Masachusetts Institute of Technology
	Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
    6.111 - Introductory Digital Project Laboratory


		Statement of Objectives and Outcomes




Course Objectives:

On completion of 6.111 students will have confidence in their abilities
to conceive and carry out a complex digital systems design project in a
team of two or three people.  More broadly, they will be ready to
handle substantial, challenging design problems.  In particular,

students will be able to:

1. explain the elements of digital system abstractions such as
   digital logic, Boolean algebra, flip-flops, finite-state machines
   (FSMs), and microprogrammed systems.

2, design simple digital systems based on these digital abstractions,
   and the "digital paradigm" including discrete, sampled information.

3. use basic digital tools and devices such as digital oscilloscopes, PALs,
   PROMs, and VHDL.

4. work in a design team that can propose, design, successfully
   implement, and report on a digital circuit design project.

5. communicate the purpose and results of a design project in written
   and oral presentations.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

- use Boolean Algebra and resulting logic for control and data paths.

- do simple design with basic digital building blocks such as
  multiplexors, selectors, and shift registers.

- characterize binary signals in terms of: input levels, output levels,
  and "noise margins", specifically using the TTL specification.

- Specify digital circuit timing: setup and hold times and logic
  propagation delays.

- design and implement a simple FSM.

- design, implement and program a simple microprogrammed sequencer.

- use component parts, including complex parts, through their specifications.

- use programmable logic parts for implementation of logical component
  and system realizations.

- use industry standard CAD software that implements VHDL and can be
  used to program devices: for example Cypress' Galaxy and Nova.

- explain communications "handshaking" paradigms. 

- evaluate a design concept for appropriateness and achievability.

- organize a design concept into specific parts.

- debug and test an implementation of a digital design.

- give oral and written reports on all aspects of a design project.