Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering

Rochester Institute of Technology

EEEE252: Digital Systems

Instructor:
Mehran Mozaffari-Kermani

Background

Digital Hardware
Digital logic circuits are used to build many devices, e.g.,
Controllers
Computer hardware
Calculators
Embedded devices

Embedded in every aspect of our lives including but not

limited to health care, industrial setups, defense, automation,
etc.
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Silicon Wafer

Figure 1. A silicon wafer (courtesy of Altera Corp.)

The first step in producing a microprocessor is the creation of an ultrapure silicon substrate.
A silicon slice in the shape of a round wafer that is polished to a mirror-like
smoothness is the starting point for integrated circuits.
At present, the largest wafers used in industry are 300 mm (12 in) in
diameter.

Integrated Circuits
The ability to build Digital Logic Systems evolved dramatically
with the development of the integrated circuit (IC).
Industry developed the ability to place hundreds of millions to
billions of transistors on a single piece of silicon.
One such device that utilizes the high transistor density is the
microprocessor.

Moores Law
The number of transistors: roughly doubles every 24 months

Figure 2.
Moores
law

Wikipedia:

8/12/2015

Technology Roadmap

Digital Systems

Digital Hardware Systems

Figure 3. High-level digital hardware systems

Digital Hardware Systems

Figure 4. Low-level digital hardware systems

PCB: Printed Circuit Board

Figure 5. A printed circuit board

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Integrated Circuits

Types:
o 1. Standard devices
o 2. Programmable logic devices (PLDs)
o 3. Custom designed devices

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Standard Devices
Conform to agreed-upon standard that describes
functionality
Vary from very basic to complex
Include gates like AND, OR, NOR, NAND, etc.
E.g. the 74xx family or the 54xx family of devices
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Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)

Can be programmed to develop a specific functionality
Some types: Programmable Logic Array, FieldProgrammable Gate Array, Complex-Programmable Logic
Device
Also, they can be programmed either
o In-circuit (while in the circuit)
o Have to be removed from the circuit (programmed by
a programmer)
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Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

Group of 8 logic cells

Memory block

Interconnection
wires
Figure 6. A field-programmable gate array chip
(courtesy of Altera Corp.)
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Custom Designed Devices

Designed for a specific application

ASIC (Application-specific integrated circuit)
Used in very high volume applications

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Compromise!
Example ASIC vs. FPGA

Figure 7. ASIC vs. FPGA

(courtesy of Xilinx Inc.)

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Basic Design Loop

Design concept

Initial design

Simulation

Design correct?

Redesign

No

Yes

Successful design

Figure 8. The basic design loop

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