Final Project Considerations

Last Updated: June 1, 2026

This final project is your opportunity to synthesize and expand upon the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in this course. It’s not just about building something that works—it’s about demonstrating your understanding of fundamental principles, your ability to apply them creatively, and your capacity to communicate your learning effectively.

Core Requirements

  • Analog focus: While digital components (like Arduinos) can be incorporated, the core of your project must demonstrate a strong understanding and application of analog electronics principles (op-amps, BJTs, FETs, etc.). Programming-heavy projects are strongly discouraged.
  • Proof of concept: Your project should demonstrate a functional proof of concept.
  • Emphasis on understanding: Your grade will primarily reflect your ability to articulate your understanding of the electronic principles involved, not just the complexity of the project. A well-documented and explained simple project is far superior to a poorly explained complicated project.

Project Ideas and Inspiration

Analog control systems (PID control loop)

Implement a PID control loop to regulate a physical system. This involves measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature, speed, position), comparing it to a setpoint, and adjusting the system to minimize the error. PID control is a fundamental concept used in countless real-world applications.

Examples:

  • Temperature controller for a hotplate (essential in physics labs).
  • Speed-controlled motor (maintaining speed under varying loads).
  • Magnetic levitation system.
  • Displacement control for a robotic arm.

Electronic musical instruments and audio processing

Design and build an analog musical instrument or audio processing device. This category combines analog electronics with creative applications.

Examples:

  • Modular synthesizer with voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) and amplifiers (VCAs).
  • Stylophone or keyboard.
  • Instruments controlled by transducers (Hall-effect, photodiodes, etc.).
A note on Theremins

Most groups fail to complete a functioning Theremin. We strongly encourage transducer-based instruments instead (Hall-effect sensors, photodiodes, etc.), which are more achievable and equally interesting.

Features to consider:

  • VCOs, VCAs, and envelope generators.
  • Waveform manipulation (square, triangle, compression, limiting).
  • Class AB audio amplifier (~5W peak power).
  • Low-frequency oscillators for modulation.
  • Heterodyne principle audio generation.

Digital signal encoding/decoding (with analog components)

Combine digital signal processing (e.g., using Arduinos) with analog circuitry for encoding and decoding. This bridges the gap between analog and digital electronics.

Examples:

  • Phase-shift keying (PSK).
  • Frequency-shift keying (FSK).
  • Amplitude-shift keying (ASK).
  • Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

Advanced analog circuit design

Explore more advanced analog circuit designs to deepen your understanding of analog design principles.

Examples:

  • Class D audio amplifier with equalizer.
  • Musical instrument tuner using high-Q bandpass filters.
  • Op-amp design from discrete transistors.
  • Active filter design.
  • Amplifier classes beyond what we’ve covered in labs.
  • 555 timer applications for timing and control (e.g., motor speed control).
  • Op-amp circuits using no feedback or positive feedback.
  • Analog-digital interfacing.

For additional project inspiration, have a look at the BJT and op-amp chapters of Horowitz and Hill. Creativity is encouraged—don’t be afraid to propose your own unique ideas.

Project Evaluation

Your project will be evaluated on:

  1. Understanding of principles: Your ability to explain the underlying electronics concepts.
  2. Application of skills: How effectively you apply the knowledge gained in the course.
  3. Project functionality: The successful implementation of your design.
  4. Presentation and report: The clarity and thoroughness of your documentation.
  5. Analog component usage: The degree to which analog components are central to the design.

Next Steps

  1. Brainstorm project ideas.
  2. Submit your final project idea proposal for approval (see Canvas for the deadline and format).
  3. Develop a detailed project proposal, including:
    • Project description and goals.
    • Block diagram of the system.
    • List of required components.
    • Timeline for completion.

Past Projects

Here are some favorite projects students have done in the past, grouped by theme.

Audio and music

  • Audio synthesizer
  • Electronic keyboard
  • Square wave optical music player
  • 3rd order Butterworth audio crossover and equalizer
  • Car audio: 50W audio amplifier
  • Audio LED flasher
  • LED volume meter

Control systems and automation

  • Analog control circuit (PID)
  • Servo controlled cart placement system
  • Magnetic levitation device
  • Traffic light controller
  • Automatic light dimmer
  • Lego robot

Measurement and sensing

  • Heart rate monitor (electrocardiograph)
  • Pulse oximeter
  • Resonant frequency meter
  • Self-contained IR photometer for astronomy
  • Counting photons
  • Optoelectronic resonance detector
  • Network cable tester
  • Lie detector
  • Bio-feedback machine

Advanced circuits

  • Discrete transistor op-amp (with at least 5 transistors)
  • Analog computer (solves a physics problem)
  • Advanced active filters (see Horowitz and Hill Chapter 4)
  • Waveform visualizer
  • Digital counter
  • A simple scanning tunneling microscope

Communication and optics

  • Infrared transmitter
  • Clicker jammer
  • “Voice-on” light switch

Astronomy

  • Motorized tracking equatorial telescope