A new architecture for a digitally controlled oscillator is presented. It is based on a controlle... more A new architecture for a digitally controlled oscillator is presented. It is based on a controlled phase shifting principle and shows phase and frequency characteristics comparable to those of simple accumulator-type rate-multiplier-based circuits. An important feature of the proposed configuration is the possibility of a high clock frequency, also with conventional low-cost technologies. The oscillator is especially suitable for applications
International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 1999
ABSTRACT The paper presents a computer-assisted methodology for teaching the design of digital sy... more ABSTRACT The paper presents a computer-assisted methodology for teaching the design of digital systems based on finite state machines (FSMs). Exploratory learning can be helpful in this process because design skills come usually after repeated practice and analysis of existing implementations. The basic methodology is to build a software model that shows the same behaviour as the system to be taught. The model provides three different representations of the algorithm: state, time, network. Exploring the model means to stimulate the system with inputs and observe the resulting changes in the outputs and the system state. The level of interactivity may vary from a simple animation of a fixed behaviour to active simulation of more complex systems and interactive construction of algorithms. Experience of using this methodology helps the introduction of active simulation of systems designed by the learner and the transition from exploratory learning to real design practice. The presented environment supporting exploratory learning is currently used in Electrical Engineering courses.
Proceedings of the Thirty-First Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 1998
Abstract This paper presents preliminary results on the design of an Object Coprocessor (OCP) coo... more Abstract This paper presents preliminary results on the design of an Object Coprocessor (OCP) cooperating with a RISC architecture processor (ARM7, by Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.). This coprocessor implements in hardware some lowlevel processing and control ...
Proceedings of the 1st ACM international conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments - PETRA '08, 2008
... Page 5. Figure 1: The VR-LRC search page The VR-LRC is the repository of learning objects pre... more ... Page 5. Figure 1: The VR-LRC search page The VR-LRC is the repository of learning objects previously described. ... The VR-LRC is the natural container of all the learning material, from which the course designer downloads into the LMS the objects needed for the course. ...
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a widely used pedagogy in engineering education. The NetPro proje... more Project Based Learning (PBL) is a widely used pedagogy in engineering education. The NetPro project integrates traditional PBL into a network based learning environment. The project has developed models, tools and services to facilitate communication and collaboration between distant students, and to manage access and control of project deliverables. NetPro project teams form cross-institutional learning communities. This new learning environment is a distributed system that facilitates sharing and peer reviewing of project deliverables and interaction in special interest group discussions. NetPro methodologies and tools have been developed and tested by running pilot projects: four streams of pilots have been run during the project life. The paper provides a few details of the pilot course on Electronic Systems Design. To accompany the tools, the NetPro project has built a Web based collaboration environment, the User Community, to support teachers, trainers and course designers in...
The paper presents preliminary results of the evaluation process performed on a Computer-Based Le... more The paper presents preliminary results of the evaluation process performed on a Computer-Based Learning course of digital electronics, developed by the authors. Data on students' computer background, courseware installation and mode and frequency of use have been collected by the compilation of a questionnaire. Specific information on the course modules, their usefulness and ease of use and overall evaluation are
This paper presents a virtual laboratory fordigital design, specifically conceived for educationa... more This paper presents a virtual laboratory fordigital design, specifically conceived for educationalapplication and for supporting project work both locallyand at distance: the Deeds. It covers combinational andsequential logic networks, finite state machines,microcomputer interfacing and programming at assemblylevel. The virtual lab is based on three simulator integratedtogether, combined with a large repository of applicationprojects, available on the web. The paper contains anexample of a laboratory session, structured accordingly tothe Project Based Learning methodology.
2009 IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education, 2009
ABSTRACT The paper presents Deeds, an educational tool for digital design. Deeds covers combinati... more ABSTRACT The paper presents Deeds, an educational tool for digital design. Deeds covers combinational and sequential logic networks, finite state machines, microcomputer assembly programming and interfacing. It provides quasi-professional simulation features with an extremely simple user interface. Deeds can be seen as a learning environment based on three simulators integrated together, associated with a large repository of application projects, available on the web. Deeds supports the learning of contemporary digital design, from logic gates to the basics of embedded systems, helping to build a solid foundation for further study. The paper contains an example of a laboratory session dealing with a system including a state machine, standard logic and a microcomputer with a simple interrupt controller.
2011 IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education, 2011
ABSTRACT Deeds is a tool, specifically designed for educational applications, for design and simu... more ABSTRACT Deeds is a tool, specifically designed for educational applications, for design and simulation of digital systems based on combinational and sequential blocks, finite state machines and microcomputers. Deeds is characterized by an extremely simple user interface and it is associated with a large repository of application projects, available on the web. The paper presents a newly developed feature of Deeds, conceived for introducing FPGA-based systems in a first course of digital design based on Deeds. This extension allows students to compile a project into an FPGA chip directly from Deeds, leaving in the background the operations performed by the FPGA specific EDA tool. The main advantage is a smoother transition between Deeds and a professional design environment.
ABSTRACT The new technological scenarios demand the introduction of FPGA very early in digital de... more ABSTRACT The new technological scenarios demand the introduction of FPGA very early in digital design curricula. The approach that we present in the paper is based on a new tool that extends the features of the Digital Electronics Education and Design Suite (Deeds). The FPGA extension allows students to compile a project generated with Deeds into an FPGA chip, reducing to a minimum the interaction with the FPGA-specific CAD. The tool allows the student to associate all the inputs and outputs of the Deeds project to the devices and resources of an FPGA development board and generates all the VHDL and script files needed by the CAD to compile the project and load it on the board for testing. An extensive field test on a large number of students has proved its pedagogical value.
A new architecture for a digitally controlled oscillator is presented. It is based on a controlle... more A new architecture for a digitally controlled oscillator is presented. It is based on a controlled phase shifting principle and shows phase and frequency characteristics comparable to those of simple accumulator-type rate-multiplier-based circuits. An important feature of the proposed configuration is the possibility of a high clock frequency, also with conventional low-cost technologies. The oscillator is especially suitable for applications
International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 1999
ABSTRACT The paper presents a computer-assisted methodology for teaching the design of digital sy... more ABSTRACT The paper presents a computer-assisted methodology for teaching the design of digital systems based on finite state machines (FSMs). Exploratory learning can be helpful in this process because design skills come usually after repeated practice and analysis of existing implementations. The basic methodology is to build a software model that shows the same behaviour as the system to be taught. The model provides three different representations of the algorithm: state, time, network. Exploring the model means to stimulate the system with inputs and observe the resulting changes in the outputs and the system state. The level of interactivity may vary from a simple animation of a fixed behaviour to active simulation of more complex systems and interactive construction of algorithms. Experience of using this methodology helps the introduction of active simulation of systems designed by the learner and the transition from exploratory learning to real design practice. The presented environment supporting exploratory learning is currently used in Electrical Engineering courses.
Proceedings of the Thirty-First Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 1998
Abstract This paper presents preliminary results on the design of an Object Coprocessor (OCP) coo... more Abstract This paper presents preliminary results on the design of an Object Coprocessor (OCP) cooperating with a RISC architecture processor (ARM7, by Advanced RISC Machines Ltd.). This coprocessor implements in hardware some lowlevel processing and control ...
Proceedings of the 1st ACM international conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments - PETRA '08, 2008
... Page 5. Figure 1: The VR-LRC search page The VR-LRC is the repository of learning objects pre... more ... Page 5. Figure 1: The VR-LRC search page The VR-LRC is the repository of learning objects previously described. ... The VR-LRC is the natural container of all the learning material, from which the course designer downloads into the LMS the objects needed for the course. ...
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a widely used pedagogy in engineering education. The NetPro proje... more Project Based Learning (PBL) is a widely used pedagogy in engineering education. The NetPro project integrates traditional PBL into a network based learning environment. The project has developed models, tools and services to facilitate communication and collaboration between distant students, and to manage access and control of project deliverables. NetPro project teams form cross-institutional learning communities. This new learning environment is a distributed system that facilitates sharing and peer reviewing of project deliverables and interaction in special interest group discussions. NetPro methodologies and tools have been developed and tested by running pilot projects: four streams of pilots have been run during the project life. The paper provides a few details of the pilot course on Electronic Systems Design. To accompany the tools, the NetPro project has built a Web based collaboration environment, the User Community, to support teachers, trainers and course designers in...
The paper presents preliminary results of the evaluation process performed on a Computer-Based Le... more The paper presents preliminary results of the evaluation process performed on a Computer-Based Learning course of digital electronics, developed by the authors. Data on students' computer background, courseware installation and mode and frequency of use have been collected by the compilation of a questionnaire. Specific information on the course modules, their usefulness and ease of use and overall evaluation are
This paper presents a virtual laboratory fordigital design, specifically conceived for educationa... more This paper presents a virtual laboratory fordigital design, specifically conceived for educationalapplication and for supporting project work both locallyand at distance: the Deeds. It covers combinational andsequential logic networks, finite state machines,microcomputer interfacing and programming at assemblylevel. The virtual lab is based on three simulator integratedtogether, combined with a large repository of applicationprojects, available on the web. The paper contains anexample of a laboratory session, structured accordingly tothe Project Based Learning methodology.
2009 IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education, 2009
ABSTRACT The paper presents Deeds, an educational tool for digital design. Deeds covers combinati... more ABSTRACT The paper presents Deeds, an educational tool for digital design. Deeds covers combinational and sequential logic networks, finite state machines, microcomputer assembly programming and interfacing. It provides quasi-professional simulation features with an extremely simple user interface. Deeds can be seen as a learning environment based on three simulators integrated together, associated with a large repository of application projects, available on the web. Deeds supports the learning of contemporary digital design, from logic gates to the basics of embedded systems, helping to build a solid foundation for further study. The paper contains an example of a laboratory session dealing with a system including a state machine, standard logic and a microcomputer with a simple interrupt controller.
2011 IEEE International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education, 2011
ABSTRACT Deeds is a tool, specifically designed for educational applications, for design and simu... more ABSTRACT Deeds is a tool, specifically designed for educational applications, for design and simulation of digital systems based on combinational and sequential blocks, finite state machines and microcomputers. Deeds is characterized by an extremely simple user interface and it is associated with a large repository of application projects, available on the web. The paper presents a newly developed feature of Deeds, conceived for introducing FPGA-based systems in a first course of digital design based on Deeds. This extension allows students to compile a project into an FPGA chip directly from Deeds, leaving in the background the operations performed by the FPGA specific EDA tool. The main advantage is a smoother transition between Deeds and a professional design environment.
ABSTRACT The new technological scenarios demand the introduction of FPGA very early in digital de... more ABSTRACT The new technological scenarios demand the introduction of FPGA very early in digital design curricula. The approach that we present in the paper is based on a new tool that extends the features of the Digital Electronics Education and Design Suite (Deeds). The FPGA extension allows students to compile a project generated with Deeds into an FPGA chip, reducing to a minimum the interaction with the FPGA-specific CAD. The tool allows the student to associate all the inputs and outputs of the Deeds project to the devices and resources of an FPGA development board and generates all the VHDL and script files needed by the CAD to compile the project and load it on the board for testing. An extensive field test on a large number of students has proved its pedagogical value.
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Papers by Domenico Ponta