Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
6.195 - How to Really Design Digital Systems

General Information

In-Charge:
Prof. Donald E. Troxel, Room 36-287, 3-2570, troxel@mit

Classes:
Prof. Donald E. Troxel, Room 36-287, 3-2570, troxel@mit

Secretary:
Francis Doughty, Room 36-277, 8-6484, doughty@mit

Teaching Staff:
There is one TA for this course. See course "Staff List."

Required Text:

Skahill, Kevin, VHDL for PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC, Cypress Semiconductor, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-89573-0

Recommended Reading: Purchase is NOT required.

Berge, J-M, VHDL Designer's Reference, ISBN 0-7923-1756-4

Navabi, Z., VHDL: Analysis and Modeling of Digital Systems,
ISBN 0-07-046472-3

Lipsett, Schaefer & Ussery, VDHL: Hardware Description and Design, ISBN 0-7923-9030-X

Perry, D., VHDL, ISBN 0-07-049433-9

Ott & Wilderotter, A Designer's Guid to VHDL Synthesis, ISBN 0-7923-9472-0

Other reference books or tutorials on VHDL may well be helpful.

Conduct of the Subject (minor changes may be made):

Classes:

There are two classes per week. During the later phases of the term projects, we may cancel classes to provide more laboratory time.

Problem Sets:

Some problem sets will be issued and your solutions will be graded; these are based on the classes and text.

Term Projects:

The most important assignments are the Term Projects, about which you will receive more detailed instruction later. The first project will be individually done. In doing the second project, you will work with one or, at most, two partners. You should begin finding your partner(s) early in the term.

Quizzes:

There may be two quizzes during the term, both before Drop Date.

Grading Policy:

Late work will be penalized. Normally, homework will not be accepted after solutions have been distributed. The term projects must be completed in accordance with the schedule given in the instructions. You must demonstrate (i.e. present) your term projects even if they do not fully function, and you must submit the web-based report in order to receive a passing grade.

The assignment of letter grades (A,B,C,D,F) is an inherently subjective process.

Guidelines for Limiting Enrollment:

The class size will be limited to 30. Limitations will be consistent with department policy.

1. Students who have previously been denied enrollment in the subject
2. Regular students who have pre-registered
3. Regular students who have not pre-registered
4. Special students
5. Listeners

Finally, and unfortunately, it is important for us to outline our expectations for academic honesty in 6.195. We do this not because we expect any of you to be dishonest, nor to insult your intelligence or character, but to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.

First, the problem sets and quizzes are to be individual efforts. Do them by yourself. Indications of collaboration are unacceptable and are liable to be dealt with in a seemingly harsh fashion.

The projects are a different story. We do expect you to collaborate, with the course staff and with your fellow students, and for the second project, especially with your lab partner. Joint or individual reports are acceptable for the final project, but in the case of joint reports it is important that responsibility for each section of the work be indicated.