Digital signal processing chips (DSPs) have recently appeared in many products. Also, computer-aided design (CAD) workstations are increasing engineering productivity while, at the same time, altering the way the engineering designs. Today's electrical engineers should be familiar with DSP hardware, software, and related CAD tools. A DSP laboratory facility is proposed that will permit students to practice both software and "chip-level" DSP- based hardware design using modern CAD tools. This facility will serve students in three ways: (1) It will support a new DSP project course, (2) it will permit the assignment of basic DSP simulation homework in the existing DSP theory course, and (3) it will support DSP-related senior design projects. This facility will consist of ten DSP workstations. Each workstation includes: (1) a Zenith 80386-based personal computer, (2) a DSP board that plugs into the PC, (3) associated CAD tools, and (4) a reusable hardware design prototyping kit. The unique features of our approach are: (1) the use of CAD tools (2) the emphaise on "chip- level" hardware design as well as software design, and (3) the interdisciplinary manner in which we propose to structure the student project teams. The institution is contributing an amount equal to the award.***//
