From theory to implementation: Meeting industry needs through university & community college collaboration in digital logic design

Abstract

Hardware Description Language and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) have revolutionized the way Digital Logic Design is taught and implemented. Traditional ways of teaching logic design using discrete components (TTL: Transistor-Transistor Logic and CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors) have been replaced by Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD: Complex Programmable Logic Devices and FPGA). Today, a more standard development process is widely used in industry. The process uses Hardware Description Languages as a design entry to describe the digital systems. The two most widely used Hardware Description Languages in industry are VHDL (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) and Verilog (Verifying Logic). Although most traditional electrical and computer engineering programs have updated their curriculum to include topics in hardware description language and programmable logic design (FPGA/CPLD), two-year and four-year electrical engineering technology programs have fallen behind and are moving slowly in updating their curriculum. A survey of 107 two-year electrical engineering technology programs and 52 four-year electrical engineering technology programs showed that only 16.5% of two-year and only 19.5 % of four-year programs in electrical and computer engineering technology at US academic institutions currently have a curriculum component in hardware description language and programmable logic design [3]. Clearly, electrical engineering technology programs are far behind in teaching the skills that represent current and future industry needs. As a result, the School of Technology at Michigan Tech University in partnership with the Community College are stepping up to this challenge by developing and introducing curriculum in hardware description languages and programmable logic design. This paper will discuss the curriculum development at Michigan Tech Electrical Engineering Technology Program by incorporating the two courses in logic design and hardware modeling using VHDL and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Logic Design. The paper will also present the latest National Science Foundation- Advanced Technological Education grant project activities including the Employer Survey to assess the project needs, the faculty workshop training opportunity for interested faculty members at similar institutions, and finally, the undergraduate research experience at Michigan Tech University. © 2012 American Society for Engineering Education.