Unit Outline

The unit builds on the fundamentals of analogue circuits to provide technical competence in digital electronics. The unit covers the two primary topics of digital circuit implementation and microcontroller systems. The unit prepares students to undertake future studies in Electronics and Communications Engineering. Analog electronics principles will be applied to the construction of TTL and CMOS logic gates and tri-state, open-collector and bus implementation and use. Students will learn to design combinational and sequential circuits using Boolean logic techniques including truth tables, algebra, simplification, proofs and Karnaugh maps. They will learn the mathematics of number systems including binary, hexadecimal, and 2's complement. Microcontrollers will be used to design and build systems including digital I/O, timers and PWM, serial communication, interrupts, analogue to digital conversion and digital to analogue conversion. Microcontrollers will be programmed using both high level and assembly languages with a focus on system performance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain the construction and operation of digital electronic components.
2.	Design digital electronic circuits using Boolean mathematical techniques.
3.	Construct digital electronic circuits.
4.	Develop microprocessor solutions to meet specified requirements.
5.	Explain different number systems with application to conversion and arithmetic.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KAA112 and KAA109
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KNE231

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Sequential Circuit Lab	Week 8	10 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	In Semester test	Week 8	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	PCB Design Lab	Week 10	10 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Microcontroller Lab	Week 12	10 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Formal examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 6:	Weekly assignments	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Sequential Circuit Lab

Task Description:

Students will design and construct a simple sequential circuit. The circuit operation will then be measured to test against predicted circuit operation. The circuit is to be designed and predictions made prior to the lab. Students will provide written proof of pre-lab work. Students will provide a post lab written and oral presentation.

Task Length:

3 hour lab

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Predict the performance of a digital sequential circuit before construction.	LO2
2	Explain the operation of a digital sequential circuit.	LO3
3	Compare predicted against measured performance of a digital sequential logic circuit	LO3
4	Design a sequential circuit to meet given requirements.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: In Semester test

Task Description:

In-semester 1 hour written test will be conducted to assess students developing knowledge
and skills in the unit.

Task Length:

1 hour

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the operation of digital gate construction.	LO1
2	Design simple combinational circuits.	LO2
3	Design simple sequential circuits.	LO2
4	Perform simple mathematical computations using various number systems.	LO5
5	Solve Boolean logic problems using truth tables, algerbra and Karnaugh maps.	LO2
6	Calculate the performance of digital electronic circuits.	LO1
7	Explain the operation of tri-state, open-collector and open-drain circuits.	LO1

Assessment Task 3: PCB Design Lab

Task Description:

Students will design a microcontroller circuit including digital and analogue inputs and outputs and build a PCB for fabrication in preparation for the microcontroller lab.

Task Length:

3 hour lab

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design simple analog circuits as part of a microcontroller system.	LO4
2	Design a printed circuit board to meet the requirements of a circuit schematic.	LO3
3	Qualitatively assess the electromagnetic implications for a PCB.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Microcontroller Lab

Task Description:

Students will design, build and evaluate a simple microprocessor circuit including digital and analogue inputs and outputs. The circuit is to be designed and predictions made prior to the lab. Students will provide written proof of pre-lab work. Students will provide a post lab written and oral presentation.

Task Length:

Two 3 hour labs

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Write a microcontroller program to meet logical requirements.	LO4
2	Construct a microcontroller system including circuitry according to design.	LO3
3	Compare predicted against measured performance of a microcontroller circuit.	LO3
4	Write a microcontroller program to interact with the physical world with reference to datasheets.	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Formal examination

Task Description:

Formal written exam. Students will be required to analyse, explain the operation of and solve
problems related to digital electronic circuits.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Solve problems associated with low level assembly language.	LO4
2	Calculate the performace of microcontroller programs.	LO4
3	Solve problems relating to binary representation of numbers.	LO5
4	Solve problems related to microcontroller hardware.	LO4

Assessment Task 6: Weekly assignments

Task Description:

The students will hand in an answer to the set question, typically selected from the weeks tutorials questions.

Task Length:

Approximately 30 minuets per week.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Solve problems related to the design, characteristics and operations of digital systems.	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.