New progressive embedded design course for engineering technology

This paper describes learning activities to develop embedded systems design skills for students in our electrical engineering technology program. Student teams design, build, and troubleshoot FPGA-based projects composed of common embedded systems peripherals, including input/output and/or electromechanical devices, and complex digital integrated circuits. The design experience is progressive, requiring each successive subsystem to be incorporated without disturbing previously completed subsystems. Furthermore, the design experience is based on a learning approach that motivates student learning and develops skills required by the student in a future professional capacity. These skills include designing to specification, teamwork, communication, and lifelong learning skills. Course evaluations were obtained from students, and the results show that the course was well received and achieved its educational objectives.