Digital Systems: From Logic Gates to Processors

This course gives you a complete insight into the modern design of digital systems fundamentals from an eminently practical point of view. Unlike other more "classic" digital circuits courses, our interest focuses more on the system than on the electronics that support it. This approach will allow us to lay the foundation for the design of complex digital systems. You will learn a set of design methodologies and will use a set of (educational-oriented) computer-aided-design tools (CAD) that will allow you not only to design small and medium size circuits, but also to access to higher level courses covering so exciting topics as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) design or computer architecture, to give just two examples. Course topics are complemented with the design of a simple processor, introduced as a transversal example of a complex digital system. This example will let you understand and feel comfortable with some fundamental computer architecture terms as the instruction set, microprograms and microinstructions. After completing this course you will be able to: Design medium complexity digital systems. Understand the description of digital systems using high-level languages such as VHDL. Understand how computers operate at their most basic level (machine language)

• Design medium complexity digital systems
• Understand digital system descriptions using high-level languages like VHDL
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) tools
• Apply design methodologies for digital circuits
• Understand basic computer architecture concepts such as instruction sets and microprograms
• Develop skills through a simple processor design project

• Basic familiarity with digital terminology and concepts
• Willingness to practice through applied exercises