Controlling A Power Supply Via The Internet Provides A Capstone Design Experience In Topics Of Applied Design

This paper focuses on using an off-the shelf Programmable Power Supply Kit to illustrate the concepts required in successfully completing a junior level capstone project. The capstone Programmable Power Supply Project is structured to support course goals and objectives of "Topics of Applied Design" offered to junior students in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology. The course is structured to meet the requirements of a Senior Design capstone experience with the exception that the project design is controlled by the faculty member. The paper presents the "project concept" together with the theory of operation, project schematic, and parts list. Each student is required to build a Programmable Power Supply (PPS) using a combination of through-hole and surface mount components. In addition, each student is required to implement a packaging concept, and write a complete project proposal. An additional goal of the course is to prepare students for the upcoming Senior Design Capstone Experience required for a baccalaureate degree in engineering technology. In support of this goal students are required to maintain a project journal to record ideas, data, test results, and experiences throughout the project. To date, student feedback on this project has been very positive and a representative selection of student comments is included in this paper.