Digital Electronics
Brian Owens
Mauldin High School -- Room B324
Phone: 355-6536
Email: bowens@greenville.k12.us.sc
Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/bowens
Mr. Owens’ 2nd Sem. Schedule:
1st Block (8:45 - 10:20) –Digital Electronics Hon.
2nd Block (10:26 – 11:58) – Princ. of Engineering Hon.
3rd Block (12:04 – 2:04) -- Planning
4th Block (2:10 – 3:45) --Princ. of Engineering Hon.
**I usually arrive at school by 7:30 a.m. in the morning and rarely leave before 4:00 p.m. I am always available to assist students with any extra help, but these are the best times to catch me.
Instructional Philosophy:
I believe that every student can learn. It is the job of the teacher to encourage and set up challenging learning situations. This second year Engineering course incorporates students’ skills in other subjects, such as history, English, art, math, and technology. As the teacher, I must present the material in such a way that the student can see relationships. Students will work some individually, but mostly they will work with a partner or in groups. Students are required to participate and contribute with all assignments.
I hope not only for the students to master the content of this course, but for them to also gain an appreciation and love for what they are doing. Even if the students do not continue on in the Engineering Academy, it is my goal for them to walk away with a positive educational experience that will reinforce their mastery of other content areas, such as math, science, and technology.
Course Description:
Digital Electronics TM is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discreet voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world electronics. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras, high definition televisions, etc.
The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation.
Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities and understanding of the design process.
Digital Electronics TM (DE) is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th or 11th grade students interested in electronics. Other than their concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses, this course assumes no previous knowledge.
Digital Electronics ™ is one of three foundation courses in the Project Lead The Way® high school pre-engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Textbook: We will be following the Project Lead the Way Curriculum. Even though several reference texts will be used throughout the year, no specific textbook will be assigned to the student.
Prerequisites: Students must show a strong science and mathematics background and have teacher/counselor recommendation.
Class requirements / objectives:
The course assumes no previous knowledge, but students should be concurrently enrolled in college preparatory mathematics and science. Students will employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. In addition, students use a state of the electronics design software package as well as electronic trainers to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems. Students will develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges that increase in difficulty throughout the course. Students will also learn how to document their work, and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.
Digital Electronics™ is one of three foundation courses in the Project Lead The Way® high school pre-engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Students are required to keep up with their work and notes, however, much of the work will be turned in electronically.
The course of study includes:
· Foundations of Digital Electronics
§ Scientific and Engineering Notations
§ Electronic Component Identification
§ Basic Soldering and PCB Construction
§ Electron Theory & Circuit Theory Laws
§ Circuit Simulation
§ Breadboard Prototyping
§ Component Datasheets & Troubleshooting
· Combinational Logic Analysis and Design
§ Binary, Octal and Hexadecimal Number Systems
§ Boolean Algebra and DeMorgan’s Theorems
§ AND-OR-INVERT, NAND Only, and NOR Only Logic Design.
§ Binary Adders and Two’s Complement Arithmetic
§ Combinational Logic Design with Field Programmable Gate Arrays
· Sequential Logic Analysis and Design
§ Flip-Flops, Latches and Their Applications.
§ Asynchronous Counter Design with Small and Medium Scale Integrated Circuits.
§ Synchronous Counter Design with Small and Medium Scale Integrated Circuits.
§ Sequential Logic Design with Field Programmable Gate Arrays
§ Introduction to State Machines.
· Introduction to Microcontrollers
§ Software Development for an Introductory Microcontroller
§ Real-World Interface: Introduction to Hardware Controls
§ Process Control with a Microcontroller
Grading System:
Classwork, Homework, Quizzes 40%
Tests / Projects 60%
Classwork and homework includes all in class assignments done in class or begun in class and finished for homework. Most work is checked for completion, however, some classwork assignments may be graded for accuracy as well. All work turned in for a grade is must be turned in on the due date. Points will be deducted for work turned in after the due date. Quizzes are given periodically to assess students understanding of a given concept between tests. Students are expected to keep up with work daily and to ask questions when they do not understand something. If a student is absent, missed work is due the next day unless they make other arrangements with the teacher. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get assignments missed when absent and to make arrangements with the teacher to make up quizzes or tests.
Projects and hands-on activities are an integral part of this class. Students are required to follow all safety rules and guidelines discussed in the safety contract signed by both the student and the parent. Labs should be fun, but safety of everyone is of the utmost priority. Any student violating safety rules or horse playing during labs will receive a zero for the assignment and will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. A student who is absent for a lab is responsible for making arrangements with the teacher to make up the assignment.
Tests are given to assess the students’ mastery of the course content. Review sheets will be given before every test and should be completed by the student before the test day. Retests are NOT given, so it is important that students prepare adequately for the tests. Grades will follow the typical SC Grading Scale as listed below.
SC Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
Class Rules / Consequences:
My classroom rules are simple ( I call them the 4 “P’s”.)
1) Punctual. (Students should get to class on time.)
2) Prepared. (Students should bring books, notebooks, and pencils to class everyday.)
3) Polite. (RESPECT for the teacher and other students is REQUIRED.)
4) Practice all school rules. (If it is a school rule, it is a class rule.)
Consequences for breaking rules are as follows:
First Offense – Warning.
Second Offense – 15 min. detention. (Call home.)
Third Offense -- 30 min. detention. (Call home.)
Fourth Offense -- Office referral.
Outline and time frame of Units:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Analog and Digital Electronics (16 Total Days)
Lesson 1.1: Foundations and the Board Game Counter (4 days)
Lesson 1.2: Introduction to Analog (6 days)
Lesson 1.3: Introduction to Digital (6 days)
Unit 2: Combinational Logic (30 Total Days)
Lesson 2.1: Introduction to AOI Logic (10 days)
Lesson 2.2: Introduction to NAND and NOR Logic (7 days)
Lesson 2.3: Date of Birth Design (5 days)
Lesson 2.4: Specific Comb Logic Circuits & Miscellaneous Topics (4 days)
Lesson 2.5: Programmable Logic: Combinational (4 days)
Unit 3: Sequential Logic (27 Total Days)
Lesson 3.1: Latches & Flip-Flops (3 days)
Lesson 3.2: Asynchronous Counter (7 days)
Lesson 3.3: Synchronous Counters (7 days)
Lesson 3.4: Introduction to State-Machine Design (10 days)
Unit 4: Microcontrollers (15 Total Days)
Lesson 4.1: Introduction to Microcontrollers (4 days)
Lesson 4.2: Microcontroller: Hardware (6 days)
Lesson 4.3: Microcontroller: Process Control (5 days)
**Students must keep a class notebook. 3-Ring binders are usually the best since students can put work directly into them. Much of the students’ work will be submitted electronically, but it is always wise for them to keep original copies of all work turned in.