Electrical
- Don’t make the wires too short. This will help with being able to physically see where the wires need to be connected without having physical components blocking the view.
- Separate the components that produce noise and components that are affected by noise far away from each other.
- Make a clear and extensive TIVA pinout diagram at the beginning of the project and constantly update it. It is very helpful to have this diagram when wiring
- Make the wiring clean
- Separate wires, colour code, have different boards, label wires
- Have wire buses on each layer so that it is easier to disassemble the layers
- Design for disassembly. There will be a lot disassembling and re-wiring
- Velcro and zipties help with wiring
- Strain-relieve the Tiva!!
- Use power caps
Software
- Comment code as you go! It will help for the final report
- Go for Robustness!!!!
- Decide on the state chart as a team! Make sure everyone knows what is going on.
- Can decouple strategy with state chart
- Test as you go. Module level testing!!
- Have a keyboard testing service.
- Logic Analyser is SUPER helpful
- Be careful when using Port F
Mechanical
- Your own 3D printer in the lab helps speed up the process!
- 2 wheels in the back and 2 castors in the front is a pretty robust mechanical setup
- Bumpers should be lighter than you think
- Design for disassembly
- Robustness is key
- Electromagnets may not be strong enough. Stronger electromagnets draw a LOT of power from the battery.
Other
- Split module-wise instead of mechanical/electrical/software. This helps everyone learn! Don’t get silo-ed into a specific discipline.
- Communication is key.
- Snacks make the team members happy and more willing to work!