The principal goal of this project is to introduce and use modern, computer-based design tools and methodologies in a broad range of undergraduate digital systems design activities. The intent is to introduce such tools and methods early in the program so that students can become well-versed in their use before applying them at the advanced level. This approach will greatly enhance instruction in digital systems design and will also introduce students to current industry practice. Funds are requested for the development of a computer-aided engineering laboratory to support five courses dealing with the design and implementation of digital systems. The laboratory will consist of a network of six lab stations, each consisting of a logic analysis system coupled to an engineering workstation and supported by computer-aided engineering software. A network server will accommodate file and program sharing among the lab stations. The idea is to integrate the capabilities of the logic analysis system with those of the engineering workstation to form a single support environment. A student will first develop and verify, via simulation, a circuit design on the workstation. A prototype will then be constructed. The logic analysis system, driven by workstation software and using the simulation results, will be used to test the prototype by comparing the observed prototype behavior to the expected behavior indicated by the circuit simulation. Modification of the original design and/or prototype can occur as desired.
