SYST C4602 - Digital Systems

Module Title:Digital Systems
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:8
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: A combination of lectures, class discussion, tutorial, laboratory exercises and demonstrations will be used. Emphasis will be placed on active learning including problem / project bases learning.
Module Aim: To provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to design, simulate, synthesise and validate digital systems using SOC technology.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Describe System on Chip (SoC) architectures and interfaces.
LO2 Use contemporary Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to develop digital systems using field programmable SOC devices.
LO3 Use a HDL to create a self-checking test bench to test a digital system which incorporates combinational and sequential logic.
LO4 To use a SOC bus technology to interconnect system components.
LO5 Design and implement a small system incorporating a datapath and datapath controller.
LO6 Analyze systems specifications in order to plan, partition, design, implement and test a digital system.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
Hardware Description Language or equivalent
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Datapaths:
Use a HDL to synthesize/simulate datapath elements (adders, multipliers, shift registers, ALU etc.), zero/sign extension, carry/overflow, casting (sign, size). Incorporating a pipeline (latency, throughput). Datapath controller – review of state machines. Development of a subsystem consisting of a datapath & datapath controller (eg. Shift and add multiplier, RPN calculator etc.)
Memory:
FPGA memory resources (embedded memory & distributed logic cells). Use a HDL to synthesis/simulate RAM based components (single/dual port synchronous RAM, register file, Stack, FIFO). Use a HDL to synthesize/simulate systems that incorporate ROM (lookup-table, linearization, waveform generator). Memory initialization file.
Clock:
Clock generation (PLL), management and distribution. Clock trees, clock skew, clock regions, power optimization. Clock enable & clock_division (used for synchronous clocking at very low frequency).
System design:
Getting from a specification to system. Partitioning the system - block diagram, dataflow diagram, timing diagrams. Hardware/software co-design.
CPU:
Overview of options for CPU - Softcore: (Microblaze, Nios, Cortex-M1, Risc-V). Hardcore (Cortex A series, Risc-V). Developing code for the embedded CPU of a selected SOC. Operating system (PetaLinux or UcLinux?).
Buses:
Overview of SOC bus technologies (AMBA, AXI, CoreConnect, Wishbone). Use a chosen bus to interconnect system components (IP). Handshake, decoding, arbitration, clocking.
Testbench:
Creating a self checking test bench. Layered testbench, scoreboarding, assertions, classes, constrained random variables.
Systems issues:
Project - Development of a system that utilizes a CPU, Buses, IP and OS. Investigate the implications of design approach/partitioning on power, speed, timing and area. Static timing analysis.
Misc:
Automation of the build process using a script language such as Tcl/Tk.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Project30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Examination n/a 1,2,3 20.00 n/a
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project n/a 2,3,4,5,6 30.00 n/a
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam n/a 1,2,3,5 50.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 4.00
Laboratories Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Every Week 5.00
Total Hours 12.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_EEBEE_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Biomedical Electronics 8 Mandatory
CW_EESYS_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 8 Mandatory