Creating a comprehensive syllabus for a course in digital logic design involves covering foundational
concepts, practical applications, and advanced topics. Below is a detailed syllabus outline for a
semester-long undergraduate course in digital logic design:
Digital Logic Design Syllabus
Course Overview
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and techniques used in the design of digital
systems. Students will learn about combinational and sequential logic circuits, Boolean algebra, and
the use of hardware description languages.
Course Objectives
Understand the principles of digital logic design.
Design and analyze combinational and sequential logic circuits.
Use Boolean algebra for simplifying logic expressions.
Gain proficiency in hardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog).
Implement digital designs using simulation and synthesis tools.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of electrical circuits.
Familiarity with binary numbers and basic algebra.
Textbooks and References
"Digital Design" by M. Morris Mano and Michael D. Ciletti
"Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design" by Stephen Brown and Zvonko Vranesic
"Digital Logic Design" by John F. Wakerly
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Digital Logic Design
Course overview and objectives.
Historical context and applications of digital logic.
Number systems and binary arithmetic.
Week 2: Boolean Algebra and Logic Gates
Boolean algebra fundamentals.
Basic logic gates: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR.
Truth tables and logic expressions.
Week 3: Simplification of Boolean Functions
Boolean algebra simplification techniques.
Karnaugh maps (K-maps).
Quine-McCluskey method.
Week 4: Combinational Logic Circuits
Design and analysis of combinational circuits.
Adders (half adder, full adder).
Subtractors, comparators, decoders, encoders.
Multiplexers and demultiplexers.
Week 5: MSI and LSI Components
Medium Scale Integration (MSI) and Large Scale Integration (LSI) circuits.
Implementation of combinational circuits using MSI and LSI components.
Examples and case studies.
Week 6: Sequential Logic Circuits
Introduction to sequential logic.
Latches and flip-flops (SR, D, JK, T).
Timing diagrams and metastability.
Week 7: Design of Sequential Circuits
State diagrams and state tables.
Design of synchronous sequential circuits.
Counters and shift registers.
Week 8: Finite State Machines (FSM)
Introduction to finite state machines.
Moore and Mealy machines.
FSM design examples.
Week 9: Hardware Description Languages (HDL)
Introduction to VHDL/Verilog.
Basic syntax and structure.
Modeling combinational and sequential circuits.
Week 10: Advanced HDL Topics
Behavioral, dataflow, and structural modeling.
Testbenches and simulation.
Synthesis and implementation.
Week 11: Memory and Programmable Logic Devices
Types of memory (ROM, RAM, EEPROM).
Programmable logic devices (PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs).
Design examples using FPGAs.
Week 12: Digital System Design Projects
Project planning and requirements.
Design, simulation, and synthesis of a digital system.
Team presentations and peer reviews.
Week 13: Testing and Verification
Importance of testing in digital design.
Test patterns and fault models.
Built-In Self-Test (BIST) and Design for Testability (DFT).
Week 14: Review and Final Exam Preparation
Review of key concepts and problem-solving sessions.
Final exam preparation and practice questions.
Week 15: Final Exam
Comprehensive exam covering all course material.
Grading Policy
Homework and Assignments: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Project: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Lab Sessions
Lab sessions will complement the lectures and provide hands-on experience with digital design tools
and techniques. Students will use simulation software (e.g., ModelSim, Quartus) and hardware
platforms (e.g., FPGA development boards) to implement and test their designs.
This syllabus provides a structured approach to learning digital logic design, balancing theoretical
concepts with practical applications.
