The Use of General Purpose Software as a Teaching Tool in Electronic Engineering Presenter:Martin R. Varley University of Central Lancashire, UK Co-Authors:Michael S. Peak, J. David Heys University of Central Lancashire, UK Philip D. Picton The University of Northampton, UK

Overview of Presentation Spreadsheet simulation of various concepts in Electronic Engineering Examples and Demonstrations –Analogue Filter Circuits –Digital Systems –Artificial Neural Networks –s-domain analysis Concluding Remarks

Spreadsheet Simulations: why? A range of high-level tools is available for areas within Electronic Engineering –e.g. Proteus, PSPICE, MATLAB, CODAS etc. –Students can quickly acquire simulation results for various application areas, and gain some insights into application areas –However in-depth understanding of underlying concepts and theory is not always adequately developed using such tools alone

Spreadsheet Simulations: how? The authors have developed the use of simulations using Microsoft Excel: –Simulations developed directly from theoretical models and equations –Spreadsheets created in the classes and explained step-by-step to the students –Animations enabled using on-screen buttons and macros –Students encouraged to develop their own further spreadsheet simulations

Spreadsheet Simulations: how?

Examples and Demonstrations: 1 Analogue Filter Circuits –Excel simulations support a Level 1 (first year undergraduate) module –Simulation of series RC circuit –Frequency response analysis Sweep over selected range Specific frequency value (frequency sample) –Includes colour-coded phasor diagram

Examples and Demonstrations: 1 Analogue Filter Circuits

Examples and Demonstrations: 2 Digital Systems –Excel simulations support a Level 1 (first year undergraduate) module –Sequential logic system design –Example shown is for a synchronous BCD up/down counter with: A single external input (0=DOWN, 1=UP) Four D-type flip-flops Output decode logic for seven-segment display

Examples and Demonstrations: 2 Digital Systems

Examples and Demonstrations: 3 Artificial Neural Networks –Level 2 (second year undergrad) module –Module includes single neuron, single layer and multi-layer neural networks –Example shows delta rule training algorithm simulation: Three-input binary neuron User-selected initial conditions and learning rate Includes 3-D input space diagram and decision plane showing stages of training

Examples and Demonstrations: 3 Artificial Neural Networks

Examples and Demonstrations: 4 s-domain system analysis –Simulations support a level 2 (second year undergrad) module in signal analysis –System analysis using s-domain User-specified poles and zeros (upto 4 of each) Frequency sweep or single frequency Includes s-plane diagram showing poles, zeros, and current frequency value Magnitude and phase plots

Examples and Demonstrations: 4 s-domain system analysis

Concluding Remarks Authors have found that the use of spreadsheets to illustrate and simulate electronic engineering applications promotes deeper understanding and appreciation of aspects of the theory Students can see the simulations being developed from theoretical concepts, and are encouraged to develop these ideas further and create their own spreadsheet simulations

Concluding Remarks Use of widely available software (Microsoft Excel) extends the availability of such simulations to a wider audience The lectures and tutorials still include the high-level tools (e.g. Proteus, MATLAB etc.), which are used to complement this spreadsheet-based approach

Concluding Remarks Other areas developed, or under development, as spreadsheet-based simulations include: –Fourier series analysis and synthesis –Digital filter design and simulation –Single-layer neural networks (e.g. Hopfield) –Multi-layer neural networks and the error backpropagation training algorithm –Chirp z-transform analysis

The Use of General Purpose Software as a Teaching Tool in Electronic Engineering Presenter:Martin R. Varley University of Central Lancashire, UK Thank you for your attention…. ANY QUESTIONS?