This is a compulsory 3rd year-1st semester subject for the Computer Engineering specialty in the 4-year degree in IT Engineering, and an optional subject for the rest of the specialties.



It is the continuation of the subject “Design Principles of Digital Systems” in the 1st year, and complements the “Design of Embedded Systems" subject.



The main objective is to learn to design digital systems of average complexity based on a structured methodology.

Once this subject has been completed, students will be able to face the design and implementation of a medium complexity digital system, being able to:



1. Design digital systems of medium complexity and different purposes.

2. Use a structured methodology in the design of digital systems.

3. Learn about and analyse alternative implementations of digital systems.

4. Identify the phases of the process of design of digital systems and analyse the most commonly used tools.

5. Describe a digital system through VHDL language.

6. Edit and simulate a design through CAD tools.

7. Build and verify a prototype of a design using a programmable device (PLD).

Topic 1: Introduction: Historical evolution.

Topic 2: Methodology of design of digital systems.

Topic 3: Examples of design.

Topic 4: Hardware description languages: introduction to VHDL.

Topic 5: Programmable Logical Devices.

Topic 6: Design and tools cycle.

“PBL: Project Based Learning” teaching methodology is used, with the student applying different active and cooperative learning techniques. The concepts are learned by carrying out projects in groups in a coordinated manner, gradually applying the acquired knowledge.



On one hand, the aim is to give the student suitable training for insertion in the labour market (in our case, in engineering companies) and, on the other, focus the teaching model on student learning rather than teaching.



In this subject students will develop a project presented on the first day of class, covering the entire subject (100%) and working in groups of 2-3 students.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • The percentages and types of evaluation are specified in the next sections (%): 100

The student may opt for Continuous assessment or Final assessment.



1) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT:

It is compulsory to attend 80% of the lessons, where students work in groups to develop the proposed project.

Assessment percentages:

• 30%, Knowledge exam (individual assessment). The student must pass, and if he/she fails there is a second opportunity at the end of the term.

• 15%, file or portfolio (group assessment): Electronic files accessible to the group members and to the professor, which the students update throughout the year.

• 45%, Project report, construction and demonstration of the prototype (group assessment).

• 10%, Presentation of the project (individual assessment).



2) FINAL ASSESSMENT:



• 50%: Exam on the basic concepts associated with the subject.

• 50%: Creation of a design with its basic phases. The report and prototype must be handed in before the exam. An interview will also take place.



In this case, the students will contact the professors IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SUBJECT to know due-dates.



To pass the subject, in any type of assessment, it is necessary to score at least a 4 out of 10 in each of the parts independently, and the final weighted grade has to be greater than or equal to 5. If in any of the parts the required minimum grade of 4/10 is not achieved, a final grade of NO-PASS will be given.



NOTE: In case of a new lockdown, the assessment (both continuous and final) will be carried out electronically through questionnaires, interviews and / or deliverables of eGela and through a BBC connection.

It will be FINAL ASSESSMENT type:



• 50%: Exam on the basic concepts associated with the subject.

• 50%: Creation of a design with its basic phases. The report and prototype must be handed in before the exam. An interview will also take place.



The students in this situation must contact the professors IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SECOND TERM to know due-dates.



More detailed information is available in the Student's Guide (eGela website for the subject).



To pass the subject, it is necessary to score at least a 4 out of 10 in each of the parts independently, and the final weighted grade has to be greater than or equal to 5. If in any of the parts the required minimum grade of 4/10 is not achieved, a final grade of NO-PASS will be given.



NOTE: In case of a new lockdown, the assessment will be carried out electronically through questionnaires, interviews and / or deliverables of eGela and through a BBC connection.

- Computer.
- EDA Tools and prototyping platform based on PLDs.

Basic bibliography

¿The art of digital design (2ª Ed)¿, Winkel D., Prosser F., Prentice Hall, 1987.



¿Rapid prototyping of digital systems¿, Hamblen J., Furman M., Kluwer Ac. Publ, 2001.



¿VHDL Lenguaje estándar de diseño¿, Terés L., Torroja Y., McGraw Hill, 1998.



¿Sistemas Digitales¿, Lloris A., Prieto A., McGraw Hill, 2003.

In-depth bibliography

¿Digital design: principles and practices¿, Wakerly J.F., Prentice Hall, 1990

¿Diseño de Sistemas Digitales con VHDL¿, Pérez S. A., Soto E., Fernández S., Thomson, 2002

¿Dispositivos lógicos programables y sus aplicaciones¿, Mandado E., Alvarez L.J., Valdés M.D., Thompson, 2003

¿Síntesis de Circuitos Digitales, un enfoque algorítmico¿, Deschamps J.P., Thompson, 2002

Journals

- IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
- IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics
- IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology

Web addresses

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~hamblen/book/bookse.htm

(¿Rapid prototyping of digital systems¿, Hamblen)

http://www.ddpp.com/ (¿Digital design: principles and practices¿, Wakerly)

http://www.dte.uvigo.es/vhdl/ (¿Diseño de Sistemas Digitales con VHDL¿, Pérez)



http://www.asic-world.com



http://www.altera.com/

http://www.xilinx.com/

http://www.cadence.com/

http://www.mentor.com/

http://www.synopsys.com/