Teaching digital systems in the South Africa context

Author

Bakkes, Pieter J.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Electron. Eng., Stellenbosch Univ., South Africa

Volume

42

Issue

4

fYear

1999

fDate

11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Abstract

This paper describes the structure of digital and computer system curricula at a university in South Africa and shows how programmable logic is successfully applied in an environment where ASIC designs are not yet feasible. Programmable logic is used in the courses for rapid prototyping of much more complex digital structures, much quicker and easier, than in the past. VHDL is used to describe digital and computer structures at algorithmic level. Stellenbosch University is the first university in Africa to introduce these concepts in engineering courses

Keywords

application specific integrated circuits; computer science education; digital systems; educational courses; electronic engineering education; logic circuits; teaching; ASIC designs; South Africa; VHDL; algorithmic level; complex digital structures; computer system curricula; courses; engineering courses; programmable logic; rapid prototyping; university; Africa; Application specific integrated circuits; Design engineering; Digital systems; Education; Logic design; Programmable logic arrays; Programmable logic devices; Prototypes; Reconfigurable logic;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Education, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9359

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/13.804549

Filename

804549