Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) is an open source software package for solving electromagnetic problems based on the finite element method. The application can numerically solve linear electrostatic problems and magnetostatic 2D problems, respectively low frequency magnetic, linear harmonic and nonlinear. FEMM is a product much used in science and engineering that, in the last 15 years, has begun to be used more and more in the academic environment. Despite the fact that FEMM can be used to solve complex problems in science and engineering, electrostatic FEMM cannot work directly with discrete electric charge distributions, that is, point electric charge. This work presents a FEMM model for simulating point electric charge that can be used in case of electrostatic problems with discrete charge distributions. The numerical solution for the electrostatic field is compared with the analytical solution. This model can be used in the case of an assembly of point electric charges with axial symmetry.

This paper presents a way to improve physical experiments at the engineering university level using a graphical programming environment for data acquisition. As a case study it is presented the experimental verification of the law of the magnetic circuit. Such a working method for experimentation opens the way for the future engineer to study physical phenomena using the computer.

The FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) circuits contain programmable logic components and are increasingly popular in implementing the applications for obtaining and processing signals. FPGA represents a modern development trend in digital electronics. The integration in the work with students of this trend is a difficult task, but also useful, because many students face problems when they must use a design environment. The application of FPGA technology can be useful to students either for the laboratory work on advanced topics, or for obtaining skills to use an industry standard design environment. The purpose of this paper is to conduct studies on the need to integrate the FPGA digital electronics trend in the laboratory didactic activity of the students. As case study, we present the design of a control circuit and its implementation in a FPGA, i.e. on a Basys2 board with Xilinx programming environment.