Aerospace Electronics Design

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with the advanced use of function generators, oscilloscopes and complex devices such as logic analysers and spectrum analysers.
• Integrate and debug hardware and software systems. In particular appreciate the special problems that occur when both domains are combined.
• Undertake small scale mechanical and electronic construction.
• Undertake detailed fault finding of the developed circuits if required.
• Undertake realtime programming.
• Understand and interpret technical literature and data sheets.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Undertake an evaluation of the complete design and prepare a critical analysis.
• Appreciate the problems in dealing with uncertain and possibly ambiguous specifications.
• Synthesise simple circuits and systems.
• Develop a plan for the implementation of the design and the undertake those activities.
• Analyse the design as it evolves, and deduce problems with the subsequent rectification.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the problems associated with designing practical circuits and systems.
• The design process and the processes involved in project management.
• Defining the specification of an artifact that needs to be designed, tested and commissioned.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of team structure and dynamics, together with an appreciation of individual responsibilities working both as a pair and in a larger grouping.
• Address problems associated with personal and group time management in a problem solving environment.
• Write formal reports in a clear, technical style.
• Prepare working documents, designs and Gantt charts.

The development of individual practical skills through completion of a simple build and test exercise, incorporating soldering, circuit construction and the manufacture of a system.

Groups of students are required to undertake a design, build and test project against a predefined specification. The project assessment includes a competitive trial, individual log books, group reports and quality assessment of the designed system.

The interface between electronic, mechanical and aerospace design.

Effective use of laboratory equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, network analysers, sensitive meters and component testers, sources.

Synthesis vs analysis.

Effective use of design software etc.

Designs optimised to meet multiple criteria.

Design of consumer devices: iStuff examples.

Commercial models, outsourcing, fabless design etc.

Teaching will comprise laboratory sessions, which will introduce components that the students may elect to use in their group design exercise. Throughout the academic year, construction clinics will be provided for students to gain feedback and advice for debugging their group design exercise build, as well as for test flights. At the conclusion of the group design exercise, a demonstration event will enable judges selected from industry to evaluate the construction, functionality and capability of the drones. The students will give a presentation to detail the process of design, construction and testing of the build, as well as to explore the potential for its commercialisation.

Besides attendance at the above listed events, the students will work in teams to design, build and test their drones. They will be able to attend the laboratories in between lectures and other scheduled activities. They will also produce team reports, individual technical reports, individual reflections and group presentations.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.