ECE 453: Wireless Communication Systems

ECE 453
Wireless Communication Systems

Write-ups

The concept of the lab notebook used in this lab is oriented towards an engineering notebook. The structure and content of the lab notebook should be such that the notebook could theoretically support a patent claim or provide documentation of work. The following list is not comprehensive but should give a general basis:

See "Guidelines for Lab Notebooks".

The notebook should have a logical, organized flow. It does not have to be typed or even very neat. It is meant more as a diary than a formal report. It should be used and kept up to date throughout the lab. For each logical section, write what you intend to accomplish (brief description of the experiment) before you begin. Enter any pre-lab calculations. During the lab, write what you do as you do it (detailed log of activities). When the lab asks for plot, calculations or proofs, either do them inline or put a note linking them ("please see page/appendix for ...") and do them after the labs. At the end of each logical section include a very short summary (accomplishments, what was learned, discuss problems, ideas, etc.).

Use diagrams: "a picture is worth a thousand words" especially for equipment setups.

The notebook should have non-removable pages. Do not remove pages, white-out, erase, scribble through any entries. If a mistake is made just cross it out. The mistake or change should still be legible. It is very important to document the complete experiment, especially the changes and mistakes. No credit will ever be deducted for a documented mistake or change.

All printouts, plots, graphs, figures, etc. that are to be included in the lab notebook are to be neatly attached, each to an empty page (front and back may be used). A general guide is that when the lab notebook is shaken by the covers, nothing falls out. The size of the included page should not exceed the size of the pages in the notebook. Do not stack the plots together and staple them all to one page.

All entries should be dated. It is suggested to date sections. Later changes in dated sections should also be dated clearly.

During lab, you should write down equipment set ups, data measurements, and print-outs of any simulations you have done. To save time, you can postpone writing down any discussions and other more in-depth thoughts to after the lab session if done. After the lab session, you can also make a copy of the lab procedures from the lab manual and glue it directly into the lab notebook if wish.

The notebook should provide another engineer (or the owner a few years later) with the ability to reproduce the work. Thus, it is strongly recommended that common procedures (e.g. calibrations, common measurements, inductor constructions) are given in detail in the notebook at least once and referred later.