Independent Study Projects

2023-2024 ICS4U Independent Study Projects (ISPs)

Independent Study Projects. Please read our overview on why ACES pursue Independent Study Projects so vigorously.

To my mind, the characteristics of a great project include such aspects as imagination, creativity, a degree of risk and, sometimes, even simplicity, to name a few. Check out the flashlight circuit 'board' this guy made out of little more that a piece of paper and a pencil? Simple, but inspiring. Consider a problem that needs a solution. Boyan Slat did at age 17 when he was in high school; four years later he is

cleaning up the world's oceans. (Update: January 9, 2019) So, dig in, think, dream, research, and explore possible project pursuits. Be discerning: don't accept the first thing that comes along. Be conscious of the fact that a multi-page summary of your project will appear in your DER after Presentation Day for more permanent record of your efforts. You may wish to take into account the ISP Evaluation document that will be applied on your Presentation Day.

Also, don't underestimate the value of an enterprise/entrepreneurial aspect to your project that could see a number of units of your project in the hands of future ACES, for sale in the Dragon's Lair or beyond, reaching an even a broader audience.

2023-2024 ISP Commitments

ACE	Short ISP (20%) Saturday September 17	Medium ISP (20%) Saturday January 14	Long ISP (20%) Saturday April 1
Proposals >>>	Short ISP Proposal	Medium ISP Proposal	Long ISP Proposal
Jacob C. .	32 Pin SIMM Old Computer RAM Module DESCRIPTION 32 Pin SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module ) RAM used to be in computers around 1980’s to early 2000’s. It works like your normal RAM chip, but it's less convenient. It has to be refreshed to keep its contents because they use capacitors to store the data, and capacitors lose charge over time. The RAM has a 20-bit address. 10 bits are latched in, then the next 10 bits. The plan is to create a module that will work with micro-controllers and micro-processors. Idea: Hook up an EEPROM’s data pins to the refresh pins and use a counter IC to go through each address from 0-9. A read pin and write pin will then be used to change the address and therefore change the way the EEPROM interacts with the CAS and RAS pins on the ram. The EEPROM will also control which set of 10 bits are displayed on the rams address. Note: I understand that EEPROM is a bit excessive, but I like EEPROM and it will be an interesting method. Maybe I can let the rest of the EEPROM be accessed separately. I want to try and do this without a microcontroller b/c it feels cheating, other than for testing. HARDWARE 328P SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN I would like to create a PCB in EAGLE and get it made with JLCPCB. Maybe even try to make my own RAM socket using 3d printing and adding metal bits, b/c its hard to get 30 pin SIMM RAM sockets. COMMUNICATION Serial communication for debugging and for confirming that ram values, but not a core part. MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL
Graham D. .	8 Channel Graphic Equalizer DESCRIPTION The 8 Channel Graphic Equalizer will use a combination of analog and digital circuitry to an 8 by 8 LED matrix graphic display. Eight multiple-feedback active filters will be used to process the audio input from a microphone into 8 analog outputs which correspond to the amount of audio from each filter frequency band. This data will then be fed into a 3-bit analog (?) multiplexor. The multiplexor be driven by a 3-bit counter. This counter will then drive a decoder which drives the cathodes of the LED matrix and perform the row scanning needed for the POV effect. The output of the multiplexor is sent to a 3-bit flash ADC without a priority encoder which drives the anodes of the matrix. All of this circuitry will be housed on a custom designed PCB which will employ both THT and SMT components. Additionally, a custom 3d printed case will be designed to achieve a simple and clean appearance. HARDWARE LM324N opamps will be used for all of the filters and the ADC. A standard electret microphone will be used for the audio input. This signal will then be amplified hopefully with an AGC circuit, so that it is of a suitable amplitude for the filters and display. The matrix driver circuitry will be driven by a 555 timer and features a 74HC193 counter, a 74HC42 decoder, and a 74HC4051 multiplexor. SOFTWARE N/A DESIGN A custom PCB or PCBs featuring a combination of THT and SMT components will be designed to house all of the circuitry, and feature a custom 8x8 led matrix. A custom matrix will be designed so that the size of the matrix can be determined to create the best appearance. A 3D printed case and diffuser for the matrix will be designed to fully enclose the PCB COMMUNICATION N/A MECHANICAL A custom PCB or PCBs featuring a combination of THT and SMT components will be designed to house all of the circuitry, and feature a custom 8x8 led matrix. A custom matrix will be designed so that the size of the matrix can be determined to create the best appearance. A 3D printed case and diffuser for the matrix will be designed to fully enclose the PCB.	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL
Vithusan J.	Remote Control Car DESCRIPTION This project has two components: the main car and the remote-control. For the main car, it will have a body designed on Fusion360. Inside the body will be the main circuitry and components, including DC motors to control the rear wheels and a servo motor to control the steering. The whole car will be powered with batteries. It will receive instructions from the remote-control using RF. For the remote control, it will use joysticks (reminiscent of commercial RC cars) to control the steering and forward/backward motion. It will also be powered by batteries and be in a case designed in Fusion360. HARDWARE 328P. It will include LEDs for head and tail lights with a switch on the remote to control them. SOFTWARE Arduino C DESIGN Fusion360 will be used to design the body of the car and the case for the remote. Eagle will be used to design custom PCBs for both the car and the remote. COMMUNICATION RF MECHANICAL DC Motors will be used to control the rear tires (forward and backward motions). A Servo motor will be used to control the front tires (steering).	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL
Liam M.	DIY Variable Power Supply DESCRIPTION This ISP will be a DIY variable power supply, meaning it will supply a range of voltages as an output which the user can control. The device will plug straight into the wall and rectify the AC voltage and turn it into a useable DC output using a buck/boost converter. The voltage output and current draw will be displayed to the user on the device, which itself will be housed in a 3D printed case. HARDWARE 328P. The device will work by first stepping down the mains AC voltage with a transformer before putting the secondary winding’s output through a full bridge rectifier, turning it into a low-voltage DC output. This will then be smoothed out before going into a buck/boost converter (inverting) before finally leading to the output of the device. SOFTWARE Arduino C. Software will be implemented to create a feedback cycle to limit the current draw and output voltage, and also drive the display. The feedback cycle is required to keep voltage steady with different loads. DESIGN Buck/Boost converter PCB designed in EAGLE, made by JLCPCB. The case will be primarily 3D printed with an acrylic panel to showcase the internals of the device. A PCB will be designed and implemented for the buck/boost converted to go inside the case. COMMUNICATION N/A MECHANICAL N/A	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL
Alex S.	Reach For The Top Main Console DESCRIPTION This is a two-part project to construct a scoring and playing system for the trivia game Reach For The Top. The idea is to be able to use this system to play games hosted by RSGC, and to replace the current buzzer system. This new system will be controlled by an Arduino Mega 2560 and have 3D printed/acrylic cases, and battery and outlet power options. The first part of this project is the main console. The main console will have the scoreboard for individual players and teams on one side using seven segment displays and their accompanying ICs. The second side will have a control panel to alter scores and game settings using a button (PBNO) to select, a potentiometer to scroll through options, and an LCD panel to display the options. This device will be used by the game master. The main console will also be built with the timer, buzzer, and RF modules which will be employed with the second part of this project. The second part, which will be the next ISP, will introduce 12 peripheral devices which wirelessly communicate with the main console. These devices will be used by the players, and there will be six for each team. Interacting with these peripheral devices (which just have a button for HID) will activate the buzzer and countdown timer on the controlling device. HARDWARE 2560 SOFTWARE Arduino C and Libraries DESIGN EAGLE and Fusion COMMUNICATION RF MECHANICAL None	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL	? DESCRIPTION HARDWARE SOFTWARE DESIGN COMMUNICATION MECHANICAL

Short ISP Choices
ISPs are gifts. The best choice for you is the one that fits well with your interests, as well as strengths, and blows the doors of your future opportunities wide open! It takes CONSIDERABLE time and reflection to make the BEST ISP choices but, the good news is that this year you have more options than ever before. For the 2022/2023 ICS4U-E year, the starting point for your Short ISP could come from any of the following areas (no group projects and no duplications),

Reverse Engineer any existing device with digital circuitry
Identify a commercially-available device and design and manufacture it BETTER!
Select a component from the gallery below (I will supply it, if necessary) and create a project that incorporates it into something wonderful
Research Short ISP component choices from previous years (discuss with me first to avoid redundancy and duplication) and complete the step above.

RSGC ACES?: Digital Voltmeter	RSGC ACES: Digital Ammeter	RSGC ACES: Digital Temperture	RSGC ACES: Rugged Metal Button

Vacuum Forming, & Production MAYKU Formbox	3D Design and Printing ACES CUSTOM PROTO STATION TRIO (10,11, 12-4BB (CHUMP))

ARM Cortex-M7 @ 600 MHz: Teensy 4.0	JLCPCBs SMT SMT Assembled PCBs	ACES DMM Concept ? SMART TWEEZERS	CNC Foam?: Mint Tin Packaging

RSGC ACES: Laser Pointer/Follower System			RSGC ACES: Software Library (MSGEQ7?)

Adafruit: Water Flow Sensor	Seeed Studio: Water Flow Sensor Kit	Adafruit Large Analog Voltmeter	Adafruit: Analog Ammeter

Medium ISP (SMD & CAD)

As you wind up the final two terms of your secondary education it is time to both advance and lock in your burgeoning engineering skills. Whereas through-hole technology (THT) has had a good run over the past few decades, the future is Surface Mount Technology and Design. For this reason, you best be prepared. This ISP round you will refine your SMD and CAD skills to showcase your Design skills in preparation for the opportunities that await you in the next few years.

Your Medium ISP goal (20% of your final mark) should include the slimmest of useful DES devices consisting of a custom PCB, populated with SMT parts, and encased or hosting (Truth Be Told, Mastermind) 3D printed components in the thinnest form possible (think wallet-size proportions). You have two months. Our 3D Printing TAs, and either JLCPCB or DirtyPCBs are all about to get a serious Sr. ACES workout.

Should you be stuck for a meaningful project, consider a DDPv7 Legacy Shield to complement or replace the ones we already have (Intersection, ADC, Universal v1 or Universal v2). The only stipulation I impose is that these devices must remain compatible with our current EAGLE DDPv7/Shield files.

Download and review the updated Medium ISP Proposal. This Word version I would ask that you edit, attach, and email on Saturday January 14, 2023 under the Subject Line: Medium ISP Proposal.

Long ISP (THT and/or SMT, Fixed or Flex)

Download and review the updated Long ISP Proposal. This Word version I would ask that you edit, attach, and email to on Monday February 21, 2022 under the Subject Line: Long ISP Proposal.

Electronic control over your final ACES ISP must be in the form of custom PCB populated with either through hole and/or surface mount components. In the case of the latter, you can consider taking your design to the next level, in the form of a Flex circuit that will be laminated into a page of your DER. If your circuit proves fully functional a flexible 3.5V, 150 mA Powerfilm solar cell will be included in the lamination so that that viewers of your creativity will marvel at when shown the light of day!

The Flex Circuit concept was first introduced into the ACES curriculum in the 2015/2016 TEI4M year with some impressive results. Where the attempts since have failed is whren the designer becomes too ambitious. If you choose this route, I require that you keep it SIMPLE. (LEDs and resistors only?) Your Medium ISP requirements provided you with valuable experience that should improve your likelihood of success as will be a small project this term that requires the use of the ACES ATtiny85 SMD Trainer. The examples below are too ambitious for us but each offers a unique feature you may wish to consider,

J. Russett (ACES '16): Induction
O. Logush (ACES '17): Charlie'Flex'edLED Matrix
T. Morland (ACES '17): ISP 'Finger'
S. Canavan (ACES '17): Solar cell input pads

For the bulk of your formal education you have been, and will continue to be, required to consume curriculum chosen for you by someone else. Fortunately (hopefully) you will put this knowledge and skill to good use in your future. However, jumping through someone else's hoops alone does not, typically, secure future success. For that, you must demonstrate your own initiative, motivation, and passion. These qualities need to be cultivated and our Grade 10 hardware course is a perfect place to start. There is so much to learn and there are so many great projects out there that offer stimulating contexts within which to develop and refine your interests.

Grade	Contribution to Final Mark
10	30%
11	50%
12	60%