International collaborative projects on digital electronic systems using open source tools

Abstract

Collaborative projects allow engineering students to learn from one another and improve the skills necessary for working in a team. We conducted a study in the Spring of 2018 in which 12 Spanish students studying industrial engineering and 12 Indian students studying computer engineering worked together in small teams to solve projects on digital electronic systems. The objective of the study was to provide an opportunity to the students to develop interdisciplinary solutions to real-world problems and work in diverse and multisite teams. The projects were related to the smart home, smart lighting, assisting elderly people, automated car washing, remote-controlled car, and automated irrigation system. Each team had to frame a problem statement, design a solution, simulate the solution using appropriate software, implement the solution in hardware and prepare a report. The students used Autodesk simulator for simulating and optimizing their solutions. There was an emphasis on making optimal use of sensors and actuators in each project. The students finally implemented their solution using Arduino-based hardware. The instructors and students collaborated through e-mail, cloud tools, and video conferencing during the study. The students had to complete the project in 5 weeks. They spent almost equal time on software simulation and hardware implementation. In a survey conducted at the end of the study, the students said that they had no problem in using the tools and in communicating with teammates from the other country, and they had an overall positive learning experience. This resulted in better motivation among students and a higher average grade.