Digital Circuits
CET1110C — DIGITAL CIRCUITS
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Course Description
CET1110C – Digital Circuits is an introductory 4-credit combined lecture and laboratory course intended for students majoring in Electronics or Computer Engineering Technology. Students learn how to apply electronic principles to digital computer circuits and systems, simplify logic circuits, build digital circuits, and perform laboratory activities involving the measurement and analysis of digital circuits and devices. The course covers number systems, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential logic, and the use of test equipment to analyze digital logic.
Learning Outcomes
Required Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply numbering systems and codes — explain the difference between decimal and binary numbering systems; convert among decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal; and perform binary arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
- Use signed numbers and complements to perform addition and subtraction using one's and two's complement representations.
- Analyze digital electronic signals and switches — describe parameters of digital voltage-versus-time waveforms and discuss the application of manual switches and electromechanical relays.
- Apply Boolean algebra — use fundamental theorems, associative, distributive, commutative laws, and De Morgan's laws to evaluate and simplify logic circuits.
- Minimize logic circuits using truth tables, fundamental theorems, and the Karnaugh map technique into Sum-of-Products (SOP) and Product-of-Sums (POS) form.
- Identify and construct combinational logic circuits using basic gates (NOT, OR, AND, NOR, NAND) and compound gates (XOR, XNOR), and verify operation with truth tables.
- Design and troubleshoot adder/subtractor logic circuits.
- Use laboratory test equipment — logic probes, power supplies, pulse generators, and oscilloscopes — to analyze and test digital logic circuits.
- Convert between binary, BCD (binary coded decimal), and Gray code representations.
- Describe operation and applications of mono-stable and a-stable multi-vibrators.
Optional Outcomes
- Calculate the output voltage in electric circuits containing diodes or transistors operating as digital switches.
- Explain the basic characteristics of forward/reverse-biased light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
- Use circuit simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LogicWorks, or equivalent) to design and verify digital logic.
- Introduce programmable logic devices (PLDs) and basic VHDL/Verilog concepts as a bridge to follow-on courses.
- Compare logic families (TTL vs. CMOS) — voltage levels, fan-out, propagation delay, and noise margin.
Major Topics
Required Topics
- Number Systems and Codes — decimal, binary, octal, hexadecimal; binary arithmetic; signed numbers and complements; BCD and Gray code.
- Digital Signals and Switching Devices — voltage-versus-time waveforms; mechanical switches; relays; diodes and transistors as digital switches.
- Logic Gates — NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR; truth tables and timing.
- Boolean Algebra — fundamental theorems, De Morgan's laws, simplification techniques.
- Karnaugh Maps — SOP and POS minimization techniques.
- Combinational Logic Circuits — half-adders, full-adders, subtractors, and basic combinational design.
- Multivibrators — mono-stable and a-stable circuits and applications.
- Laboratory Practice — breadboard construction, logic probes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, and DC power supplies.
Optional Topics
- Logic families (TTL, CMOS, ECL) and electrical characteristics.
- Encoders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers.
- Introduction to flip-flops and latches as a preview of sequential logic.
- Digital circuit simulation using software tools.
- Introduction to programmable logic and HDLs.
Resources & Tools
- Test Equipment: Digital multimeter (DMM), oscilloscope, logic probe, function/pulse generator, regulated DC power supply.
- Lab Hardware: Solderless breadboards, 7400-series TTL and 4000-series CMOS ICs, LEDs, switches, resistors, and discrete components.
- Software: Multisim, LogicWorks, Logisim-Evolution, or comparable digital simulation packages.
- Typical Textbooks: Digital Fundamentals by Thomas Floyd; Digital Systems: Principles and Applications by Tocci, Widmer, and Moss.
Career Pathways
This course supports the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology A.S. pathway and prepares students for employment as electrical and electronics technicians, electronic testers, and related occupations in the electronics manufacturing career cluster. The course also articulates into the B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology and serves as a foundation for follow-on coursework in digital systems, microprocessors, and embedded systems.
Special Information
CET1110C is a combined lecture/laboratory ("C") course consisting of approximately 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab per week for a total of 4 credit hours. The skills acquired in this course align with industry-recognized certifications such as the ETA International Associate CET and NCEES FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) digital-logic content areas, and provide foundational preparation for advanced courses such as CET2114C – Digital Systems.