{"id":7041,"date":"2022-12-06T14:56:24","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T14:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bernhardrinner.com\/?page_id=7041"},"modified":"2026-02-24T07:24:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T07:24:55","slug":"design-of-digital-circuits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bernhardrinner.com\/?page_id=7041","title":{"rendered":"Design of Digital Circuits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This undergraduate lecture introduces the fundamentals of the design of digital circuits. Topics include Boolean algebra, combinatorial circuits, arithmetic circuits, flip flops, sequential circuits, memory systems, and computer architecture basics. The lecture is held in English in the summer term, primarily for the Bachelor program “Robotics and Artificial Intelligence<\/a>“. A German version<\/a> of this lecture is offered for the study program “Informationstechnik<\/a>” in the winter term.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Objectives and Method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lecture\u00a0Design of Digital Circuits<\/em>\u00a0provides the student with essential basic knowledge and terminology for digital systems and provides methods for the analysis and design of digital circuits. It is a mandatory lecture of the bachelor program \u201cRobotics and Artificial Intelligence\u201d and is scheduled for the second semester. A German version is offered as part of the introductory orientation phase (STEOP)<\/strong> of the bachelor program \u201cInformationstechnik\u201d in the first semester.
For the exact schedule, please refer to the university\u2019s campus system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecture is structured in 11 chapters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Introduction<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Number Systems und Codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Boolean Algebra<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Combinational Logic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Simplification of Logic Circuits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Combinational Functional Blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Arithmetic Combinational Logic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Sequential Logic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Standard Sequential Circuits<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Memory<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Microprocessor Basics<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The lecture follows a “bottom-up design principle”<\/em>, in which more complex circuits are realized with the help of simpler (and already known) components. Particular emphasis is placed on teaching methods for modeling and designing<\/em> digital circuits. These methods cover number systems, logic, set theory, algebra, and finite state machines and are introduced accordingly. As a fundamental teaching objective<\/em> after completing the lecture, students should be able to explain a simple processor’s structure and functioning and analyze and design the necessary components (sequential logic and combinational logic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A separate two-hour course (KS)<\/em> and a student tutorial (TU)<\/em> complement the lecture and offer the opportunity to deepen the methods discussed in the lecture. Furthermore, the course covers the design of simple digital circuits and the analysis of the circuit’s functionality with the help of the Logisim <\/a>simulation environment. The installation and use of the simulation environment will be discussed in the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lecture Material<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    The lecture material on this website is password-protected and contain slides and exercise sheets for self-evaluation. You will receive the password at the beginning of the lecture. Solutions of the exercise sheets will not be checked. During the lecture, selected examples will be discussed. Short videos explain how selected digital circuits work using the Logisim simulation environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip<\/strong>: Solve the exercises on the exercise sheets alone or in a study group during the semester. This helps to consolidate your knowledge and prepare you well for the exam<\/em><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The lecture is accompanied by the following textbook:
    Morris Mano, Charles R. Kime, Tom Martin.     Logic and Computer Design Fundamentals<\/a>. Pearson, 2016.
    Several copies are available in the university library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Code of Conduct (PDF)<\/a> for studies of the Faculty of Technical Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Content and Organization (PDF<\/a>) provides an overview of the lecture’s content and organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Exam<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    The assessment is based on a 90-minutes written exam. Three exam dates will be offered for each semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n