NAME:-..................................................................................................................................

REFERENCE NUMBER:-...............................................................................................

Project title:

The report MUST contains CLEAR photographic evidence, a completed cover sheet and a Record of Supervision.

A	AIM
	The candidate:-	(a)	defined the problem to be solved with minimal guidance.
B	RESEARCH
	The candidate:-	(a)	carried out research from two or more named sources.
		(b)	carried out investigations of two or more relevant factors.
C	SPECIFICATION
	The candidate:-	(a)	gave a detailed description of the system requirements specifying at least one parameter.
		(b)	specified at least one numerical parameter.
		(c)	specified numerically and realistically three or more parameters.
D	GENERATION OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
	The candidate:-	(a)	considered more than one solution in outline.
		(b)	gave some reasons for the choice of solution.
E	SUB-SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
	The candidate:-	(a)	developed the system using subsystems.
		(b)	performed at least one relevant calculation on a subsystem.
		(c)	devised circuit details of at least one subsystem with minimal guidance.
		(d)	made and recorded measurements on at least one subsystem.
		(e)	assessed the performance of at least one subsystem.
		(f)	considered the interfacing between subsystems.
F	SYSTEM DETAILS
	The candidate:-	(a)	gave a clear description of how the system works.
		(b)	gave a clear and detailed description of how the complete system works.
		(c)	performed at least one relevant calculation on the complete system.
G	COMPONENT LAYOUT
	The candidate:-	(a)	produced a circuit board layout.
		(b)	produced a well organised circuit board layout with minimal guidance.
H	CONSTRUCTION
	The candidate:-	(a)	worked safely at all times.
		(b)	constructed two or more subsystems of the complete electronic system.
		(c)	produced a neat and well organised electronic system.
		(d)	made part of the system function.
		(e)	made most of the system function.
		(f)	made all of the system function with minimal guidance.

I	TESTING THE SYSTEM
	The candidate:-	(a)	devised an appropriate test procedure for the complete system.
		(b)	devised a full and appropriate test procedure with minimal guidance for the complete system.
J	MEASUREMENTS
	The candidate:-	(a)	made and recorded basic numerical measurements on the complete system.
		(b)	made and recorded detailed numerical measurements on the complete system.
		(c)	made and recorded all reasonable numerical measurements on the complete system.
K	ASSESSING
	The candidate:-	(a)	made some assessment of the overall performance of the complete system.
		(b)	assessed the working parts of the complete system and referred to the measurements made.
L	LIMITATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
	The candidate:-	(a)	identified some limitations in the performance of the complete system.
		(b)	suggested modifications to overcome the limitations in the performance of the complete system.
		(c)	carried out the modifications.
M	EVALUATION OF FINAL SYSTEM
		(a	The candidate evaluated the performance of the final system against the initial specification.
		(b)	The initial specifications and final performance agree very closely.
N	REPORT
	The report:-	(a)	contains a clear account of most stages of the development of the project.
		(b)	adequately covers all stages of the development of the project.
		(c)	contains an acknowledgement of all sources of information and help.

Supervisor's mark

Moderator's mark

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AND NOTES.

Please use the space below to provide any additional evidence to support the marks awarded in any section.

NAME:-.......................................................................................................................

REFERENCE NUMBER:-....................................................................................

Project title:

Expanded Notes and General Comments.

The report MUST contains CLEAR photographic evidence, a completed cover sheet and a Record of Supervision.

A	AIM
	The candidate:-	(a)	defined the problem to be solved with minimal guidance. Expect most to gain this - beware centres which limit choice of possible projects
B	RESEARCH
	The candidate:-	(a)	carried out research from two or more named sources. Research on the problem. Magazines, Catalogues, (page numbers) Internet sites (URL). Sources must be given.
		(b)	carried out investigations of two or more relevant factors. e.g. loudness of alarm, time to boil egg, frequency response of ear etc Does not have to be practical - allow research into specific, fundamental components e.g. best type of microphone etc for specific application. Detailed sources must be given.
C	SPECIFICATION
	The candidate:-	(a)	gave a detailed description of the system requirements specifying at least one parameter. Description of what it is to do, including a qualitative parameter, e.g. it must use blue LEDs! Expect most candidates to score this.
		(b)	specified at least one numerical parameter. e.g. Range of supply voltages. Allow if just give a specific value e.g. 9V
		(c)	specified numerically and realistically three or more parameters. e.g. Range of supply voltages, current plus one other! Expect good specification if this mark awarded. Expect range of supply voltages etc if this awarded e.g. 7V to 9V. Current, Voltage and Power not acceptable as three parameters.

D		GENERATION OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
		The candidate:-	(a)	considered more than one solution in outline. Can be a single subsystem so long as an alternative considered. Beware those who have 'Pressure pad alarm' as title and then consider IR beams as an alternative!
			(b)	gave some reasons for the choice of solution. e.g. cost, implementation, effectiveness etc Many candidates should gain the D marks.
E		SUB-SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
		The candidate:-	(a)	developed the system using subsystems. Individual subsystems should be identified: Expect to see a System diagram. If not then there should be clear evidence that separate sub-systems have been built and tested as part of the work
			(b)	performed at least one relevant calculation on a subsystem. A simple Ohm's law type calculation will do. Beware reverse calculations - AOT and then justify the value. Truth tables can be accepted for this mark if nothing else. Can allow if done empirically and then verified.
			(c)	devised circuit details of at least one subsystem with minimal guidance. Minimal guidance refers to that of supervisor, technician, family etc. Text books and support books OK, magazines with component values - you need to be satisfied that some design has taken place.
			(d)	made and recorded measurements on at least one subsystem. More than one measurement. Each sub-system should be tested separately. Must be real measurements not Croc Clips measurements. May be located near end of report.
			(e)	assessed the performance of at least one subsystem. Each sub-system should be assessed separately. How well do they work. May be near end of report.
			(f)	considered the interfacing between subsystems. Must be evidence of realistic interfacing issue and some reasons given for action taken. e.g. resistance matching, voltage matching, fan-out, MOSFET to interface to logic gate etc. Look for one example.
F		SYSTEM DETAILS
		The candidate:-	(a)	gave a clear description of how the system works. Does not have to be the complete system for this mark - allow omissions. Quality of Language mark for A2 work. Expect prose.
			(b)	gave a clear and detailed description of how the complete system works. Should be succinct and cover the complete system. Quality of Language mark for A2 work. Expect prose.
			(c)	performed at least one relevant calculation on the complete system. If really desperate calculate power consumption! Expect gain for amplifiers etc.
G		COMPONENT LAYOUT
		The candidate:-	(a)	produced a circuit board layout. This refers to the process and can include a little assistance. Expect this mark to be awarded. Not allowed if layout from magazine etc.
			(b)	produced a well organised circuit board layout with minimal guidance. A witness statement and/or photograph will provide evidence. Again process. Not allowed if layout from magazine etc.
H		CONSTRUCTION
		The candidate:-	(a)	worked safely at all times. A Risk Assessment will provide evidence as will a witness statement.
			(b)	constructed two or more subsystems of the complete electronic system. They do not have to work for this mark. Expect it to be awarded.
			(c)	produced a neat and well organised electronic system. Photographic evidence, component layout diagram etc. This mark is for neatness.
			(d)	made part of the system function. A part of the system must do something for this mark a little assistance. If computers/PICs involved, some programming details must be given.
			(e)	made most of the system function. Can including a little assistance. If computers/PICs involved, full programming details must be given.
			(f)	made all of the system function with minimal guidance. The candidate basically makes the whole system function on his/her own. May often not be awarded. If computers/PICs involved, full programming details must be given.
	I	TESTING THE SYSTEM
		The candidate:-	(a)	devised an appropriate test procedure for the complete system. Including a little assistance. Needs to be done BEFORE the testing occurs!
			(b)	devised a full and appropriate test procedure with minimal guidance for the complete system. The candidate basically devises the whole system tests on his/her own. Often awarded inappropriately by centres.
	J	MEASUREMENTS
		The candidate:-	(a)	made and recorded basic numerical measurements on the complete system. The WHOLE system must be complete and work to some extent for this mark. Allow if whole system can be powered but does not fully function. Beware calculations that look like measurements. Measurements must be taken from circuit not Croc Clips etc.
			(b)	made and recorded detailed numerical measurements on the complete system. The WHOLE system must be complete and work (including software) to some extent for this mark.
			(c)	made and recorded all reasonable numerical measurements on the complete system. The WHOLE system must be complete and work (including software) to some extent for this mark.
	K	ASSESSING
		The candidate:-	(a)	made some assessment of the overall performance of the complete system. BASIC statements about how well the WHOLE system is functioning. System must be complete and capable of being powered, for this mark.
			(b)	assessed the working parts of the complete system and referred to the measurements made. DETAILED statements about how well the working parts of the WHOLE system are functioning. System must be complete and capable of being powered, for this mark.
	L	LIMITATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
		The candidate:-	(a)	identified some limitations in the performance of the complete system. The WHOLE system must be complete and work to some extent for this mark. Not sufficient to say it does not work! Must be real limitations - eg swapping 2 x 555 for a 556 or adding an ON/OFF switch is not acceptable.
			(b)	suggested modifications to overcome the limitations in the performance of the complete system. The WHOLE system must be complete and work to some extent for this mark. Modifications to be made to improve the performance of the COMPLETE system, not individual subsystems to make it work. eg do not allow the repair of one subsystem in order to make the complete system function.
			(c)	carried out the modifications. The WHOLE system must be complete and work to some extent for this mark. Modifications made to the COMPLETE system and need to be more than just making it work! If system perfect then award these three marks but only if Cc has been awarded. Can award if supervisor suggests modification but candidate carries it out.
	M	EVALUATION OF FINAL SYSTEM
			(a	The candidate evaluated the performance of the final system against the initial specification. The WHOLE system must be complete and work to some extent for this mark. The final complete system (is retested and) performance is evaluated by comparison with initial specification. Must be numerical.
			(b)	The initial specifications and final performance agree very closely. The final performance must agree with or exceed the initial specification. Only award if Cc awarded. Must be numerical.
	N	REPORT
		The report:-	(a)	contains a clear account of most stages of the development of the project. Detailed and succinct, minor omissions allowed for this mark. Quality of English mark for A2.
			(b)	adequately covers all stages of the development of the project. The report needs to chart the development of the project. Complete circuit diagram needed (in some form) for this mark.
			(c)	contains an acknowledgement of all sources of information and help. Candidates need to be aware of penalties for plagiarism!!

General Issues:

Mark Scheme does not allow credit for complexity: - Process that is being assessed not the artefact.

Projects should not be similar.

Evaluation must be numerical.

Do not award marks for minimal guidance if not originally awarded by centre.

Beware loony values! NAND gate astable with 39 resistor and 1000F capacitor.

Beware circuits that cannot work!

Beware unreal specifications - two tone alarm with frequencies of 20Hz and 47.6Hz!

Beware virtual projects constructed in hyperspace!

Check arithmetic - one centre awarded marks for Bc!

For A2 insist on source code listings and detailed explanation for any candidate designed software.

Synoptic marks:- Da, Db, Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed, Ee, Fa, Fb, Fc, La, Lb, Lc

Quality of English marks:-Fa, Fb, Na

Remember - Purpose of Report - Moderators should be able to reproduce the project and results.

Active Devices.

An active device is capable of producing power amplification at a frequency greater than 20kHz and includes:-

transistors, bipolar and FETs

logic gates,

op-amps

thyristors, triacs.

An electronic module (IC) containing active devices can be counted as one active device. eg:-

a counter IC,

a voltage regulator IC,

a radio module,

a PIC/AVR,

etc

Coursework containing less than three active devices.

1). Coursework with no active devices is not electronics.

2). Coursework with only one active device cannot be constructed by subsystems. Candidate therefore automatically forfeits all of the E marks and Hb, Hd, He.

If the system is basic, it may mean that a detailed specification is not given and Cc is not awarded. This then precludes access to the Mb mark.

So candidates with only one active device should not score a high mark.

Radio and Transmitter Modules

Deregulation has resulted in a wide variety of radio modules being available in the 173, 315, 433, 458, 868 and 916MHz bands as well as the 2.4GHz Blue Tooth modules.

These modules can count as one active device. The transmitter modules can be used so long as there is clear evidence that they have not been modified and are operating with legal aerials, ie ¼ whips or helical.

All other radio transmission is specifically forbidden unless the candidate produces appropriate Radiocommunication Agency licenses, certificates of conformity etc. The onus is on the candidate to demonstrate compliance not for us to demonstrate non-compliance.

High power/voltage coursework.

The maximum voltage occurring in any coursework should not exceed 50V. The maximum power used in any coursework should not exceed 100W.

No coursework should involve any mains supply.