The Laboratory has been established to provide access to as many as possible. For this reason, long term project setups on the laboratory workbenches is not allowed (under some conditions, this restriction may be waived for limited periods of a few days). It is expected that when entering the Laboratory, you will find the workbenches clean and ready for your use. It is also expected that you will be able to find what you need in the designated storage locations. For these purposes, strict operational rules have been established. A primary rule is that you act like a smart engineer, not a dumb one. The other rules (under "rules of use" below) are operational rules.

BE A SMART ENGINEER

It is well known that the typical professional engineer orders a complex instrument, carefully reads the instructions on how to remove it from its box and set it up, and then discards the manual. The engineer then begins a series of experiments trying to determine how to use the instrument, trying fist this, then that, until finally a successful or partially successful result is obtained. At this point, the engineer takes great pride in his/her skills. However, often during the experimentation (with the manual discarded), the instrument is badly damaged, requiring that the service people be called in to repair the damage. For a general access laboratory, such behavior can quickly render useful instruments as inoperable door stops.

Prior to using an instrument, you should have some understanding of how to use it. Some instruments in the Laboratory will be labeled "Restricted." You may not use these instruments until you have reviewed the user's manual and obtained assistance from a person designated to help you use the instrument. We will be establishing a group of assistants (students and faculty) who will be familiar with the restricted instruments and will assist you. Under no circumstances can you use a restricted instrument without (i) reading the user's manual and (ii) obtaining the training from the designated assistant.

Many of the user's manuals are very long and detailed - making for a difficult read. We will be developing concise "Starting to Use" tutorials for several of the more sophisticated instruments in the Laboratory and posting them on this web site. Once these tutorials have been developed, you will be able to work through the tutorial with the assistant assigned to the restricted instrument so that you can use it regularly.

RULES OF USE

• No food or beverages allowed. This is an absolute restriction - to avoid damage to equipment. Violators will be required to leave the Laboratory and will be penalized.
  
  
• All users must sign in (the ECE administrative assistants in B212 will maintain the sign-in and sign-out book) before starting to use the equipment each time using the Laboratory. Anyone found using the Laboratory without having signed in will be required to leave and will be penalized.
  
  
• All users must sign out (again in B212).
  
  
• Bookbags, coats, and other miscellaneous personal items may not be stored on the lab benches. The proper place is on the floor. Those violating this rule will be required to leave and will be penalized.
  
  
• Prior to leaving, the lab benches used must be cleaned and instruments returned to their original locations. All other lab items (soldering irons, wire wrap equipment, oscilloscope probes, etc.) must be returned to their original storage locations. All project items must be removed. This rule will be enforced strictly and violators will be denied future access to the Laboratory.
  
  
• Users are expected to behave in a professional manner, supporting others and establishing a pleasant environment for others. Those exhibiting disruptive behavior will be removed from the Laboratory and denied future access.

Request For Assistance in Maintaining the Laboratory Facility

The Laboratory is a partnership between users and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Your assistance in helping to define the equipment and resources available in the Laboratory will be greatly appreciated. Feel free to express your recommendations to one of the Laboratory managers. Some examples of assistance are provided below.

• The instrumentation available may not serve your needs. If you find that a capability is missing, let us know and we will try to correct the situation.
  
  
• We will try to maintain an inventory of basic items (resistors, ICs, wire, solder, etc.) for those using the Laboratory. If the inventory of an item is low, let us know and we will replenish it.
  
  
• If you are concerned about the behavior of any users of the Laboratory, let us know. We will address all legitimate concerns.

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