Digital Systems - Project Suggestions

 

Major Design Project

First major project options
 
Project Name Objective   Assumptions
Electronic Dice An electronic dice displaying TWO different random  numbers between 1-6. Each number must be displayed using a 7-segment or LEDs and generated randomly. You must also be able to change the speed of the dice rolling.  How do you know the generated numbers are really random? How is this different from a jackpot machine? Can you make it generate some kind of sound?

 
Reaction Meter Find out how fast you can react! In technical terms: study the temporal parameters of a single muscle evoked action potential.

 

 When Switch A is activated an LED is turned on and a counter will start. Once the user presses switch B the counter must display the count. The count can be displayed in Binary or Decimal. The count value should correspond to some fraction of a second. You must use a comparator to do the following:
  • If the count is less than 10, turn on the Green LED
  • If the count is less than 25, turn on the Yellow LED
  • If the count is larger than 25, turn on the Red LED  

What else can you use this design for?

Light Trace Turn on 10-20 LEDs in a circular pattern. Design a device that turns on 10-20 LEDs in a circular pattern. You should be able to change the speed of the rotation. Use different colors of LEDs if possible. Can you make the LEDs turned on one at a time? What would it require? Can you make it generate some kind of sound? (Example of operation!)

 
Compare the operation of one-shot chip and 555 Timer a) Use a 555 Timer Chip to design a device.

b) Use a 74121 device to design nonretriggerable one-shot 

Dynamic title This projects requires you to do two different designs one with a 555 Timer Chip and the other with a 74121 device:

a) 555 Timer chip is a very popular device and can be used in many devices (excellent 555 timer chip tutorial is available here). You can consider any of the following projects:
function generators, clocks, music synthesizers, games, flashing lights, printers, scanners and the list goes on and on. You must first understand what 555 chip is and how it works.

b) Use a 74121 device to design nonretriggerable one-shot circuit
Number Checker Check the properties of an eight-bit binary number. Your design must evaluate the following parameters:
  • Is the number odd or even?
  • Is the number divisible by x?
  • Is the number larger than y?
  • Is the number smaller than z?

Note that x , y, z can be any number. Use an LED to identify each case.

Serial-to-Parallel Conversion Send the data serially and display it.

  Generate an 8-bit serial data and send it over 2-10 ft of cable serially. Then, on the other end, convert it back to parallel data and store the data. What happens as you change the length of the cable? How can you store the date? Display the received data using LEDs.
Second major project options
 
Digital Temperature Probe Use a probe to measure the temperature and display it digitally in Binary.   Need to use an A/D converter; limit the temperature to 0-99. All numbers must be displayed in binary using 7-segment; How can it be modified to be used as a battery tester? How do you calibrate your measurements?
Racing Lights Two lights must be following each other in a circular patters. You can use 5-20 LEDs. Two different lights must be turned on at any given time. Each light must be sequentially forwarding. The speed of each light must be controllable. You internal clock must be provided using a a 555 Timer Chip. Can you make it generate some kind of sound?
Packet Generation Given a 16-bit packet (input), examine the packet.

 

   Your design must evaluate the following for the received packet (remember the packet can actually be a simple input binary number)
  • What is the QoS of the packet? (4 different service grades are available)
  • Does the packet have any errors (you must use even and odd parity)
  • What is the destination of the packet? (4 destinations are available)
  • The system should be able to invert the the data content of the packet if required.

Extra Credit: It is desired that the data is arrived serially. Hence you you should use a S/P. 

(*) USB Interface for  a Digital Camera     Develop a USB interface (Bluetooth) for a small digital camera so you can download pictures remotely.
Games using a mouse!     Using a computer mouse develop a game in which the faster you move the mouse the more points you get.
Cell Phone Interface to your Wired Phone!     Using Bluetooth, interface your cell phone to your cell phone.
 
 
Programming / Software
  1. Write a program that generates the truth table for given multiple expressions (Details HERE). The program must be able to also reduce and simplify some simple expressions.
  2. Learn Mathlab and write a tutorial explaining how given Boolean expressions can be simplified. Mathlab is available throughout the school. How can Mathlab generate truth table for given expressions?
  3. Using Multisim 9.0 explain how to develop multi-level circuits. How to add new components and use them in the circuit. You must clearly explain and write the steps.
  4. Learn how to use Electronics Workbench Ultiboard PCB Layout
  5. Write a small code in VHDL and test it using Electronics Workbench MultiVHDL
   
Hardware
  1. Learn about  BlackJack and get it to work as a simple signal generator.
   
More Advanced Projects
Most of these projects require utilizing FPGA devices and VHDL programming. Students who can design (preferably build) the printed circuit board (PCB) for their final project (or at least part of their design) will receive extra credit. (Note 1)
Internet Phone Building a phone that can be connected to the internet.    
Keypad / Code Lock The user can operate the application only if s/he enters the correct six-digit code word   Must have a an LCD, use a 4x4 keypad; VHDL-based
Tone Decoder Using this project you can receive a phone call and display the incoming phone number from the tone    0
DTMF Remote controller The idea is to connect this device to a phone and remotely you can tell who is calling before running to the phone!    
Class Room Monitor

 

 Using this device we can remotely check if we can use printer in one of the classrooms or must wait until the class is over.    
Sensor with Infrared Capability You can design any sensor device (e.g., measure the temperature, pressure, water level, position, motion, speed, etc.) and send the results using an infrared transmitter.    
Joysticks and other game controllers     (0)

Project Guidelines:  
  1. Students are responsible to set the constraints and assumptions for their design.
  2. All projects must be functional. If your final project is not working properly. You must explain why.
  3. All projects are preferred to be assembles in a Project box and soldered. Soldered projects will receive extra points (  Learn about soldering). You can also use Breadboards to assemble your project.
  4. You are NOT allowed to use any available electronic kits!
  5. Lab reports without any simulation results will receive no grades.
 

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Important Notes:
Note_1: Learn about Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. Other good resources are Making Printed Circuit Boards . You can find a  Complete Tutorial, Schematic & Layout instructions here.
Note 2:

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