We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Joshua Brake and David Harris

Digital systems have revolutionized our world. From television to cell phones to GPS to warfare to automobiles to medicine to distance education, computers and digital processing have reshaped the way we live and work. The semiconductor industry has grown from $21B in 1985 to $412B in 2019, making it one of the largest sectors of the economy. Computers are also a vital part of daily practice in every field of science and engineering.

Read more

Digital systems have revolutionized our world. From television to cell phones to GPS to warfare to automobiles to medicine to distance education, computers and digital processing have reshaped the way we live and work. The semiconductor industry has grown from $21B in 1985 to $412B in 2019, making it one of the largest sectors of the economy. Computers are also a vital part of daily practice in every field of science and engineering.

Previous generations of engineers learned the “nuts and bolts” of the profession by doing hand-on projects such as disassembling and rebuilding engines. As technology has advanced, cars have become too complicated for the average person to work on. Ironically, the same advances have made computers much easier to build. While most fields of engineering require extensive mathematics and complicated analysis of even rather simple components, digital systems merely require counting from 0 to 1. Their challenge, instead, is in combining many simple building blocks into a complex whole. In this class, you will experiment with digital systems, building simple circuits from logic gates on a breadboard and designing more complex systems with a logic simulator. You will learn how to systematically create digital systems with a desired function. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and experience to design digital systems and be prepared for more advanced coursework.

Beyond the practical reasons to take this class, I hope you find it enormously fun and exciting like I do. There's a great satisfaction about being able to build things. Digital systems are ideal because the components are far cheaper and easier to use than in other engineering fields. It's also amazing to demystify how digital systems work under the hood. I fell in love with digital design when I first studied it in college, and I hope you do too!

This is the first half of a 2-part sequence. This half covers digital design. The second half, ENGR85B, covers computer architecture, where you will learn to program, use, and build microprocessors. By the end of the second half, you will have designed your own microprocessor and understand it all the way from the transistor level to the software. You'll also have built smart gadgets and games with lights and sensors.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Build digital systems at levels of abstraction from transistors through circuits and logic.
  • Manage complexity using the digital abstraction, static and dynamic disciplines, and hierarchical design.
  • Design and implement combinational and sequential digital circuits using schematics and hardware description languages.
  • Analyze and trade off performance, cost, and power consumption of digital circuits.
  • Begin the practice of implementing and debugging digital systems with appropriate lab techniques including breadboarding and interpreting datasheets.
  • Simulate digital circuits with a free version of modelsim, a professional simulation tool.
  • By the end of this course, you should be able to:

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores digital systems, which is standard in industry across various fields
Taught by Joshua Brake and David Harris, who are recognized for their work in digital engineering
Develops foundational knowledge and skills in digital systems, which are core for careers in science and engineering
Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials for experiential learning
Requires extensive background knowledge, which may be a barrier for beginners
Covers a wide range of topics in digital systems, providing a comprehensive foundation

Save this course

Save Digital Design to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Digital Design with these activities:
Review Digital Design and Computer Architecture
Provides a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of digital design and computer architecture, which will be central to your success in this course.
Show steps
  • Read Chapter 1: Introduction to Logic Gates
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of the chapter
  • Build the circuits described in the chapter using a breadboard and logic gates
Breadboard and Logic Gate Tutorials
Provides hands-on experience with breadboarding and logic gates, which will be essential for the lab component of this course.
Show steps
  • Watch the tutorials on breadboarding and logic gates
  • Build the circuits shown in the tutorials
  • Experiment with different logic gate configurations
Logic Gate Practice Problems
Strengthens your understanding of the behavior of logic gates and how to combine them to create more complex circuits.
Browse courses on Logic Gates
Show steps
  • Solve the practice problems provided in the course materials
  • Create your own logic gate problems and solve them
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Study Group for Digital Design
Provides a collaborative learning environment where you can discuss course concepts, work through problems together, and reinforce your understanding of digital design.
Browse courses on Digital Design
Show steps
  • Join or create a study group with other students in this course
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material
  • Work together to solve homework problems and prepare for exams
Design a Digital Clock
Applies the concepts learned in the course to design and build a functional digital clock, reinforcing your understanding of digital design principles.
Browse courses on Digital Logic
Show steps
  • Create a schematic for the digital clock
  • Build the digital clock on a breadboard
  • Test and debug the digital clock
Presentation on a Digital Design Topic
Enhances your communication and presentation skills while deepening your understanding of a specific topic in digital design or computer architecture.
Browse courses on Digital Design
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to digital design or computer architecture
  • Research the topic and prepare a presentation
  • Deliver the presentation to the class
Microprocessor Design Workshop
Provides an opportunity to learn about and work with microprocessors, which will be covered in the second half of this course sequence.
Browse courses on Microprocessors
Show steps
  • Attend the Microprocessor Design Workshop
  • Build a simple microprocessor circuit
  • Program the microprocessor to perform a simple task
Digital Design Competition
Provides a challenging and motivating opportunity to apply your digital design skills and compete against other students.
Browse courses on Digital Design
Show steps
  • Register for the Digital Design Competition
  • Design and build a digital circuit to meet the competition requirements
  • Submit your circuit for evaluation

Career center

Learners who complete Digital Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Logic Designer
Logic Designers design and develop the logic circuits that are used in computer systems. This course provides a strong foundation in digital design, covering topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to design and develop logic circuits, which will prepare you for a career as a Logic Designer.
Digital Logic Designer
Digital Logic Designers design and implement digital logic circuits, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices, from computers to smartphones to medical equipment. This course provides a strong foundation in digital design, covering topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits. By taking this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to design and implement digital logic circuits, which will prepare you for a career as a Digital Logic Designer.
Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Engineer
FPGA Engineers design, develop, and test FPGA devices, which are programmable logic devices that can be used to implement digital circuits. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of FPGAs. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how FPGAs work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Integrated Circuit (IC) Designer
IC Designers design and develop integrated circuits, which are the chips that make up computer systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of ICs. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how ICs work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Semiconductor Engineer
Semiconductor Engineers design, develop, and test semiconductors, which are the materials that make up computer chips. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of semiconductors. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how semiconductors work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Microprocessor Designer
Microprocessor Designers design and develop microprocessors, which are the brains of computers. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of microprocessors. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how microprocessors work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Hardware Designer
Hardware Designers design and develop the physical components of computer systems, including the circuit boards, chips, and other components. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of computer hardware. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how computer hardware works and how to design and implement digital systems.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is essential for understanding the inner workings of computer hardware. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how computer hardware works and how to design and implement digital systems.
Embedded Systems Engineer
Embedded Systems Engineers design, develop, and test embedded systems, which are computer systems that are designed to be part of a larger system. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many embedded systems. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how embedded systems work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Nanotechnology Engineer
Nanotechnology Engineers design and develop nanomaterials and nanodevices. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many nanotechnologies. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how nanotechnologies work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many robots. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how robots work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Test Engineer
Test Engineers design, develop, and test products to ensure that they meet quality standards. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many testing processes. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how testing works and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Electronics Engineer
Electronics Engineers design, develop, and test electronic devices and systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many electronic devices. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how electronic devices work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, develop, and test systems, which are collections of components that work together to achieve a specific goal. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many systems. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how systems work and how to design and implement digital circuits.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems and components. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in digital design, which is used in many electrical systems. The course covers topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits, which are all fundamental concepts in digital design. By taking this course, you will gain a better understanding of how electrical systems work and how to design and implement digital circuits.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Digital Design.
Classic textbook on digital logic design, covering the fundamental concepts and techniques used in the design of digital circuits. It is written in a clear and concise style, and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject.
Widely-used textbook on logic design, providing a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the basics to advanced topics. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computer systems, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of microprocessor systems design, covering the hardware and software components of a microprocessor system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of embedded systems design, covering the hardware and software components of an embedded system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts of computer systems, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts of computer systems, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design of digital systems, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts of computer organization and architecture, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design of digital systems, covering the hardware and software components of a computer system. It is written in a clear and engaging style, and includes numerous examples and exercises.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Digital Design.
Breaking Into Digital Product Management
Master Digital Product Design: UX Research & UI Design
Digital Systems: From Logic Gates to Processors
Planning, Auditing and Maintaining Enterprise Systems
Ethics in AI Design
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering
ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) V4 and V3.1 updated 2024
How To Design for Accessibility: for UX Designers (WCAG...
VLSI Chip Design and Simulation with Electric VLSI EDA...
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser