A tutorial approach to individualized instruction for an electronic computer aided design laboratory

Abstract

This electronic computer-aided design (CAD) course (EET 320) moves the student from theoretical digital and analog circuits to the actual printed circuit board (PCB) design and layout as quickly as possible. Since the design of PCBs requires increasingly smaller board sizes and higher component densities, the utilization of extensive electronic CAD software packages is required to achieve circuit performance. These packages are windows- and menu-driven with many and varied options. Since each student works at his own computer and at his own pace with his own individual computer skills, a system of individualized instruction is required far a rapid introduction and fast-track development of these computer skills. Tutorials on (i) schematic capture, (ii) circuit simulation, (iii) PLD (programmable logic design) implementation, and (iv) PCB placement and routing on actual circuits advance skill levels rapidly. After going through these tutorials and circuit examples with step-by-step instructions, the student is ready to tackle more complicated circuits on an individual basis. Orcad CAD packages are used to implement all four main areas of this course. Using the PCB and integrated circuits, the actual circuit can then be constructed and tested. How well the actual circuit performs is the ultimate evaluation.