ECE 3450: Reaction Timer Lab Report Guide

The aim of your report is to ultimately demonstrate that you understand the design and operation of your reaction timer circuit. Each student will submit their own lab report via Blackboard. Begin your report with a brief, system-level Overview which describes the basic operation of the reaction timer. The idea is to provide the reader with a framework so that (s)he can see how the subsequent, more detailed sections fit into place. In the next section of the report, Design and Simulation, provide details on the following: What is the overall structure of the reaction timer? Provide a block diagram schematic from Quartus. Explain the role of the push buttons, switches, LED, and seven segment displays in your design. Explain why certain clock frequencies are used in your design. Explain the operation of the four stage decade counter. Describe how the dual one shot circuit generates the w signal. Describe the functionality of the Pseudo Random Number Generator if it used in your design to set the delay of the first stage of the dual one shot circuit. Explain how the simple logic circuit (mux, D FF, AND gate) controls the operation of your circuit. Show any simulations that illustrate the operation of the sub-circuits as well as the entire circuit. Discuss each of the simulations results.

In the third section of the report, Testing and Verification, provide details on the operation and verification of the reaction timer. How was this circuit on the DE2 board tested in the lab? How was the Signal Tap Logic analyzer configured and used to verify the functionality of your design? Describe what your Signal Tap measurements demonstrate. Finally write a brief Conclusions section for your report. Remember, for any of the above sections, the following should be provided if warranted: A detailed schematic/block diagram of the circuit or system Descriptions of figures and code Any relevant calculations Test results and data recorded from your notebook Discussion of any differences between expected and actual results

WRITING HINTS AND TIPS

Be concise! Assuming you dont simply cut important technical content, you will get more credit for a short report. Revise your drafts by asking yourself if the same information can be conveyed in fewer words.

 Use diagrams, figures and graphs to illustrate your concepts and results. A picture speaks a thousand words. Use paragraphs to make text more readable, and to provide structure within a section / subsection. A paragraph should rarely be over 1/3 page in length. Ensure all numeric quantities are quoted with units, and that all graphs have labeled axes and units. Be appropriately technical! eg: A current limiting resistor of 330 was chosen based on the rated LED current of 15mA, the 0.7V forward bias voltage drop across the LED, and the 5V supply ..rather than: A resistor was placed between the LED and the power rail Provide quantitive measures of otherwise vague terms like large or small, eg: A relatively large voltage offset of 7.3V was observed on the system output Professional reports are generally written impersonally, eg: A buzzing noise was heard whenever the button was pressed ..rather than: I found that if you pressed the button there was a buzzing noise Revise your report several times. Spell check and proof read the final draft with particular care.