Overview
Digital Electronics will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge of digital electronics devices in information processing applications. You will work in teams and individually to model, analyse, design and verify digital electronic design projects. Using software simulations and practical constructions of digital circuits you will verify operation of digital systems. You will develop the knowledge to analyse the operation of combinational and sequential logic circuits within the discrete and Integrated Circuit (IC) digital electronic devices. You will learn to interpret functional requirements, research implementation options, construct models for testing and verify system performance. You will prepare project documents using symbols and terminologies that comply with Australian standards. Mixed mode students are required to attend a compulsory residential school and to pass the unit students must achieve at least 50% in the project assignment.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: (PHYS11185 Engineering Physics B OR ENAG11002 Energy and Electricity OR ENEG11009 Fundamentals of Energy and Electricity) AND (MATH11218 Applied Mathematics OR MATH11160 Technology Mathematics)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from "Have your say" Unit survey
Students enjoyed the design assignment which required practicing of key learning concepts and creativity. Although it was challenging, it was achievable and resulted in deep learning of the taught materials.
The design assignment will be maintained as it provides a valuable learning opportunity to students.
Feedback from "Have your say" Unit survey
Practical sessions were really enjoyable and eye opening!
Practical sessions are the major part of the unit and they will be maintained.
Feedback from "Have your say" Unit survey
Materials were logically structured and well presented with very useful information throughout the term.
The overall flow and the content of the unit will be kept. Materials will be continuously revised and updated to enhance learning.
Feedback from "Have your say" Unit survey
Assessments were very heavy with many assignment tasks and laboratory reports. Some of them were also too long for their contributions to the overall mark of the unit.
Assessments will be revised and consolidated to reduce both the number and the length. The overall mark will be redistributed among fewer assessment pieces to ensure fairer weighting.
Feedback from "Have your say" Unit survey
Turnaround time for assessment marking was too long and more detailed feedback would be useful.
Consolidation of assessment tasks and introduction of an online test to replace one of the existing two assessments will be done to improve marking efficiency and therefore enable timely returns of mark and feedback to students. It is also planned to make use of marking template and make it available with the assessment task to improve marking transparency and provide more detailed feedback to students.
- Discuss digital number systems, their operations and explain how these systems are used in the processing of digital information
- Analyse the operation of combinational and sequential logic circuits within the discrete and Integrated Circuit (IC) digital electronic devices
- Interpret functional requirements, evaluate circuit options and conceive suitable system designs
- Verify operation of digital systems though software simulations and practical constructions of digital circuits
- Explain the various integrated circuit technologies and their future development trends
- Use appropriate electronic engineering terminologies and symbols that conform to Australian Standards to prepare technical documentations for basic digital system designs and applications
- Work collaboratively and autonomously to solve problems, document and communicate clearly and professionally the approaches used to solve problems.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Online Test - 15% | |||||||
| 2 - Project (applied) - 40% | |||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 15% | |||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 15% | |||||||
| 5 - Practical Assessment - 15% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Project (applied) - 40% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 15% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 15% | ||||||||||
| 5 - Practical Assessment - 15% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Digital Fundamental
Eleventh Global Edition (2015)
Authors: Thomas L. Floyd
Pearson
USA
ISBN: 9781292075983
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsft Office
- National Instruments, NI Multisim Education Edition, version 14 or later
- PC with Microsoft Windows as NI Multisim does not run non-windows platform
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bui@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Overview of teaching arrangement
- Introductory concepts
Chapter
- Chapter 1 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- None
Module/Topic
- Number systems
- Logic gates
Chapter
- Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- None
Module/Topic
- Boolean algebra and logic simplification
Chapter
- Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 1 part 1
Module/Topic
- Combinational logic analysis
Chapter
- Chapter 5 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online test 1 opened (Friday)
Module/Topic
- Functions of combinational logic
Chapter
- Chapter 6 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 1 part 2
- Online test 1 closed (Friday)
Online Test 1 Due: Week 5 Friday (6 Apr 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- No teaching
Chapter
- Not applicable
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Residential school (April 12 - April 14)
Module/Topic
- Latches, flip-flops and timers
Chapter
- Chapter 7 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 1 report due (Friday)
Laboratory 1 Report Due: Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Shift registers
Chapter
- Chapter 8 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 2 part 1
Module/Topic
- Counters
Chapter
- Chapter 9 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- None
Module/Topic
- Programmable logic
Chapter
- Chapter 10 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 2 part 2
- Design project due (Friday)
Design Project Due: Week 9 Friday (11 May 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Data storage
Chapter
- Chapter 11 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Laboratory 2 report due (Friday)
Laboratory 2 Report Due: Week 10 Friday (18 May 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Signal conversion and processing
Chapter
- Chapter 12 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- None
Module/Topic
- Integrated circuit technologies
Chapter
- Chapter 15 of textbook
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online test 2 opened (Friday)
Module/Topic
- No teaching
Chapter
- Not applicable
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Online test 2 closed (Friday)
Online Test 2 Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (8 June 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- No examination
Chapter
- Not applicable
Events and Submissions/Topic
- None
1 Online Test
Online test 1 is designed to assess student understanding and application of the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 4. This test comprises of multiple choice questions and will be timed. Some of the questions require students to perform designs and calculations to arrive at the correct answer. Please ensure that you read the instructions accompanied the test carefully and understand them clearly prior commencing the test. The test will automatically end when the test time elapses and thus it is advisable that you move on the next question if you are getting stuck at the current question. You only have ONE chance to complete the test. Good luck.
Week 5 Friday (6 Apr 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
The test will be opened on Friday of Week 4 and closed on Friday of Week 5. It is important that the test MUST be completed within this period.
Week 8 Friday (4 May 2018)
Result of this test will be returned to students two weeks after the test closed
Online test 1 aims to assess student understanding and application of the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 4 inclusively. In particular, the test will include questions relating to the following topics:
- Introductory concepts
- Binary arithmetic
- Compliments of binary numbers
- Number systems
- Codes and error correction
- Logic gates and programmable logic
- Boolean operations and algebra
- Standard forms of Boolean expressions
- Karnaugh map and expression minimization
- Combinational logic analysis and circuits
- Waveform operation
- Discuss digital number systems, their operations and explain how these systems are used in the processing of digital information
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Project (applied)
This project presents an opportunity for students to demonstrate their collective understanding of digital electronics and apply its principles and methods in the design of a practical real-life application. This project therefore requires students to integrate the learning and the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 8 inclusively. It therefore includes the following topics:
- Fundamental concepts
- Number systems
- Coding, decoding and codes conversions
- Combinational logic analysis
- Functions of combinational logic
- Digital memories and their operations
- Shift registers
- Digital Counters
Detailed descriptions of the project tasks are provided in the project information and the project report template. This project specifically requires students to conceive the system design based on the specified operational requirements of a real life application. Students will derive the relevant logic expressions and implement them as digital circuits in Multisim to demonstrate their correct operations. Students must also integrate these circuits together and show the correct operation of the entire system.
A complete project submission must contain ONLY TWO files: a single project report in PDF format and a single zipped file of a folder containing all relevant and necessary Multisim files that are executable by Multisim as they will be verified for the correct operations during the project marking.
Week 9 Friday (11 May 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
A complete submission must contain only TWO files: a single PDF-file report and a single zipped file of a folder containing all relevant Multisim files in a single folder. This project MUST be submitted electronically via Moodle by the specified due time.
Week 11 Friday (25 May 2018)
Marked project reports will be returned to students two weeks after the project submission due date.
- Detailed of the project assessment criteria are provided in the project information document and project report template.
- Students must achieve a PASS (50% mark) on this project assessment to PASS this Unit.
- Students will be automatically failed if the Multisim files do not accompany the project submission. Please ensure that the Multisim files could be executed by the current version of Multisim (version 14) and they are not corrupted; a non-executable file is equal to non submitted file!!!
- Analyse the operation of combinational and sequential logic circuits within the discrete and Integrated Circuit (IC) digital electronic devices
- Interpret functional requirements, evaluate circuit options and conceive suitable system designs
- Use appropriate electronic engineering terminologies and symbols that conform to Australian Standards to prepare technical documentations for basic digital system designs and applications
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Online Test
Online test 2 is designed to assess student understanding and application of the materials covered between Week 9 and Week 12. This test comprises of multiple choice questions and will be timed. Some of the questions require students to perform designs and calculations to arrive at the correct answer. Please ensure that you read the instructions accompanied the test carefully and understand them clearly prior commencing the test. The test will automatically end when the test time elapses and thus it is advisable that you move on the next question if you are getting stuck at the current question. You only have ONE chance to complete the test. Good luck.
Review/Exam Week Friday (8 June 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
Online test 2 will be opened on Friday of Week 12 and closed on Friday of Week 13 (Review/Exam Week). It is important that the test MUST be completed within this period.
Exam Week Friday (15 June 2018)
Result of this test is returned to students at the end of the Exam Week (Week 14).
Online test 2 aims to assess student understanding and application of the materials covered between Week 9 and Week 12 inclusively. In particular, the test will include questions relating to the following topics:
- Programmable logic: architecture, operating modes, programming processes.
- Digital memories: architectures, operations, special types of memory, memory hierarchy
- Conversions between analog and digital signals: principles, methods, Nquist theorem, aliasing, quantisation error
- Electronic integrated technologies: MOSFET versus BJT, operational parameters, practical considerations
- Explain the various integrated circuit technologies and their future development trends
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Practical Assessment
Laboratory 1 is designed to enhance student practical application of the materials covered between Week 1 and Week 5 inclusively. This laboratory aims to familiarize students with:
- Multisim as a circuit simulation tool for digital electronics
- Using breadboards as a circuit prototyping platform
- Digital integrated circuit (IC) chips
- Digital logic gates
- Logic expressions and their circuit implementations
Laboratory 1 comprises of two parts:
- Part 1 is conducted in Week 3 covering logic gates
- Part 2 is conducted in Week 5 covering logic expressions and circuits
Students are required to document the experimental results, discuss their findings and answer all questions provided in the laboratory instruction sheet and prepare the lab report using the provided laboratory template. Simulations of circuits will also be performed using Multisim as parts of the laboratory exercises.
Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
A complete laboratory submission MUST consist of TWO files: a PDF lab report using the provided template and a single zipped file of a folder containing all relevant Multisim files in a single folder. Laboratory 1 MUST be submitted electronically via Moodle by the specified due time.
Week 8 Friday (4 May 2018)
Marked reports will be returned to students two weeks after the laboratory submission due date.
- Details of assessment criteria and mark breakdown are given in the Laboratory 1 instruction sheet.
- The provided template MUST be used for preparing the laboratory report.
- The laboratory report must include all information and data to support your findings, discussions and answers of questions as each of these components will be allocated mark.
- There will be mark allocations for Multisim simulations. No mark will be awarded to non-submission or non-executable Multisim files. Please ensure that all relevant Multisim files are submitted and submit them as per submission instructions.
- Data, discussions and answers to questions must be complete and presented professionally as there will be a 10% mark awarded for technical completeness and presentation.
- Scanning of eligible hand-written texts and hand-drawn diagrams are acceptable, however it is strongly recommended that a suitable word processor is used to produce a high quality presentation.
- Discuss digital number systems, their operations and explain how these systems are used in the processing of digital information
- Analyse the operation of combinational and sequential logic circuits within the discrete and Integrated Circuit (IC) digital electronic devices
- Verify operation of digital systems though software simulations and practical constructions of digital circuits
- Work collaboratively and autonomously to solve problems, document and communicate clearly and professionally the approaches used to solve problems.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
5 Practical Assessment
Laboratory 2 is designed to enhance student practical application of the materials covered between Week 6 and Week 8 inclusively. This laboratory aims to illustrate:
- Multisim as a tool for simulating sophisticated digital electronic circuits
- Operations of basic memory elements: latches and flip-flops
- Operations of a 555 timer
- Operations of shift registers
- Operations of digital counters
Laboratory 2 comprises of two parts:
- Part 1 is conducted in Week 7 covering latches, flip-flops and timers
- Part 2 is conducted in Week 9 covering shift registers, and counters
Students are required to document the experiment results, discuss their findings and answer all questions provided in the laboratory instruction sheet and prepare the lab report using the provided laboratory template.
Week 10 Friday (18 May 2018) 11:59 pm AEST
A complete laboratory submission MUST consist of TWO files: a PDF lab report using the provided template and a single zipped file of a folder containing all relevant Multisim files in a single folder. Laboratory 2 MUST be submitted electronically via Moodle by the specified due time.
Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018)
Marked reports will be returned to students two weeks after the laboratory submission due date.
- Details of assessment criteria and mark breakdown are given in the Laboratory 2 instruction sheet.
- The provided template MUST be used for preparing the laboratory report.
- The laboratory report must include all information and data to support your findings, discussions and answers of questions as each of these components will be allocated mark.
- There will be mark allocations for Multisim simulations. No mark will be awarded to non-submission or non-executable Multisim files. Please ensure that all relevant Multisim files are submitted and submit them as per submission instructions.
- Data, discussions and answers to questions must be complete and presented professionally as there will be a 10% mark awarded for technical completeness and presentation.
- Scanning of eligible hand-written texts and hand-drawn diagrams are acceptable, however it is strongly recommended that a suitable word processor is used to produce a high quality presentation.
- Verify operation of digital systems though software simulations and practical constructions of digital circuits
- Work collaboratively and autonomously to solve problems, document and communicate clearly and professionally the approaches used to solve problems.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
