This is the fundamental course in computer engineering. Digital electronics and computers surround us. This course will provide the fundamental background needed to understand how these systems work and how to design digital circuits. We begin by covering the mathematical concepts necessary in the study of digital systems. We will then move onto electronic gates and how digital logic works. We will design and analyze cominatorial circuits, and show how to construct the minimal (least number of gates) circuit necessary to implement a specific function. We will then move on to sequential circuits which add a concept of memory or feedback to the combinatorial design. We will analyze and design these circuits. Finally, we will look at common electronic components (such as counters and shift registers) and then look into programmable logic devices.
This course will stress fundamentals. It is imperative that the concepts covering in this class are well understood if any further study in computer engineering is to be undertaken. We will pay particular attention to design principles and techniques, timing analysis, and finite state machines.
The material covered in this course is not hard, but it does require significant amounts of effort, especially if it is your first exposure to these topics and to design in general (and it will be for most students!). Be prepared to work hard...and come out of this course with a good knowledge of the fundamentals of computer engineering and digital systems.
Prerequisites: CMSC 203 - Discrete Structures
| Instructor: | Jeffrey A. Six |
| Office: | ECS 335A (Engineering and Computer Sciences Building) |
| Office Hours: | TR 04.30p - 05.30p |
| Electronic Mail | jeffsix@udel.edu or jesix@umbc.edu |
| Web: | http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~six |
| Teaching Assistant: | Tushar Chaubal. |
| Office: | ECS 334 |
| Office Hours: | T & W 1100-1300 |
| Electronic Mail: | tushar1@gl.umbc.edu |
Textbook:
CMPE 312 will be different this semester, as projects are being added to this course. This is being done to provide more hands-on experience with digital logic design and an introduction to computer-based design and simulation. To this end, there will be three or four projects this semester. This does mean that the number of, and size of, the problem sets will be significantly reduced, in comparisions to previous offerings of this course (under my instruction, of course!).
| Problem Sets | 40% |
| Projects | 40% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
Problem Sets - There will be a number of problem sets throughout the semester. These will consist of a mix of analysis and design problems. The analysis problems will be normal "book" questions, designed to make sure you understand the fundamental concepts covered in class and in the textbook. The design problems will ask you to design original circuits. These problem sets will be pencil-and-paper based.
Projects - This course will include a number of projects (three or four, probably). These will be performed using computer-aided design software. This software will allow you to create and then simulate circuits of your own design. This experience should well-prepare you for the lab section of this course. Please note, a general introduction to the design/simulation software will be given; however, it is your responsbility to learn all about it and figure out how to make it do what is asked. This is how such things are done in the logic design world...get started with figuring out software now, and you'll be better prepared for this industry.
Final Exam - The final exam will cover all of the material covered in class this semester (it's comprehensive).
Late Submission of Assignments - Everyone should try their best to submit all assignments on their due dates. However, there are various circumstances that may prevent a student from completing an assignment on time. Therefore, late assignments will be penalized 20% per class period late. Late assignments will be acceptable only up to ONE class period late. After the class period following the one in which the assignment was due has ended, late assignments will no longer be accepted and a score of zero will be assessed. An assignment is considered turned in when it is physically in the hands of the instructor. No assignment is to be left in the instructor's mailbox.
Grading Errors - Sometimes, mistakes do occur in the grading of assignments. After a graded assignment has been returned, you have one week to submit a request to have it regraded. This request should be made directly to the TA, during his/her office hours. After one week, no requests for assignment regrading will be considered. If you cannot resolve a grading dispute with the TA, please come to talk to the instructor about it (only after you have discussed it with the TA and have been unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion).
Academic Honesty - When working on an assignment, you may consult with the instructor, the TA, classmates, friends, or anyone else you wish. However, all actual submitted work must be your own work. You may discuss in general terms the approach to solving a problem. Once the discussion progrsses to specific issues, such as the types of individual gates required to implement a circuit, wiring stragedies, etc..., you must end any collaboration. Specificaly, you may not (1) copy or allow another student to copy anything that contains another student's assignment and submit it, or any part of it, as your own, (2) work together on an assignment, sharing schematics, wiring, or design, or (3) anything else along these lines. Any evidence of performing any form of academic dishonesty will be grounds for a grade of F to be recorded for the course. If you are in doubt whether or not a certain behavior is permitted, please ask the instructor beforehand!