Integrated Laboratory for State-of-the-Art Circuit Design and Implementation: Computer-Aided Design and Printed-Circuit Board Prototyping

St. Cloud State University, Saint Cloud MN

Investigators

Abstract

Engineering - Electrical (55) The project develops an integrated laboratory for state-of-the-art circuit design and implementation using a CAD system and printed circuit board (PCB) prototyping. It is based on similar programs at several other universities. The laboratory is being integrated into the sequence of digital design courses so that the material is introduced gradually. The evaluation plan compares the complexity, performance, design time, and packaging of past senior design projects to those developed using the new laboratory. In addition they will use course evaluation, senior exit interviews, and alumni surveys to evaluate the usefulness of the CAD and PCB training. They plan to post laboratory manuals and examples of design projects on the web and to publish noteworthy outcomes with journal and conference publications.