By following a few simple procedures, we will achieve two benefits:
Previous semesters have experienced extensive damage to the FPGA boards, primarily through mishandling. Careless contact with logic analyzer probes and grounding conductors are an obvious problem, but static discharge is also an issue, especially where the board spontaneously "just stopped working". This is also a not uncommon occurrence in an unprofessional or hobbiest environment.
Everyone working in the lab is required to follow three simple rules.
- Always ground yourself before touching equipment
Before handling any exposed conductors or handling the boards, touch a grounded surface: a grounded metal frame, the conductive workspace mat, etc. It is also good practice to get in the habit of discharging any static by touching a conductor each time you approach and sit at the workbench.
- Wear the wrist strap when attaching logic probes or removing a peripheral board
Each time a user connects or disconnects the logic analyzer probe pins, they are required to wear the provided wrist strap. Before using, confirm that it is connected to the pad, which itself is wired to the building ground. Before removing the video decoder or DIO2 peripheral boards, the wrist strap must be put on as well.
- Handle the boards by the base or edges; always avoid contact with pins
When lifting or examining any electrical board, disk, or exposed device, always handle it by the edges or frame. Treat the equipment much as you would a CD: handle it by the edges and avoid finger contact with the functional area. Never unnecessarily touch connectors or pins.
All of us create and carry significant electrical charge, generally thousands of volts. Walking on carpet, wearing of both natural and synthetic clothing, sitting and standing from upholsery; all of these daily activities build static electricity. Depending upon several factors such as air humidity, skin resistance, and shoe conductivity, these charges can become significant. Rarely is the user aware of this charge. As electronic device sizes have diminished, their susceptability to discharge has proportionally increased. All IC pins contain protection devices in an attempt to divert stray charge to ground or Vcc, but those devices have a finite capacity to deflect/absorb energy. Most of the time, careless handling will not cause immediate apparent harm, but can damage or destroy the protection circuit, making the IC vulnerable to future events. Properly contained equipment rarely fails spontaneously, but abused components can and do eventually fail due to early-life mistreatment.