Some prior electronics and programmable microcontroller experience required (the REC microcontroller seminar is acceptable preparation).

Assignments, schedule, syllabus (tentative):

Monday	Wednesday
3/12: Intro to motors, power supplies, motors running @ diff. speeds w/ diff. voltages, gearhead motors, diff. sizes	3/14: switches. SPST. SPDT (with dual +/- supplies). DPDT. relays of all these sorts. protection diodes. solid state relays.
3/19: linear transistor driver. emitter follower. linear driver + DPDT switch or relay. Power dissipation calculations.	3/21: Driving a relay with a PIC. noise considerations in microcontroller circuits. more relay stuff.
Spring Break
4/2: switching FET driver w/ PIC PWM. also w/ a DPDT relay.	4/4: 6-fet h-bridge!!! (w/ no short-circuit protection)
4/9: adding software and hardware protection to a 6-fet hbridge	4/11: steppers, hobby servos.

Other useful resources:

Details of some surplus power supplies we bought

Where to buy mechanical and electrical components (surplus or new)

Datasheets of the components we use

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