Official Rules

Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest Official Rules and Regulations

• The design remains the intellectual property of the Participant, subject to the license grants for prize winning entries and exceptional entries as set forth below. (License grants pertain only to non-exclusive publishing rights.)

• The Project must use at least one device from the list of “Eligible Parts”, (Click here or visit Circuit Cellar’s web site to view list). Optional use of devices from the list of “Bonus Parts,” specifically part numbers MCP9700, MCP9800, TC4427A, MCP608, MCP6022, MCP6S26, MCP3421, MCP4011, ENC28J60, MRF24J40, 24LC01BT, 24LC16BT, 24LC512, 93LC46BT, 93LC66B, 25LC010A, or 25LC256, must be part of a project that also uses a device from the list of “Eligible Parts.”

• The Project must use commercially available components only.

• The object/executable code must be able to be recreated by a third party.

• Project software must be developed using assembly code or Microchip’s C30 Compiler if C language is employed.

• All Participants should use the Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest (“Contest”) REGISTRATION FORM to register for this Contest and obtain an assigned Registration Number.

• Incomplete, illegible, or defaced registrations will be rejected.

• Incomplete or illegible submissions will be disqualified.

• If entering multiple Entries, each Entry must have an associated individual Contest Registration Form completed and an individual Registration Number assigned for each Entry.

General Submission Rules
No purchase necessary. Click here or visit Circuit Cellar’s web site for information about free product samples from Microchip (while supplies last, quantities are limited).

Void where prohibited by law. All decisions of Circuit Cellar (“Contest Administrator”) are final. All taxes including but not limited to national, federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of Contest Participants. No responsibility assumed for lost or misdirected entries. By submitting an Entry, the Participant:

• represents and warrants:

a. that the Participant is not bound by any intellectual property agreement or any other agreement or obligation, with an employer, co-owner or otherwise, that prohibits, limits or affects: (i) Participant’s ownership in the materials submitted to the Content Administrator; (ii) Participant’s right to submit such materials to the Contest Administrator; (iii) Contest Administrator’s and Sponsor’s rights in the materials in the event that the Entry is chosen as a winner or deemed exceptional (such rights are further set forth below).

b. that the submitted materials are originally developed by Participant.  Participant solely owns all intellectual property rights, or is acting as the assigned representative for a group of individuals that owns the intellectual property, in and to all materials submitted to the Contest Administrator in connection with the Project. 

c. that the Participant or Participants are over the age of eighteen (18).

d. that the Participant’s submission does not infringe upon another’s intellectual property or incorporate another’s confidential information.

• releases the Sponsor and the Contest Administrator, their parent companies, affiliates, employees and agents from any form of action or claims of damages, costs or losses of any kind resulting from participation.

agrees, if Participant’s Project wins a prize or is deemed exceptional, to execute an agreement granting each of the Contest Administrator and the Sponsor (i) worldwide full-publication rights, under U.S. and foreign copyright laws, to the presentation the Contest Administrator creates using Participant’s project; (ii) a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right and license to have, store, modify, reprint, copy, reproduce, display, publish, disseminate and distribute, in any media, and without territorial limitation, any contest materials and project information Participant submits as part of the Project (including any software submitted, which will remain the property of Participant); and (iii) the right to sublicense its publication rights, and other rights as described above, in the project to third parties.

Who may enter
Any individual or group of individuals, age 18 and over as of the date of entry, may enter the Contest. Direct employees of the Sponsor or its subsidiaries, the Contest Administrator, advertising, promotion, production agencies, members of their immediate families, or those with whom they are domiciled are not eligible. In addition, anyone living in a country, province, or state where the Contest is prohibited, taxed, or otherwise restricted under national, federal, provincial, state and local laws, rules, or regulations is ineligible. Participants who are residents of a country, state, or province that prohibits unregistered contests or requires the Contest Sponsor to post a bond are ineligible. The Contest Administrator and the Sponsor expressly disclaim any responsibility or liability for any Participant who enters when it is illegal for them to do so. By entering this Contest, Participants agree to waive any additional rights granted in regard to Contests by the country, state, or province in which they are domiciled.

How to Enter
Each Project entered in the Contest must be the original work and sole and exclusive property of the person or team who submits it or the Participant must have written legal permission from the property owner. In the case of Projects owned by other parties, the written legal permission must be included with the Entry. Entries should be submitted in digital format and must be written in English. Entries may be submitted in hard copy format by prior arrangement. For an Entry to be deemed acceptable, the entrant must first submit a completed registration form.

Registration Form
The completed registration form may be submitted online, via fax, or mail to the address listed below. After the registration form is received, the Contest Administrator will respond via the same means or e-mail if an e-mail address is given with an assigned Registration Number. This number is used to identify the specific Project being submitted and should be attached to all Entry documentation and to any correspondence.

After the Participant receives a Registration number, the following items should be submitted for an entry to be deemed acceptable:

1. Abstract
The abstract is a publishable synopsis of the Project (approx. 500 words) in Microsoft Word or ASCII text, including a block diagram of the design, a project photograph, software code sample, and a schematic in a single document (the block diagram, project photograph, and schematic must also be supplied as separate files in addition). Acceptable file formats for graphics files are JPG, GIF, TIF, BMP, and EPS. Note: If the Participant uses a commercial demonstration/development board, then the Participant must identify the board and the schematic only needs to show the connections to the board and any circuitry added by the Participant.

Unless the entrant specifically designates a separate abstract file that is complete with the necessary description, schematic, diagram, photograph, and software code to constitute the required publishable abstract, the entrant grants Circuit Cellar the right to utilize schematics, diagrams, descriptions, software listings, and photographs incorporated within the full entry documentation as necessary to complete the abstract.

2. Complete Documentation
The “complete documentation” must include: a detailed text description of the Project and its operation (no page limit); source code, at least one block diagram; a complete schematic(s) (Note: If the Participant uses a commercial demonstration/development board, then the Participant must identify the board and the schematic only needs to show the connections to the board and any circuitry added by the Participant.); and any additional photographs, movies, diagrams, screen shots, tables, flowcharts, etc. Acceptable formats for documentation are Microsoft Word and ASCII text. Acceptable formats for graphics files such as photographs, block diagrams, screen shots, and schematics are JPG, GIF, TIF, MP, and EPS. While the graphics files may be embedded in the project documentation, the images must also be provided as individual files.

3. Source Code
The Entry must include complete assembly or C source code and use Microchip’s C30 Compiler if developed in C. The object/executable code must be able to be recreated by a third party. The code must be packaged and presented as the complete project folder.

Entry tip: Read the FAQ for helpful hints.

Participants may enter more than one Project but must submit each with a separate Registration Form and Registration Number. There should be no personal identification or corporate affiliation markings on ANY of the submitted materials. The Participant's name, address, or corporate affiliation should appear ONLY ON THE REGISTRATION FORM. Only the assigned Registration Number should be used as an ID for the Project materials. Participants who leave their names in headers, footers, table of contents pages, schematics, etc. may be disqualified.

The Project's eligible programmable microcontroller or digital signal controller must be from the list of “Eligible Parts” (Click here or visit Circuit Cellar’s web site to view list) and the Project’s identified bonus part, if any, must be from the list of “Bonus Parts” (Click here or visit Circuit Cellar’s web site to view list).

All Entries must be received on or before 1:00 PM EST on October 16, 2007. Entries received or postmarked after 1:00 PM EST on October 16, 2007 are ineligible. The Contest Administrator and the Sponsor assume no responsibility for lost, late, or misdirected entries. Proof of transmission of an Entry to the Contest Administrator will not constitute proof of receipt of said Entry.

We encourage all Participants to seek patents for any unique or proprietary aspects of their design prior to submission. The design remains the intellectual property of the Participant, subject to the license grants for prize winning entries and exceptional entries as set forth above. To avoid additional shipping and organizational difficulties, all copies of Entry documentation become the property of the Contest Administrator and will not be returned. Prior publication or the prior Internet posting of essential ingredients in an Entry are not grounds for disqualification.

The publication rights described herein refer only to the materials submitted as the Contest Entry. All winning Projects will be posted (electronic/Internet media) at the discretion of the Sponsor and the Contest Administrator. All Participants entering Projects in the Contest assign to the Sponsor and the Contest Administrator the right to publish (in print or electronic/Internet media) the submitted or extracted abstract (including the block diagram, photograph, schematic, and software code sample), along with the entrant’s name in the Sponsor and Contest Administrator’s sole discretion.

How to Win

Primary Prize Categories
All Contest entries will be judged by the Contest Administrator and a panel of judges selected by the Contest Administrator on the following: technical merit 20%, originality 15%, usefulness 20%, cost-effectiveness 10%, effective use of on-chip resources 20%, and effective use of bonus parts 15%. In the event of a tie, the tied Entry with the highest score in the technical merit category will be deemed the winner. In the event of a further tie, the tied Entry with the highest score in the usefulness category will be selected. In the event of a further tie, the tied Entry submitted first will be the declared winner. Contest judges have been chosen based on their familiarity with engineering design, 16-bit programmable microcontroller component knowledge, and experience. Participants agree to abide by all decisions of the Contest Administrator, which shall be final and binding with respect to all issues relating to the Contest.

Shipping
Note: Do not send the physical Project unless you are notified as being a winner. The Contest Administrator may require inspection of the winning Projects. The Participant bears all responsibility for shipping and insuring their winning Entry to the Contest Administrator (postal address below). If you are chosen as a winner, the Contest Administrator will notify you and inform you where and when to ship your Project. Projects will be returned after the winning Entry is photographed. In the event of logistical problems in sending a completed Project, special arrangements can be made between the Contest Administrator and the winner. 

Primary Prizes

First Place -- $5,000

Second Place -- $3,000

Third Place -- $1,750 

Subcategory Prizes: In addition to the Primary Prize Categories, there are seven (7) Subcategory Prizes. Each Subcategory Prize award is $750. All submitted contest projects are entered for the Primary Prize Categories. An entrant may win a Primary Prize Category and up to two Subcategory Prizes with one entry.  The judges will automatically include your entry in the subcategory if they feel that the subcategory applies.  Superior use of one or more of the unique subcategory features will determine the subcategory winner.

1. Effective Use of SMPS Resources (for example resources found on dsPIC30F2020)

2. Effective Use of Motor Control Resources (for example resources found on

dsPIC30F2010)

3. Use of Smart Sensing Methodologies

4. Connected (Communications) Applications

5. Effective Use of Peripheral Pin Select (for example resources found on PIC24FJ64GA002)

6. Effective Use of DSP technology

7. Best Use of Bonus Parts 

Tip: see Q&A for more information

Primary Prizes and Subcategory Prizes are independent. (Example: One entry can win up to two Subcategory Prizes but may or may not win a Primary Prize Category. Or, one entry may win a Primary Prize Category but may or may not win a Subcategory Prize.) However, in the event of a Subcategory tie, the tie break will then be decided based on the scores for the Primary Category judging and in a manner that follows the Primary Category tie-break rules. Maximum prize limit per Project entered is one Primary Category Prize and up to two (2) Subcategory Prizes.

All properly claimed prizes will be awarded. Only the prizes specified in the numbers indicated will be awarded. Total cash value of Contest prizes is $15,000. All winners will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability prior to being declared a winner. All winners are required to comply with all reasonable requests for tax identification and will be required to provide a Social Security number and completed Form W-9 (U.S. residents only) before receiving any prize.

Winners will be notified via e-mail or postal mail on or about December 12, 2007. The list of winners will be posted at www.circuitcellar.com/designchallenge2007/. For a copy of the winners' names, available after January 14, 2008, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Contest Administrator, Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest, P.O. Box 180, Vernon, CT 06066. Ask for the Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest winners list.

Address
To contact us or send a Contest Entry: 

Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest
P.O. Box 180
Vernon, CT 06066
(860) 875-2199
Fax: (860) 871-0411
contest@circuitcellar.com

Legal Considerations
The odds of winning depend on the number of acceptable entries received and the decision of the Contest Administrator and judges. The prizes will be awarded and mailed to the winners. The Sponsor is solely responsible for the payment of all prizes. Upon delivery to the winner's address, the Sponsor will be deemed to have awarded the prize to the winner with the winner assuming full responsibility for the prize. There will be no substitution for prizes other than as offered. Each winner, and not the Contest Administrator or the Sponsor, is solely responsible for all other arrangements, costs and expenses associated with and receiving their prize, including without limitation, any taxes or other fees imposed by a government authority. All Participants and winners agree that signing the Contest registration form or otherwise registering online via e-mail constitutes agreement to the terms and conditions of the Entry rules. Winners will be required to sign an additional liability waiver and statement of eligibility before receiving any prize. Winners will be notified by mail, e-mail, and/or telephone on or about December 12, 2007. The Contest Administrator’s decision is final. If a winner fails to respond within 30 days of notification, an alternate winner will be selected. Prizes are not transferable.

Entries made on the Internet will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of Entry. In the event of a dispute, potential winners may be required to provide proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the potentially winning Entry. By completing a registration form and submitting an Entry, the Participant certifies that the Project entered in the Contest is their work, or that they have written legal permission from the property owner. Furthermore, they have read and understand the complete rules of the Contest and agree to abide by them.

By entering, Participants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Administrator, the Sponsor and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, representatives, agents, and employees, from any and all liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising from or in connection with, either directly or indirectly, 1) the awarding, acceptance, receipt, possession, use, and/or misuse of any prize awarded herein; or 2) participation in the Contest or any prize related activities, including but not limited to traveling to or from any prize related activity. By accepting a prize, remuneration, or honorarium, Participants consent to the use of their name, photograph and/or likeness, address, voice, and statements made by or attributed to them, in perpetuity, in any and all media now known or hereafter developed (including, without limitation, print, broadcast, and Internet), for all legitimate business purposes including advertising and promotional activities without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.

The Contest Administrator and the Sponsor are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate entry of information including, but not limited to, technical malfunctions, human error, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment, software or any combination thereof, Entry materials that have been tampered with, or e-mail or mail-in entries that are illegible, late, lost, damaged, postage due, or misdirected. The Contest Administrator and the Sponsor are not responsible for any injury or damage to the Participant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any material in this Contest. Entries that have been tampered with or altered are void.

The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend this Contest if it becomes technically corrupted or if for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infections by computer viruses, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor or the Contest Administrator that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest promotion.

This Contest shall be interpreted and governed by the substantive laws of the State of Arizona and any applicable laws and regulations of the United States. The Participant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively, before a court located in Arizona having competent jurisdiction, which Court shall apply the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to any principles of conflicts of laws, and submission of said Entry constitutes acceptance of such laws. The Participant further agrees that no claims, judgments or awards shall exceed the amount of the Contest prize and under no circumstances shall include attorney's fees; nor shall any Participant be permitted to obtain awards for punitive, incidental, consequential or other similar damages or have any damage awards multiplied or increased for any reason.

Sponsor and Contest Administrator
Microchip Technology Inc. is the Contest Sponsor. Circuit Cellar Inc. is the Contest Administrator.

Copyright ©2007 Circuit Cellar Inc. All rights reserved.

Submission Deadline: October 16, 2007