Design a controller that will make a motor spin, but occasionally remove the drive signal and measure the speed of the the motor by measuring the back emf.
Design a stepper motor controller.
Design a motor controller for constant current drive.
Design a controller that will make a motor spin, but occasionally remove the drive signal and measure the speed of the the motor by measuring the back emf.
Design a stepper motor controller.
Design a motor controller for constant current drive.
Pulse Oximeters – Maxim. Also – TI has information
Build a small dial with a pointer and measure the transfer function of your hand as you try to follow a moving target.
Useful information on some E-ink type displays
Designing a High-Efficiency Solar Power Battery Charger
via Designing a High-Efficiency Solar Power Battery Charger – Energy Harvesting | DigiKey.
Perhaps useful for E90, E72 or E15 project.
PAN1721 Series Bluetooth® Low Energy Module – Panasonic | DigiKey.
Perhaps a useful tool for a wireless low power device. Low-Energy Bluetooth Smart Module Enriches App Flexibility | Communications content from Electronic Design.
If you are interested in a wireless project consider using an “electric imp” as the hardware interface. http://electricimp.com/
Develop a display that can be controlled wirelessly (or wired) through an app or web interface.
MGC3130. The MGC3130 is the world’s first electrical-field (E-field) based three-dimensional (3D) tracking and gesture controller. The chip is based on Microchip’s patented GestIC® technology and enables user command input with natural hand and finger movements in free-space. The GestIC Colibri Suite is processed on-chip and enables a wide range of gesture applications shortening development cycles of developers. Through its configurable sensing states mobile friendly power consumption as low as 150 microwatts can be realized.
Build a bidirectional motor control – use an H-bridge with PWM to control a motor spinning in both directions. Put it on a PCB to control E72 robots.
Measure EMG signal and use this to control a robotic gripper.
The median frequency of the EMG (electromyogram; the electrical signal from muscle) is related to fatigue (frequency decreases as fatigue increases). Build hardware/software to measure frequency. This can be done with either analog or digital circuitry.
Research and build an equi-ripple group delay filter (mostly theory). This filter is to a Bessel filter as Chebyshev is to Butterworth (an analogy that will probably never make it to the SAT).
Build a lock-in amplifier. This is a very useful device for finding small signals within noise.
Build a spectrum analyzer using only (or mostly) analog components. This isn’t too difficult, but involves a few subsystems that must interact correctly.
From Rebecca Roberts in the Scott Arboretum:
The Scott Arboretum is exploring the opportunity to bring DATA GARDEN to the campus in fall 2013. We hope this will be a great opportunity to collaborate with other departments and involve students. Data Garden will design exhibits throughout the gardens that encourage exploration of the natural environment through live musical performance and sculpture that blurs the distinction between the biological and digital worlds. They exhibited at Bartram’s Garden last year, check out the video: http://vimeo.com/35915131
The “bio-interactive” art installations focus on connections between plants, music, and technology. They use electronic impulses produced by plants to generate music; crossing of biology, engineering, and musical disciplines. Making a unique blending of arts and sciences.
These exhibit will grace the campus for 3 days culminating a concert in the Scott Outdoor Amphitheater. Electronic musician and sound artist, Tim Hecker will headline the concert with 2 to 3 opening acts. This would be a great opportunity for student groups, classes, and projects.
With a proposed date of October 2013, there is plenty of time to incorporate efforts into syllabi for Fall 2013 semester.
Those interested in becoming involved in this project should contact Becky Robert at 610-328-8023 or rrobert1@swarthmore.edu by Aug. 31.
-- Rebecca Robert PR and Volunteer Programs Coordinator The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College 500 College Avenue Swarthmore, PA 19081 Phone: (610) 328-8023 Fax: (610) 328-7755 rrobert1@swarthmore.edu
Stepper motors are very useful in situations where precise control of position is needed, but without direct feedback. Design and build such a controller.
Brushless motors are somewhat more complicated to control than standard (brushed) DC motors. Design and build a controller for a brushless motor.
Design and build a motor controller that charges up a battery when braking.
Design and build a motor controller that also measure motor speed. It works by periodically stopping control for a few milliseconds and then reading the back emf of the motor before resuming control.
Design and build a circuit that measures the phase difference between two signals.