Fall 2014

Digital systems are ubiquitous in our daily life. The course will guide the students through a journey in the world composed by 0's and 1's. We will realize how the simple binary logic can achieve complex computation tasks.

Boolean logic is fundamental to many subjects, such as computation, digital IC design, electronic design automation (EDA), and even biological networks. The knowledge acquired in this course will be helpful to other more advanced subjects, such as Digital Integrated Circuit Design, Introduction to Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Computer Organization and Architecture, Logic Synthesis and Verification, VLSI Testing, etc.

This course, Switching Circuits and Logic Design, will introduce how "switch" can be used as a basic building element for implementing Boolean Logic/Algebra and realizing digital systems. Moreover, systematic approaches to optimizing switching circuits will be introduced as well.

Subjects to be covered include:

• Introduction - Number Systems and Conversion
• Boolean Algebra and its Applications
• Combinational Logic Design and its Minimization
  • Karnaugh Maps and Two-Level Logic Minimization
  • Multi-Level Gate Circuits
  • Combinational Circuit Design
  • Multiplexers, Decoders, and Programmable Logic Decices
• Sequential Logic Design and its Minimization
  • Latches and Flip-Flops
  • Registers and Counters
  • Analysis of Clock Sequential Circuits
  • Derivation of State Graphs and Tables
  • Reduction of State Tables
  • Sequential Circuit Design
  • Circuits for Arithmetic Operations
• Hardware Description Language: Verilog (basics)

By learning these subjects, we will know how most electronic systems, such as simple elevator controllers and complex computers, work under the principle of {0, 1} Boolean domain. In fact, the knowledge is useful not only in the conventional electronic circuit design, but also in other areas, such as biological circuits, quantum circuits, etc.

Textbook:

C. H. Roth, Jr., Fundamentals of Logic Design, 7th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2013