EE101:
Introduction to Electrical Fundamentals
Lab
A Montana Space Grant Consortium Project
Fall Semester 2004 - Present
ECEbot "epsilon" version used for academic year 2007-2008.
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Introduction
The Montana State University Electrical and Computer Engineering Department uses a small custom robot kit for student learning during the freshman year. Each student in EE101 buys a parts kit and learns to assemble and test the robot in a series of experiments and projects throughout the semester. As of the Fall 2007 semester, approximately 400 students have successfully built an ECEbot robot.
 Background
During summer and fall 2004, former Department Head Jim Peterson suggested that the MSU ECE Department work on a major revision to our introductory course for freshmen, EE101: Introduction to Electrical Fundamentals Lab. The revision included adding a 50 minute lecture session each week in addition to the existing 2 hour lab period, increasing the number of credits from 1 to 2, and developing an entirely new set of laboratory experiments based on a custom mobile robot: the ECEbot.
The work on this revision was made possible by an Educational Enhancement grant to Prof. Rob Maher and Adjunct Prof. Bob Gunderson from the Montana Space Grant Consortium. The course revision simply would not have been possible without the MSGC support, since the funding enabled the final mechanical and electrical design of the robot, the embedded software development, and the authorship of the laboratory experiments and assembly guides.
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ECEbot "beta" version used for the first time in Fall 2004
 The original prototype robot concept was developed in 2003-2004 by undergraduate assistant Gary Schoep, under the direction of Prof. Gunderson. Additional early development work was conducted by ECE undergraduate assistant Brad Towle, during 2004.
Prof. Maher developed the robot lab experiments and assembly guides with the help of Brad Towle. The first class sections for the revised EE101 during FL04 and SP05 were taught by Prof. Jim Becker and Adjunct Prof. Tia Sharpe. Prof. Becker prepares and maintains the EE101 lecture notes each semester for sale from campus copy shop.
Recent printed circuit board layout improvements and enhanced design features have been developed and implemented by Brent Olson, ECE Stockroom Manager.
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ECEbot "delta" version used for 2006-2007
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Senior Design Projects
Several ECE Senior Project teams have been using the ECEbot as a platform for advanced features and capabilities. One multidisciplinary team involved CpE, MET, and ME majors who worked on a cost-reduced printed circuit board and chassis assembly. Past and current senior project groups have developed infrared sensors and guidance controls to replace the mechanical bumper switches and "dead reckoning" navigation.
Another ongoing ECEbot-based senior project is designing hardware and software for wireless data networking among several robots and computers.
Robot Labs and Assembly Guides
- EE101 Lab Manual and ECEbot Assembly Guides (Fall 2007)
- Fall 2007 bill of materials (unofficial)
- Our paper from the 2005 ASEE Conference describing the EE101 development project (R.C. Maher, J. Becker, T. Sharpe, J. Peterson, and B.A. Towle, "Development and implementation of a robot-based freshman engineering course," Proc. 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, Portland, OR, June, 2005).
- Lab #10 Setup Instructions; Spreadsheet with embedded ActiveX control for serial download; and Lab #10 Downloading Software (.zip archive with serial port programs)
Questions regarding the ECEbot project?
Please contact:
Robert C. Maher
Associate Professor and Department Head
email: rob.maher@montana.edu
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Student-built ECEbots racing to the net at an MSU women's volleyball game (22 October 2004).
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About the ECE Department
