This two-hour class is an introductory digital design session using combinational logic. The goal of the workshop is to design an elementary alarm system for a residence. The sensors are wired in such a manner that cutting the wire to one of the sensors sounds the alarm. The PLD chip is programmed using a PLD programmer controlled by a computer.
Students then write a simple program to check switch settings and turn on a light emitting diode.
The session will conclude with students examining and then running a computer program to control a stepper motor. In this two-hour session, control technology used in manufacturing, commercial, automotive, and domestic applications is reviewed. Attention is then focused on modern microprocessor-based controls that are used in industry and elsewhere for providing automation and flexible controls. Computer displays are used to show the user a graphical representation of the state of the control. This two-hour session introduces students to electronics manufacturing and surface mount technology.