A distance laboratory for computer-aided design

A discussion has been held on the application of distance education at the CAD Laboratory of the Kaunas University of Technology. Modern capabilities of the Internet open the ways of using any CAD system via any computer, connected to the Internet. Three levels of communications are discussed. A distance laboratory uses specific adapted methods, re-formulated laboratory exercises and a special software. Project-based education is very valuable by self-studying and for continuing education. The verification has now become very important to finishing an electronic design project. A special software of registering saves time of the professors. Laboratory exercises of electronic design use widely configurable field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). At present, such exercises can be done via a network. Some initial collection of practical laboratory exercises of design system CADENCE was prepared, performed and tested. The principles suggested can be extended to other objects of teaching, and introduce important changes in teaching practices of the future.