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 industry standard hardware design tools.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Manage your time in a laboratory (shared with ELEC1300)
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Design and verify combinational and sequential systems using SystemVerilog
- Use a range of electronic design automation (EDA) tools
- Understand basic principles of designing solutions to engineering problems (shared with ELEC1300)
- Design combinational and sequential systems by hand
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Design and analyse combinational and sequential digital circuits
- Configure programmable logic devices using a hardware description language
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The behaviour of digital circuits
- How a simple microprocessor can be built from standard building blocks
- How to describe digital hardware using a software-style language
Syllabus
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)
Learning and Teaching
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.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Specialist Laboratory | 12 |
Completion of assessment task | 9 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 12 |
Tutorial | 12 |
Wider reading or practice | 37 |
Revision | 14 |
Lecture | 36 |
Total study time | 132 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
M. Zwolinski (2009). Digital System Design with SystemVerilog. Pearson Prentice Hall.
J F Wakerly (2006). Digital Design - Principles and Practices. Pearson Prentice Hall.
M.S. Nixon (2015). Digital Electronics: A Primer - Introductory Logic Circuit Design. Imperial College Press.
M M Mano, M D Ciletti (2007). Digital Design. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Assessment
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Design Exercise | 10% |
Examination | 70% |
Laboratory | 20% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Lab Marks carried forward | 20% |
Examination | 80% |
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 80% |
Lab Marks carried forward | 20% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External