MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Digital System Design I

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN10131
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The Unit includes the following contents:

 

Introduction to Number Systems

Binary, Hexadecimal, Octal

Boolean Algebra

AND, OR, NOT, Exclusive OR functions

Combined functions

Logical Dual and De Morgans Theorem

Boolean Theorems

Manipulating Logic Expressions

Combinational Logic Circuit Design

The Truth Table

Minterms, canonical sum-of-products, don’t care terms

NAND, NOR

Cost of Implementation

Algebraic Logic Reduction

Karnaugh map - implicants, prime implicants, essential prime implicants

Multi-level logic

Logic Functions - Multiplexer, Demultiplexer, Decoder, Adder

Hazards - static, dynamic, function, essential

Reduced Dimension Maps - map-entered variables

Quine-McCluskey logic reduction - prime implicant table

Maxterms & Product of Sums

Mixed Logic

Sequential Logic Circuit Design

Bistable devices : latches and flip-flops

SR, D-type latch

Master-Slave, positive edge-triggered Flip-Flop : D-type and JK

Sequential Functions

Shift register, twisted ring counter, linear feedback shift register, binary counter

Finite State Machines - synchronous design

Architecture

Mealy and Moore state machines

Logic Synthesis - state diagram, state table, state reduction, state assignment, next-state and output functions

State Machine Diagram

Metastability - Setup and Hold

Implementation of simple FSM using Field Programmable Logic Device

Laboratory Exercises

Introduction to the design of simple combinatorial and sequential circuits that are implemented on a breadboard and then tested using virtual instruments running on a PC.

Aims

This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in the current academic year and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.  Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.

The course unit aims to:

Introduce students to the fundamentals of combinatorial and sequential logic circuit design. This will provide students with the fundamental techniques that are the basis of digital system design as employed in modern computer-aided design tools such as VHDL that is introduced in year 2. Ultimately such skills can lead to employment opportunities in electronic systems design, for instance mobile technologies, computer design and silicon chip design

 

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Developed

Assessed

ILO 1

  • Design basic combinatorial and sequential logic circuits

Yes

Yes

ILO 2

  • Optimise Boolean logic expressions

Yes

Yes

ILO 3

  • Create finite state machines

Yes

Yes

ILO 4

  • Implement simple digital circuits on circuit boards

Yes

Yes

ILO 5

  • Perform analogue and digital measurements on digital circuits using virtual instruments running on a PC

Yes

Yes

 

Teaching and learning methods

The unit is taught through scheduled lectures (weekly), which is further supported by the following:

laboratories (completed within 4 weeks period),

tutorials (weekly and in lecturing slots),

e-learning through Blackboard (inc. quizzes and exercises, weekly after lectures).

 

 

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

Coursework 1:

Laboratory 1. Combinatorial logic circuits

Laboratory 2. Sequential logic circuits

Assessed by two reports submitted at the end of each lab session.

Length: 2 sessions of 3 hours each

How and when feedback is provided: Marked reports and returned within 2 weeks of completions of the labs

Weighting: 10%

Coursework 2:

Tutorial questions as defined by tutorial schedule

How and when feedback is provided: Assessed by 1st year tutors; Weekly feedback through tutors

Weighting: 10%

Feedback methods

Coursework 1: How and when feedback is provided: Marked reports and returned within 2 weeks of completions of the labs

Coursework 2: How and when feedback is provided: Assessed by 1st year tutors; Weekly feedback through tutors

Recommended reading

“Logic & Computer Design Fundamentals”  by M. Morris Mano and Charles R. Kime, Pearson

(ISBN 9781292037363, ISBN 978-0-13-198926-9)

“Digital Logic Design” (4th edition) by Brian Holdsworth and Clive Woods

“Contemporary Logic Design” (1st Edition) by Randy Katz, Benjamin Cummings 1993 (ISBN 0805327037)

“Modern Logic Design” by D.H. Green, Addison Wesley 1986 (ISBN 0201145413)

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Practical classes & workshops 6
Tutorials 4
Independent study hours
Independent study 70

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sareh Malekpour Unit coordinator

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