Physics 121 Winter 2005 , March 11 2005, C. Fred Driscoll (Prof), Dan Creveling (TA), Tom Driscoll (TA), Earl Dolnick (Computer Engineer) Allen White (Electronics Engineer) JoAnn Christina (Secretary)
This course involves practicums on data acquisition and control using microprocessors for the first 5 weeks; and then students spend the next 5 weeks in teams of ~2 developing and building a project of their choice.
The theme might be described as "just go for it", with the only requirement being that the project detect something in the real world, process the information, and control something in the real world. About half the projects use embedded PIC microprocessors; some use PC-scale computers, some are not computer-based.
1_*AWARD* Balancing the broomstick: a race-trike scoots back and forth under a tippy 2-meter stick. Can it also "do the jig"? by Jason Boyer, Micah Miller, Mark Monti
2_ Incoming "missiles" are tracked with ultrasonics, and an electromagnetic projectile cannon is aimed for intercept. (Star Wars accuracy, at least) by Ezekiel Bhasker, Daniel Wang
3_ CCD camera views a stripe in the road to steer a path-following car, for application to NATCAR competition (UC Davis/National Semiconductor) in May05. by Puneet Khattar
4_*AWARD* "GNARLY" GPS Navigated Autonomous Rover Loves You. Autonomous rover (car) accepts destination coordinates, reads GPS signals, and guides itself to target; hazard avoidance optional. Alex James, Ben Migliori, Dave Myer, Nareg Sinenian-Gerdabad
5_ Laser-based rangefinder does it the hard way, measuring the phase shift of an amplitude modulation, at 1 billionth of a second per foot. by Nick Comfoltey, Constantine Karastamatis
6_ An autonomous Helium Blimp is piloted via the wireless internet, using an embedded PDA to control two up/down left/right pivoting propellers. ($ Thank you, U.S. Grant program $) by Eliot Gann, Dorian Raymer
7_ Magnetic detection of tuning fork vibration allows frequency calibration and reconstruction of musical tones from a speaker. by Alexander Schafgans, Geoffrey So
8_*AWARD* Hall effect sensors control the levitation and movement of a magnet being pursued by other objects on a PIC-controlled conveyor belt. ($ Thank you, U.S. Grant program $) by Peter Frausto
9_ A computer aims a USB-based camera so that images of "stars" are tracked accurately. by Kyle Armour, Kory James, Stella Kim
10_ A rotating ultra-sonic transmitter and sensor detects echoes to map out the surrounding environment (more "batty" than SONAR?) by Zhi Chen, Miguel Villalobos
11_ PIC-robot steers and balances a child's bicycle, by reading gyroscopes and accelerometers. (Training wheels, anyone?) by Alex Clemesha, Evan Friis
12_ Computerized shower (!!) with keypad control and LCD display of water flow and temperature (parental control of timing and singing optional). by Carey Briggs, Xia Lee
13_ Ping-Pong Cannon, Tom Driscoll (TA)