Experiences in teaching DSP first in the ECE curriculum

Abstract

In this paper we describe experiences gained from teaching an introductory electrical engineering course based on digital signal processing rather than the traditional first course in analog circuit theory. We discuss our motivation for teaching DSP first, before covering analog circuits and systems. We describe the style of the course and point out difficulties as well as advantages, in this organization of basic material. At Georgia Tech and Rose-Hulman, this beginning course has been required of all computer engineering majors. Finally, we make some comments about extending this approach to encompass a wider range of students from other disciplines.