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Closing the Hardware Design Loop with Multisim®: A Case Study

Abstract

Most electronics courses taught these days are planned around what is called a lecture-and-lab environment. This environment traditionally uses lectures on subject matter and is supplemented by laboratory experience. If the laboratory experiments are not generating the expected results, very often the whole experiment needs to be repeated. The unexpected results could be due to faulty components, incorrect design specifications, or improper connections. Nonetheless, implementing a circuit in the lab with undesired output might be time consuming. However, having an electronics simulator will enable the students as well as the instructor to analyze the performance of a circuit prior to implementing the actual hardware components.

This paper investigates design, simulation and implementation of a decade counter using modern computer hardware and software. This effort will focus on developing an integrated solution of a digital electronics project that will be based on a hybrid environment in which the design and experiments will be simulated and tested in virtual as well as with real electronics components. Students’ outreach program in this study is to motivate students to enroll in Electronics Engineering Technology program.

Introduction

Traditionally, many institutions world-wide supports the teaching model in which the students learn circuit theory by participating in lectures, and acquire a deeper fundamental understanding through complimentary experiments. The laboratory experiments presents a design challenge that requires students to apply theory from lectures using hand calculations, create and measure their designs, and then compare their results with the expected values [3]. However, these laboratory experiments are costly, time-consuming, and complicated to schedule.

With the progression in computer technology several electronics laboratory simulation software packages are available to academia and industry. The Multisim® software developed by the Electronics Workbench and National Instruments is a popular circuit capture and simulation software that is frequently used for education and training. With power and flexibility provided by Multisim® students gain the advantages of an industry-caliber, easy-to-use circuit simulator. Multisim® includes powerful virtual instruments, which are simulated instruments found in the laboratory such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and function generators, among many others. These instruments provide students with a fast and intuitive method for obtaining simulation results while preparing them for the instruments they will use in the laboratory. Multisim® provides the integrated platform which provides an uninterrupted flow of data from simulation to prototyping and measurement, bridging the gap between theory and hands-on learning. This platform will allow students quick and easy access to measurements. An integrated laboratory presents a unified platform for simulation, prototyping, measurement and

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Yousuf, A., & Bhardwaj, A., & Reeves, C., & Lehman, W., & Chukwukere, S., & Lin, S. (2007, June), Closing The Hardware Design Loop With Multisim: A Case Study Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2014