Digital Fundamentals II

Building on the foundation of Digital Fundamentals I, this course examines the building blocks of digital systems in greater detail: arithmetic circuits, multiplexers and decoders, registers and counters, and memory devices. The course emphasises a mixed approach to digital systems consisting of discrete logic, FPGAs, microcontrollers (MCUs) and software. The Verilog hardware description language will be used to design and model function blocks. Extensive use of simulation software allows students to study the behaviour of logic networks and predict outcomes. Troubleshooting is integral to the course - students are expected to identify and correct design errors, wiring faults, programming errors and software misconfigurations. In the laboratory, students will assemble circuits on prototyping boards, and program and test digital functions with a variety of technologies including FPGAs and MCUs. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter with a practical project at the end of the course.