Contest FAQs  
     
 
     
 
 

  • Q: What is TI MCU Design Contest?
    A: Participants are challenged to design a unique application ("Project") that must have a TI MCU (MSP430/Stellaris/Hercules/C2000) in it. Participants are also encouraged to use the vast portfolio of TI Analog products which is further enhanced by the recent acquisition of National Semiconductor. Any company, design house, hobbyist, individual or group of individuals, may enter the Contest.

    TI MCU Design contest will run in 3 phases, which has already started from December 1st 2011 to May 2012. Each design entry will be judged by industry renowned experts. You will be assisted by free tools that will be sent to you from TI in Phase II.

  • Q: How is the contest structured?
    A: This contest includes three phases:

    Phase I: 1st December 2011 - 29th February 2012
    Contestants are required to enter the details of their project and submit here. Every design must have at least 1TI MCU controller (MSP430, C2000, Stellaris, Hercules platforms). The details include information about the project, prospect for commercialization prospects, block diagram and preferably, the schematics. The prototype has to be submitted in the next phase.

    Submission must be made by Feb 29, 2012

    Phase II: 1st March 2012 - 5th May 2012
    A panel of eminent judges will select the top 50 projects from the entries. Texas Instruments will support each of these 50 qualifiers with TI MCU Tools/EVMs which will be couriered to the participants absolutely free of cost. Contestants have to complete the prototype or complete project (actual prototypes have to submitted-simulations not welcome). Last date for submission of the prototype is 5th May 2012. The submission needs to be a video on Youtube or a demonstration at one of TI India's local offices.

    Phase III: Third week of May

    The panel of judges will select the 10 best projects from the winners of Phase II. Winners will be invited to the award ceremony in the 3rd week of May. Winners will also get a chance to showcase their designs in booths during the grand finale. Select investors will be invited for the finale. The decision for the top 3 winners will be made during this stage based on actual demonstration of the product and answers to questions.

  • Q: who can participate?
    A: Any individual or a team may enter the Contest. A team can comprise up to 6 members. One person has to be nominated as the team lead for communicating with the contest organizers and for administrative purposes.

  • Q: Does the project need to be very unique or innovative?
    A: No. If it’s an existing project or application, we can look at the quality of implementation

  • Q: Do I have to register to participate?
    A: No, you need not register to participate in this contest. But you need need to submit a synopsis of the project in Phase 1 (last date 29th Feb 2012). Participation is absolutely free of cost.

  • Q: Do I need to purchase anything to enter the contest?
    A: No purchase is necessary to enter or win the contest. The contest requires participants to submit their project in the contest website. If their projects get selected for Phase II of the contest, they will be assisted by TI for developing the final project. We strongly recommend you to go through the details at the contest website.

  • Q: Can I participate as an individual? Or is a team mandatory?
    A: Yes, multiple entries may be submitted either as an individual or as part of a team. Any team or individual can submit a maximum of 6 project ideas. 

  • Q: Can I submit my proposal without registering? Who can submit the proposal?
    A: Yes, you can submit your proposal without appropriate registration. If a team enters the contest the team leader is expected to submit the proposal on behalf of the entire team.

  • Q: Can an individual or team submit more than one entry?
    A:  Yes, multiple entries may be submitted either as an individual or as part of a team. Any team or individual can submit 6 project ideas. 

  • Q. How many members can a team have?
    A: You can have a maximum of 6 members per team.

  • Q: Do I need to implement my proposal in Phase I? Is there any coding involved in Phase I?
    A: No, there is no implementation necessary in Phase I. We are only interested in your high-level ideas and how your proposal leverages the TI MCU portfolio of products.

  • Q: How will the proposals be evaluated? Is the judging criteria same for both Phase I and Phase II?
    A: The judging criteria are same for Phase I and Phase II. The criteria is based on

      • How innovative is the application
      • Prospect for commercialization
      • Quality of implementation on board
      • How advanced in the prototype
      • Optimum use of TI parts

  • Q: Can team members be changed after registration?
    A:  No once a team has been registered, the team members cannot be inter-changed.