Priority Interrupt by Steve Ciarcia The Right Exposure

Would you believe we’ve been doing this for 15 years?! Technology has changed a lot during that time but Circuit Cellar’s basic ingredients haven’t. I suppose I could be egotistical and say that it’s because I’m still hanging around, but the real truth is that it’s because the readers are. A niche magazine like Circuit Cellar can’t thrive without a loyal core audience, and I appreciate that we have one of the finest examples there is. I’d like to think that if I have changed or tweaked anything it was for a positive reason.

One area in which I think we’ve done better than most magazines is running design contests. There isn’t any secret formula. It’s just that we run contests oriented toward producing great editorial, while most everyone else orients them toward producing great ad revenue. Circuit Cellar contests involve work that should be rewarded. Sure, there’s the obvious inducement of the prize money, but the real recognition of being one of our contest winners often comes as a result of publishing an article about their project in Circuit Cellar or posting the abstract on our web site. In fact, this week I was communicating with one previous contest winner about other projects in the works, and he replied:

Steve, I have just been insanely busy over the last 12 months or so. Not that that’s a bad thing, but it’s a shame that I haven’t had much time to devote to some things that I would like to do. Anyway, things will settle down a little later in the year, and I should have some more time to think about submitting some articles based on other projects I have done.

It’s kind of ironic, but part of the reason I’m so busy is that I’m now much in demand as an electronics/software designer, which in no small part is due to the exposure (and “prestige,” if you like) of winning prizes in the Philips Design 2K and Atmel Design Logic 2001 contests. I think that shows how worthwhile your contests are. That’s not to say they weren’t fun too! I hope they continue. Sincerely, Lionel Theunissen

Lionel’s remarks aren’t unusual. I hear reports about job offers, consulting contracts, contest designs now in production, and more from many contest entrants. In fact, I specifically used the word “entrant” and not “winner” because getting exposure isn’t just an opportunity open to winners. Basically, if it’s a great project, I’ll be talking to you about ways to show it to the world.

Our most recent Cypress MicroSystems contest is a case in point. I should be receiving the judge’s decisions this week and we’ll have the results posted around the time you are reading this. Like most of our contests, I know that the judges had a tough time because there were so many good entries. Let me just tell you about a few. There’s one entry titled “Intelligent Lighting Effects Controller” that uses Doppler frequency spectrum analysis to determine a stage performer’s specific motions to create corresponding visual effects. This is in contrast to the usual preprogrammed lightning effects employed by most places. Then there’s the “Ultrasonic Cave Mapping Platform.” This ingenious project combines an ultrasonic ranging unit with a 6-degrees-of-freedom inertial navigation system that takes precise measurements of caves and tunnels as it maneuvers through them.

Then there is the computer augmentation group. This is where people with model trains, planes, cars, or other off-the-shelf devices go crazy with engineering enrichment (all for a good cause and with proper engineering technique, mind you). One entrant augments standard electric R/C model cars with electronic speed control and an antilock braking system. Not to be outdone, another entrant has the perfect accessory for model airplane people. The project uses accelerometers and software attached to the usual servos controls to select a variety of preset flight attitudes. More down-to-earth upgrades include things like a SmartMedia MP3 player, using a color GameBoy as serial data display, and making a five-axis-controlled Santa Claus doll that assembles a Christmas tree; it’s novel, but still a good design example and worthy contest entry.

I could go on and on, but that’s why we post abstracts and work with entrants to publish articles about their projects. After years of encouraging great designers to enter our contests, I have come to feel they should all be rewarded—if not by the sponsor with prize money, then perhaps by Circuit Cellar with an honorarium to post the full project (not just the abstract). I’m sure the increased post-contest exposure will do us both good, so I may be calling you.

In any case, don’t put your soldering irons away yet. It’s contest time, guys. Right now we’re running full bore with the Mad Dash for Flash Cash Microchip Design Contest 2002. You can get all of the details on our web site. Of course, if you’re just too busy this fall or PICs aren’t your bag, the spring contest is sure to interest you. If there’s one thing about contest success that I like, it’s that it keeps those sponsors coming; in fact, the next three contests are already booked. Next spring we have Motorola, followed by Hitachi. Then, to keep all of you AVR guys happy, Atmel will be back. Needless to say, it isn’t going to get boring around here.

steve.ciarcia@circuitcellar.com

Published: September-2002