A workstation approach to integrating theoretical and experimental design work

To improve the laboratory component of the electrical engineering curriculum, the authors have been developing a workstation environment to provide effective integration of theoretical calculations, computer simulations, and electrical measurements. The goal is to provide a standardized computer interface that coordinates and eases the student´s utilization of these components in their work and thus increases their productivity. Several faculty are involved in this wide-ranging, ongoing project which is partially supported by NSF´s Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program. The project includes assessing the capabilities of the NeXT computer for such an environment. The workstation environment is described for circuit analysis, digital signal processing, and digital design applications. The applications described demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the integrated workstation approach and lay a foundation for future work