An intelligent visual tool for teaching transistor functionality using VisiLogic

VisiLogic [2] is a visual tool designed to assist students in understanding digital logic design. It is particularly useful for Computer Science and Computer Engineering students in digital logic courses or other courses involving circuit design. The VisiLogic interface is written in Java and uses an expert system that is written in C++ and Clips. The use of Java as the language of implementation provides platform independent access to potential users through their web browser. The application utilizes an attractive, user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) to direct the students step-by-step through the process learning digital logic design. VisiLogic provides users with eight major options. The options are, how transistors work, the representation of data using the number systems, basic logic gates, Boolean algebra, circuit simplification using Karnaugh maps, design and analysis of combinational logic circuits, memory devices, and functional unit design. The modules for circuit simplification using Karnaugh maps and basic logic gates have already, been implemented as has the VisiLogic web-based interface [2][3]. This paper describes the implementation of the "How Transistors Work" module.