In Review: The First Week
/At the end of their first week, we asked each new intern, as well as our veteran intern Will, a few questions to recap how their week went. Below you'll find their answers:
What was the most interesting thing you learned?
Sydney: The basics of modeling sub-circuits and using the tools
Michelle: The most interesting thing I learned this week was how to recreate a circuit on Eagle and GME and getting it verified on MacroFab to be manufactured. I didn't think that I would be able to have a circuit ready to manufacture in just the first week!
Zack: How to create a sub-circuit in GME/CyPhy
Ammar: The most interesting thing I learned so far was how to put components together to design a schematic.
Will: The new interns have taken a quick path to making sub-circuits and acting as in-house beta users. They are quickly becoming advanced users of our tools.
What design did you use?
Sydney: Bar graph breakout
Michelle: I made the Energy Harvester Breakout (LTC3588). This breakboard harvests both piezoelectric and solar energy and stores the energy for later use.
Zack: Capacitive Touch Keypad
Ammar: I made a real time clock design using the following link: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12708
What do you most look forward to?
Sydney: Learning more about the different aspects of modeling these sub-circuits
Michelle: I am looking forward to getting back the circuits that we created and testing to see if they work! Fingers crossed that they work!
Zack: Getting to learn more about component modeling and the design process
Ammar: I look forward to creating sub-circuits and putting them all together to actually make something that works
Will: I'm looking forward to more times where they (the new interns) can help me and I can help them with things I have struggled with in my time here
What challenges did you have with the tools?
Sydney: Understanding and fixing errors
Michelle: There was a learning curve in figuring out how to utilize the tools, but I got the hang of it thanks to all the tutorials. However, I was getting a little confused with SourceTree. I wasn't getting all of the files that other people had uploaded, which was frustrating.
Zack: Getting the PCB manufacturing testbench to work
Ammar: One of the main challenges I faced was not knowing how to debug or to fix an error if one occurred
What was your worst moment of the week?
Sydney: Seeing all the errors pop up when I tried to run a test
Michelle: The worst moments were when I kept getting errors when I was testing my circuit designs, and I had no clue how to fix them. Some errors took forever to figure out! Thankfully, no more errors for now!
Zack: When Windows Explorer crashed while I had multiple results folders open
Ammar: My worst moment of the week was when I had to reboot and restore my computer due to all the issues it was having.
And your best moment?
Sydney: When I finally got all of my test benches to work
Michelle: Best of the 'worst moments', the best moment came when I finally got all the test benches to correctly work and my circuit successfully uploaded to MacroFab. Also, I really enjoyed getting to know the other interns this week. I think it will be a fun summer working here with them!
Zack: The first time all of my test benches worked for my sub-circuit
Ammar: My best moment of the week is when all three MacroFab bench test ran smoothly for the first time.
Will: They (the new interns) are learning things that I haven't had a chance to dive into yet and it was exciting when they were able to help me with something in just their first week on the job.
Do you have any goals for yourself this summer?
Sydney: Becoming able to quickly and accurately model a wide-range of sub-circuits
Michelle: My goal for this summer is to be able to make these circuits quickly and without a problem! And to also fully understand everything that is going on with the circuits and the tools that I am using. I also really hope to learn as much as I can about working in a computer engineering field and gaining experience working with a team.
Zack: I want to learn as much as I can about engineering and gain as many skills as possible.
Ammar: One main goal that I have in mind is to design a sub-circuit by myself that has some application that I can use day-to-day.
Will: My goal for the summer is to get a couple of designs manufactured an working.