Introduction to Engineering - Hands-On Explorations

Introduction to Engineering - Hands-On Explorations

Analog Labs and Projects Digital Labs and Projects Robotics Project Books and Other Publications EE Intro To Engineering Lab at ASU Links

Analog Labs and Projects

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef, Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Analog Multimedia Explorations, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297591 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297607 ebook
Abstract:
This volume provides a hands-on glimpse of the field of electrical engineering. The introduced applications utilize the NI ELVIS platform to explore concepts such as: circuits, power, analog sensing, and introductory analog signal processing such as signal generation, analog filtering, audio and music processing. These principals and technologies are introduced in a very practical way and are fundamental to many of the electronic devices we use today. Some examples include photodetection, analog signal (audio, light, temperature) level meter, and analog music equalizer.
The provided hands-on applications can each be performed within a 3-hour lab session and can be easily expanded into longer-duration design projects.

Remote Control Design Project

Light Meter: construct an analog signal level meter as described in Chapter 2 of the "Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Analog Multimedia Explorations" book; replace the audio source, diode and capacitor with a photocell and a resistor.

Temperature Meter: construct an analog signal level meter as described in Chapter 2 of the "Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Analog Multimedia Explorations" book; replace the audio source, diode and capacitor with a thermo-sensor.

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Digital Labs and Projects

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef, Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Digital Multimedia Explorations and Robotics, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297621 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297638 ebook
Abstract:
This volume provides a hands-on glimpse of the field of electrical and computer engineering. The broad range of hands-on applications utilize LabVIEW and the NI-SPEEDY-33 hardware to explore concepts such as basic computer input and output, basic robotic principals, and introductory signal processing and communication concepts such as signal generation, modulation, music, speech, and audio and image/video processing. These principals and technologies are introduced in a very practical way and are fundamental to many of the electronic and computerized devices we use today. Some examples include audio level meter and audio effects, music synthesizer, real-time autonomous robot, image and video analysis, and DTMF modulation found in touch-tone telephone systems.
The provided hands-on applications can each be performed within a 3-hour lab session and can be easily expanded into longer-duration design projects.

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Robotics Projects

Robotics Design Project:
This project builds on the Intro to Robotics hands-on application that is described in Chapter 8 of the
"Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide with Hands-On Digital Multimedia Explorations and Robotics" book.
Robotics Design Project Description.
Robotics Design Project Presentation.

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Books and Other Publications

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef, Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Analog Multimedia Explorations, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297591 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297607 ebook

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef: Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Digital Multimedia Explorations and Robotics, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297621 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297638 ebook

L. J. Karam and N. Mounsef, "Integrating Visual Programming, Instrumentation, and Embedded DSP Technology into Freshman Introduction to Engineering Design," IEEE DSP/DSP Education Workshop , pages 466-471, Sep. 2006. pdf

L. J. Karam, "Real-World Applications for Freshman Engineering Education," NI Week , August 2008. pdf

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EE Intro to Engineering Lab at ASU

The EE Introduction to Engineering Lab is housed in the Goldwater Center building (GWC) in room 221 as part of the Electrical Engineering department at ASU. Equipment in the lab consists of NI SPEEDY-33 boards, NI ELVIS stations, and computers equipped with the NI LabVIEW 8.5 software and the NI ELVIS suite software. The lab equipmment also includes hand-held multimeters and circuits components (resistors, diodes, capacitors, opamps, 555 timers, and other), web cams, and speakers.

National Instruments (NI) products, including the LabVIEW, the SPEEDY-33 DSP board, which supports embedded real-time solutions, and the NI ELVIS system, are used in the course in order to expose the students to exciting hands-on learning while fostering creativity. During the weekly lab sessions, students design, implement, test and compare the same applications in both the digital domain, using the NI SPEEDY-33 board and LabVIEW, and the analog domain, using NI ELVIS (any prototyping board can be substituted for NI ELVIS and LabVIEW for the Analog Labs). The developed applications introduce students to fundamental concepts in various areas in electrical and computer engineering, including signal & image processing, circuits, communications, computer engineering, sensors, and robotics. The performed analog and digital labs are based on the labs described in the following books:

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef, Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Analog Multimedia Explorations, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297591 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297607 ebook

Lina J. Karam and Naji Mounsef: Introduction to Engineering: A Starter's Guide With Hands-On Digital Multimedia Explorations and Robotics, Morgan-Claypool, 2008.
www.morganclaypool.com
ISBN: 9781598297621 paperback
ISBN: 9781598297638 ebook

Lab presentations:

L. J. Karam, "Real-World Applications for Freshman Engineering Education," NI Week , August 2008.

Also, see the following related presentations and articles for lab descriptions:

L. J. Karam, "Real-World Applications for Freshman Engineering Education," NI Week , August 2008.

NI News - Academic Edition - August 2008 - "University's Introductory Engineering Course Employs LabVIEW"

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Links

National Instruments

Morgan-Claypool

Connexions

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Lina J. Karam ( karam@asu.edu )