Hands-on educational facility designed to enable undergraduates to gain practical experience through collaboration with researchers on long-term projects
A new facility in The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) offers cutting-edge equipment that will foster collaboration between undergraduates and researchers on long-term projects that explore advanced topics.
The new Keysight Electronics Laboratory was unveiled in a ceremony held Tuesday, April 29. The hands-on educational lab was made possible through a generous in-kind donation of advanced equipment from Keysight Technologies, which serves as the global innovation partner for high-growth industries.
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Keysight is known for collaborating with top partners across high-growth industries, including automotive, technology and leading engineering universities. Their solutions empower engineers to accelerate innovation and design and develop groundbreaking technologies with speed and reduced risk.
“As a proud alumna of the University of Toronto’s Electrical Engineering program, I am thrilled that Keysight is supporting the future generation of talented engineers with this donation of advanced instruments,” said Marie Hattar (ECE 9T0), CMO at Keysight Technologies.
“At Keysight, we are deeply committed to fostering innovation and believe this collaboration will empower U of T Engineering students to accelerate their learning, make groundbreaking discoveries and ultimately shape the future of technology.”
This versatile mixed hardware lab will be used for undergraduate courses at both the introductory and advanced levels. The new electrical engineering lab will feature Keysight-provided equipment such as:
- InfiniVision 1000 X-Series Oscilloscope with WaveGen
- Waveform generator
- Digital Multimeter
- Test Sequencing and Control Module
- True RMS 6000 count handheld DMM
As one of Canada’s largest electrical and computer engineering departments, ECE at U of T Engineering has the human and material resources to offer an exceptional research experience opportunity for students. Among ECE’s existing teaching labs are an innovative photonics lab, cutting-edge microwave lab and industry-grade energy systems lab.
The new Keysight Technologies equipment will also mean that individuals can be trained on specific hardware, opening up the possibility for external training and workshops. The addition of the new Keysight Electronics Laboratory will provide ECE students with the necessary resources to ensure this program remains competitive.
“I noticed that there was a gap in the practical education opportunities available; I wanted to ensure that we had an advanced facility for undergraduate students, providing the possibility of working on project-based labs, which could expand across many disciplines here at ECE, like analog and digital electronics, control systems, signal processing, embedded systems and communication systems,” says Afshin Poraria, Director of ECE Teaching Labs.
This unveiling of the Keysight Electronics Laboratory marks a milestone in the partnership between ECE at U of T Engineering and Keysight Technologies. Poraria says that this new concept has the potential to expand the current partnership further and bring in new partnerships as well.
"The partnership between Keysight and ECE at the University of Toronto Engineering reflects the incredible impact we can make when industry and education work together," says Professor Deepa Kundur, Chair of ECE.
"By providing access to essential tools and hands-on learning experiences, we are opening new doors for our students — opportunities critical to their growth as the next generation of engineers and innovators."
"This donation marks yet another milestone in our enduring partnership with the University of Toronto Engineering—a relationship that has ranged from cutting-edge research in photonic ICs to support for student clubs,” says Dr. Doug Baney, Corporate Director of Education at Keysight.
“By supplying modern industrial test equipment to the electronic teaching labs, we're helping prepare students with the practical skills and experience they need to excel in their engineering careers."