Course Learning Outcomes / Expected Performance Criteria

• Design simple circuits in the form of sum-of-product and product-of-sum using truth table. Be able to implement basic logic operators (e.g., inverter and XOR) using on-off, toggle and complementary switch.
• Optimize designs using Boolean algebra, K-Map and/or Quine-MaCluskey algorithm. Understand design trade-offs between delay, area, modularity and reliability.
• Implement designs using NAND-only, NOR-only, MUX, ROM, PAL and PLA.
• Verify designs using computer-aided design tools (XILINX), and understand design steps of modern integrated circuits.
• Understand state of a sequential system, how the state can be memorized using different devices (latches and FFs), and potential problems of these devices such as glitch, race and catching.
• Use time waveform and/or state transition diagram to analyze functionality of sequential circuits. Understand timing constraints (setup time, hold time and propagation delay) of sequential circuits. Be able to calculate minimal clock period and maximum clock frequency.
• Implement and analyze a FSM (finite state machine) based systems. Be able to derive excitation and output logic, present-next state tables, state transition diagrams. Understand differences between Mealy and Moore models.
• Understand the concept and necessity of micro-programmed sequencing. Be able to analyze and program a micro-program sequencer.
• Uderstand advantage and disadvantage of asynchronous circuits. Be able to design and analyze asynchronous sequential circuits using latches