Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ELEC9602: Digital Logic

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

The purpose of this unit is to equip students with the skills to design simple digital logic circuits which comprise modules of larger digital systems. The following topics are covered: logic operations, theorems and Boolean algebra, number systems (integer and floating point), combinational logic analysis and synthesis, sequential logic, registers, counters, bus systems, state machines, simple CAD tools for logic design, and the design of a simple computer.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ELEC5722
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study assumes some knowledge of digital data representation and basic computer organisation

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Boland, david.boland@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Thomas Huang, thomas.huang@sydney.edu.au
Peter Jones, peter.jones@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) David Boland, david.boland@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Verilog (modelsim/verilator) design activity based on labs/project.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment group assignment Lab exercises
Completion of lab exercises as groups is marked. (Sparkplus)
12.5% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO7
Assignment group assignment Lab project
Verilog design exercise as a group. Assessment in Week 13 lab session.
27.5% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO7
Small test Combinational Logic Quiz
Canvas Quiz (open book)
10% Week 07 50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small test Sequential Logic and Timing Quiz
Canvas Quiz (open book)
10% Week 13 50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Lab exercises: Total of 6 lab exercises, with 5 lab exercises assessed during lab sessions based on demonstrated work and understanding. Completed in groups and assessed individually.
  • Lab project: Major project running over 3 weeks, assessed during lab sessions based on demonstrated work and lab report. Completed in groups and assessed individually.
  • Final exam: Two hours during formal exam period.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to digital logic Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 VHDL and implementing logic functions Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 03 Combinational building blocks and VHDL Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 04 VHDL building blocks, numbers and adders Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 05 Comparators, adders and subtractors Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 06 Flip-flops, latches and clocks Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 07 Registers and counters Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 08 Finite state machines Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 09 Datapaths and control Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 10 Processors, memory and branching Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 11 Multipliers, dividers and timing Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 12 Metastability and reconfigurable logic Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 13 Synthesis, testing and exam review Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Stephen Brown and Zvonko Vranesic, Fundamentals of Digital Logic with VHDL Design (3rd). McGraw-Hill, 2009. 978-0-07-352953-0

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. design, fabricate and test the digital circuits and system in the laboratory
  • LO2. design combinational and sequential circuits and systems, using a clearly defined system based approach
  • LO3. understand how Boolean Algebrea can be used for the purpose of logic circuit analysis
  • LO4. describe basic digital logic building blocks such as logic gates, multiplexers, decoders, and PLAs
  • LO5. discuss how sequential logic components such as latches, flip-flops, registers and counters work
  • LO6. evaluate the performance of clocked sequential circuits
  • LO7. communicate effectively among the team members of the group.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We are modifying labs and lectures for some more Introduction to Verilog content.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.