- UCAS course code
- HH36
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
BEng Mechatronic Engineering
Explore the world of robotics and automation through the dynamic study of mechatronics.
- Typical A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ABB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .
Course unit details:
Digital System Design I
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
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
ILO 1 - Design basic combinatorial and sequential logic circuits.
ILO 2 - Create finite state machines.
ILO 3 - Implement simple digital circuits on circuit boards.
ILO 4 - Logic circuit design with optimised Boolean expressions.
ILO 5 - Perform analogue and digital measurements on digital circuits using virtual instruments running on a PC.
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 | 22 |
Practical classes & workshops | 6 |
Tutorials | 5 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 67 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Zhipeng Wu | Unit coordinator |