Counting the Cycles: My Digital Electronics II Final Project!

 

It was bittersweet to wrap up Digital Electronics II, but I was incredibly proud of my final project: a fully functional frequency counter! This project perfectly culminated everything we'd learned, from basic gates to complex sequential circuits.

As a woman pursuing dual degrees in Biomedical Equipment Technology (BMET) and Electronics Technology, projects like this genuinely excite me. It's not just theory; it's about seeing concepts come alive and knowing I built something that works. In a field often male-dominated, every successful build feels like a small win, proving that
dedication pays off.

The core of this project was to take an input signal and accurately display its frequency on an 8-segment display, involving a series of interconnected digital components.

The Brains Behind the Build: The Schematic

The first step, as always, was the schematic. You can see it clearly displayed in the video (around the 0:00 mark, and again from 0:03-0:04). This detailed diagram was my roadmap, outlining every IC (integrated circuit), every connection, and the logic flow. It’s where the abstract ideas of counting and display become concrete plans for wiring. Following this blueprint precisely was critical for success.

From Paper to Prototype: My Built Project

Then came the fun (and sometimes frustrating!) part: bringing the schematic to life on the breadboard. The video showcases my completed project beautifully (check out the close-ups from 0:04 to 0:06). All those colorful wires, neatly (mostly!) routed, represent hours of careful planning, troubleshooting, and double-checking connections. It's a satisfying sight to see everything wired up, knowing the potential it holds. Each glowing LED indicates power, and the multiple ICs are working together to process the incoming frequency.

The Moment of Truth: Reading the Frequency

The real test, of course, was seeing if it actually counted. In the video, you can see the signal generator (on the top) displaying "5.5500" or 5.55 kHz at the start (0:00-0:01). Then, around the 0:04-0:06 mark, you can see my 8-segment display accurately reflecting "0555" (meaning 555 Hz) from a different input, and then clearly showing "5550" (5.55 kHz) when the signal generator matches. While the video primarily focuses on the physical setup and the steady readings, it demonstrates the counter's consistent functionality. The numbers are accurate, proving the counter is working as intended!

This project was a fantastic challenge, applying knowledge of counters, decoders, latches, and clocking circuits. There were moments of head-scratching, but the satisfaction of seeing those numbers light up made every effort worth it.

This experience highlights what my life as a BMET and Electronics Technology student is all about: the triumphs of a successful build, the challenges of troubleshooting, the realities of long lab sessions, and every exciting or ordinary moment that comes with being me and being a woman in these dynamic fields. It won't all be just gadgets and circuits; it's about the full experience and what it entails.

What kind of projects are you working on? Or have you ever built a frequency counter yourself? Let me know in the comments!