Project & Entry Tips  

Abstract
Complete Documentation
Code
Make and Submit Your Entry
Final Checklists
Example Entries

Key terms
Project (the project, or application, you design and build)
Documentation of your project (your “entry”)

What it is
The abstract is a synopsis of your project that we may use for publishing/posting purposes. It should include:

        • Your Registration Number at the top of the first page or in a header/footer
        • The name of the eligible Stellaris microcontroller(s) used in your project
        • A brief text description of your project (two pages maximum)
        • One photograph of the complete assembly of your project
        • One block diagram
        • Schematic(s)
        • A sample of code (two pages maximum)
        • Do NOT put your name on any materials

Short text description—Basically, you want to summarize what your project is and what it does (two pages maximum). Make sure you specify which Stellaris microcontroller you used. You also might want to highlight any special features of your project.

Block diagram—The block diagram should be a basic diagram that shows the connections among your project’s main components.

Schematic(s)—The complete schematics must be included. Note: If you use a Luminary Micro Evaluation board, then the schematic should show the connections to the board and any circuitry you add.

Photograph—The photograph must show the complete assembly of your project. If you add text to your photograph, please also send a plain version without any modification.

Brief sample of code—The brief sample of code, or listing, should be no longer than two pages. It should be just a short example of your code. Note: You may leave out the sample of code if you don’t have any segments short enough.

Formatting
You may submit your abstract in one of two ways:

a) as one Word/text file (no PDFs), with the art embedded; or

b) as a group of files.

If you choose option b, be sure to label the files appropriately. Also, put them in a separate folder or a separate zip or rar file from the rest of your entry.

The abstract can be a plain document or something fancier with a stylized layout, graphics, etc. Either way is fine.

Fonts (use something standard):

• Arial
• Courier New
• Helvetica
• Times New Roman

File formats:

• Word doc
• ASCII
• GIF
• JPG
• TIF
• BMP
• EPS
• No PDF

Questions
If you have any questions, e-mail us at contest@circuitcellar.com. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. If you have a question, we strongly urge you to contact us at least a week before the contest ends. The turnaround time for a reply will be faster if you e-mail us sooner.

TOP

What it is
The complete documentation is exactly that, complete. You should include everything from the abstract plus all other relevant flowcharts, photographs, tables, graphs, etc. The text description should be more extensive than what you included in the abstract. Fully explain the development process and function of your project. Your complete documentation should include:

• Your Registration Number at the top of the first page or in a header/footer
• The name of the eligible Stellaris microcontroller(s) used in your project
• A detailed text description of your project and its operation (no page limit)
• At least one photograph of the complete assembly of your project
• At least one block diagram
• Complete schematic(s) (Note: If you use a Luminary Micro evaluation board, then the schematic should show the connections to the board and any circuitry you add.)
• Any additional photographs, diagrams, screen shots, tables, flowcharts, etc.
• Do NOT put your name on any materials

Formatting
You may submit your complete documentation in one of two ways:

a) as one Word/text file, with the art embedded; or

b) as a group of files that the judges can open separately.

If you chose option a, also include the original file for the photograph of your project. If you are selected as a winner, we will need a high-resolution image (300 dpi) that’s approximately 4 × 4 inches. Please do not manipulate or resize the image.

The text can be in a plain document or something fancier with a stylized layout, graphics, etc. Either way is fine.

Fonts (use something standard):

• Arial
• Courier New
• Helvetica
• Times New Roman

File formats:

• Word doc
• ASCII
• GIF
• JPG
• TIF
• BMP
• EPS
• No PDF

Questions
If you have any questions, e-mail us at contest@circuitcellar.com. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. If you have a question, we strongly urge you to contact us at least a week before the contest ends. The turnaround time for a reply will be faster if you e-mail us sooner.

TOP

What it is
You must include the complete source code for your project. This means you must include all of the source files necessary to assemble, compile, or build the firmware for your project. The object/executable code must be able to be recreated by a third party.

Formatting
According to the contest rules the code must be created with the Keil RealView® Microcontroller Development Kit (µVision IDE and tools). Therefore the source code should be packaged and presented as the complete project folder as found on your machine once you are done developing the code. If you provide us the files in this manner then a third party will be able to build (compile, etc.) your project as required by the rules.

Questions
If you have any questions about creating or formatting your code, e-mail us at contest@circuitcellar.com. If you have a question, we strongly urge you to contact us at least a week before the contest ends. Modifying code can take a long time, so the sooner you reach us, the better. The turnaround time for a reply will be faster if you e-mail us sooner. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

TOP

What it is
The term “entry” refers to your abstract, complete documentation, and code collectively.

After you have created the abstract, complete documentation, and code, you need to put together your entry. Organization can really make a difference. The information below should help you organize your entry in a way that will impress the judges.

Organize with labels
Make things easy for the judges. Label your files with straightforward, descriptive titles for easy identification. For example, when you’re labeling a photo:

• Don’t use: top.jpg                              • DO use: photo1_top_view.jpg

Organize with zip or rar files
Package your individual files in a zip or rar file. Label it with your Registration Number. (If your ISP restricts the size of e-mails, you might need to use multiple zip or rar files.)

Organize the files within your zip or rar file in folders. Label the folders and files with obvious titles.

Helpful web sites
WinZip web site
WinRAR web site

Where to send your entry
E-mail digital files to:
contest@circuitcellar.com
Note: Do NOT send your entry to any other e-mail address, because that can cause confusion!

If you can’t e-mail your entry, you may send digital files on CD-ROM/disk or send hard copies to:
DesignStellaris2006
Circuit Cellar
P.O. Box 180
Vernon, CT 06066

E-mail tips
Include your name and contact information in the body of your e-mail. This is the ONLY place where your name should appear. The judges will not see your e-mail correspondence with us. The judges will only see your entry files.

If you think your e-mail did not go through and you need to resend it, please indicate that in the subject line and body of your subsequent e-mail(s).

If you need to send multiple e-mails because of the size of your entry, please indicate that in the subject line of your e-mails. For example:

1 of 3, LM9999 entry abstract
2 of 3, LM9999 entry documentation
3 of 3, LM9999 entry code

Confirmation
You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your entry within two business days. E-mails are usually sent sooner, but processing may take up to two days. E-mail confirmations will be sent during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST).

Note: If you send your entry at least a few business days in advance of the deadline, it gives us time to check your entry for corrupt files and completion. If your entry is missing something (e.g., a block diagram), you would have time to add it before the contest deadline.

Questions
If you have any questions, e-mail us at contest@circuitcellar.com. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. If you have a question, we strongly urge you to contact us at least a week before the contest ends. The turnaround time for a reply will be faster if you e-mail us sooner.

TOP

These two entries are examples of past design contest winners. In both of these examples, the entries are well organized. Also, the documentation of the projects is thorough.

Example 1
First Prize, Atmel AVR 2004 Design Contest
Bruce Lightner
Registration Number: A3805
Entry: Fuel-Consumption Gauge for Your GM Car

Example 2
Second Prize, Atmel AVR 2004 Design Contest
John Orlando and Brent Taylor
Registration Number: A3694
Entry: AVRCam

Enter your project by February 7, 2007!