Digital Circuits Lab

Course Description

CET1114L is the laboratory companion to CET1114 (Digital Circuits / Digital Fundamentals), a foundational course in the Computer Engineering Technology discipline. The lab provides hands-on experience constructing, testing, and troubleshooting digital electronic circuits that implement the theory presented in the lecture course. Students apply number systems, Boolean algebra, logic simplification, and combinational and sequential logic concepts using discrete TTL/CMOS integrated circuits, breadboards, and modern test equipment. Activities are aligned with the topics described for the lecture course at Florida colleges, where digital fundamentals covers number systems, codes, logic gates, Boolean algebra, logic simplification, and combinational logic, and provides a comprehensive study of the theory, concepts and circuits of digital electronics, including the design and use of digital integrated circuits in combinational and sequential applications.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

• Safely set up and operate standard laboratory equipment, including DC power supplies, digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, function/pulse generators, and logic probes/analyzers.
• Construct combinational logic circuits on a solderless breadboard from a schematic diagram using TTL (74xx) and/or CMOS (4000-series) integrated circuits.
• Convert numbers between binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal systems and verify results experimentally using digital displays and encoders/decoders.
• Verify the truth tables of basic logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR) through measurement.
• Apply Boolean algebra and Karnaugh maps to simplify logic expressions and validate the simplification by building and testing the resulting circuit.
• Design, build, and test common combinational circuits, including adders, comparators, multiplexers, demultiplexers, encoders, and decoders.
• Build and test sequential circuits using latches and flip-flops (SR, D, JK, T).
• Construct and analyze counters and shift registers, both synchronous and asynchronous.
• Troubleshoot malfunctioning digital circuits using systematic techniques and standard test instruments.
• Maintain a professional laboratory notebook and produce technical lab reports that document procedures, data, observations, and conclusions.

Optional Outcomes

• Use digital simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LogicWorks, Logisim, or Quartus) to verify circuit operation prior to physical construction.
• Implement small designs on a PLD/CPLD or FPGA development board using a hardware description language (VHDL or Verilog).
• Interface digital circuits with seven-segment displays, keypads, or simple sensors.
• Investigate tri-state logic, bus structures, and memory devices (RAM/ROM).
• Explore analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion experimentally.
• Design and implement a small finite-state machine project as a capstone experiment.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Lab safety, ESD precautions, and proper IC handling
• Use of breadboards, datasheets, and digital test equipment
• Number systems and binary codes (BCD, Gray, ASCII)
• Logic gate characterization and truth-table verification
• Boolean algebra and Karnaugh map simplification (experimental verification)
• Combinational logic design: adders, subtractors, comparators
• Data-routing circuits: multiplexers, demultiplexers, encoders, decoders
• Latches and flip-flops
• Synchronous and asynchronous counters
• Shift registers and serial/parallel data transfer
• Troubleshooting digital circuits
• Lab documentation and technical reporting

Optional Topics

• Digital circuit simulation (Multisim/Logisim/Quartus)
• Introduction to PLDs, CPLDs, and FPGAs
• Introduction to VHDL or Verilog
• Memory devices (ROM, SRAM, DRAM) experiments
• A/D and D/A conversion
• Interfacing with displays, keypads, and basic peripherals
• Finite-state machine project

Resources & Tools

• Test equipment: regulated DC power supply, digital multimeter (DMM), dual-trace oscilloscope, function/pulse generator, logic probe, and (where available) logic analyzer
• Construction: solderless breadboards, jumper wire kits, and component kits containing TTL 74xx and/or CMOS 4000-series ICs, LEDs, resistors, switches, and seven-segment displays
• Software (typical): NI Multisim, Logisim, or Intel/Altera Quartus Prime for simulation; optional FPGA/CPLD development boards (e.g., Altera DE-series) for advanced experiments
• Reference texts (commonly used): Digital Fundamentals by Floyd; Digital Systems: Principles and Applications by Tocci, Widmer, and Moss
• Manufacturer datasheets and lab manuals provided by the instructor

Career Pathways

The skills developed in this lab support entry-level positions and continued study in:

• Electronics Engineering Technician
• Computer Engineering Technician
• Digital/Embedded Systems Technician
• Test and Manufacturing Technician
• Field Service Technician (computer/network hardware)

Credits typically articulate into A.S. degrees in Computer Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, and related Networking/Embedded Systems programs at Florida colleges.

Special Information

This lab course supports preparation for industry-recognized credentials in electronics and digital systems, including:

• ETA International — Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) and Digital Electronics specialty exams
• ISCET Associate-Level Certification (digital section)
• Foundational knowledge for later coursework in microprocessors, embedded systems, and FPGA/HDL design

Note: CET1114L is sometimes offered as a combined lecture/lab under the course number CET1114C (4 credit hours including the lab) at some Florida colleges; institutions that offer the lecture and lab separately typically pair CET1114 (3 credits) with CET1114L (1 credit). Students should verify the specific configuration with the offering college.