This index provides a quick summary of a selection of design contests and training projects focusing on specific electronic components and FPGA/SoCs. Each program has resulted in a rich collection of deep dive content that would appeal to an electronic or embedded engineer.
Click on the links below to see our various training projects and contests.
Eye On Intelligence Challenge | Experimenting with Extreme Environment | Experimenting with Industrial Automation | Experimenting with Flyback Transformers | Experimenting with Supercapacitors | Path to Programmable III | Experimenting with Waterproof Connectors | Experimenting with Sensor Fusion | Experimenting with Gesture Sensors | 7 Ways to Leave Your Spartan-6 | Experimenting with Thermistors | Experimenting with Current Sense Amplifiers | Experimenting with Thermal Switches | Experimenting with Magnetic Components | Experimenting with Inductors | Experimenting with Vibration Sensors | Experimenting with Inductors | Experimenting with Polymer Capacitors | Path to Programmable | Path II Programmable
Eye On Intelligence Challenge
by AMD
In this competition, challengers are tasked to build an AI-powered, FPGA Machine Learning project. This is an opportunity for you to hone your embedded vision skills, utilizing a development kit based on the AMD Zynq-7000TM SoC devices. 2024
Winner: javagoza's FruitVisionScale: My project aims to develop a real-time embedded vision system capable of accurately classifying and weighing various fruits. Summary
Experimenting with Extreme Environment
in partnership with Hammond Manufacturing
When the going gets tough, designs and enclosures need to be tougher. Experiment with Extreme Environments to win gear for the workbench and the field. 2024
Winner: javagoza's UrbanRest Guardian noise monitoring prototype analyzes nighttime disturbances and provide information about wneighborhood's routines. Summary
Experimenting with Industrial Automation
in partnership with Schneider Electric
Get some hands-on experience with the components driving Industry 4.0, and you could win test equipment for your own personal bench! 2023
Winner: kmikemoo's Training Bay Ventilation Automation project turns on a roof mounted exhaust fan to extract engine exhaust and heat. Summary
Experimenting with Flyback Transformers
in partnership with Bourns
Experiment with flyback transformers in switched-mode, power supplies, converters, and more. 2023
Winner: javagoza's Magic Lightbox addresses a photography lighting challenge, specifically designed for small objects like electronic components. Summary
Experimenting with Supercapacitors
in partnership with Cornell Dubilier
Supercapacitors are used in consumer electronics, energy harvesting devices, and industrial equipment. Using a kit from Cornell Dubilier, participants conducted a green technology experiment! 2023
Winner: lui_5f00_gough explored what makes supercapacitors so super and how they differ from ordinary batteries and capactiros. Summary
Path to Programmable III
in partnership with AMD
A free FPGCA SoC training program that offers participants a development board the MiniZed or Ultra96-V2 of their choice to build a graduation project! 2023
Winner: javagoza's AMD Zynq SoC MIDI Vintage Sound Synthesizer is a digital version of a classic analog synthesizer from the 1960s. Summary
Experimenting with Waterproof Connectors
in partnership with Amphenol in support by Hammond Manufacturing
Participants dove into the world of waterproof connectors with Amphenol’s waterproof connectors in a Hammond watertight enclosure! 2023
Winner: ralphjy experimented outdoor weather-resistant Panda enclosure successfully tested high-power electronic connectors when submerged into water. Summary
Experimenting with Sensor Fusion
in partnership with AMD
In this competition, participants incorporated SP701 Spartan-7 FPGA Kit into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022
Winner: javagoza's help with Sensor Fusion for Firefighters. Summary
Experimenting with Gesture Sensors
in partnership with Maxim Integrated
In this competition, participants incorporated the AX25405 Optical IR Sensor Evaluation Kit into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022
Winner: Misaz's Gesture Controlled Tetris and a Gesture Controlled Pacman. Summary
Experimenting with Thermistors
in partnership with Molex
In this competition, participants incorporated thermistors from Molex into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022
Winner: lui_5f00_gough's Calorimetric Flow Sensing Meter. Summary
Experimenting with Current Sense Amplifiers
in partnership with Maxim Integrated
A hands-on competition to experiment, test, or build a circuit with the MAX40080 by Maxim Integrated, a high-precision, fast-response, bi-directional digital current-sense amplifier. 2022
Winner: Misaz's Experimenting with Current Sense Amplifiers. Summary
7 Ways to Leave Your Spartan 6
in partnership with AMD-Xilinx
The 7 Ways to Leave your Spartan-6 program teaches you about the migration from the Spartan-6 to the Spartan-7 FPGAs, by presenting multiple activities you may engage in. 2021
Winner: jure's 7 Ways to Leave Your Spartan-6. Summary
Experimenting with Thermal Switches
in partnership with Kemet
A hands-on competition using thermal switches based on KEMET’s Thermorite® to experiment with their use, application, response, and more. 2021
Winner: lui_5f00_gough's Torturing Thermal Switches. Summary
Experimenting with Magnetic Components
in partnership with Bourns
A hands-on competition to experiment, test, build, or just play around with transformers, inductors, line filters, and more. 2021
Winner: jancump's DIY Inductance Meter. Summary
Experimenting with Vibration Sensors
Sponsored by Kemet
A hands-on competition that allows you to experiement, test, monitor, or play around with vibration sensors. 2020
Winner: dougw's Stirling Engine and Vibration Sensor. Summary
Experimenting with Inductors
Sponsored by Kemet
A hands-on competition that allows you to experiment, test, breadboard, or just play around with inductors. 2019
Winner: Gene Breniman's Effects of Inductors on a Boost Regulator Circuit. Summary
Experimenting with Polymer Capacitors
Sponsored by Panasonic
A hands-on competition that allows you to experiment, test, breadboard, or just play around with Polymer Capacitors. 2019
Winner: Frank Milburn's Deep Dive into ESR. Summary
Path to Programmable
Sponsored by Xilinx and Avnet
An FPGA/SoC training program, featuring the Avnet MiniZed
development board. 2018
Graduate Projects: Summary
Path II Programmable
Sponsored by Xilinx and Avnet
Follow the journey of element14 hardware and software engineers as they learn to develop with the Ultra96-v2. 2019
Graduate Projects: Summary