6502 Computer

Computer Architecture Project

This is the first computer I built, incorporating the 6502 IC with the help of Ben Eater’s guide. This project has helped me understand how computer architecture works. Concepts such data/address buses and the importance of clock speed helped me get through the layers of abstraction in computer design. This was also my first introduction to assembly languages that work as close to the hardware as possible. For this indendent project I also used an EEPROM programmer and made a signal analyzer out of an Arduino Mega. The signal analyzer was tremendously helpful for troubleshooting address and data lines.

• Date: 2019
• Credit: Ben Eater’s kits at eater.net
• Category: Independent Research

8 Bit Computer

Computer Architecture Project

This 8-bit computer was also from a kit made by Ben Eater and is com- prised of many more chips when compared to the 6502. By making my own clock module and registers I have been able to use 555 timers and other ICs which has given me a better understanding of how computers work at the bit and byte level. Here there is no assembly language to guide the operations so it is left to the hardware and logic gates to control program ow. Going through this build has given me an appreciation for work done by Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace when they were performing boolean algebra on a state machine.

• Date: Fall 2019 - Present
• Credit: Ben Eater’s kits at eater.net
• Category: Independent Research

4 Sensor Data Logger

DHT-11 Temp./Humid.

This project used 4 DHT-11 temperature and humidity sensors to log data to an SD card in a green house. This prototype monitored 3 external DHT-11 nodes while the 4th was for monitoring the boards health. Some SD cards were exposed to temperatures exceeding 120F and failed to operate thereafter. In the future, SD cards of the appropriate grade should be used. SD Cards could also be cooled with fans, or protected from UV with a simple cover.

Data Logger Repository

• Date: Summer 2019
• Category: Home Research

NASA L'Space Academy

Professional Development Course

The NASA L’Space Academy assigned me to join a team of 11 other college students to develope a concept Mars rover that could perform different tasks and collect varried scientific objectives. My role as a computer engineer on the science team was to design the wafer PCB that would integrate all of the onboard systems to the rover’s CPUs. Another task of mine was to plan the route of the rover to make sure that we could get to our objectives and not roll over. I wrote a python program to take in a CSV file of the route and it ensured that our gradient was within 30 degrees so the craft would not roll over.

Terrain Analyzer

• Date: Summer 2020
• Organization: NASA L’Space
• Category: Professional Development

Arduino Prototype

Avenue E at UC Davis

This project was completed with the help of three other engineers at the UC Davis transfer bridge program, Avenue E. This prototype implemented rain detection, dynamic braking and automatic headlights.

Arduino Project Repository

• Date: Summer 2022
• Organization: Avenue E
• Category: Program Team Building Project

Big-O in MATLAB

Advanced Algorithm Analysis

This is a picture from a homework assignment to plot different functions and determine asymptotic behavior.

• Date: Fall 2022
• Category: Algorithm Analysis Course

STM32 Header File

Enabled Digital Compass to Nucleo Board Communication.

After years of using header files made by other engineers, I am very proud to finally share a new header file with the open source community. After learning how to read registers on chip, send data over I2C, this header file can help other engineers complete their projects and meet their goals. I look forward to making more of these in the future.

BMM150 Repository

• Date: Spring 2023
• Category: Engineering Student Design Center MSO Course

Bus Analyzer

8-Bit Computer Project

To assist with the debugging of my 8-bit computer’s data bus, I made this simple data bus analyzer that would read the values off the central data bus and then print the numbers to a screen.

Bus Analyzer Repository

• Date: Spring 2021
• Category: Home Research

CAN Protocol

Board to Board Communication

To better understand the Controlled Area Network (CAN) protocol, I made a simple 2 circuit board arrangement. This allowed the boards to communicate with one another via the CANs 2 wire system. Both boards were able to listen and send messages over the CAN bus. Commands to light control commands and temperature data were sent over the bus.

Video Demo

• Date: Summer 2022
• Category: Self Guided Research

Integral Approximations

Math Project

This is a simple python program that calculates riemann sums to do integration.

Integral Approximation Repository

• Date: Spring 2020
• Category: Math Project

Machining Projects

Metal Lathe, Mill and Drill Press

While part of the E-Prime Program at UC Davis I was able to work under a mentor to learn about machining. During a two month period I learned how to model in Fusion 360 where I designed parts for giveaways during the Engineering and Student Design Center’s grand opening. While working in the ESDC I learned how to use a metal lathe and worked on a piece of steel. I also learned how to use a Bridgeport mill with a DRO. Lastly, I completed a project with a drill press on a piece of aluminium.

• Date: Spring 2023
• Category: Engineering Student Design Center MSO Course

Operational Amplifiers

Differentiator && Integrator

With a team of student engineers, we spent some time over winter break developing an integrator/differentiator circtuit using an operational amplifier and capacitors. The project was a great chance to work with a DC powersupply, function generator and oscilloscope. The project goal is to create a PCB that has an input with various outputs. Design is ongoing.

• Date: Winter 2023
• Category: Group Self Guided Research

Research

Simulation & Optimization of Graphene Nanoribbons

In this REU I learned how to run simulations in MATLAB to model quantum phenomenon in graphene nanoribbon transistors.

Research Symposium Presentation Video.

• Date: Summer 2021
• Organization: UC Berkeley TTE REU, E³S
• Category: Research

Semiconductors in MATLAB

Semiconductor Physics Course

To help with my understanding of the course and to model different dopant levels in semiconductors I made several MATLAB programs. This helped me investigate fermi-dirac distributions, Schottky Diodes, PN junctions, and doped semiconductors.

MATLAB for Semiconductors Repository

• Date: Fall 2022
• Category: Semiconductor Physics Course

Telemetry Module

Formula Racing at UC Davis

In this project I used UART and WIFI protocols so that we can send CAN messages to a trackside computer and watch live telemetry of our race car.

Video Demo

Telemetry Module Repository

• Date: Fall 2022
• Organization: Formula Racing at UC Davis
• Category: Firmware Team Project

Weather Station

School Research Project

After completing this project, I was very happy to have captured a phe- nomenon in nature and convert it into a digital medium. Through this project I learned more about prototyping, 3D printing, cabling considerations and net- work connectivity. Future plans for this machine will be to incorporate a SQL server with daily analytics.

Weather Station Repository

• Date: Fall 2020
• Organization: Santa Rosa Junior College CS 12 Assembly
• Category: School Research Project