ERDF 305: An Electronic System Prototyping Facility at the University of Malta

This project entailed the investment in a full electronic prototyping facility at The Department of Electronic Systems Engineering at the University of Malta. This facility enables the complete process of state-of-the-art electronic development to be exercised – i.e. electronic simulation and prototyping, printed circuit board fabrication, electronic component mounting and assembly and electronic test and measurement.

Modernisation of the electronic prototyping facility at the Department of Electronic Systems at Faculty of Engineering will give students the exposure and know-how in the state-of-the-art electronic system design, fabrication, assembly and test, exposure to industry standards in electronic prototyping and fabrication as well as increase the opportunities for academic research in collaboration with local and European industries, Universities and research institutions.

Results to be achieved within 5 years following commissioning of the facility. A 5-year period has been stipulated as this will allow sufficient time for the research area to mature and study units adapted to make full use of the new facility. Academic year 2011/2012 is being taken as the baseline for this exercise. 1) Improving hands-on experience in Electronic Design2) Utilisation of equipment (to varying levels) by all students following the Bachelors course in Electrical and Electronic Engineering3) Increase in students taking on study-units in Electronic Design4) Increase in students taking on large final year projects in Electronic Design 5) Increase in students involved in complete electronic board design, fabrication and assembly6) Increase in students involved in Industrial Test and Measurement7) Increase in postgraduate students involved in Electronic Design8) Increase in externally funded research projects in Electronic Design