Accessibility statement

Digital Systems - ELE00026C

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Martin Trefzer
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module summary

The Digital Systems module introduces you to the inner workings of modern high-performance computing systems, from arithmetic logic functions via microprocessors to multi-processor systems. It shows you how different system architectures and extensions bring about performance benefits such as faster speed, lower power or smaller area, and how system architecture relates to machine code and programming methodology.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce the main architectural components of computer systems
  • To introduce the main architectural differences between micro­controllers and micro­processors
  • To introduce the main architectural differences between embedded and high­performance systems
  • To introduce the relationship between architectures and programming techniques
  • To develop the ability to write programs in machine code and assembly language

Graduate skills aims:

To develop skills in basic numeric and algebraic techniques

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Understand the detailed operation of processors and processor­based systems
  • Be able to write programs in machine code and assembly language
  • Be able to write programs for interfacing applications using a high­level language

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to state basic technical concepts concisely and accurately
  • Be able to apply a range of commonly­encountered mathematical techniques to given problems

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual Report		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Digital Systems		 4 hours 70

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual Report		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Digital Systems		 4 hours 70

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme.  We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.

A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.  This can be found at https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/assessment-and-examination/guide-to-assessment/

The Department of Electronic Engineering aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme.  In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work.  Students are provided with their examination results within 20 working days of the end of any given examination period.  The Department will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline.  The Department would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback.  The Department will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum.  Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate.  Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date. 

Indicative reading

Notes and readings will be provided in class.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.