Introductory Digital Systems

Description

The objectives of this subject are to enable students to master the fundamentals of digital and programmable electronic circuits and their engineering applications; master the hardware architecture of a typical small computer system; and understand the principles of low-level programming and gain an ability to write simple assembly code. Students are introduced to the basics of concurrent and real-time application programming. Topics include digital sequential circuits; state diagram and its application in the design of digital circuits; basic hardware architectures of the digital computer in terms of its building blocks; how hardware integrates with software at the machine level; low-level language programming; internal architecture and design of a typical register-based central processing unit and a main memory subsystem, and their interdependence; concepts of computer system buses, as well as different types of input and output devices; interrupts; input and output; micro-controller theory; and hardware interfacing design techniques.

Subject objectives

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Design combinational and sequential logic circuits

2. Implement and evaluate logic circuits using appropriate software tools

3. Analyse digital logic circuits

4. Assemble a hardware kit that includes a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and PIC microcontrollers in addition to other components and input/output interface

5. Identify basic assembly programming techniques

6. Construct and implement basic assembly programs

7. Write and evaluate assembly programs using appropriate software tools

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs [EA Stage 1 Competency: 1.2, 2.3, 2.4] (A.1)

Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) [EA Stage 1 Competency: 1.5 ] (A.5)

Engineering practice focusses on problem solving and design where artifacts are conceived, created, used, modified, maintained and retired. (B.0)

Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies [EA Stage 1 Competency:1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3] (B.1)

Design components, systems and/or processes to meet required specifications [EA Stage 1 Competency: 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3] (B.2)

Apply decision making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability [EA Stage 1 Competency: 1.2, 2.1] (B.4)

Implement and test solutions [EA Stage 1 Competency: 2.2, 2.3,] (B.5)

Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation [EA Stage 1 Competency:1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2] (C.1)

Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose [EA Stage 1 Competency: 3.2] (E.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

In weekly mode delivery, there are:

2 one-hour lectures

1 hour tutorial work

2 hour lab session

The teaching and learning strategies focus on:

introducing in lectures the key fundamental concepts and their interrelations

introducing in tutorials appropriate problems to motivate, illustrate and exemplify the concepts presented in lectures.

introducing in labs practical digital circuit implementation and programming in assembly language.

This subject involves a 2 one-hour lecture sessions per week. In addition, each student is expected to complete 1 hour of tutorial work and 2 hours of laboratory work per week. The lectures will cover digital hardware design and microcontrollers. The face-to-face tutorials aim at further explaining the studied material by solving variety of problems. In addition, a hardware kit will be used by students to design simple digital circuits and write assembly programs. Laboratory sessions are run to provide students with practical understanding of the theoretical material and help them implement the practical assignments. The lecturer will be available after each tutorial class for further discussions.

Content

The subject covers the following content areas:

digital combinational and sequential circuits

state diagram and its application in the design of digital circuits

basic hardware architectures of the digital computer in terms of its building blocks

how hardware integrates with software at the machine level

low-level language programming

internal architecture and design of a typical register-based central processing unit and a main memory subsystem and their interdependence

interrupts

input and output

micro-controller architectures.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Assignment 1: Working kits demonstration

Intent: To become familiar with the hardware components that will be used in the subject.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

A.5 and B.5

Type: Demonstration

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 07%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Assembly and functionality of the hardware kit 100 4 A.5, B.5

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Assignment 2: CPLD design and simulation

Intent: To gain experience in the design, implementation and testing of digital systems which use complex programmable logic devices

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

1 and 2

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

B.1, B.2, B.4, B.5, C.1 and E.1

Type: Report

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 07%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Design of combination and sequential logic circuits, which includes design concept, approach and methodology 50 1 B.1, B.2, B.4

Simulations of individual design blocks as well as simulation of the complete design of top level circuit 30 2 B.5, C.1

Report 20 1 E.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Quiz 1: Combinational and Sequential logic circuits

Intent: Examine students knowledge and skills in relation to topics on combinational and sequential logic

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

1 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

A.1, B.0, B.1, B.2, B.4 and E.1

Type: Quiz/test

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 05%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Design of combination and sequential logic circuits, which includes design concept, approach and methodology 40 1 B.1, B.2, B.4

Analysis of digital circuits and understanding of digital components that are used 40 3 A.1, B.0

Report 20 1 E.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Quiz 2: PIC

Intent: Examine students knowledge and skills in relation to topics on the PIC microcontroller

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

5 and 6

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

B.1, B.4 and C.1

Type: Quiz/test

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 05%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Applying basic assembly programming techniques to solve simple problems 50 5 B.1

Constructing and implementing basic assembly programs, which include the identification of appropriate assembly instructions and PIC operating modules 50 6 B.4, C.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 5: Assignment 3: CPLD + PIC design

Intent: To gain an in depth experience in the design, implementation and testing of digital systems which use complex programmable logic devices as well as understanding the functionality of the different modules of the 16F877a PIC microcontroller and writing assembly codes to program it

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 5, 6 and 7

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

B.1, B.2, B.4, B.5 and C.1

Type: Laboratory/practical

Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed

Weight: 16%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Design of combination and sequential logic circuits, which includes design concept, approach and methodology 20 1 B.1, B.2, B.4

Simulations of individual design blocks as well as simulation of the complete design of top level circuit 20 2 B.5, C.1

Demonstrating knowledge of basic assembly programming techniques and utilizing them in solving specified programming problems 20 5 B.1

Constructing and implementing basic assembly programs, which include the identification of appropriate assembly instructions and PIC operating modules 20 6 B.4, C.1

Simulating the operations of certain modules using appropriate software tools 20 7 B.5

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 6: Formal Examination

Intent: To assess the students' understanding of those key fundamental concepts in digital hardware design

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objectives:

1, 3, 5 and 6

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:

A.1, A.5, B.1, B.2, B.4 and C.1

Type: Examination

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 60%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Design of combination and sequential logic circuits, which includes design concept, approach and methodology 25 1 B.1, B.2, B.4

Analysis of digital circuits and demonstrate understanding of digital components that are used 25 3 A.1, A.5

Applying basic assembly programming techniques to solve simple problems 25 5 B.1

Constructing and implementing basic assembly programs, which include the identification of appropriate assembly instructions and PIC operating modules 25 6 B.4, C.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, you must earn an overall total of 50 marks or more for the subject.