CSE370 Syllabus

Catalog Data

CSE 370 Introduction to Digital Design (4) Introductory course in digital logic and its specification and simulation. Boolean algebra, combinatorial circuits including arithmetic circuits and regular structures, sequential circuits including finite-state-machines, use of programmable logic devices. Simulation and high-level specification techniques are emphasized. Offered: AWSp.

The department has an official syllabus description for CSE 370 to help ensure consistency from offering to offering. Please check it out for another view of the material that will be covered.

Laboratory Work

CSE370 includes a hands-on laboratory that meets once a week. It provides students an opportunity to put what they learn in lecture to practice using digital logic prototyping kits and modern computer-aided design tools. Laboratory sessions are held in 003, the W. T. Baxter Computer Engineering Laboratory for 3 hours each week. Laboratory assignments will be closely aligned to lecture and homework topics. For the most part, it will be possible to complete most physical prototyping tasks within the allotted time in the lab. However, students will also need access to the CAD tools to complete written and laboratory assignments. The lab's hours are the same as the Allen Center's.

Course Goals

1. Understanding of digital logic at the gate and switch level including both combinational and sequential logic elements.
2. Understanding of the clocking methodologies necessary to manage the flow of information and preservation of circuit state.
3. An appreciation for the specification methods used in designing digital logic and the basics of the compilation process that transforms these specifications into logic networks.
4. Facility with a complete set of tools for digital logic design with programmable logic devices as the implementation technology and the realization of medium-sized state machine controller and data paths using PLDs and discrete logic.
5. To begin to appreciate the difference between hardware and software implementations of a function and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Course Syllabus

1. Introduction to modern digital logic design
2. Combinational logic
   • Switch logic and basic gates
   • Boolean algebra
   • Two-level logic
   • Regular logic structures
   • Multi-level networks and transformations
   • Programmable logic devices
   • Time response
   • Case studies
3. Sequential logic
   • Networks with feedback
   • Basic latches and flip-flops
   • Timing methodologies
   • Registers and counters
   • Programmable logic devices
   • Case studies
4. Finite state machine design
   • Concepts of FSMs
   • Basic design approach
   • Specification methods
   • State minimization
   • State encoding
   • FSM partitioning
   • Implementation of FSMs
   • Programmable logic devices
   • Case studies
5. Elements of computers
   • Arithmetic circuits
   • Arithmetic and logic units
   • Register and bus structures
   • Controllers/Sequencers
   • Microprogramming
6. Computer-aided design tools for logic design
   • Schematic entry
   • State diagram entry
   • Hardware description language entry
   • Compilation to logic networks
   • Simulation
   • Mapping to programmable logic devices
7. Practical topics
   • Non-gate logic
   • Asynchronous inputs and metastability
   • Memories: RAM and ROM
   • Implementation technologies