Sonoma State University

Department of Engineering Science

ES 492- Senior Design Project I - Fall 2010

ES 493 - Senior Design Project II -  Fall 2010 / Spring 2011

Last updated: September 3, 2015

 

Description

Deliverables

Grading

Meetings

Forms

Schedule

Requirements

Project Leader

Notebook

Web page

Previous/acceptable Projects

 

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 Capstone Discussion Group

Presentation Guideline

Previouse Projects: Spring 2009 / Fall 2010 / Final Report Template

Description:

 

Capstone course calls on the professional skills of the discipline; it draws on the core disciplines of the students` major field of study, as well as exploring necessary topics such as scheduling, organization, budgeting,, prototyping, develop teamwork, customer liaison skills, employ creativity in proposing new solutions, and so forth. Hence, by the end of the capstone process students are expected to have a good understanding about various design phases, including analysis phase, a design phase, a validation phase and a production phase.

 

The Senior Design Project (Capstone) is a two semester course with the following objectives:

 

First Semester: Understanding principles of engineering design process, completing small group projects, formulating problem statement, analyzing requirements, delivering high-level design block diagram, and bill of materials.

 

Second Semester: Continuing the work in the first semester, implementing, testing, and demonstrating the final product. Final prototype must be shown to meet initial specifications. Prerequisite: ES 592.

 

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Objectives:

After successfully completing this course, a student should be able to:

 

1.      Apply engineering design principles to formulate problem statement, analyze requirements and produce a system-level block diagram.

2.      Prototype an electronic and/or software system to meet given specifications.

3.      Integrate knowledge from across the core curriculum.

4.      Take a systems approach to problem solving.

5.      Work productively in a team environment.

6.      Effectively communicate technical ideas and concepts.

7.      Learn about project management, timely delivery, and customer relationship.

8.      Understand the environmental and social impacts of the design.

 

Through completing the senior design project, students must demonstrate solid understanding of the following technical topics: Wireless communications, LabVIEW and MatLAB, microprocessors, sensors and transducer, networking and data communications, digital and analog communication, C/Java programming, etc. 

 

 

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Project Requirements:

Completing the capstone project will require spending significant time and resources. Hence, all students are highly encouraged to find a project topic that is interesting to them. However, I highly encourage students to be open minded and consider the case that many projects, although initially don`t seem to be attractive and appealing, may turn out to be very interesting.

 

Although, individual students are allowed to find their own project, all capstone projects must meet the following criteria:

 

1-     Customer driven: In general, sources of projects are preferred to be Industry sponsored (Real-world problem from local industry or Support provided for materials and other expenses), Faculty Research based (Projects funded by research grants) or Competition based (examples are ASME Human Powered Vehicle, SAE Mini Baja, ASME annual design competition). In either case, all capstone projects must have an external client (customer). That is, projects cannot be proposed by participating students (exceptions will be made in special circumstances). Therefore, students working in a company are strongly recommended to talk to their co-workers and find a sponsor (customer) at work. All students are expected to produce industry-standard deliverables throughout the two-semester course. All project sponsors (clients) must complete the sponsorship sheet and sign it in order for the project to be officially considered as a capstone project.

2-     Team oriented: All projects must be done in teams of 2-3 students (exceptions will be made in special circumstances). You are highly encouraged to find students from other disciplines to assist you in the project. Sometimes, these students can actually receive credit toward their major in forms of Independent Study or Research Project. I strongly encourage you to consider teaming us with students majoring in Arts. Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, Biology and/or Physics.

3-     User friendly: All final projects must be operational easily handled, and useable by external clients. Hence, all projects must be accompanied in a (software or hardware) package ready for the client to use.

4-     Content: The project must demonstrate substantial study in at least three of the following topics: digital design and microelectronics, microprocessors, digital/analog communications, networking.

5-     Community needs: All projects must meet actual community needs (building a rocket that hits the flying target is not acceptable unless its clear benefit to the community is demonstrated). Community may be defined on a local, state, national, or global level (to this end, projects must agree with Center for Community Engagement guidelines.)

6-     Funding: All teams are required to submit a Research Grant Proposal and request for funding for their project. The proposal is due October. Please note that, as of now, no substantial funding is available for senior design projects. Thus, all students are highly encouraged to seek funding from the client.

 

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Project Leader/Management:

 

In order to facilitate team organization and communication, each team will have one member who is designated as the project manager. This position must rotate amongst the team members. The project manager is decided by the team and advisor.

 

Responsibilities of the project manager include:

1.      functioning as liaison between the team and the advisor;

2.      insuring that deadlines are met ;

3.      insuring that the team is prepared for the weekly advisor meetings ;

4.      being responsible for assembling weekly team report.

 

In addition, the team leader is responsible for logistics and confirmations associated with weekly team meetings, weekly advisor meetings, deliverables, and Demo Day. This includes room and presentation equipment reservations. Furthermore, the project leader must ensure that all meeting minutes are posted online in a timely manner.

 

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Notebook:

Engineering laboratory notebooks are legal documents that can be used in court to prove ownership of a design. You are to keep notes in a bound notebook (one for each team member). Before using the notebook, number all the pages. This book is to be taken with you to your meetings with your advisor. It will be used to monitor your progress and demonstrate to your advisor the ownership of your design. No electronic notebook is acceptable.

 

Please note that all final projects, engineering notebooks, and ideas developed throughout the project are considered to be intellectual properties of Sonoma State University (or the sponsoring clients) and cannot be sold or used commercially without its written permission.

 

 

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Weekly Team Meetings:

Weekly team meetings are for the team members to meet with each other. This can be either before or after the weekly advisor meetings. You are encouraged to meet before the meeting with your advisor in order to be prepared to make the best use of the time.

 

Weekly/Biweekly Advisor Meetings:

Each project team will have a weekly team meeting with their project advisor. The purpose of each meeting is to have each team member report on progress that has been made, barriers that have been identified and clarification of short- and long-term goals. It is the project manager`s responsibility to set up these meetings with the project advisor. All members must participate in these meetings and be prepared to elaborate on their activities. All weekly Advisor Meeting minutes must be typed and posted online.

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Web Page/Blogs

It is mandatory for each team to create a web page dedicated to the Senior Design Project. Contents of this page must be saved on a CD and submitted along with the final deliverables. Your project documents can be shared in sites such as SlideShare . The web site must include the following components:

1-     Summary of the requirements and project.

2-     Name of the client.

3-     Team members, each member`s background and role in the project. Link to personal web page of each member must be included.

4-     Each project must have a Capstone Discussion Group and members are expected to communicate with one another through the discussion group.

5-     All projects must have a YouTube link describing how the project operates.

6-     All the links and references must be saved on a http://delicious.com/ link. For each link, a short description must be provided.

7-      ll meeting minutes must be posted on the web site.

 

 

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Grading:

Team members will be graded individually by their project advisors. After the Mid-course Design Review, the Design Review Board will recommend semester grades for each team member based on the report and oral presentation. The project advisors will take this feedback into account when assigning the semester grade.

 

The team members may receive different letter grades. Your performance on your portion of the project, contributions towards progress reports and your participation level in the weekly meetings will impact your final grade. The importance of each member`s preparedness and participation in the weekly meetings is crucial to the success of the projects. Please note that teams/individuals which did not complete the first semester requirements satisfactorily will not be allowed to take the second semester of the Senior Design Project course.

 

Each team must complete and submit the TME at the end of each month. The forms must be returned to the instructor. The team leader is responsible for collection of the evaluation forms.

 

NOTES:

-         Individual students who failed to complete their portion of the project could not register for the Second Semester or receive final grade for Senior Design Project.

-         Teams that failed to complete their project as expected will receive Incomplete grade and are expected to complete the project in Summer.

-         Teams with working prototypes but incomplete documentations will receive Incomplete grade and are expected to complete the project in Summer.

 

Grading policy ES492:

Class Assignments

30%

Individual progress (*)

35%

Preliminary Design Review (PDR)- Team effort / End of the semester

30%

Team Member Evaluation (TME) - monthly

5%

Any unexcused absence (**)

-4%

Grading policy ES493:

Individual progress (*)

35%

Midterm Design Review (PDR)-Team effort

25%

Final Design Review (PDR)-Team effort 30%

Team Member Evaluation (TME)-monthly

10%

Any unexcused absence (**)

-4%

(*) You will receive maximum of 3-10% for your progress in each individual meeting - individual progress will be determined based on amount of individual work recorded in the Engineering Notebook. Note: If a certain student does not complete his/her assigned task (for any reason) he/she will receive an Incomplete grade. 

(**) Missing more than 15 minutes of any class/meeting results in an unexcused absence - please don`t be late!

 

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Suggested Texts:

- Practical Engineering Design by Maja Bystrom, Bruce Eisenstein - Slides

- J. E. Salt and R. Rothery, Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers, Wiley, 2002, ISBN 0-471-39146-8

 

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__________________________________________________________

Course Deliverables:

In addition to the weekly team meetings and advisor meetings, the schedule includes all-course meetings and deliverables:

1.      Project Web Site

2.      Problem Statement and Problem Solution

3.      Project Schedule (Gantt Chart PS)

4.      Requirement Specifications

5.      Project Budget and Economic Analysis (include it in PS)

6.      System Block Diagram

7.      Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

8.      Bill of materials (BOM)

  1. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

10.  Simulation Results

11.  Mid-Term Design Review (MDR)

12.  User Document (DR) **

13.  Test Plan (include simulation results)

14.  Comprehensive Design Review (CDR) **

15.  Poster **

16.  Public Demo **

17.  Final Product **

 

[** submitted the second semester. ]

 

The contents of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Mid-Term Design Review (MDR) and Comprehensive Design Review (CDR), will be as follow (refer to the provided Sample Report for details):

A-    Title page

B-    Executive Summary

C-    Abstract

D-    Table of Contents

E-     List of Figures

F-     List of Tables

G-    List of Abbreviations

H-    Introduction

I-       Body

a.       Problem statement

b.      Literature review/ existing patents

c.       Design approach

d.      Economic analysis

e.       Timeline or Gantt chart

f.        Social and environmental impact

g.       Future work

J-      Summary

K-   Glossary

L-       Reference (Note a)

M-  Appendices

a.       Detail budgets

b.      Test plan/procedures/results including simulations

c.       System block diagram

d.      Circuit diagrams

e.       Flowcharts

f.        In-depth description of technology and components used it the project

g.       Bill of materials

h.       Program codes

i.         Images of the final product

j.        Screen shots of the software interface

 

Details of the deliverables are described in the section below.

 

[Note (a) Do not use online references unless it belongs to a recognized organization or standard body]

 

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Problem Statement Assignment

You are asked to prepare a statement of work for the project you have chosen. It is to be a team effort (one report per team). You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor on this assignment, but remember that you, not your advisor, are responsible for it. The page limit for this assignment is 4-6 pages.

Requirement Specification Assignment

You are asked to prepare a requirement specification for the project you have chosen. It is to be a team effort (one report per team). You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor on this assignment. The page limit for this assignment is 7-10 pages.

Proposed Schedule (Gantt Chart)

Each project is required to have a Project Schedule. A good scheduling allows the best result through the most effective use of all resources. Learning the project process and using the appropriate tools for scheduling can save considerable time and improve the final design project. All students are recommended to use MS Project Management software to complete the schedule.

Once the project schedule is defined, it is the team`s responsibility to ensure all deadlines are met. Schedules are evaluated at each Advisor Meeting.

Project Cost

Each project is required to have a preliminary projected cost. Such economic analysis allows designers to have a better understanding as to how much time they will be expected to devote to the project and how much money is required to spend on the project. The cost analysis allows designers to have a more realities view of their design before they get too involved in building it. You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor on this assignment, but remember that you, not your advisor, are responsible for it. This document must clearly identify the source of funding for the project. The cost of the following must be itemized in your budget:

1- Engineering development cost

2- Production cost

3- Labor cost

4- External services cost.

Students are highly recommended to your MS Project Management Software (a good tutorial is available HERE).

Social and Environmental Impact Report (SEIR)

All teams are required to complete and present EIP prior to implementing the design. This document must discuss possible environmental hazards of the design while operating and when it is disposed in landfills. The report must specify all specific measurements and steps which were taken to make the design more environmentally friendly, such modular design, recyclables of the product, upgradeability, usage of hazardous materials such as Coltan, mercury, lead, etc.

In addition, this document must clearly identify possible unintentional and negative social impacts. For example, what are the possible unconventional application of the design which can result in harmful ways.

System Block Diagram Assignment

The team is to prepare a block diagram of a system that will meet the specifications in the requirement specifications. A general description of how the system works and a plan for the system analysis must accompany the block diagram. (Note: Only a plan for how the system will be analyzed is required.) The analysis plan will point out things like:

1. The system will be modeled mathematically and analyzed using transform theory.

2. The system is very non-linear and cannot be linearized over the region of operation therefore the system must be analyzed through computer simulation.

3. The key to the system lies in the performance of a particular block and it is essential that this block is built and its performance measured as part of the system analysis.

 

The analysis plan should also contain estimates of how long it will take to complete the analysis. You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor. The grading guide for this assignment is attached. The page limit for this assignment is 4-6 pages.

Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

 

The twofold purpose of the PDR is for the team to present their preliminary design and receive feedback from the Faculty Review Board on that design. At the PDR, each team will deliver a written report presentation to the Faculty Review Board and team advisor. Each team member will participate in the preparation of the report as well as the preparation and delivery of the PowerPoint presentation. The report and presentation will include problem statement, requirement specifications, system-level block diagram and project specifications, as well as the team`s proposed MDR prototype specifications. The advisor and Faculty Review Board will modify the proposed MDR prototype specifications at the PDR. The MDR prototype specifications should be substantial and complete enough to demonstrate that the team has successfully tackled one or more of the core technical design challenges of the overall project. The MDR prototype specifications will be included in the team presentation to the class at an all-course meeting. The MDR prototype specifications will be sent to the SDP course coordinators by the project manager.

The project manager's responsibility is to schedule the team`s PDR.

Mid-Course Design Review (MDR)

 

The Mid-course Design Review (MDR) will take place before the Faculty Review Board and the team advisor near the end of the first part of the Capstone course. The twofold purpose of the MDR is for the team to present a prototype (and its associated design) and to receive feedback from the Faculty Review Board and the team advisor on that design. The hardware and/or software prototype presented should demonstrate that the chosen design path is likely to lead to a completed project in April which meets or exceeds the project specifications. The role of the Faculty Review Board is to provide independent feedback to the advisors and team members. The review board will consist of ES faculty members and will participate in all MDRs.

 

Each team will turn in a written report and deliver a PowerPoint presentation at the MDR. Each team member will participate in the preparation of the report as well as the preparation and delivery of the PowerPoint presentation. The MDR report and presentation will include problem statement, requirement specifications, system-level block diagram, project specifications, and an explanation and demonstration of how the MDR specifications were met this semester. Board suggests grade to advisor

The project manager is responsible to schedule the specific MDR time for their team and maintaining all the required forms.

Test Result Document (TRD)

The Test Result Document (TRD) includes all test results, design constraints, and operational limitations found during testing of the final product. This document also includes all the simulation results implemented for each system block. A comprehension comparison between the simulation and actual results must be presented and sufficient discussions must be accompanied.

Comprehensive Design Review (CDR):

CDR must be presented to Faculty Review Board and Project Advisor. CDR includes poster presentation. The CDR presentation focuses on a working demonstration of how the prototyped software/hardware meets the project specifications. The board suggests grade to advisor.

 

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Previous Projects:

Please note that all projects must be subject to prior approval of at least one faculty in the department of Engineering Science. In addition, approved projects MUST have a supporting customer, who MUST be present at during the presentations.

 

Here is the link to other projects: Previous Projects

 

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Deadlines:

1- Presentations: Please note that the MDR or CDR must be presented ONE WEEK prior to final exam day. Teams will receive incomplete grade if they fail to do so.

2- Documentations: In addition, all documentations related to MDR or CDR must be prepared and distributed to other faculty members 10 DAY prior to the meeting. Teams will not be allowed to have their MDR or CDR presentation without complete documentations.

3- Participation: Each team must ensure that the following individuals are present during the MDR or CDR. Failure to do so results in receiving and Incomplete grade.

 

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  ___________________________________________________

 

Forms:

The following templates and forms are available for students.

Document Description
Examination of Problem Statement Rubrics to grade individual documents
Faculty Advisor Approvals Form Must be completed for receiving final grade for each semester
Faculty Advisor Survey  
Faculty Advisor Meeting Log Sheet Must be completed by the faculty for each student after the Advisor Meeting
Part Request Form List of materials required by the teach to be purchased
Equipment Request Form Equipment required to be checked out by the team ; many equipments require receiving certification fro the department
Project External Support Form  
Equipment Usage Certification This form is required if you are planning to check out any equipment or more any equipment between rooms or buildings
Project Proposal Evaluation  
Bill of material request form

 

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Schedule: (University Calendar)

 NOTE: Please note that the class will meet on SOME Fridays!

Wk

Date

Topic/Unit

Assignment

1

Aug.27

Welcome / Introduction

 

2

Sep. 3

Lecture-1: Engineering Process / Clean the lab!/ Organize magazines/

-Week1 Activity

 

Join the  Capstone Discussion Group

-Workshops at the Library

-Read NASA Projects / Write about two possible projects - submit by Thursday 11am.

3

Sep.10

- Lecture 1b - Selecting Project

-Lecture 2: Project Requirements /Project Examples / What is a good project?

- Assignment 1: Signup with the discussion group.

- Send me your email to me!

- Must have your Notebook ready

4

Sep.17

- Lecture 3- Engineering Specifications

- Student Presentation Based on Assignment 2:  Individual projects

Submit Assignment 2: Read the slides / Apply for Undergraduate Research Project

 

5

Sep.21

-Other faculties will present their projects

- Student Presentation - Engineering Requirements (Homework)

  Possible projects: ATI is the CSU

6

Sep.24

-Other faculties will present their projects

 

7

Oct.1

-Green Design

-Individual meeting / have your notebook ready!

 

  - start Assignment 3

8

Oct.8

Team project presentation / Team Introduction / client? / How is it Green? / What are the challenges? / Update web

 

Oct 13, 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Schulz 3001
Dale Dougherty, editor of Make and longtime O'Reilly Media guru, has provocative ideas about education. He will talk about hands-on literacy and the future of libraries.

- Select team`s Project Leader\

- Decide on your project (&&) / Form your team. / Who is your advisor? Faculty Advisor Meeting Log Sheet

9

Oct.15

Lecture / Review Problem Statement and Requirements / /Visit the workshop/ Don't be late!

 

Oct 20, 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Schulz 3001
Roy Tennant, expert on library and information technologies and founder of several online communities will shake up our views on digital directions.

- Assignment 3 - is Due

- Submit your Webpage link / http://delicious.com/ (Note 4) / YouTube / SlideShare ; Example of a good SDP webpage

10

Oct.22

Team Presentation / Submit Project Statement and Engineering Requirements and possible solution ideas (example)/ What are you going to test?

 

Lecture: Project Management and Gantt Chart Do the homework (example of Project Schedule)

- This is the abstract for your project.

- Submit the first draft from Engineering Requirements

- Submit the first draft of Marketing Requirements; include all your questions from the client

- Project Management with Microsoft Project - Tutorial

11

Oct.29

Lecture/ Individual meeting / have your notebook ready!

- Field Survey; Test your wireless

- Complete a survey of 5 different wireless technologies.

- Submit

- Review Client Information Form (Note 3)

- Research about the existing electrical system

12

Nov.5

Teams presenting test results/ simulations study. Presentation techniques: Link to video on YouTub

HW2: Submit Project cost assignment

13

Nov.12

Lecture on Teamwork - Do the class assignment

 

Read about how to Present Effectively

 

- Presentation: December 10 @12-2 pm

- Register your project

- Read about PDR_Presentation Guideline Review Deliverables in your FOLDER for PDR

- All slides must be submitted at least 5 days in advance!

14

Nov.19

24 and 26 Thanksgiving holiday for Students / No classes; University closed 25th 26th

 

15

Nov.26

Lecture on Testing - Do the assignment

 

  - Submit your first draft of slides / peer review

- Submit list of materials / budget

- Design Overview

 

16

Dec.3

Submit all the documents for grade / Update web / PRESENTATION

Testing Assignment is due.

Final Draft of presentation slides must be ready!

(*) Here are just some ideas to think about Advanced Research Projects and some more ideas

MS Project Management

 Acceptable Projects:

-          Smart Patient Monitoring System

-          Smart Electric Bike

-          Energy-Aware Building Model

-          Car-to-car Delay Tolerant Communication

 

Note 1 : Each week teams are required to submit/post a progress report.

Note 2 : If there is any change in team member's role the advisor must be notified.

Note 3 : All documents must be posted on the web page

Note 4 : All references must be accompanied with a summer

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ES 493 - Senior Design Project II

 

 

 

- Meeting with Individual Members

Submit bill of materials (BOM)- Example of BOM / Include costs / All requested items must be individually justified.

Fill out the part request form.

 

 

Presentation Review

Submit first draft of the PDR to all faculty members

Fill out Equipment Request Form for your project

 

 

PRESENTATION / Register your project

Presentation Guideline

 

Final Presentation is due

Must receive approval of faculty members.

 

 

Project update

Meeting with Individual Members

Final corrections must be submitted