams in
  engineering project.

Prepared by Richard Hughey, 4/03 (revision of CE123 description)