Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering

ESE200: Principles of Digital Design
Fall 2008

Jan Van der Spiegel

Do not print copies of this material on the CETS printers.



General

For additional Information go to

Blackboard
Syllabus
Useful Links
Laboratory page
(ESE201)
 

Description

The course provides a modern introduction to logic design and the basic building blocks used in digital systems, in particular digital computers. It starts with a discussion of combinational logic including logic gates, minimization techniques, arithmetic circuits and modern logic devices such as field programmable logic gates. The second part deals with sequential circuits: flip-flops, synthesis of sequential circuits, case studies including counters, registers, random access memories. State machines will be discussed next and illustrated through case studies of more complex systems using programmable logic devices. Different representations including truth table, logic gate, timing diagram, switch representation, state diagram, algorithmic state machine (ASM) chart will be discussed.

The course has an accompaning lab component ESE201 that will integrate hands-on experience with modern computer aided design software including logic simulation, minimization and an introduction of the use of hardware description language (VHDL). The hands-on assignments will make use of the Xilinx Foundation Sofware for the design and implementation of a variety of digital projects.

COURSE OUTCOMES

The objectives of the course can be grouped into two categories. The first one relates to understanding the basics of Boolean algebra and the operation of logic components, combinational and sequential circuits. The second set of objectives relates to the design of digital circuit and systems.

Specifically, you will learn

  1. to apply the principles of Boolean Algebra to manipulate and minimize logic expressions; [a1]
  2. to use of K-maps to minimize and optimize two-level logic functions up to 5 variables; [a2]
  3. the operation of latches, flip-flops, counters, registers, and register transfers; [a3]
  4. analyze the operation of sequential circuits using built with various flip-flops; [a4]
  5. the concepts of data paths, control units and micro-operations and building block of digital systems. [a5]

In addition, you will learn

  1. to design two-level logic functions with AND, OR, NAND, NOR and XOR gates with minimum number of gate delays or literals; [c1]
  2. to design combinational circuits using decoders, ROM and transmission gates; [c2]
  3. the operation of state-of-the-art components to design and build complex digital systems, such as memories, PLA, PALs and programmable logic devices (such as FPGAs); [c3]
  4. to use state machine diagrams to design finite state machines using various types of flip-flops and combinational circuits with prescribed functionality. [c4]
 

Code of Academic Integrity:

Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or solutions (in part or whole) is a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity and will result in a zero grade for the course.

General Information

Prerequisite

The class is open to students in engineering, mathematics or the physical sciences who are interested in learning Boolean logic and modern digital design.

CU's: 1.0

Accompaning Lab course: ESE201 (0.5 CU's)

Class homepage URL:

Instructor

Teaching Assistant

Lab Assistants

Office Hours (tentative)

Prof. J. Van der Spiegel: (room 201 Moore)
Wednesday: 3-4pm
Friday: 10-11am

Main text

  1. "Logic and Computer Design Fundamentals," 4th Edition by M. Mano and C. Kime, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2008. This book comes with the Xilinx Student Edition Foundation Software 6.3 (ISBN# 0138134006).

Online Student material, including solutions to selected problems and additional reading: online student resources.

Additional texts

(recommended only; put on reserve in the Towne Library)
  1. "Fundamentals of Logic Design", by C. H. Roth, Jr, PWS Publishing Company.
  2. "Digital Design and Computer Architecture," David Money Harris and Sarah Harris, Morgan Kaufmann Publ, 2007
  3. "Digital Design" 3rd Edition by J. F. Wakerly, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,  NJ, 2000.
  4. "Digital Principles," 3rd Ed, Roger L. Tokheim, Schaum's Outline Series, McGraw-Hill Publ, 1994 [contains many worked out examples]
  5. "Introduction to Digital Systems", by Palmer and Perlman, Schaum's Outline Series, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1993 [contains many worked out examples].
  6. "The Art of Electronics," 2nd edition, F. Horowitz and W. Hill, Cambridge Univ. Press, New York, 1989.[has a lot of practical implementation information for both digital and analog circuits].
  7. "Fundamentals of Logic Design", 4th Edition, by C. Roth, PWS Publishing Company, New York, 1999.
  8. VHDL related books:
    1. " VHDL Starter's Guide", S. Yalamanchili, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1998
    2. "VHDL Made Easy", D. Pellerin, D. Taylor, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1997
    3. "The Students' Guide to VHDL," P. Ashenden, Morgan Kaufman Publ, San Francisco, 1998.

Lecture Time and Location

Laboratory Sessions (ESE201)

The laboratory consists of weekly assignments that will give you the opportunity to get hands-on experience of what you have learned in the class. The labs will make use of state-of-the-art XILINX CAD tools (Foundation M1) which include schematic capture, Hardware description language (HDL), logic and timing simulation, and implementation of the design in a FPGA. The labs will give you direct feedback on how your design performs and will be a great learning tool.

There are four scheduled lab sessions. The instructor, the TA and lab asistants will be available during these times to answer questions you may have. In addition the lab will also be available any morning for those who like to come back or can't make it during the scheduled times. The Xilinx Foundation software is also available on the PC labs, under EE Coursework.

Policies

For Grading Policites, see Blackboard

Homeworks*

Exams

Exams are closed book and include material covered in class up to the week before the exam (and covered in the last homework). No calculators or script sheets are allowed. For the dates see the syllabus.

Handouts

See Blackboard

Old Exams

See Blackboard

Useful Links

Jan Van der Spiegel
Created: July 17, 1997; Updated: July 28, 2008.
Copyright Jan Van der Spiegel, 2008.