A Microcomputer Interfacing Course

A hands-on undergraduate laboratory course is described in which microcomputer hardware and practical digital integrated circuit design are taught in a motivating and educationally efficient manner. Each student in the course is given the task of designing an interface between an Altair 8800 microcomputer and an input-output or memory device. As a result of two offerings of the course nine input-output devices and three memory types have been interfaced to the system. The educational advantages and the results achieved through this approach to microcomputer hardware education are discussed.