Skip to content
Parleii Docs

Digilab One - Project Information

Summary

The Digilab One, originally developed as the Integrated Lab Companion (ILC) during the CPEN 4850 capstone project, was created to solve specific challenges in digital logic education. Initially designed to enhance the hands-on experience for students by providing advanced circuit validation and monitoring capabilities, the ILC addressed the limitations of existing lab equipment like the Bread Board Companion 3 (BBCIII). After the completion of the capstone, the project was rebranded as the Digilab One under Parleii LLC to expand its potential use in both educational and commercial environments.

Development Goals

The Digilab One was created to address specific challenges observed in digital logic labs during the capstone project:

  • Expanded Capability: The previous Bread Board Companion (BBCIII) was limited to only 4 LEDs and 4 switches, which severely restricted the complexity of the circuits students could design. The Digilab One offers 7 switches and 7 LEDs, allowing for more advanced circuit designs. Additionally, it includes a 7-segment display for real-time visual feedback, expanding the flexibility and educational potential of the device.

  • Automated Testing: One of the biggest pain points of the BBCIII was the need for manual, error-prone circuit testing. Instructors and students had to manually validate circuits, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in grading. The Digilab One addresses this by introducing automated circuit validation, using its software to compare circuit outputs with expected results, providing instant feedback and a pass/fail result.

  • Improved Power and Connectivity: Students often faced stability issues with the BBCIII, particularly regarding power and connectivity. The Digilab One modernizes this with a USB-C connection and bench power support, ensuring stable, reliable power delivery, and faster communication between hardware and software.

By modernizing lab tools, providing expanded capabilities, and automating testing, the Digilab One offers a more efficient and effective learning experience for students. At the same time, it simplifies instructors’ workloads by streamlining circuit validation and grading, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Digilab One Capabilities

Hardware

The Digilab One offers a range of features designed to support both manual and automated digital logic circuit testing:

  • Standalone Operation: The device can be used independently to test basic logic circuits, much like the BBCIII but with more flexibility and features.
  • 7 Switches and 7 LEDs: These components allow users to create and test more complex circuits, with manual control and monitoring, even when the device is not connected to the software.
  • 7-Segment Display: Integrated into the outputs for real-time visual feedback.
  • Male and Female Pins: Each switch and LED has dedicated male and female pins, allowing flexible connections for various circuit designs.
  • Power and Connectivity: Operates on a 5V power supply through either pins or a USB-C connection, providing modern connectivity options for ease of use.
  • Microcontroller (ATMEGA328P): Responsible for managing input/output logging, circuit validation, and software communication. The microcontroller can switch between manual and automated modes to accommodate various needs.

Software

The Digilab One Software, available as a React TypeScript-based web app, significantly enhances the hardware’s capabilities by automating circuit testing and offering intuitive control:

  • Input Control: Allows users to transfer input switch control to the software, which sets inputs, measures outputs, and reports results in real-time.
  • Truth Table Testing: Users can input their own truth tables, and the software automatically tests circuit states, eliminating manual validation. Automated pass/fail results are provided based on the predefined logic.
  • .digilab Files & Encryption: The software uses CHACHA20 encryption to secure .digilab files. Instructors can create encrypted truth tables with hidden answers, distribute them to students for testing, and maintain academic integrity without revealing the expected outputs.
  • Web-Based Platform: Originally developed as a Python Tkinter application, the software has evolved into a modern React TypeScript web app. This makes it more distributable, faster, and accessible across multiple platforms without requiring a local installation.

Technical Description

Hardware Overview

The Digilab One features significant improvements over previous lab devices like the BBCIII. Its core hardware includes:

  • 7 Switches and 7 LEDs for more complex circuit designs.
  • 7-Segment Display for simplified output feedback.
  • USB-C Connection for faster, more reliable communication.
  • Microcontroller (ATMEGA328P) to handle input/output management and validation.
  • 5V Power Supply delivered through pins or USB-C, providing flexible setup options. (Clock speed: 2Hz, with additional details to be added later.)

Software Overview

The software for Digilab One, now a React TypeScript-based web application, improves upon the original Python Tkinter version by offering:

  • Real-time Monitoring & Circuit Validation: Automated testing of circuits with immediate feedback.
  • Encrypted Testing: CHACHA20 encryption secures .digilab files for instructors to distribute secure, pre-defined tests.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: The web app is accessible across multiple platforms, making it easier for users to interact with the Digilab One without needing to install software locally.

Target Audience

The Digilab One is primarily designed for computer engineering and electrical engineering students. It is also a valuable tool for instructors in digital logic courses, providing advanced features for testing and validating circuits in real-time.

Integration with Education

Close collaboration with Professor Rolland Howell, the digital logic instructor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), played a vital role in the product’s development. His feedback ensured that the Digilab One meets the real needs of both students and instructors, improving functionality and usability throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Availability

The Digilab One is now available for purchase at store.parleii.com. Early orders are being accepted as the product moves into the market.

Security and Encryption

To maintain academic integrity, the software includes CHACHA20 encryption for .digilab files. This allows instructors to distribute secure, pre-defined tests without exposing the expected outputs to students. Students receive instant feedback on their circuits, ensuring secure, accurate testing.