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 Parts”
and any “Bonus Parts” 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 “Eligible Parts” and any “Bonus Parts” 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 commercially available development board, then the schematic should show the connections to the identified 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.
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 Parts” and any “Bonus Parts” 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 commercially available development board, then the schematic should show the connections to the identified 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
Video files are also encouraged (but not required) so you may further demonstrate the capabilities of your entry.
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.
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
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.
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:
Microchip 16-bit Embedded Control Design Contest
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, MT9999 entry abstract
2 of 3, MT9999 entry documentation
3 of 3, MT9999 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.
Entry |
Key elements |
Remember to |
•
Abstract |
•
Project description |
• Use
your Registration Number |
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
Grand Prize, Microchip Mad Dash for Flash Cash Contest Richard Wotiz
Entry: Stealth Telephone Screener
Example 2
First Prize, Microchip Mad Dash for Flash Cash Contest Craig Beiferman and Dale Herman
Entry: A USB-CAN-Based Distributed Dual-Axis Motion Controller
Submission Deadline: October 16, 2007