Accessibility statement

Digital Electronics - ELE00043C

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Ruwan Gajaweera
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module introduces the operation of digital logic circuits in a variety of applications, and tools and techniques for their design and analysis, drawing examples from real-life applications. The labs reinforce theoretical concepts through design, simulation, building and measurement of digital circuit blocks using discrete integrated circuits and a programmable logic device.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To provide further skills to analyse, design and implement combinational and sequential logic circuits.

  • To introduce the limitations with the logic gates and their impact on the functionality of a digital circuit/system.

  • To introduce main building blocks in digital systems: MSI modules, programmable logic, and memory devices.

  • To introduce datapath and controller design.

  • To introduce computer architecture.

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in basic numeric and algebraic techniques

  • To instil professional laboratory working practices

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain the operation of fundamental digital logic blocks in a variety of applications

  • Be able to design, minimise and implement combinational logic circuits

  • Be able to design and implement finite state machines from a specification

  • Be able to describe when to use standard logic, programmable logic, ROM or RAM in a design.

  • Be able to design medium scale digital systems using components from standard logic families and evaluate the comparative benefits of two or more design solutions

  • Be able to implement designs on programmable logic

  • Know how to design a simple datapath and controller from a specification and be able to implement their design with suitable building blocks

  • Be able to describe how a microprocessor works

  • Be able to test and troubleshoot a simple digital systems

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 commonly encountered mathematical techniques to given problems

  • Be able to plan and manage their time in a laboratory setting

Module content

The following indicative topics will be covered:

Revision of Boolean algebra, logic operations, combinational and sequential logic circuits; limitations of logic gates: noise margins, propagation delay and hazards; memory circuits: level-sensitive latches and edge sensitive flip-flops; formal approaches to design finite state machines and optimisation of logic circuits; binary arithmetic; datapath building blocks; memory (ROM, SRAM and DRAM); programmable logic; algorithmic state machine (ASM) charts; basic datapath and controller design; introduction to computer architecture.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Digital Electronics Exam		 2 hours 70
Essay/coursework
Lab Worksheet		 N/A 15
Essay/coursework
Quiz App		 N/A 15

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The Quiz App is intended to encourage student engagement and provide fast feed back. As they are open tests, they encourage and build understanding of the course materials.They will be provided by an online platform where results are marked on submission giving instant feedback.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Digital Electronics Exam Reassessment		 2 hours 70
Essay/coursework
Lab Worksheet Reassessment		 N/A 15
Essay/coursework
Quiz App Reassessment		 N/A 15

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.

The School of PET 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. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School 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.

Formative Feedback

Labs will allow you to design, construct and test your circuits and you will receive verbal help and feedback in all those aspects during the session.

The following will help you to gain feedback on your understanding of the key module material covered in the lectures.

Quiz-App: The questions are arranged according to their difficulty level.

Workshop sheets with the graded questions in terms of the difficulty level

Tutorial sheets - with peer/self marking during the session with the feedback from Tutorial Group Leader.

In-class problem solving sessions will allow you to work through questions and to receive general verbal feedback on the procedure.

Structured solutions to questions sheets help you not only to gain feedback on your understanding of the key material covered in the lectures, but also to identify the steps you have done correctly/incorrectly.

Questions posted to the VLE forum will be answered as soon as possible by the module coordinator and also an opportunity for the peers to contribute/learn/discuss.

Summative Feedback

Laboratory worksheet shows the mark allocation for each question/subpart. We will return the annotated laboratory questions sheet showing the marks awarded and with relevant feedback/comments for your work. You will receive verbal general feedback on laboratory worksheets after the marks have been returned to the students.

Indicative reading

Principles of Digital Design – Daniel D Gajski ISBN: 0132423979

Digital Design - Morris Manno and Michael Ciletti, ISBN: 0132340437


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.