Project

How to do a good B.E. project?

“Sir, can you give me an idea for a good project?”

“Sir, I am trying to do an innovative project, Can you help me?”

I usually get such question from my students, for whom I can’t say “No”. With this article I am trying to explain few possibilities of doing a good project in B.E. level.

When my students ask me one of the above questions, I usually ask them “What’s your goal in your life?” This basic question I must ask coz, I know, the students who really want to do an innovative projects are not meant for ordinary software jobs!!!

My first advice for the students who want to become a software engineer after doing B.E. in Electrical Sciences, is try to upgrade your seniors old project!!! (Anyway they will do similar kind of work after joining software field). Even some of the hardware projects can be upgraded. First going through the work already done, the future works recommended can be taken as a new project. It is better to consult the guide who has guided that project and get the suggestion for the upgradation.

Before thinking about your project, decide your goal, at least the short term goal of your life. Choosing area of interest is another major thing which decides your project.

Let me broadly mention some of the areas in Electrical Sciences

Microelectronics (VLSI, System on Chip (SOC), MEMS, etc )

DSP (Image Processing, Audio Processing, Video Processing, Multimedia Processing (includes all the three; image, audio and video), Speech Processing, etc)

Microcontrollers (PIC, Embedded microcontrollers)

Power Electronics and Control Systems

For people like me, who is in teaching field, all of them are the areas of interest!!! But as a student you can choose area of interest easily. It is always better to do a project in the area of your interest. Approach the right person (guide) to discuss about a particular topic in your interested area and try to pick some problems which can be taken as a project.

Let me clear one thing, your project work is not a research work as such. One can’t do an invention in six month period. B.E. project has to be done in such a way that a student should get the practical knowledge. Since lot of subjects are introduced with little lab exercises it is hard to become master in each and every subject. Project work is the key part of B.E. degree where you can decide your future; you can become master at least in one topic in your field.

If you are interested in VLSI field following things can be taken as a project.

Designing or implementing an algorithm in an HDL, then downloading in to an FPGA or CPLD to check its performance

Testing is a very good area, has a huge market. Using some testing tools one can analyze his own circuit or already designed circuit

One can also try small MEMS devices

Lot of free tools available in internet. Some of the tools, materials are listed in my site: www.sampathkumar.4t.com

A lot of good projects can be DSP field. Some ideas:

Designing or implementing an algorithm in an MATLAB or LABVIEW, then downloading in to a DSP kit to check its performance

Simulink is also a good tool; one can simulate complicated circuits with this tool

Visit www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral , An open exchange for the MATLAB and Simulink user community

Using PIC or any other microcontroller good applications can be developed. Visit www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=102.

You can also go through magazines like

EDN Access - Design source for engineers and managers.

Electronic Component News - Product information, technical articles and news relevant to electronics design professionals.

Electronic Engineering Times - UK electronic magazine providing industry, company, technology and employment news.

Electronic Products -The latest information on electronic components and their manufacturers.

Electronic Products & Technology - News and articles covering design, manufacture and use of electronics.

Electronics Engineer Asia - Features new products, industry news, case studies, and technical articles.

European Semiconductor - News and articles covering equipment and materials for the semiconductor production industry in Europe.

Everyday Practical Electronics Magazine - Covers practical electronics technology and computer projects for hobbyists.

IEEE Spectrum - Publication of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE). Provides general exploration of the development, applications and implications of new technologies.

Micro Control Journal - Offers design and application information enabling users to successfully implement industrial automation and control projects.

Nuts & Volts Magazine - Articles on amateur radio, cellular communications, scanning, computers, amateur robotics and lasers.

Printed Circuit Design Magazine - Covers printed circuit design sector.

Semiconductor Fabtech - Review of new technological developments in the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductor International - Magazine covering international semiconductor processing and manufacturing sector.

Semiseek - Online magazine with suppliers listings, technical articles and semiconductor sector news.

Spread Spectrum Scene - Covers RF and spread spectrum technology.

Wireless Design - Wireless design industry news and marketplace.

Wireless Systems Design - Provides articles and product news relating to wireless communications design.