Course overview
This course develops engineering capabilities pertaining to the design of digital electronic systems. Designs for contemporary implementation technologies are expressed using circuit schematics and SystemVerilog, at levels of abstraction from CMOS transistor circuits up to processor microarchitecture. System architecture, microarchitecture and interfacing concepts are developed through an extended case study of a commercial microprocessor. The course operates as a flipped classroom with students attending weekly 2-hour workshops. Preparatory lectures, reading and exercise questions are completed before workshops. Workshop problems are more open-ended and typically require discussion in small groups, practical design, simulation and implementation using computers and reconfigurable logic circuits.
Course learning outcomes
- Design, build and test digital logic for systems of moderate complexity using common digital components, schematic diagrams, and hardware description language
- Use and explain engineering practices to manage the complexity of digital systems
- Use appropriate implementation technologies for digital systems
- Design CMOS logic gates at the transistor schematic level
- Work effectively and ethically in teams to undertake the design of digital systems