Digital Systems (G268) – Course Summary

Overview

Digital Systems (G268) is a compulsory 6-ECTS first-year course in the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Cantabria. The course introduces the fundamental concepts and building blocks used in the design and analysis of digital systems, providing students with the foundations required to understand modern computer architectures.

Objectives

The main objective of the course is to familiarize students with the basic components used to construct digital systems, with particular emphasis on circuits and subsystems that form part of a computer. Students learn how information is represented, processed, and stored within digital hardware and acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the functional units that compose the von Neumann computer model.

The course also develops analytical and problem-solving skills through the study of combinational and sequential logic, preparing students for more advanced subjects in computer architecture and hardware design.

Main Topics

The course covers:

  • Introduction to computers, digital circuits, information representation, and coding.
  • Number systems, arithmetic operations, and integer representations.
  • Combinational logic circuits.
  • Boolean algebra and logic simplification techniques.
  • Logic gates, decoders, and ROM-based implementations.
  • Analysis and synthesis of combinational circuits.
  • Sequential logic circuits and memory elements.
  • Clocked systems and synchronization concepts.
  • Mealy and Moore finite-state machine models.
  • Analysis and synthesis of sequential circuits.
  • Fundamental processor components.
  • Datapaths, control units, memory integration, and instruction formats.

Learning Approach

The course combines theoretical lectures with practical laboratory sessions using digital design tools. Students progressively develop their understanding of digital hardware by analyzing and designing logic circuits, implementing combinational and sequential systems, and exploring the internal organization of processors.

Laboratory activities play a significant role in the learning process, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to practical digital-system design problems.

Key references include:

  • Digital Design and Computer Architecture (RISC-V Edition) – Sarah Harris and David Harris.
  • Introduction to Digital Systems – Milos D. Ercegovac, Jaime H. Moreno, and Tomás Lang.

Software

The practical sessions use Logisim Evolution (version 3.8.0) for the design, simulation, and analysis of digital circuits.

Assessment

The evaluation consists of:

  • Laboratory-based continuous assessment (40%).
  • Final laboratory examination (60%).

Both components require a minimum passing grade and assess the student’s ability to analyze, design, and implement digital systems.

University of Cantabria – Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering