There are three components to the course: lectures, labs. and assignments.
The lecture is used to introduce new material; usually via a sequence of theoretical concepts, examples, and practical considerations. The book is to be used as a close adjunct to the lecture notes and examples.
The two hour weekly lab. is used for the teaching and evaluation of circuit designs using the software product LogicWorks and also the evaluation of assembly language programs implemented by the student.
Assignments include data representation, logic designs using LogicWorks, and assembly language programming.
- Data representation
1.1. Number systems
1.1.1. Decimal, binary, octal, hexadecimal
1.1.2. one and two’s complement arithmetic
1.2. Character representation
1.2.1. ASCII (others such as EBCDIC and Unicode may be introduced)
- Gates and combinational circuits
2.1. Simplification techniques
2.1.1. Boolean algebra
2.1.2. Karnaugh maps
2.1.3. Brief survey of other (software) techniques
2.2. Circuits
2.2.1. Decoders and multiplexers
2.2.2. ALU
- Memory and sequential circuits
3.1. flip-flops
3.2. registers
3.3. memory
3.4. counters and synchronous circuits
3.5. sequential machines and controllers
- Computer architecture
4.1. Machine cycles
4.1.1. Fetch-decode-execute-increment PC
4.1.2. instruction cycles and register transfer
- Comparison of microprocessor families
5.1. architecture
5.2. instruction sets
- Assembly language programming
6.1. the assembler
6.2. data transfer and addressing modes
6.3. CPU states, flags, and logical operations
6.4. branching and structured programming
6.5. subroutines and parameter passing
The student should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the logic blocks composing a microprocessor
- Appreciate, via comparisons, the architecture of microprocessors
- Demonstrate, by design and implementation, using a software simulator, gate level logic of microprocessor components such as memory, ALU, and controller
- Understand, via use, data representation including numbers of various bases and characters
- Design and implement assembly language programs
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Policy. The final grade will be calculated from a particular distribution from the range below. The exact distribution will be given to the student on the first day of classes along with the course outline.
Distribution Range:
labs. (12 to 14) 15% - 30%
assignments (4 to 6) 20% - 30%
tests (1 to 2) @ 15% - 25% each 15% - 50%
final examination 20% - 40%
class participation1 0% - 5%
Note #1: participation includes (but is not limited to) attendance and/or short pop-quizzes and/or handing-in (part-of) a homework assignment
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
- Malvino, Brown, Digital Computer Electronics, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
- Portfolio for logic design assignments
- Two 3½” high density diskettes
CMPT 1110 with a minimum grade of C