An active methodology for teaching electronic systems design

The study of programmable logic devices (PLDs) is one of the more accessible branches of microelectronics, given the conceptual simplicity and relative ease with which implementation resources can be found that enable fairly large projects to be undertaken. The Circuit and Electronic Systems Design course-offered as part of the telecommunication engineering study plan at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain-teaches digital design methods based on PLDs. This subject implies an understanding of structures and resources and design methods based on hardware description languages (HDLs). Given the broad and essentially practical nature of the course, it was decided to develop new resources to aid active classroom teaching. These resources include material for self-teaching so that the student can acquire practical design skills when working away from the classroom. A procedure has been designed for student evaluation that is based on moderately difficult practical designs that have been developed using design tools and logical synthesis. This methodology provides added motivation for students as they find themselves tackling real problems associated with digital design. Evaluation is structured around three methods: completely specified designs, partially specified designs, and hardware-oriented physical implementation