Clarification details
Updated December 2019. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
This standard requires students to use a programmable microprocessor. Arduino, Picaxe or other similar devices may be suitable.
Students need to describe the relevant implications as appropriate for the electronics outcome. For example, they might describe what health and safety is in relation to their electronics outcome. This will provide students with an opportunity to inform the development of their outcome. There is a dedicated clarification that expands on what is meant by relevant implications.
This standard expects that students will develop an electronics outcome and not just use a kitset or plug together modules to create an outcome.
Evidence of modifying and debugging software is required.
Students need to both describe interfaces and functions of the components used (for Achieved) and explain the behaviour and function of the outcome (for Merit). Students should refer to the example concepts outlined in Explanatory Note 5.
For Merit, students will also need to provide evidence of how the electronics outcome was made more reliable using testing procedures for debugging and diagnosis. Students could, for example, use annotated screenshots to provide this evidence.
Students will need to show how the electronics outcome has addressed the relevant implications described earlier.
For Excellence, iterative improvement is required throughout the development and testing process. Students need to show how they have made the outcome fit for purpose. They need to justify the choice of components and systems used. There is a dedicated clarification that expands on what is meant by iterative improvement.