This laboratory uses the concept of Signal Integrity to augment the curricula in electromagnetics and high-speed digital design (both at the VLSI and board levels) for junior and senior level students in computer and electrical engineering. The proliferation of high-speed (> 50 MHz) digital designs requires that computer engineering students develop a sophisticated understanding of the electromagnetic effects of signal propagation in various media. The experiments performed in this lab describe the use of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and time-domain transmission (TDT), in conjunction with simulation and analysis, for identifying, measuring and solving signal integrity problems. The experiments serve both to illustrate the course material in electromagnetics and to educate the students as to its usefulness. This applications-oriented laboratory also serves to increase interest in the electromagnetics curriculum, particularly amongst computer engineering students. Mixed-signal (analog/digital) circuits have come into their own for wireless networks and can be expected in avionics and intelligent highway applications, as well both personal and commercial navigation. A funded program for retraining in the design of mixed-signal integrated circuits may draw upon this laboratory as a remedial resource, and will serve as an object lesson to current undergraduates about the broad relevance of electromagnetics fundamentals. Educational objectives include the concept of wave transmission and reflection, impedance matching in digital/mixed signal systems, understanding the problems, possibilities, and techniques of high-speed measurements, and an introduction to fast digital oscillography. The laboratory will also serve as a resource for generating and evaluating realistic design exercises in high-speed circuit fabrication.
