ele5dsd digital system design
DIGITAL SYSTEM DESIGN
ELE5DSD
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The subject will focus on advanced design techniques and methodologies in digital system design. Students develop hands-on experience in design, simulation, verification and implementation using industry standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. The subject contents include: digital systems design methodology and design flow; architecture, design and synthesis issues; Register Transfer Level design, coding and synthesis; sequential system design; stare machines; clocking and timing issues; design validation; design for test; boundary scan and build-in self test. Hands-on practical work,assignments and a team project form a major part of the learning in this unit.
SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorDarrell Elton
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites ELE2DDP or ELE5FDD or equivalent.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ELE3DDE
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Practical Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design experience is an essential prerequisite for this subject.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Advanced FPGA Design - Architecture, Implementation ans Optimisation | Prescribed | Kilts, S 2007 | WILEY |
| Readings | Digital System Design with VHDL | Prescribed | Zwolinski, M 2004 | 2ND EDN PRENTICE-HALL |
| Readings | FPGA - Based Systems Design | Prescribed | Wolf, W 2004 | PRENTICE HALL |
| Readings | FPGA Prototyping by VHDL Examples | Prescribed | Chu, PP 2008 | WILEY |
| Readings | Modern VLSI Design - System-on-Chip Design (3rd Ed.) | Prescribed | Wolf, W. | PRENTICE-HALL (2002) |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate knowledge of digital systems design using VHDL and Electronic Design Automation tools for implementing and simulating the operation of digital systems in hardware.
- Activities:
- Lectures cover VHDL design and methodologies for application to the representation of digital systems, from a top-down or bottom up view point. The nature and operation of hardware simulation is also discussed. Lab work covers the hierarchical implementation of a concurrent hardware sub-system
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Explain how electronic design automation process allows design effort to be applied at higher levels of abstraction and how various design descriptions (e.g. state machines) are realised in hardware.
- Activities:
- The concept of design automation and a structured design flow is introduced. With various lectures each looking at different design description methods and their equivalent hardware associations. In Labs students explore and apply the practical application of design automation and various description methods.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Understand the difference between simulation and synthesis, and know when and how to apply appropriate descriptive/coding techniques for each situation with in the hardware design flow. Understand the nature of programmable logic technology and the synthesis process that converts design descriptions into realisable hardware.
- Activities:
- Lectures and labs focus on the implementation and testing of synchronous digital hardware. The assignment requires students to demonstrate knowledge and skills covered so far through the design, development and testing development of a digital design on a FPGA and write a report on its development, testing and operation.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Demonstrate the capability to work through a complete design cycle for a digital system implemented in programmable logic, using electronic design automation tools and techniques. That is, (a) analyse a problem and specify the required outcomes; (b) produce unique design solutions using state of the art design tools; (c) undertake appropriate testing and simulation to check design integrity; (d) integrate designs into larger systems; and (e) implement a working system in hardware.
- Activities:
- Design is a creative process where a system of interconnected parts is defined and developed to satisfy a specified objective. There are often numerous solutions to a design problem. Attainment of a "good" solution depends on the designer's knowledge, skills, experience, creative talents & innovative flair. These attributes cannot be "taught" in the traditional sense; they must be acquired by the individual through "hands-on" practical experience & open-ended problem solving. In lectures & tutorials various design solution paths are discussed, both on the macro & micro scale. While labs emphasise practical "hands-on" experience. Assignments & project work involve the development a sequential digital system utilising EDA techniques to specify, design, test & implement the hardware system.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Work as an effective team member within a design team and apply knowledge and skills discussed above to realise a significant digital system.
- Activities:
- Practical work in the second half of the subject involves students forming in to teams (usually of 4 students) to implement a significant hardware digital system meeting a set of requirements provided to them. Various team roles are introduced and discuss when the project topic is provided. Weekly progress meetings are held where along with overall progress team dynamics and integration issues are also discussed. In the final report each team member is required to write a brief personal reflection on their experience and learning outcomes from the team project.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDarrell Elton
Class requirements
PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment (approx 1000 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| one 2-hour examination | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Design project (approx 1,200 words/student equivalent) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| One 30 minute practical test | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |