THE RULES

RULES UPDATE
(Click here for the latest rules updates)

1. Each project must be the original work and property of the person or team who submits it.

2. Projects may be submitted in hardcopy or digital form, and must be written in English. The postal and email addresses for submitting contest entries are shown at the bottom of this page.

All hardcopy entries must include:
• A completed and signed entry form
• A publishable, technically descriptive abstract in Microsoft Word or ASCII text, including a hardcopy (about 500 words) and block diagram of the design (see example)
• Complete and legible schematics of the hardware used
• Complete documentation of the project and its operation, including software, flowcharts, and diagrams (where appropriate). In addition, entrants must submit extensive software listings digitally (send four [4] copies on 3.5” disks [1 copy per judge]).
• Four (4) copies of all documentation (1 copy per judge)
• Four (4) identical photographs of the completed project (1 copy per judge)

All digital entries must include:
• A completed and signed entry form.
• A publishable abstract in Microsoft Word or ASCII format (about 500 words) and a block diagram of the design (see example). Filename = abstract
• Complete documentation of the project and its operation, including software, flowcharts, schematics, photos, and diagrams. Please submit documentation in PDF or Microsoft Word format only.
• A fully compilable source code

Hardcopy submissions must include 1 diskette containing the publishable abstract and block diagram or schematic (see example)

Note: Do not send the physical project unless you are notified that you are a winner.

Contestants may enter more than one project but must submit each as a separate entry. There should be no personal identification or corporate affiliation markings on ANY of the submitted material. Your name, address, or corporate affiliation should appear ONLY ON THE ENTRY FORM. Contestants who leave their names in headers, footers, table of contents pages, schematics, etc. may be disqualified.

3. All core hardware must be ZiLOG Z180-based (check the Circuit Cellar web site for additions, qualifications, or changes to these specifications). Visit the components section for sources of databooks and downloadable development tools. Sources for development kits and individual chips are available via the Circuit Cellar web site, your local ZiLOG sales office, or a local distributor.

4. All entries must be received on or before January 15, 2001. Entries received after this deadline are deemed ineligible.

5. We encourage all contestants to seek patents for any unique or proprietary aspects of the design prior to submission. The design remains the intellectual property of the contestant. To avoid additional shipping and organizational difficulties, all copies of entry documentation become the property of Circuit Cellar and will not be returned.

6. Only winning projects must be shipped to Circuit Cellar (postal address below). The contestant bears all responsibility for shipping and insuring their winning entry to Circuit Cellar. If you are chosen as a winner, we will contact you with all the details and how you need to ship your project to us. Projects will be returned once the winning entry is photographed. In the event of logistical problems in sending your completed project to us, special arrangements may be made between Circuit Cellar, ZiLOG, and the winner as a follow-up alternative.

7. All contestants entering projects in ZiLOG’s Driven to Design 2000 contest agree to assign Circuit Cellar exclusive first- publication and nonexclusive full-publication rights of the project if they win any monetary award and if Circuit Cellar elects to publish it. If the project is published as a separate article in Circuit Cellar, Circuit Cellar Online, or any other Circuit Cellar publication, the contestant will be paid a standard Circuit Cellar Press remuneration. All contestants entering projects in the ZiLOG Driven to Design 2000 contest assign to Circuit Cellar and ZiLOG the right to publish (print or electronic/Internet media) the submitted project abstract.

8. All ZiLOG Driven to Design 2000 contest entries will be judged on the following: technical merit, originality, cost effectiveness, utility or applicability, and efficiency of development and design process. Contest judges have been chosen based on their familiarity with engineering design, component familiarity, and experience. Winners will be chosen based on all of the criteria given. All decisions made by the judges are final.

9. PRIZES: A grand prize of two-year’s worth of lease payments on a BMW Z3 Roadster automobile will be awarded to the top design. For those entrants that either cannot qualify for the lease or decide that they do not want the car for other financial reasons, a cash equivalent will be awarded. Second prize winners will receive a 53” HDTV and third prize winners will receive a portable DVD player. All winning designs that incorporate the ZS183 will receive an additional cash bonus of $500. Ten additional prizes of a personal GPS navigation unit and an eZ80 evaluation board will be awarded to those designs that receive an honorable mention (All prizes may be substituted for a cash equivalent except for the eZ80 evaluation boards). Cash equivalents are based on approximate U.S. market value of the product at the time of the contest (refer to the contest FAQ section on the Circuit Cellar website for details). No checks or prizes will be issued to U.S. residents until a Social Security number is submitted. All winners will be notified in March of 2001, as well as featured in the June 2001 issue of Circuit Cellar. All contestants are invited to submit their design write-ups for future Circuit Cellar articles.

10. Contest rules are subject to change. Check for rules updates and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

11. Address all correspondence concerning the contest to:

ZiLOG Driven to Design 2000 Contest
Circuit Cellar • 4 Park St.
Vernon, CT 06066

Phone: (860) 875-2199
Fax: (860) 871-0411
contest.administrator@circuitcellar.com