FED 101 - Fundamentals of Engineering Design: ECE edition

Welcome to the ECE FED 101 Research Guide. 

Your mission is to choose an invention (something to do with electrical/computer engineering) and research its design -- this guide is here to help you get started. 

To research an electrical or computer engineering design, follow these strategies (learn more by clicking on the links):

• Use handbooks
• Look at patents 
• Search for standards 
• Find research using NJIT Library databases for ECE
• Consult the Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Guide to learn more about finding relevant information for your project

If you have any questions or run into any problems, get in touch ! 

Email: jl2339@njit.edu or askalibrarian@njit.edu

There are many ways to get research help from your library at NJIT.

An invention is: 

• any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.
  • Examples: hardware, software, business methods.

A patent is:

• a right granted by government to inventors giving them total control of their invention - the inventors get to decide who, if anyone, can use their invention.
• valid for 20 years from the date an inventor files an application, but is enforceable only from the date the patent is approved.

A standard: 

• is a published document that establishes specifications and procedures designed to maximize the reliability of the materials, products, methods, and/or services people use every day.
• addresses a range of issues, including but not limited to various protocols to help maximize product functionality and compatibility, facilitate interoperability and support consumer safety and public health.
• forms the fundamental building blocks for product development by establishing consistent protocols that can be universally understood and adopted.