A four-station undergraduate laboratory for digital hardware and microprocessor design is being established. Each laboratory station includes industry-standard digital test equipment and an advanced computer workstation. The workstations run schematic drawing, digital simulation, and printed circuit design software as well as software for the attached microprocessor development system. They are connected to common service equipment by a local area network. The stations are used to design, simulate, construct, and debug digital and microcomputer hardware. The laboratory supports a three-course sequence starting with a theory course addressing the general design process, digital hardware design, microcomputer applications, and hardware fabrication with emphasis on hardware-software tradeoffs. The first course would be co-requisite for a accompanying design stations through structures experiments and ending with a small design project. These would be followed by a second design course consisting students which would be formally documented at each step in its development. This course sequence, supported by industrial- quality laboratory equipment, would enhance student's theoretical education while developing design and communication skills in a hands-on, project-oriented environment.
