ELEC1202 Digital Systems and Microprocessors

Module Overview

To introduce digital system design, the principles of programmable logic devices, the implementation of combinational and sequential circuits, and the principles of hardware design using SystemVerilog, a state-of-the-art hardware description language.

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

To introduce digital system design, the principles of programmable logic devices, the implementation of combinational and sequential circuits, and the principles of hardware design.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Understand the logical behaviour of digital circuits
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of programmable logic devices
Know how to describe digital hardware using a software-style language
Understand how a basic microprocessor can be built from standard building blocks

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Analyse combinational and sequential digital circuits
Design combinational and sequential digital circuits
Configure programmable logic devices using a hardware description language
Meet this module's contribution to the subject specific intellectual learning outcomes of ELEC1029

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Manage your time in a laboratory
Present and explain your work in written reports
Meet this module's contribution to the transferable and generic learning outcomes of ELEC1029

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Design combinational logic using Karnaugh maps
Design sequential logic using ASM charts
Design and verify combinational and sequential systems using SystemVerilog
Use a number of electronic design automation tools
Meet this module's contribution to the subject specific practical learning outcomes of ELEC1029.

Syllabus

Combinational Logic Design: Combinational logic gates, Basic combinational design, Minimisation Design nomenclature Design problems: glitches Introduction to Chip Design: Requirements of integrated circuits CMOS gates (NAND and NOR) System Verilog Sequential Logic Design: Sequential logic primitives Latches and flip-flops: edge, master-slave, non-overlapping clocks, Synchronous sequential systems, Counters and shift registers, State machines, Algorithmic State Machine Design, Generalised sequential circuitry, Combinational Logic and Timing, Sequential Logic and Timing, Programmable Logic Devices, Programmable Logic Arrays, PLD architectures and technologies; ispGAL devices Introduction to SystemVerilog and practical PLD development Logic Simulation: Overview, schematic capture, test stimulus, generation and understanding of simulation results, Modelling of hardware behaviour in software, Combinational and sequential implementations, Software tools, Hardware simulations using Modelsim Synthesis of combinational logic and simple state machines using Synplify, PLD implementation using ispLever, Hardware components of a microprocessor system (using AVR as a case study), Central processing unit: ALU, memory, input/output, Register-based architectures, Instruction sets, Assemblers, Peripheral circuits and their modelling in SystemVerilog, Tri-state buffers and buses, SystemVerilog examples

Learning and Teaching

Type	Hours
Completion of assessment task	16
Follow-up work	18
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Tutorial	12
Wider reading or practice	40
Lecture	36
Revision	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

M.S. Nixon (2015). Digital Electronics: A Primer - Introductory Logic Circuit Design.

M M Mano, M D Ciletti (2007). Digital Design.

M. Zwolinski (2009). Digital System Design with SystemVerilog.

J F Wakerly (2006). Digital Design - Principles and Practices.

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

Assessment on the module mixes practical and theoretical elements, and formative and summative elements. 4 Problem Sheets on different topics are spread throughout the module, primarily or formative feedback but also to provide some summative assessment. Three technical labs are also associated with the module; they are conducted under the umbrella of ELEC1029 but the marks contribute towards this module. These technical labs consider Discrete Digital Circuits, Bus Operation and Control, addressing the above-listed learning outcomes. An end-of-semester design exercise considers digital systems and microprocessors, addressing the above-listed learning outcomes. It is conducted under the umbrella of ELEC1029 but the marks contribute towards this module. Skills labs are conducted under the umbrella of the zero-credit ELEC1029 module and address its learning outcomes. The marks contribute to a number of ELEC12xx modules, including this one. An end-of-module exam provides summative assessment on all topics covered.

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Design Exercise	10%
Examination (2 hours)	60%
Problem Sheets	10%
Skills Laboratories	10%
Technical Laboratories	10%

Repeat

Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External