ERIC Number: EJ1272878
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1557-5284
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Novel Hybrid Approach to the Foundational Digital Systems Curriculum by Including FPGA Technology and Valuable Hands-on Experience
Ochoa, Hector A.; Shirvaikar, Mukul V.; Onyango, Brolyne
Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, v21 n2 p49-53 Jun-Sep 2020
Digital Systems is one of the basic foundational courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The job market is increasingly in need of Electrical Engineers with knowledge of Hardware Description Languages (HDL). Yet most digital systems design curriculum, largely remains based on design using Transistor-Transistor-Logic (TTL) devices or alternatively is solely focused on FPGA design. The bipolar approaches came into focus after surveying the pedagogy and methodology that are used to teach the digital systems curriculum at different universities. The survey analysis shows how some universities have made the transition from TTL logic to an HDL approach. However, factors such as the type of university, and prerequisites need to be taken into consideration when such a conversion is going to be performed. This paper presents a novel hybrid approach to modernize the curriculum for the Digital Systems course, using traditional circuit construction, simulation software and implementation of circuits using reconfigurable logic. The goal of this curriculum is to empower the students with the necessary tools for a seamless transition from TTL devices to FPGAs, and at the same time expose them to the latest technologies in digital system design. For the instructors, this approach allows them to provide the students with more meaningful circuits that using traditional TTL devices will be too cumbersome to build on a breadboard.
Descriptors: Curriculum Development, Engineering Education, Introductory Courses, College Curriculum, Experiential Learning, Electronic Equipment, College Instruction, Prerequisites, Required Courses, Blended Learning
Institute for STEM Education and Research. P.O. Box 4001, Auburn, AL 36831. Tel: 334-844-3360; Web site: http://www.jstem.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A