Advanced Digital Circuits

Course Description

CET2113C - Advanced Digital Circuits is a second level course in digital circuits for students majoring in electronics and related engineering technologies that extends the application of sequential and combinational logic circuits and other digital applications. Students will learn to program, operate, and interface with a micro-computer and its elements. The course combines lecture and laboratory activities (denoted by the "C" suffix) to provide hands-on experience with memory systems, programmable logic devices, data converters, and microcontroller-based digital systems.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Computer Memory Systems: Demonstrate an understanding of computer memory systems by interpreting the specific timing requirements given in a manufacturer's data manual for reading or writing operations.
• Data Conversion: Discuss the meaning of specifications for converting integrated circuits (ADCs/DACs) as given in a manufacturer's data manual.
• Analog-to-Digital Interfacing: Make the external connections to an analog-to-digital converter IC to convert an analog voltage to a digital representation.
• Programmable Logic Devices: Identify the various structures and types of programmable logic devices, such as simple PLDs, CPLDs, and FPGAs.
• ASIC Design: Apply layout and fabrication techniques to produce Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).
• Microcomputer Programming: Program, operate, and interface with a microcomputer and its elements (CPU, memory, I/O).
• Sequential & Combinational Logic: Apply advanced sequential and combinational logic concepts to solve digital design problems.

Optional Outcomes

• Design and simulate digital circuits using Hardware Description Languages (HDL) such as VHDL or Verilog.
• Implement state machines (Moore and Mealy) for control system applications.
• Use development tools (e.g., Quartus, Vivado) to synthesize and download designs to FPGA development boards.
• Interface digital systems with sensors, actuators, and serial communication peripherals (SPI, I2C, UART).
• Apply troubleshooting techniques using oscilloscopes and logic analyzers on digital systems.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Memory Systems — RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash; memory organization, addressing, and timing diagrams
• Data Converters — Analog-to-Digital (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converters; resolution, sampling, and interfacing
• Programmable Logic Devices — SPLDs, CPLDs, and FPGAs; architecture and applications
• Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) — Layout, fabrication concepts, and design flow
• Microcomputer Architecture — CPU structure, registers, buses, and instruction execution
• Microcomputer Programming and Interfacing — Assembly programming, I/O ports, and peripheral interfacing
• Advanced Combinational and Sequential Logic — Counters, registers, multiplexers, decoders, and state machines
• Reading Manufacturer Data Sheets — Timing diagrams, electrical specifications, and pinouts

Optional Topics

• Hardware Description Languages (VHDL/Verilog)
• Digital signal processing fundamentals
• Bus architectures and protocols (PCI, USB basics)
• Embedded systems development with microcontrollers (PIC, AVR, ARM)
• Real-time programming and interrupt handling
• Digital system testing and design for testability (DFT)

Resources & Tools

• Lab Equipment: Digital trainer boards, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, function generators, multimeters
• Development Boards: FPGA/CPLD evaluation boards (e.g., Altera/Intel, Xilinx) and microcontroller development kits
• EDA Software: Schematic capture and simulation tools; HDL synthesis tools (Quartus Prime, Vivado, Multisim)
• Programming Tools: Microcomputer assemblers, C cross-compilers, and in-circuit programmers
• Reference Materials: Manufacturer datasheets and application notes for memory ICs, converters, and PLDs

Career Pathways

This course supports career pathways in the Computer Engineering Technology field, including:

• Electronics Engineering Technician
• Digital Design Technician
• Embedded Systems Technician
• Test and Validation Technician
• FPGA/PLD Development Technician
• Computer Hardware Technologist

The course also serves as a foundation for transfer into bachelor's degree programs in Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, or related Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) programs offered at Florida colleges and universities.

Special Information

Course Format: This is a combined lecture and laboratory course (4 credit hours). Students should expect both classroom instruction and substantial hands-on laboratory work.

Certification Preparation: Topics covered support preparation for industry certifications such as the ETA International Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) and Digital Electronics certifications, as well as foundational knowledge for FPGA vendor certifications (Intel/Altera, Xilinx).

Prerequisites: Prerequisite: CET1110C and COP2270. Pre/Co-requisite: EET1141C. Students should have prior knowledge of introductory digital circuits, C programming, and basic electronics before enrolling.