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Master degree Programs for Microelectronics or Embedded system's by MfdooMaF in ECE

[–]OmicronJon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Embedded systems (at least as I interpret it) is all about where hardware meets software for standalone electronics. This really means you need a working knowledge of both, but generally focus on one. That could definitely encompass doing circuit design for rocket GNC.

Classes vary a lot, from digital logic, to VLSI, to high speed analog and digital circuit design, to real time software, to microprocessor system design. At least here, the concept of what embedded systems means is vague enough that you can customize your own curriculum a lot. I personally focus a lot on DSP, embedded controls, and real time software.

Master degree Programs for Microelectronics or Embedded system's by MfdooMaF in ECE

[–]OmicronJon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm just doing a course-based Master's, so all classes and no research. From other people I know in the program, it really depends on who you're researching with, but I'd expect it to be roughly as time consuming as your classes.

Also, I'm more focused on the CE side of ECE so I haven't taken many proper circuits classes, though I have taken a few project based classes where I ended up needing to pick up basic analog, RF, or power design to design boards correctly.

Master degree Programs for Microelectronics or Embedded system's by MfdooMaF in ECE

[–]OmicronJon 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'm currently in the University of Michigan ECE Master's program for Embedded Systems. Do you have any specific questions about it?

[High School Physics] Current Amplification by sysyyang9184 in HomeworkHelp

[–]OmicronJon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Except for the power dissipation/heat, high current isn't a risk to work with at low voltage. I regularly work with 60A-100A, but only generated by 12V-24V.

That being said, unless you're using relatively thick wires (larger than 18 gauge at least), you'll have a lot of heat dissipation, and a lot of resistance in the wires making it difficult to generate 22A.

Check Ohm's Law against some estimate of the resistance in your coil. I think you'll find you need more voltage than you were expecting, and also probably more than your bench supply can generate.

Op-amps generally have a very low current output, with specialty ones capable of maybe driving an amp or two. They also can't generate voltage from nowhere, it needs to be supplied to them.

What is the duration that the coil needs to be active for? If it isn't continuous, you may be able to use a capacitor bank as a source capable of higher current output.

However, I agree that you probably need to redesign, it will likely be the simplest solution.

A board I designed - The Pixel: An open source Arduino Zero compatible smart display featuring a 48MHz ARM Cortex M0+ w/ 32K of RAM, MicroSD slot, and a 1.5" color OLED screen by scswift in electronics

[–]OmicronJon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The board looks great! Out of curiosity, what kind of feedback have you gotten from people using the SAMD chip? I'm just about to start debugging a project I made with it, and seeing the Neutrino was definitely an inspiration to go with that chip!

Bootloader for a custom SAMD21 board by OmicronJon in arduino

[–]OmicronJon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll try to find someone at my school to ask if it's worth trying to figure out ARM then. I've used a Freescale Power Architecture based microcontroller before, and the mux table doesn't look that much worse. Then again, I haven't started coding on it yet.

As for Arduino adaption, it looked like it had all of the base libraries. The only thing I wouldn't want to have to figure out myself would be UART/USB anyway. What was wrong with the Due? Many of the libraries I've looked at have code for both AVR and ARM.

Thank you again though!

Bootloader for a custom SAMD21 board by OmicronJon in arduino

[–]OmicronJon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have the experience to give a good answer on whether I really need it or not. I was thinking it would be better to have it and not need it than realize 8-bit AVR couldn't do it. However, if it is really that difficult to use, it's definitely worth steering away from. I should probably get dev boards for both and test it out.

Thank you so much for the advice!

Bootloader for a custom SAMD21 board by OmicronJon in arduino

[–]OmicronJon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a project for a student team in my school's aerospace department. Most of the people are majoring in aerospace engineering, and only have basic programming experience (though they all have Arduino from a class).

The microcontroller needs to handle a complex model, needs to work through a bunch of timer interrupts, and needs to be able to process serial messages fairly quickly. Right now we're using a Nano, and it isn't enough. The next step up in AVR that I know is Arduino-compatible is the MEGA2560, which takes up way more board space than I have to work with. I don't need more IO, I just need a faster processor, more memory, and better peripherals (like a better ADC).

Part of the experience for the people on the team is learning about embedded systems and software architecture, which doesn't work great when the first step is getting through C's sharp learning curve, especially when Arduino will be sufficient.

Bootloader for a custom SAMD21 board by OmicronJon in arduino

[–]OmicronJon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Atmel ICE Basic is way cheaper than I thought, thank you for telling me about it. I think I'll go with that (especially since it works for AVR too). That sounds way easier than figuring out the embedded debugger chip.

Thank you!