Digital Electronics

Description

The first part of the course is an introduction to digital logic and microprocessor architecture. This involves a discussion of binary, octal and hexadecimal number systems. Logic gates and the different families of digital integrated circuits. A discussion of combinational and sequential logic systems is then made. Microprocessor architecture and their applications are then detailed. This involves study of the data types supported by hardware, and of the instructions provided by the hardware. Writing programs using an assemply language is then studied. Experience in developing and applying software is then gained.

The second part of the course contains descriptions of the hardware required to transfer analogue data from some device or experiment to digital data which can be used by a computer (Analogue to Digital Conversion). This sections also covers the methods used to transfer digital signals from a computer into analogue form (Digital to Analogue Conversion). This section also discusses serial and parallel communication. A brief discussion of the main elements of data acquisition are then detailed, interfacing sensors to a microprocessor in particular is discussed. Data transfer within a computer is also covered briefly, including Bus technology and Direct Memory Access. Practical data communication using the serial port is also covered as part of Laboratory work.