Physics 234: Digital Electronics (TT section)

Fall 2019

Jed Brody (N308, 7-5580, jbrody@emory.edu)

Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end.

—Mr. Spock

In digital electronics, voltages are restricted to just two values, represented as 0 and 1. Amazingly, combinations of these two numbers govern all modern technology. This course introduces combinational and sequential logic. Students will acquire and apply a detailed understanding of all of the following: Boolean algebra, K maps, combinational circuits including multiplexers and arithmetic logic units, sequential circuits containing flip-flops and counters, and circuits that transmit and receive serial data. Students will develop skills in Verilog, a hardware description language used in industry to implement circuits containing thousands or millions of logic gates.

Grades will be determined as follows:

Project 1: due October 22 25%

Project 2: due December 13                                25%

Test 1, Test 2 25% each

Click here for the lab manual.

Statement from the Department of Physics:  We are all here in this class for the same reason:  to learn physics.  It is unacceptable to judge your fellow students by gender, race, or anything else.  Please treat your classmates with respect both in and out of the classroom.  If you have any concerns please talk with the teacher or the department chair.

Date	Topics	Book chapters	Class activity
Aug. 29	Logic gates	1, 2.1	Lab 1
Sept. 3	Boolean algebra	2.2, 3.1	Lab 1
Sept. 5	Implementing truth tables	2.3, 2.4	Lab 2
Sept. 10	Transistors	4.1, 4.4	Lab 2
Sept.12	K maps	3.2	Lab 3
Sept. 17	Binary arithmetic	Appendix B	Lab 3
Sept. 19	Multiplexers	5.1	Lab 4
Sept. 24	7-segment displays	5.2	Lab 4
Sept. 26	Shifters and comparators	5.3, 6.3	Lab 5
Oct. 1	Adders and subtractors	6.1, 6.2	Lab 5
Oct. 3	TEST 1:  Combinational logic
Oct. 8	Glitches	Example 11	Project 1
Oct. 10	Latches and flip-flops	7.1	Project 1
Oct. 17	Counters	7.4	Project 1
Oct. 22	Clock dividers	Example 52	Lab 6
Oct. 24	Switch debouncers	Examples 47, 48	Lab 6
Oct. 29	Multiplexing displays	Example 14	Lab 6
Oct. 31	Moore machines	8.1, 8.2	Lab 7
Nov. 5	Mealy machines	8.3	Lab 7
Nov. 7	Receive serial data		Lab 7
Nov. 12	Transmit serial data		Lab 8
Nov. 14	Transmit multiple bytes		Lab 8
Nov. 19	Receive data in Python		Lab 8
Nov. 21	TEST 2:  Sequential logic
Nov. 28	Memory	11	Lab 9
Dec.  3	Microprocessors	de Pablo et al.	Lab 9
Dec. 5	Instruction sets	de Pablo et al.	Project 2
Dec. 10	Microprocessor interfacing	de Pablo et al.	Project 2

Textbook: Haskell and Hanna, Digital Design Using Digilent FPGA Boards—Verilog/Vivado Edition, 4th edition.  Earlier editions are fine; just make sure "Verilog" is in the subtitle.

Supplemental texts:

Cole, Real Digital. Free ebook published by Digilent.

de Pablo et al., "A very simple 8-bit RISC processor for FPGA." Contains complete Verilog instructions for a microprocessor.

PicoBlaze 8-bit Embedded Microcontroller User Guide. Of possible interest to students with a strong background in computer science.

Vonk, IntroGuide to FPGA's