This semester in Analog and Digital, I want to show my strength in working with the acrylic cutter and help my peers if needed. I also want to heighten my understanding in general knowledge about circuits and electrons that I may have forgotten from D&T.

For my Documentation in this class, I commit to adding clear photos that are useful for viewers to see, adding descriptive explanations, and showing hardships or challenges that I may have faced along the way. 

My group chose the California bear as our design because we were inspired by other pieces that we looked at. We also thought it would be a fun challenge to make a bear-shaped PCB! As soon as the idea was sprung, we immediately chose it because it felt right!

Nikaash and I designed a California bear for our shaped PCB project. Once printed, it will be black, and we will sell the LEDs (not sure what color yet). While doing our final touches on the project, we found it difficult to think of ideas to place the LEDs best for our bear. If we were to complete this project again, I would want to place the LEDs more strategically, maybe even spelling out CA.  

I think this design meets my growth goal because it will challenge me with the LED strips and finding a simple and useful way to slide a photo in and out. This project also highlights an important part of my life, which is my family. It will be challenging to perfect the LED strips and make sure I have a clean finish. 

At this point I have completed my design on Rhino and am ready to make my cardboard model. I've laid flat the sides of my picture box that will be needed to laser cut for my model and final project. 

While building my circuit board I have learned that it is important that all nothing is touching or it may malfunction. I had a bit of a struggle doing it on the breadboard but overall I got it to have two good sound days! 

One aspect that remains a complete mystery to me is the 3.3V regulator (LD1117). From my research, I understand that it takes a higher voltage input (4.4V) and steps it down to a lower output voltage of 3.3V.

I worked with Nikaash, and we designed a California bear that was the original idea. I am happy with how it turned out, and I like the red LED light that is an eye. 

Currently, I am finishing up cutting the acrylic. I need to cut the top and bottom, attach the bottom, magnetize the top, attach speakers, bring the whole piece together, and attach the digital project.