Overview Established as a formal course offering in 2009. EE elective design sequence taken during senior year. Students form groups of 2-4 and choose a project offered by faculty or industry sponsors. Each group is provided a technical adviser. Students establish a set of design specs and project plan, then proceed to design build their apparatus. Work on the projects begins in October and is completed by the following June. At the end of Spring quarter, each group demos their apparatus and gives a poster presentation and talk on their project. Powered by Solutions
Projects Typically 4-6 projects (1-3 industry sponsored projects) completed each year. All projects are established in advance by instructor, in coordination with a sponsoring research group on campus or industry partner. Funding and technical support provided by sponsor. Industry projects typically supported by $6000 gift from sponsor. Technical adviser may come from sponsoring group or may be assigned by instructor. Project requirements Require knowledge/experience from a variety of areas of EE. Ideally, include implementation of both hardware and software. Goals can be reasonably met in a 9-month time frame. Powered by Solutions
Course Structure Fall Quarter Students select projects, come up with a project plan and design specifications, and begin working on components (mostly hardware). Lectures: Project planning/management, Gantt charts, establishing design specs, prototyping, concept/design development, design reviews, intellectual property. Deliverables: Design reviews, 2 sets of preliminary design specs and project plans, prototype demo. Winter Quarter Continued work on project, transition from planning to executing Monthly meetings w/ instructor Deliverables: Updated project plan and design spec, prototype demo. Powered by Solutions
Course Structure (cont) Spring Quarter Final specs and project plan due week 2 of quarter, final product judged verses deliverables promised. Complete and assemble project. Branding / trademarks. Present project and demo products at ECE/CS Capstone presentation day at the end of the quarter. Powered by Solutions
Past Project #1: ICARUS Angularly resolved spectral characterization system Sponsored by Solid State Lighting Services, Inc. Completed System (spectrophotometer not shown) LabView UI Data Visualization Powered by Solutions
Past Project #2: brightblu Plug and play home automation device that allows users to control their lights and appliances from their smartphone over Bluetooth Sponsored by Solid State Lighting Services, Inc. Hardware Phone App Powered by Solutions
brightblu is now Zuli, Inc! Launched Zuli Smartplugs on Kickstarter in December, raised $175K Powered by Solutions
Past Project #3: Rejuvalight Solar powered light with pay-as-you-go functionality for use in developing regions Sponsored by Unite to Light Patent pending Powered by Solutions
Current Project: IR Scout Tool enabling first responders to perform remote, thermal reconnaissance prior to entering a hazardous environment Joint EE/ME project Sponsored by FLIR Powered by Solutions
Project Sponsorship - Benefits Completion of a project of interest to the sponsor. Access to university resources. Great way to attract, pre-screen, and train entry level engineers. Powered by Solutions
Establishing an Industry Sponsored Project Contact Ilan Ben-Yaacov (ilan@engineering.ucsb.edu), preferably by around June. I will work with you to define the scope of the project such that it meets all the criteria for the class. In early October, present the project idea to the class. Projects are selected and work begins by early October. Projects are completed by the following June. Powered by Solutions