"The objective of Advanced Digital Electronics courses is to bridge basic logic gates (combinational circuits) with technical topics related to binary counter topologies (Asynchronous & Synchronous), shift registers, memory, and DSP (Digital Signal Processors) which fall under the sequential devices umbrella. The fundamental design tools of using Boolean Algebra, K-Maps, Truth Tables, and Finite State Machines (FSM) aid in illustrating how combinational circuits can assist in the construction of such sequential digital devices mentioned. To provide a synthesis of how these digital building blocks are used in the creation of industrial equipment and consumer products, New Product Development (NPD) practices can be integrated quite seamlessly into the curriculum. This paper will discuss how NPD can be introduced to advanced 2year Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology (CEET) Students via a Digital Design Project.The NPD Process The product creation process consists of fundamentally conceiving an idea for cultivation and eventually the development of the finished good. According to Research Design Experts, the professional technologist is confronted by many design challenges in the technical environment. Technologies have rapidly, and current engineering practice features a high level of integration of technologies that were once regarded as separate technical domains. This means that the designs of many products require skills and knowledge that cannot be encompassed by a single individual, or even a small group of individuals. Engineering design has become a team activity. The New Product Development Process is a living design machine that embodies a multidisciplinary team approach using the skill-sets of engineers, technicians, and technologists.. The first Gate of NPD is defining the problem for which this multidisciplinary team will solve through product creation. To illustrate this first Gate event, advanced CEET students are introduced to using Multisim software as virtual analysis tool for validating a possible solution to a given Lab Project problem. For example, a 4Bit Digital Controller was needed to provide a visual status of when a four bit serial shift register cells are filled with binary 1’s ....Prior to building the virtual controller using Multisim, each student had to create a System Block diagram for an Instructor’s Signature (the Author) Sign Off. To create a design environment within the lab, students were encouraged to work in teams or to seek advice from their peers if individual lab participation was desired. After the 4Bit Digital Controller was validated within Multisim for correct circuit functionality and signed off by the Instructor, the students then proceeded to Gate 2 event. This next phase of the NPD process is to build a physical working prototype of the digital controller. The solderless breadboard is one of the commonly used prototyping tools employed by Electrical Engineers, Electronic Technicians, and Technologists to validate a concept’s feasibility. To illustrate, the author discussed an advanced Embedded Controls development product using Powerline Technology for operating a ceiling fan with a remote hardwired wall control for which he was the Lead Product Developer. The communications protocol for allowing the wall control to talk with the ceiling fan’s receiver, the AC motor, and light bulb driver circuits were validated using a solderless breadboard. shows the low fidelity prototype ceiling fan embedded Powerline controller built on a solderless breadboard. The emphasis of “circuit simulation” and “physical prototyping” and “testing” was the main theme of the advanced Digital Electronics course for the 10week quarter session along with the introduction of the 2 discussed Product Development Gates of “Design” and “Build”.Although, the circuit schematic diagrams look very crude, the main emphasis behind the project is to allow the student to create an electronics product from a “blank sheet of paper” following Industry based NPD practices. Also, by allowing the student creative freedoms, they seem to take ownership in their learning through serious play Course Continual Improvements Based on student participation and feedback on the Advanced Digital Electronics Course (ET285), new lab projects will be developed with emphasis on NPD prototyping techniques and testing elements discussed every class session. With a basic knowledge of the Product Creation Process (PCP) and how digital circuits’ “Bits & Bytes” assist in the product’s development the course material presented will provide more relevance in the students’ technical studies. Last, this knowledge in NPD will also enhance their academic portfolio for presenting to potential hiring managers from Industry based corporations as well."
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 09:19:55 +0000
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