The coursework demands that you build and test a real electronic artefact. It must:
- Consist of at least three active devices (e.g. transistors, logic gates, op-amps).
- Be the result of research into at least two circuits that do the same job. You must give reasons for the choice you have made.
- Be built using sub-systems as in the systems approach;
- Be tested at the subsystem level as well as the whole circuit.
- Show evidence that you have done everything that you claim to have done.
- Include circuit diagrams and pictures, as well as a written report.
What you must NOT do:
- Use voltages higher than 50 V or powers of more than 100 W;
- Do radio circuits unless you have permission from the relevant radio authorities.
- Build a virtual circuit on a computer; this will get virtual marks (i.e. zero). This does not stop you doing your design work on a computer.
- Produce a circuit that is designed to cause distress to other people, e.g. “taiser” (One of my students wanted to do this and was most put out when I emphatically forbade him to do so).
- Build a circuit from a kit.
Your teacher will brief you in more detail about the project requirements. Here are some points to think about:
- Keep it simple, especially if you are a novice. You will get more marks if it’s a simple circuit that works well than if it’s a complex circuit that fails.
- Use the Internet, magazines, or books. You must quote all sources you have used. You do NOT have to design the circuit from scratch.
- Break down the circuit diagram into the sub-systems and re-draw the circuit diagram as sub-systems.
The coursework demands that you build and test a real electronic artefact. It must:
- Consist of at least three active devices (e.g. transistors, logic gates, op-amps).
- Be the result of research into at least two circuits that do the same job. You must give reasons for the choice you have made.
- Be built using sub-systems as in the systems approach;
- Be tested at the subsystem level as well as the whole circuit.
- Show evidence that you have done everything that you claim to have done.
- Include circuit diagrams and pictures, as well as a written report.
What you must NOT do:
- Use voltages higher than 50 V or powers of more than 100 W;
- Do radio circuits unless you have permission from the relevant radio authorities.
- Build a virtual circuit on a computer; this will get virtual marks (i.e. zero). This does not stop you doing your design work on a computer.
- Produce a circuit that is designed to cause distress to other people, e.g. “taiser” (One of my students wanted to do this and was most put out when I emphatically forbade him to do so).
- Build a circuit from a kit.
Your teacher will brief you in more detail about the project requirements. Here are some points to think about:
- Keep it simple, especially if you are a novice. You will get more marks if it’s a simple circuit that works well than if it’s a complex circuit that fails.
- Use the Internet, magazines, or books. You must quote all sources you have used. You do NOT have to design the circuit from scratch.
- Break down the circuit diagram into the sub-systems and re-draw the circuit diagram as sub-systems.
