Getting practical with digital: An integrated electronic design project for undergraduates

As part of the curriculum development for the Digital Logic and Design (DLD) course at Habib University, we developed a hands-on learning module. The technical goal was to create analogue signals with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) logic. The practical realization of this goal took the form of a Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) board connected to an FPGA prototyping system. The technical goal was chosen such that it captivates and challenges second semester science and engineering students. The educational goal was to create a framework which helps students to explore the boundaries of their knowledge and challenge them to overcome gaps in their understanding of the technical processes involved. Furthermore, the students had to work with their hands to design, fabricate and/or modify physical objects, such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), in order to achieve the desired functionality. Apart from these focused technical skills, there was also a need for the students to practice attention to detail. Practicing attention to detail, together with mastering the technical complexities, improves both engineering knowledge and experience. Through the interaction with students, we learned that the hands on learning module provides a good framework to improve their engineering skills.