Go from idea to moderately challenging circuit, including both hardware and software.
This project will test your ability to:

• Think through a full circuit that uses the Arduino as both an input and output platform.
• Use an external chip and other components to build an interesting and useful (for various definitions of useful) circuit.
• Give you a chance to debug both hardware and software.

Develop a circuit that uses a shift register to set a particular number of output LEDs to values dependent on a program. The actual program itself will be up to you, but you must use a shift register and multiple LEDs, and you must write an Arduino sketch to light up the LEDs through the register.

Hardware must include:

• Bean as driver
• 8 (+) LEDs
• Shift Register
• Minimum of 1 input method (eg. button, switch, etc. if you would like to use a method that you are unsure whether it fulfills this requirement, please ask!)

We will also be looking for your device to have a purpose that extends beyond the scope of simply demonstrating your knowledge of electronics.

Examples of ideas include:

• parallel morse code
• Versatile D&D dice
• Countdown timer

(you can feel free to use one of these ideas or come up with your own. Whatever you do, we want to see you get creative!)

• Incorporate a sensor from one of the class' Arduino kits
• Use a component from your personal kit that we haven't gone over in class yet
• Build a high-fidelity prototype of your proposed device. Could include:
  
  • some sort of device casing
  • functional as a cardboard circuit
  • using technologies from Tufts Make to enhance the user's experience

If you have additional ideas of how you would like to challenge yourself, you may propose them to one of us if you would like them to count as your 'challenge'

You will be graded on the following:

• Functionality
  • does your device work as intended?
  • does your device work consistently?
  • does your device work intuitively?
  • does your device maximize functionality given its components?
• Form
  • is everything connected well?
  • is your breadboard (or prototyping platform) neat?
  • is it easy to see how components are working with one another?
  • is your code well organized?
  • is you code easy to read / understand?
• Idea Innovation
  • do the applications of your device encompass real-world use cases?
  • did you challenge yourself in the scope of this project?
  • how did you incorporate your challenge(s) to enhance the purpose of your device?
  • how engaging and/or useful is your device?

We will be considering students' prior background in electronics when grading this assignment. If you have taken a formal course in the subject while at Tufts (eg. ES3/ES4), we expect that you will take on a minimum of 2 (ideally 3) 'challenges' in designing and building your device. If you have some prior knowledge in electronics, we would like to see 2 'challenges', but it is not required of you. If you are a part of a team in which one person has more experience than the other, we expect that any 'more advanced' challenges that you take on can be explained in full by both team members (some of your grade will be based on how much your partner was able to learn from you). If you have questions or would like clarification about these expectations please reach out to us. We are willing to accommodate more creative approaches to fulfilling some of these requirements; if you would like to go that route you must be in touch with us by Friday Feb. 5th with your proposed alternative.

• Bean sketch for illuminating some number [ rand(1:6) ] of LEDs on button-press
• functional breadboard with LEDs properly set up to complement and work with bean sketch (it is expected that you will use appropriate resistors for all LEDs)
• Proposal of purpose:
  • What will your device be doing?
  • What challenge(s) do you plan to incorporate into your device

• Transition your device to utilize the shift register and extend the number of LEDs from 6 to 8

• Functional prototype of your project
• Brief description including
  • the purpose of your device
  • how to use your device
  • the challenge(s) you chose to take on
  • how each component is working to achieve your device's function
  • how to set up bean w your device (eg. what pins to connect & where)
• Bean Sketch submitted via provide comp50WD project1 _your_file(s)_