Modules Overview
0) Prerequisites
Goal: Revise the basics of electricity, breadboarding prototyping, and fundamental electronic components.
1) Basic Digital Circuits
Goal: Build a multi-digit counter using CD4026 counter ICs, 7-segment displays, and logic gates, culminating in the design of a Compact Digital Clock.
- Exercise 1.1: Basics of Boolean Logic
- Exercise 1.2: Representations of Numbers
- Exercise 1.3: Counters
- Exercise 1.4: Reset Logic
- Project 1: Digital Clock
2) Binary Counters and Registers
Goal: Construct sequential memory and counting circuits from scratch using latches and D flip-flops to build a dynamic Up/Down counter.
- Exercise 2.0: Debouncing
- Exercise 2.1: Basics of Latches
- Exercise 2.2: Flip-Flops
- Exercise 2.3: Binary Counters
- Exercise 2.4: Registers and Shift Registers
- Project 2: Up/down counter
3) Combinational Circuits
Goal: Apply Boolean algebra, truth tables, and multiplexers to optimize combinational logic and design a custom 7-segment display decoder.
- Exercise 3.1: Boolean Algebra
- Exercise 3.2: Further Boolean Logic and Truth Tables
- Exercise 3.3: Multiplexers and Demultiplexers
- Project 3: Binary to 7-segment Display Decoder
4) Arithmetic Circuits
Goal: Construct arithmetic hardware like ripple carry adders and Double Dabble converters to build a functional 4-bit binary calculator.
- Exercise 4.1: Binary Arithmetic
- Exercise 4.2: Half and Full Adders
- Exercise 4.3: Ripple Carry Adder
- Exercise 4.4: Double Dabble
- Project 4: 4-bit Calculator
5) Advanced Arithmetic
Goal: Explore 2's complement representation, accumulator circuits, and ALU architectures to perform advanced arithmetic and handle negative numbers.
- Exercise 5.1: Accumulator
- Exercise 5.2: Signed Arithmetic
- Exercise 5.3: ALU Basics
- Exercise 5.4: Exploring 74181 ALU IC
6) Final Project
Goal: Synthesize your knowledge of logic, arithmetic, and data conversion to build a complete Signed Calculator.
Some suggested extensions for your project are the following:
- An ALU with arithmetic and logic functions
- A fused multiply-add unit
- An alarm clock feature
You may also pitch an extension idea to the instructor if none of these appeal to you.