Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is for the students to understand computer systems design, construction and testing, and to use and integrate different computer modules.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Introduction: digital circuits development, development tools, programmable chips and languages (VHDL).
• Computer system engineering–component interconnection: system bus and its properties, development of bus technologies, system operation control (the principle of master and slaves), addressing and address logic.
• Address logic design: address space mapping and address decoding, design with discrete logic elements, address logic based on programmed logic arrays.
• Design of processor-memory interconnections: synchronous and asynchronous principles of microelectronic component operation (read, write).
• Processor and input-output controllers: interrupt-driven operation, intersystem communications (serial and parallel circuits), communication lines properties and the speed of data transfer (symmetric, asymmetric), standardized communication protocols, physical and data level (RS-232, I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, USB).
• Computer systems comprising analogue circuits: A/D and D/A converters, auxiliary analogue circuits (active filters, amplifiers), electrical compatibility of digital and analogue modules, rules for such design.
• Mass production of digital and computer systems: development of testing procedures and devices.
• Energy efficient software development.
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures,
• tutorials,
• project work,
• lab work,
• homework assignments.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basics of computer engineering techniques.,
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of hardware description languages and their main characteristics.,
• Design and build the software communication between processor and input-output controllers.,
• Design and build simpler test beds and algorithms, as well as program logic circuits.,
• Cope with the life cycle of computer equipment starting from requirements analysis, to the development and production, to final field-servicing.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
Communication skills: oral lab work defence, preparation and presentation of the student project report, oral examination.
Use of information technology: use of special software tools and devices for the development and tests of computer and digital circuits.
Team work: team execution of student projects.
Problem solving: designing and implementing of student projects, co-operation with industrial partners.
Readings
• B. C. Readler: VHDL By Example. Lulu Enterprises Inc. 2014.
Additional information on implementation and assessment The exam may be replaced by written midterm examinations in the weight of 50%.
