WikiSysop: Created page with "The i>clicker wireless voting device. The [http://www.iclicker.com/Products/iclicker/ i>clicker] is classroom voting system that allows..."

2015-08-07T00:45:52Z

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[[File:iclicker-top.jpg|thumb|right|The i>clicker wireless voting device.]]

The [http://www.iclicker.com/Products/iclicker/ i>clicker] is classroom voting system that allows many students to submit answers to a computerized system, which instructors can use to evaluate student understanding of material and perform in-class quizzes. The i>clicker remote is a 6-button device with 3 LEDs to display power, battery, and vote status to the user, a 900MHz ISM band transceiver for submitting and receiving votes/status. It runs on 3 AAA batteries, measures 6" x 2" x 0.5", and weighs 3 ounces. It can be purchased from online retailers or in stores for approximately $35.

== Teardown/Disassembly Procedure ==
* '''Step 1:'''
** Remove the batteries and battery door

[[File:iclicker-step1.jpg|border|200px]]

* '''Step 2:'''
** Remove the three screws holding the case together

[[File:iclicker-step2.jpg|border|200px]]

* '''Step 3:'''
** Lift battery connectors out from case
** Lift PCB out from case

[[File:iclicker-step3.jpg|border|200px]]

* '''Step 4:'''
** Remove two screws holding the PCB to the chassis
** Pop out the tab holding the LCD to the PCB

[[File:iclicker-step4.jpg|border|200px]]

==Improvements==
Our group had a discussion on possible improvements to the device according to the SCAMPER method, which provides a list of ways that a product could improve.

* '''S'''ubstitute: Decrease time to sleep, decrease LED brightness (substitute higher resistor values)
* '''C'''ombine: Combine microcontroller and transceiver, example ICs: TI's [http://www.ti.com/product/cc1110f8 CC1110F8], which combines a comparable microcontroller and transceiver IC on a single chip at a lower price point (per 1k units)
* '''A'''dapt: Dual use as a Powerpoint or presentation slide controller
* '''M'''odify: Change LED color
* '''P'''ut to other uses: Add a question asking queue
* '''E'''liminate: Make the device shorter and thinner to conserve material and lower costs
* '''R'''earrange or '''R'''everse: Move LEDs to accomodate the smaller size, use a different antenna, change the number or type of batteries

The following ideas could improve the sustainability of the device:
* Use rechargable batteries
* Use a biodegradable casing or make the device easier to disassemble for recycling
* Add instructions for sustainably disposing of the device

The following ideas could reduce manufacturing costs for the device:
* Remove screws, change design to a snap-together case
* Use a lower volume of plastic in the construction
* Move to a smaller design

== IC List ==

{| border="1"
!Component
!Additional Text
!Manufacturer
!Function
|-

|XE1203FI063
|UC439026
|Semtech - [http://www.semtech.com/wireless-rf/rf-transceivers/xe1203f/ XE1203F]
|Single chip 433, 868 and 915 MHz ISM band transceiver. Up to +15dBm Output power and -114dBm sensitivity.
|-

|G3A
|
|Unknown
|RF Transmit/Receive switch
|-

|ATMEGA8L
|8AU 1026G
|Atmel - [http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_docs.asp?category_id=163&family_id=607&subfamily_id=760&part_id=2004 ATmega8(L)]
|16MHz 8kB Microcontroller with built in 8-channel A/D and 23 programmable I/O.
|-

|L0RB
|
|Unknown
|3.3V Linear/LDO Regulator
|-

|39A000
|F0AB
|Unknown
|39MHz Crystal Oscillator
|-

|4A000
|F0AB
|Unknown
|4MHz Crystal Oscillator
|-

|}

== Additional Photos ==

<gallery heights=140px widths=200px perrow=5>
File:iclicker-tophalf.jpg|Top half of the i>clicker PCB.
File:iclicker-bottomhalf.jpg|Bottom half of the i>clicker PCB.
File:iclicker-transceiver.jpg|XE1203F Transceiver IC.
File:iclicker-antenna.jpg|915 MHz Inverted F antenna, TX/RX switch, and matching network(s).
File:iclicker-microcontroller.jpg|ATmega8L Microcontroller.
File:iclicker-fast-diagram.png|Functional Analysis System Technique (FAST) diagram for the i>clicker.
File:iclicker-sop-tree.png|Subtract and Operate Procedure (SOP) diagram for the i>clicker.
</gallery>

EE460 Reverse Engineering - Revision history

WikiSysop: Created page with "The i>clicker wireless voting device. The [http://www.iclicker.com/Products/iclicker/ i>clicker] is classroom voting system that allows..."