| Unit name | Digital Circuit Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EEME10001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Dang |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
The unit serves as a foundational exploration into the design and implementation of digital systems. It covers essential components, including 'Logic Design,' which involves configuring circuit components as logic elements, and 'Digital Electronics,' addressing sub-gate level concerns like electrical and timing issues. Furthermore, it introduces students to the operation of computer systems at the machine level. Throughout this unit, students acquire a comprehensive understanding of binary representation and Boolean algebra. They also develop skills in designing combinatorial and sequential systems, creating state machine diagrams, and grasping the internal and external operations of standard elements like adders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers. The unit extends to the application of positive and negative logic representations and the utilization of active devices such as diodes, providing students with the ability to model and design low-level concepts, including switching circuits. Additionally, the unit imparts knowledge of higher-level concepts such as CPU operation.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit is mandatory on the first year of the relevant undergraduate programs of study. It plays a crucial role in providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of digital circuits and binary logic, which are indispensable for advanced coursework in subsequent academic years. The knowledge gained in this unit serves as a foundation for more specialized topics like digital design, digital systems, digital filtering, and signal processing. In general, the unit offers foundational understanding particularly valuable for students pursuing a degree in electrical and electronic engineering, offering a holistic perspective that proves beneficial throughout their academic journey and beyond.
An overview of content
The unit covers essential concepts for understanding digital systems. It begins with binary representation and progresses to creating minimal Sum of Products (SOP) and Product of Sums (POS) expressions using Karnaugh maps. The unit explores flip-flop operations, state machine diagrams, and implementations for Moore and Mealy machines. Internal/external operations of standard elements are detailed, along with positive/negative logic representations. Active devices like diodes, Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) and Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are examined, with graphical methods for analysis. Students model diodes, FETs, and BJTs for logic, design switching circuits, and analyse complex logic circuits. This comprehensive overview provides a solid foundation for digital design, systems, and electronic engineering studies.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will undergo a transformative intellectual process allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of the distinctive mindset of binary logic and algebra, comprehending their application in digital circuits and systems. This knowledge will empower you to appreciate the advantages of digital, particularly binary, over analogue representation and systems. You will gain hands-on skills ensuring a well-rounded and applicable knowledge base for your future endeavours in digital design and electronic engineering.
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Regular, automatically-marked online tests. You will receive instant feedback upon submission of these tests for reflective self-improvement.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a single exam. The exam will assess all Learning Outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Re-assessment takes the same form as the original summative assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EEME10001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
