EE220D -- Electric Circuits I Discussion

This class is unique in that generally the Electric Circuits I main lecture does not follow the discussion course. The initial purpose of the discussion class was to teach SPICE. Once I started teaching EE220D, I found that students wanted additional help in solving homework problems. Due to this, I reserve the last 15 minutes of class for homework help. I also added PCB design to the course because I found that most students just didn't get enough PCB design experience by the time they needed it for senior design projects.

In this discussion class, the main focus is on learning SPICE simulation and PCB design. I utilize LTspice and FreePCB in teaching these subjects. LTspice is without a doubt the best SPICE simulation program in existence. Although FreePCB is old and hasn't been updated in many years, it's very easy for students to get started with the concepts of PCB design and not get bogged down in the software. 

My approach to PCB design is that it is done at the same stage as drafting the final schematic. Often, last minute components are added to a design such as switches, indication lights and mounting hardware. This is why I encourage my students to "netlist on the fly" or basically make up the netlist as they design the PCB. This stage comes after the basic circuit is simulated and/or prototyped. The students' netlists can be done in any schematic program or even by hand. I tell them that netlisting is just keeping track of things in their mind. Because of this, I am reluctant to switch to a more "professional" PCB design software. However, I plan to learn KiCAD and switch to that as FreePCB continues to age. KiCAD is nice because it seems to have all the features of commercial software, yet is free. With expensive EDA software becoming a large portion of engineering departments' budgets, it is important to use as much free and open source software as possible. 

The approach to PCB design taught in my EE220D class may be at odds with convention. However, I feel my method stresses creativity and always being cognizant of what one is doing. PCB design is about shaping physical materials; metal, fiberglass and coatings come together to create a cohesive circuit. It is not dragging a bunch of footprints into a window, hitting autoroute and calling it done. While autoroute certainly has it's place in complex circuits, students need to be familiar with the basics first.

Angsuman Roy