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.
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
Experimenting with Supercapacitors
Sponsored by 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: TBD
Path to Programmable III
Sponsored by 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: TBD
Experimenting with Waterproof Connectors
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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
Sponsored by 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