Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ENGI42315: Digital Electronics

Department: Engineering

ENGI42315: Digital Electronics

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None.
Tied to H1K709

Prerequisites

  • Communicational Fundamentals (ENGI30215) or equivalent

Corequisites

  • Radio and Digital Communications (ENGI41915); Communications Networks (ENGI42015); Engineering Design (ENGI41030); Research and Development Project (ENGI41060).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce current approaches and techniques relevant to large-scale logic design.

Content

  • Hardware description languages (including VHDL) and the process circuit realisation.
  • Asynchronous circuit design.
  • Integer and floating point arithmetic circuits.
  • Fault modelling, stuck-at faults.
  • Design of test set, path sesitisation, the D algorithm.
  • Sequential logic testing, scan methods, boundary scan.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An understanding of current methods for implementing digital circuits.
  • Application of hardware description languages including VHDL.
  • Design as asynchronous circuits.
  • Design of arithmetic circuits, integer and floating point.
  • Design of test procedures, understanding of the operation of test systems including boundary scan.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching by lectures and tutorials which are supported by summative and formative coursework programme.
  • Written examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of in-depth, analytical material that is covered.
  • Theoretical and laboratory-based coursework contribute a formative element to the module and aid the acquisition of subject-specific and key skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 per week 1 hour 20
Tutorials 20 1 per week 1 hour 20
Preparation and Reading 110
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100%
Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework 100%

Formative Assessment:

One piece of coursework, which will be assessed but not included in the final average.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University