Electronics Education during the COVID-19 pandemic: the use of a CAD framework in distance learning assignments

Computer-aided design (CAD) software is a fundamental engineering tool that is often integrated into educational programs, including those for electronics. When the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide in 2020, an introductory electronics course at our Institution had to be reformulated due to restrictions on holding face-to-face classes. In this scenario, traditional lab tasks were replaced by computer-based assignments that students worked on using CAD software. This paper introduces the software framework used for this purpose, which has the two features considered necessary to closely replicate a practical experiment: i) the ability to mimic breadboard circuit prototyping activities and ii) the ability to simulate the prototyped circuits. In order to enhance students' motivation for the educational activities, the assignments proposed in our course have focused on robotics applications for several years. This was conveniently accounted for by combining simulation of electronic circuits with robotics simulation. In this way, we can be reproduce the embodiment of electronic circuits and the interaction with an external environment that takes place in a real experiment. The paper describes the proposed software framework, gives examples of its use, and reports on students' results for the first distance learning semester using the framework.