CE162-4-PT-CA:
Digital Electronic Systems

The details
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus & Apprenticeship Location
Spring Special
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 27 June 2025
15
16 May 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BENGH610DA Electronic Engineering

Module description

This module will examine how data are represented within digital systems, including floating point, 'text' and 'data' files, and how the conversions between internal and human-readable forms are performed.


The design and applications of higher-level logic elements such as counters, registers and multiplexers are discussed, as well as the more general concept of the finite state machine and its design. Transmission of digital data between systems is introduced by examination of the RS232 protocol.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To develop the fundamental concepts introduced in the Autumn term module, CE161, Digital Systems Architecture. The majority of the information in the world is in analogue format. Fundamental decisions are made as to how such sources should be represented in the digital domain.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate an understanding of number systems, and conversion methods between number bases, including fixed and floating-point binary.

  2. Design digital circuits incorporating higher-level logic elements such as counters, registers and multiplexers.

  3. Perform forensic byte-level interpretation of data file contents using standard tools.

  4. Describe and implement a serial data transmission system.

  5. Select appropriate system parameters for digital representation of analogue signals.

  6. Be aware of methods to perform simple manipulations of digital image and audio data.

Module information

Outline Syllabus



  • Revision of binary number representation and binary arithmetic.

  • Number conversions between arbitrary bases.

  • Representation of floating-point binary numbers and applications in digital systems; accuracy of numerical calculations.

  • Use of Karnaugh map techniques in logic design, including variable-entered map logic design.

  • Sequential logic: Asynchronous and synchronous counters; finite state machines and their design; sequence detectors. Asynchronous serial data transmission.

  • Analogue to digital and digital to analogue conversion techniques.

  • Sampling in theory (Nyquist's theorem) and in practice (sample and hold circuits).

  • Quantization and quantization accuracy.

  • Frequency spectra and frequency domain representation of sampled data.

  • Fourier series. Data compression concepts.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures and laboratories.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Progress test (in person, MCQ Moodle Test, closed book)    33.3% 
Coursework   Assignment 1: Introduction to Computer Aided Design   31/01/2025  16.7% 
Coursework   Assignment 2: Asynchronous Serial Data Transmission: Multisim Design and Hardware Implementation  25/04/2025  50% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Additional coursework information

The assignments are lab work where students are asked to apply theoretical concepts and design digital circuits.

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
30% 70%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
30% 70%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Nikolaos Thomos, email: nthomos@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nikolaos Thomos
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 47 hours, 20 (42.6%) hours available to students:
27 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information

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