Report
A 2000-word individual report which evaluates the understanding of digital system principles including the components, devices, and systems, and assesses the ability to apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems. The report requires the learners to design, simulate, and troubleshoot an appropriate solution, weighted at 50%, meeting Learning Outcomes 3 and 4. Assessing AHEP 4 Outcomes: C3, C5, C12, C15.

Examination
A 1.5-hour exam requiring several questions to be answered based on topics covered in the module to demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems, functions and the application of techniques for the design of digital electronic systems, weighted at 50%, meeting Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. Assessing AHEP 4 Outcomes: C1, C2, C3.

The module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the digital concepts and the digital system design, as well as the practical skills required for circuit implementation and testing.

The module will cover the following topics:
- Foundations of Digital Logic: Number systems and codes, Boolean Algebra: laws, properties, canonical forms of logic equations, Some of Products (S-O-P) and Product of Sums (P-O-S) representation, Minterms and Maxterms.
- Logic Simplification and Design Methods: Boolean functions / digital circuit minimisation, Karnaugh maps, Tabulation method-Quine McCluskey.
- Combinational Logic Circuits: Combinational logic analysis, logic gates and logic families and package types. MSI devices (medium-scale integration components)
- Functions of combinational logic: Adders, comparators, encoders, decoders, code converters, multiplexers, demultiplexers, encoders and decoders and parity generators/checkers.
- Sequential Logic Circuits: Latches and flip-flops (SR, JK, D, T), counters (synchronous/asynchronous) design, counters applications, shift registers, and Finite State Machine (FSM) design.
- Programmable Logic Devices: SPLDs, CPLDs, PLA, PAL, FPGA, Introduction to HDL (VHDL / Verilog), simple programmable logic design examples.
- Signal Conversion: ADC (Analogue-to-Digital Converter) / DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter).
- Computer Systems: Computer architecture, processor operation, types, and addressing modes.
- Memory and Storage: RAM, SRAM, DRAM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, magnetic, optical, cloud and memory organisation, and memory interfacing to digital circuits.
- Data Transmission: Peripheral Interfaces, input/output ports, serial and parallel communication interfaces.

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and a thorough understanding of digital electronic systems components, as well as design techniques to develop complex digital circuits and systems. (AHEP 4: C1, C2)

Learning Outcome: Knowledge & understanding

2. Apply appropriate digital circuit design techniques to develop digital electronic circuits and critically evaluate the outcome. (AHEP 4: C2, C3)

Learning Outcome: Application & problem-solving

3. Communicate effectively to professional audiences about the technical ideas involved in the design and development of an optimised digital system solution for a real-world problem. (AHEP 4: C5, C15)

Learning Outcome: Communication

4. Investigate, test and troubleshoot digital circuits at the component level and system level, relating results to theory and assumptions. (AHEP 4: C3, C13, C12)

Learning Outcome: Application & problem-solving, Digital literacy

Whole group lectures will be used to deliver new material and to consolidate previous material. Small-group tutorials, with activities designed to enhance the understanding of the material delivered in the lectures, will be used to apply the skills and knowledge learned. A mixture of classroom based, and practical activities will take place supported by staff.

Suitable simulation software packages such as Multisim/Logisim, or equivalent

Must be registered on BEng (Hons) Electronic and Information Engineering provision at XUPT, China.

Floyd, T.L. (2025) Digital fundamentals. 11th Global edn. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Brown, S.D. and Vranesic, Z.G. (2022) Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design ISE. 4th edn. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Hennessy, J.L., Patterson, D.A. and Kozyrakis, C. (2025) Computer architecture: a quantitative approach. 7th edn. Cambridge, MA: Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier.

Mano, M.M. and Ciletti, M.D. (2018) Digital Design. 6th edn. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

Roth, C.H. Jr., Kinney, L.L. and Raghunandan, G.H. (2020) Fundamentals of Logic Design. Boston, MA: Cengage.

The module will introduce the principles of digital systems design and implementation. By studying this module, students will be able to research a real-world issue and design a workable solution.