Cooperative-project based experience in digital microelectronic design in a telecommunications engineering environment

This work presents an experience in learning digital microelectronic design based in the techniques of cooperative-project based learning. The teaching program starts with an introduction on the concept of synthesis using languages of hardware description. Then synthesis tools are introduced. Some simple design examples are proposed and developed in class to clarify concepts and point common errors. The main body of the course is a project for groups of 3 to 4 people. These projects are always related to the telecommunications environment, such as communications protocols. By the end the students present a report to show their comprehension of the digital design process. They also make a visual presentation to complete their preparation. The results are, by the students own account, very positive.