Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives To develop an understanding of the digital computer and a working knowledge of digital logic circuits.
Synopsis The historical development of the stored program computer. Impact of the computer on society. Digital and analogue systems. Analogue and digital data, number systems, conversions, codes, use of parity. Binary logic, truth tables, basic gates and their equivalent forms, Boolean algebra and theorems. Karnaugh maps in design, minimisation, two-level logic forms. Sequential circuits: flip-flops, state machines, state tables, state diagrams. Standard packages: counters, shift registers, multiplexers, programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc. Signed number arithmetic. Microcomputers, memory (RAM, ROM, discs etc).
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 80% + Practical work/Laboratory work: 20%