Programmable System-On-Chip (PSoC) usage in an engineering technology program

Part of the requirements for courses in an Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) program includes the ability to design, analyze and debug electrical as well as computer circuits. Typical courses over multiple semesters include analog electronics, digital electronics, C/C++ programming, instrumentation and measurement systems, communications systems, and microcontrollers. Each of these courses also includes a lab component that provides students with hands-on projects which are intended to reinforce the lecture material. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that a Programmable System-On-Chip embedded board (PSoC 5LP) can be used as a basis for multiple lab projects in these courses. The intent is to also include examples of the types of lab projects that can be used within these courses. Possible lab projects include: function generator, audio collection, digital processing, serial communication, on-off keying modulation, wireless sensor network, and robot position control. For each lab, project documentation (e.g., engineering requirements, flowchart, schematic, results, and student assessment) is provided. Student assessment consists of results from a survey containing questions regarding approximate time, level of difficulty, areas of difficulty, and prerequisites needed to complete project, and questions regarding level of interest in PSoC devices as a results of this project, suggestions for improvement, and any other comments. Each lab project will be mapped to one or more applicable courses in an ECET program. Additionally, each lab project will be mapped to one or more ABET ETAC student outcomes (including program specific criteria) for direct assessment of these outcomes.