This is the problem statement of "The VIT Embedded Design Contest"

1. The VIT Embedded Design
Contest
Most of us are gaming freaks, sitting on a laptop / PC and playing games all day long.
Are you bored of playing with the same old keyboard and mouse? Ever wished to play with a wireless
gamepad and joystick as in X-box?? Then your wait is over! We welcome you to the world of wireless
gaming. For the first time in VIT, roboVITics in association with SENSE gives you the opportunity
to design your own wireless gamepad!
Design, play and drive your friends crazy by playing with your own gadget!!!!
roboVITics club, VIT University, Vellore
All Rights Reserved 1

2. Problem Statement
Aim
The objective of the participants is to design and build a wireless gamepad (joypad) and use it to play
any game on laptop/computer.
A gamepad is the handheld gaming controller consisting of digital keys and analog stick(s).
The participants have to design the following features of the device:
Compulsory Features
Digital keys: The gamepad should at least contain some bare minimum digital keys as they are in most
of the gamepads. These compulsory digital keys include the four direction keys and two action keys.
Extra digital keys may be added to improve the functionality of the device.
Wireless Communication: The handheld gamepad should communicate wirelessly with the
laptop/computer on which the game is played. Pre-built communication modules of Zigbee, Nordic etc.
or Bluetooth modules may be used for wireless communication.
Additional/Innovative Features
Analog Stick: It is generally used for giving two-dimensional input & is a common feature in modern day
gamepads. Participants may directly use thumb joystick that is available in markets. Note that only the
thumb joystick can be used while rest circuitry has to be done by the participants. Any other innovative
structure for implementing the analog (or any other) function is most welcome.
Rules and Regulations
General Rules
 Use of pre-built modules is strictly prohibited. All the modules should be self-made.
 Only the following electronic components are allowed for the design:
o Basic ICs (4xxx and 7xxx)
o Microcontrollers / Microprocessors (8, 16 or 32-bit). Note: The participants are free
to choose any platform to work upon.
o Analog ICs like 741 and 555.
o Analog/Digital sensors can be used upon prior intimation.
o Use of any other IC should be intimated to us.
roboVITics club, VIT University, Vellore
All Rights Reserved 2

3.  For designing of the circuit, the following options should be used:
o The participants may assemble components on breadboards or solder on any
general purpose PCB.
o Assembly on printed circuit boards, specially fabricated by the participants can also
be used. Circuit diagram and layout must be shown to the organizers.
o Boards from readymade kits can also be used. However, during judgment,
preference will be given to those teams which have designed and fabricated their
own PCB. Circuit diagram and layout must be shown to the organizers.
 The software written should be original.
 Participants can choose any platform (Windows/Mac/Linux) to write the software code.
 Participants are free to choose any game they like. However, the compatibility of the device
over various kinds of games will also be seen during judgement.
 The teams must adhere to the spirit of healthy competition. Judges reserve the right to
disqualify any team indulged in misbehavior.
 Judges decision shall be final and binding on all.
 The organizers reserve the right to change the event details at any point of time without the
information of the participants. Any changes made will be reflected on the website. It is the
sole responsibility of the participants to keep themselves updated with the website.
Judging Criteria
 Judging shall be subjective.
 Both the compulsory features should be implemented.
 Implementation of any additional features contains a significant amount of weightage of the total
points.
Judging shall be done on basis of:
 The effectiveness of the hardware and software used in solving the problem statement.
 The simplicity and ease of use of the device.
 The originality of the ideas implemented.
 Robustness of the device.
 Given additional feature and other extra features implemented.
 Compatibility of the device with various games. (Not just limited to a particular game)
roboVITics club, VIT University, Vellore
All Rights Reserved 3

4. Other Details
Registration Details
Registration Fee: I100 per team
For registrations, contact: Rajshekhar Solanki, +91 887 065 2624
Last Date - Registration: January 23, 2012
Abstract Submission
All the teams that have registered must submit an abstract describing how they plan to
approach the problem statement. The specifications of the major components should also be
mentioned. Appropriate sketches may be used. This report should not exceed six pages. A
sample format of the abstract is available online at slideshare.net/roboVITics
Abstract must be submitted online in PDF format to roboVITics.vit@gmail.com
Last Date – Abstract Submission: February 06, 2012
Eligibility & Team structure
 This event is open to all the students of VIT University – Vellore and Chennai Campuses.
 Team strength should not exceed 3.
 Only the registered teams will be eligible to participate.
 Teams can also opt for mentor support from either students or faculty. The mentors will be
provided by SENSE.
Notable Timelines
The following are the timelines which are supposed to be noted:
 Intro Session – January 17, 2012 / TT302 / 6.15pm
 Registrations – Last Date: January 23, 2012
 Abstract Submission – Last Date: February 06, 2012
 Mentor Support: February 07-March 23, 2012
 Individual Review by Organizers: February 12-17, February 26-March 23, 2012
 Final Event: April 6-8, 2012
Prizes and Awards
All the participants taking part in the final event will be provided with participation certificates.
The winners (top 3 teams) will be provided with exciting prizes and merit certificates.
roboVITics club, VIT University, Vellore
All Rights Reserved 4

5. Intro Session
An Intro Session will be organized by the club so as to give an idea as to how to approach the problem
statement. The overall methodology will be discussed. However, the ideas discussed in the Intro Session
will be suggestive only. Participants are free to implement their own ideas unless it violates the rules of
the contest.
Intro Session – TT302 / January 17, 2012 / 6.15PM / VIT Vellore
Disclaimer
The organizers can change the rules and regulations of the events any time without the information of
the participants. Any changes made will be reflected online. It is the sole responsibility of the
participants to keep themselves updated. An updated version of this Problem Statement will always be
available online at slideshare.net/roboVITics
Contacts
For more information and details, contact
Mayank Prasad, +91 978 978 0342
mayank.vitu@gmail.com
For registrations, contact
Rajshekhar Solanki, +91 887 065 2624
rajshekharsolanki@gmail.com
Acknowledgements
http://www.techkriti.org/competitions/ecdc/embedded-design/
roboVITics club, VIT University, Vellore
All Rights Reserved 5