Digital Systems & Microprocessor Design (H7068Z)
Digital Systems and Microprocessor Design
Module H7068Z
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module introduces you to the world of digital logic and to the design of microprocessors. Thanks to the current explosion of connected devices, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, wearable and mobile devices, and of Artificial Intelligence, there is a growing industrial push to include advanced functionalities in hardware to achieve ultra-high performance or ultra-low power. Understanding the design of digital logic or custom processors will enable you to apply for exciting jobs in these domains and others.
In this module you will learn how to design digital logic, starting from simple combinational circuits and then designing and analysing ever more complex sequential circuits, culminating in the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Processor – a processor which you will learn to program and then extend its architecture to give it improved hardware functionalities.
This module gives you a solid foundation of computer engineering and will allow you to progress to study embedded systems and advanced hardware architectures in the following years.
Module Topics
This module introduces students to the following topics:
· digital basics and combinational logic design
· Boolean algebra
· design of combinational circuits
· standard combinational components
· implementation technologies
· introduction to VHDL
· basic language elements
· combinational & sequential coding
· levels of abstraction
· simulation
· design flow to target device
· sequential logic
· bistable
· latches & flip-flops
· Finite State Machines (FSM) models, State diagrams
· analysis and synthesis of sequential circuits
· standard sequential components
· Register Transfer-Level design
· datapaths
· control units
· microprocessor systems
· computer arithmetic
· central processing unit, ALU, memory, I/O
· architecture, busses
· instruction set
· assembly language programming
Module learning outcomes
Have knowledge of combinational and sequential design concepts and their design application methods.
Demonstrate the ability to apply combinational and sequential concepts through the use of design and VHDL coding, outside of the context in which they were first studied.
Have critical understanding of the digital processes in low-complexity microprocessor systems.
Demonstrate practical skills in the use of a modern suite of EDK software and target hardware.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | T1 Week 5 | 5.00% |
| Test | T1 Week 7 | 5.00% |
| Test | T1 Week 9 | 5.00% |
| Test | T1 Week 11 | 5.00% |
| Test | XVAC Week 1 | 5.00% |
| Project | A1 Week 1 | 75.00% |
| Unseen Examination | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Wed 00:40 | 60.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.