55:036   Embedded Systems and Systems Software, Spring 2007
Laboratory Information

General Information About the Lab:

• The laboratory for this course is in room 2245 SC.
• Students will have 24-hour access to the lab with a Marlock card. 
• The TA will be available in the lab to assist students at times listed under the  "Administration" link on the course web page.
• Students will work in teams of two in the lab.  You may choose your own partner or have us assign one.

Laboratory Supplies:

• Each team will need to purchase a parts kit to assemble a QWIKFLASH Development Board for the PIC18F452 microcontroller. You will assemble and test this board during the first two weeks of class and will then use it in the remaining labs. The printed circuit board is included with your text book . The parts kit can be purchased from the Engineering Electronics Shop (2018 SC) during the week of January 15.  The cost is $65.00.  We have a few extra kits available in the event that both partners want to have their own development board. 
  
• At their discretion, students may purchase a companion expansion board with a solderless breadboard to permit development outside of the laboratory.  The solderless breadboard costs $40.00 and can be purchased from the Electronics Shop.  It is not necessary to purchase the expansion board if you intend to do all of your work in the lab.
  
• In lab, we will be using Microchip's MPLAB Integrated Development Environment.  Students wishing to do development on their own computer outside of the lab can download MPLAB (for Windows) for free at the following link:  http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en019469&part=SW007002

Lab Experiments/Project

• There will be six labs during the semester, each lasting two weeks.  The general timing of labs, as well as the primary topic of each lab, is shown on the syllabus.
  
• There will not be any scheduled lab sessions.  Students may work in the lab at any time when they can find an open lab station.  There are eight (8 ) lab stations.
• The TA will hold regular office hours in the lab to assist students and help resolve problems.  The TA cannot be expected to debug your programs for you.
  
• Each lab (except the first) will require written pre-lab and post-lab reports.
• During the final three weeks of the semester, there will be a self-chosen project.  Students are encouraged to begin thinking early about ideas for the project.  This is particularly important if your project will require ordering parts or any other matters that require a significant lead-time.

1. Notify the instructor, via e-mail, by no later than noon on Wednesday, January 17 of your lab partner choice or of your desire to have  us assign a lab partner for you.
   
2. Purchase a QwikFlash parts kit from the Engineering Electronics Shop (2018 SC)).  The cost is $xx.  Only one QwikFlash kit is needed per lab team.  Review the QwikFlash Development Board Assembly Instructions given in Appendix A1 of the text.  This can be found at the following link:  http://www.picbook.com/bookinfo/CA1.pdf
3. Sign up for an introductory session  on PC Board assembly on Thursday, January 18.  You can choose from three sessions:
1. 12:30-1:45 p.m.
2. 1:45-3:00 p.m.
3. 3:00-4:15 p.m.

Revised: 4/24/07 by JGK