Year 1 Labs

The Design Skills unit offers a comprehensive insight into foundational engineering concepts. This includes lectures on a range of topics such as programming Arduinos, Computer Aided Design (CAD), PCB design, MATLAB, digital communication, and more. Beyond technical knowledge, the module also integrates vital skills like time management, project management, risk assessment, and proficiency in reading and writing datasheets. To assess understanding and skill acquisition, you will be required to curate a portfolio using Mahara.

Design Skills Moodle Page Mahara e-Portfolio

Circuits and Instrumentation
Software
Mechanical Design
Electronic Systems
PCB Assembly & Design

Welcome to the Design Skills Lab Space

This website is the home for the lab scripts and exercises that you will complete while studying EE12001 Design Skills. Please use the links above to navigate to the appropriate labs. You will find a breakdown for each week below, along with any additional information.

  • Please ensure that you arrive promptly for the start of each session as you may be given important introductory instructions.

  • Lecturers and lab demonstrators will be on hand to help you, but we expect you to use your common sense.

  • For most of the labs you will be in groups of 2 or 3; one group per computer and equipment.
    • However, for some of the computer programming labs (including Session 2 tomorrow), it would be beneficial for you to be carrying out the tasks individually.
    • Therefore, we would encourage you to bring a laptop, if you have one.

Week 1 - Tuesday 3rd October

Lab Timetable

Todays lab will be split into three different sessions. There is 15 minutes between each session to give you time to put away any equipment.

Session Times Topic
1 09:15 – 11:15 DC Circuit Simulation
2 Part A 11:30 – 12:30 Introduction to MATLAB
  12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
2 Part B 13:30 - 14:30 Introduction to MATLAB
3 14:45 – 17:00 Introduction to instrumentation

General information for this weeks labs:

  • During session 2 you will be following an online course which includes some embedded video.
    • You will be able to view the subtitles, but since we do not have speakers on our computers, if you want to hear the content, please would you bring wired headphones. Optional

Week 2 - Tuesday 10th October

Lab Timetable

Todays lab will be split into three different sessions. There is 15 minutes between each session to give you time to put away any equipment.

Session Times Topic
1 09:15 – 11:15 DC-Sweep Analysis Using ORCAD
2 Part A 11:30 – 12:30 Getting Started with Mahara
  12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
2 Part B 13:30 - 14:30 Getting Started with Mahara
3 14:45 – 17:00 Creating a simple part with CAD

General information for this weeks labs:

  • During session 3 you will be following an online course which includes some embedded video.
    • You will be able to view the subtitles, but since we do not have speakers on our computers, if you want to hear the content, please would you bring wired headphones. Optional

Week 3 - Tuesday 17th October

Lab Timetable

Todays lab will be split into three different sessions. There is 15 minutes between each session to give you time to put away any equipment.

Session Times Topic
1 09:15 – 11:15 Circuits and Instrumentation- Testing Op-Amp Circuits on a Breadboard
2 Part A 11:30 – 12:30 Electronic Systems - Component familiarization and testing
  12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
2 Part B 13:30 - 14:30 Electronic Systems - Component familiarization and testing
3 14:45 – 17:00 Mechanical Design- Modifying a simple part with CAD

Week 4 - Tuesday 24th October

Lab Timetable

Session Times Topic
1 09:15 – 11:15 Circuits and Instrumentation- Op-amp Interface Circuit Design
2 Part A 11:30 – 12:30 Electronic Systems - Components & Arduino
  12:30 - 13:30 Lunch Break
2 Part B 13:30 - 14:30 Electronic Systems - Components & Arduino
3 14:45 – 17:00 Frequency Response Measurement

Citations