Teaching Microcomputer Interfacing to Non-Electrical Engineers

Abstract

Anticipation of the future social impact of the microcomputer has underscored the need on the part of most institutions of higher education to develop methods of teaching non-electrical engineers the basic principles and applications of microcomputers. During the past two years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, we have made significant progress in that direction: we have developed laboratory hardware and written several selfinstructional laboratory workbooks that permit a novice in electronics to learn the basic principles of digital electronics, the 7400-series of integrated circuit chips, asynchronous serial digital communication techniques, microcomputer programming, and 8080A microcomputer interfacing. Within only two quarters, our students-many of whom have had no prior exposure to electronics and none of whom have substantial undergraduate or graduate course time available for studying electronics—can learn sufficient digital electronics and microcomputer interfacing to undertake projects of modest complexity. Student response to the course has been enthusiastic.