Digital Systems

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Configure programmable logic devices using a hardware description language
• Design and analyse combinational and sequential digital circuits

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use a range of electronic design automation (EDA) tools
• Design and verify combinational and sequential systems using SystemVerilog
• Understand basic principles of designing solutions to engineering problems (shared with ELEC1300)
• Design combinational and sequential systems by hand

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• How a simple microprocessor can be built from standard building blocks
• The behaviour of digital circuits
• How to describe digital hardware using a software-style language

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Manage your time in a laboratory (shared with ELEC1300)

Combinational Logic Design

• Logic and Logic algebra
• Combinational logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, EXOR, EXNOR
• Logic Technologies
• Truth tables
• Combinational logic devices: multiplexer, encoder, decoder
• Combinational logic design
• Logic minimisation and Karnaugh maps
• Combinatorial Systems in SystemVerilog

Sequential Logic Design

• Introduction to sequential logic
• Level-sensitive latches
• Edge-sensitive flip-flops
• Clocks, synchronous and asynchronous circuits
• Registers and shift registers
• Counters (synchronous and asynchronous)
• Algorithmic State Machine (ASM) design
• Moore and Mealy machines
• Sequential Systems in SystemVerilog

Programmable Logic

• Programmable technology: PALs, PLDs and FPGAs
• Hardware Description Languages: Introduction to SystemVerilog
• Modelling of hardware behaviour in software
• Test benches and interpreting simulation results
• Hardware synthesis
• Software tools

Number Representation and Computer Arithmetic

• Positional number systems
• Unsigned binary numbers and arithmetic
• Signed binary number representation and arithmetic
• Conversion between number systems
• Occurrence and detection of overflow
• Hardware for binary addition/substration

Introduction to Chip Design

• Performance requirements of integrated circuits
• MOS logic gates – NAND and NOR
• CMOS performance
• Logic timing and delays

Introduction to Computer Architecture

• Busses and contention
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Instruction Sets
• Introduction to the Fetch-Execute Cycle
• Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
• SystemVerilog Example(s)

Teaching and learning methods

Syllabus material is taught through the lectures and supporting tutorials. Learning will be through a combination of independent study alongside the taught sessions, the formative problem sheets, and lab activities.

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, module website, directed reading and tutorials.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study, preparation for timetabled activities, tutorials, along with formative assessments in the form of problem sheets.

Students work on their practical skills, professional skills and technical understanding in technical and assessed laboratories.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

M M Mano, M D Ciletti (2007). Digital Design. Pearson Prentice Hall.

M. Zwolinski (2009). Digital System Design with SystemVerilog. Pearson Prentice Hall.

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

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

Assessment strategy

Assessment on the module mixes practical and theoretical elements, and formative and summative elements.

This module is assessed by a combination of coursework, assessed laboratories and a final assessment in the form of a written examination.

The Laboratory assessment which covers practical Learning Outcomes is assessed in the Laboratory Programme Module which includes in-semester opportunities for redeeming failure. These marks are carried forward to the Supplementary Assessment period or External Repeat.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External