Developing an Optical Spectrum Analyzer: Realizing a complex embedded system with student groups

Within the curriculum of the Bachelor Electrical Engineering there are obligatory lab experiments for electrical measurement. In this lab ready-made standard experiments with defined results are carried out by students. As an alternative to these standard experiments individual development projects for interested students are offered. In one series of projects an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) is going to be realized by students. The complete opto-mechanical hardware was sponsored by a measurement company and groups of students develop additional components to complete the OSA. Currently all important electronic subsystems of the OSA are developed and tested. These are integrated into the whole system and a software environment for controlling the whole system is built. The high learning success of the student groups and the consistently positive feedback from the students is encouraging. Currently this type of project is expanded to other topics.