93390 - Digital Systems and Introduction to Computer Architectures M

Learning outcomes

Provide a vision of digital circuits at transistor and gate level so as to have clear ideas about the main factors determining circuit performance, power consumption, signal integrity digital throughput. Overview of digital circuits at logic and register transfer level. Overview of microprocessor and memory architectures. Basics of testing, performance and power consumption at system level.

Course contents

1 - Introduction

- Brief history of digital circuits design

- Hierarchical design and levels of abstractions in digital systems

- Brief introduction to digital design methodologies

- Main fundamental metrics that helps to quantify cost, reliability and performance of a design

2 -The MOS transistor

- Description of n-MOS and p-MOS transistor behavior

-Description of device models, operating regions, static characteristic, channel length modulation, velocity saturation, drain current vs. voltage, sub-threshold conductance, dynamic behavior

-Effects of technology scaling on device parameters

3 - CMOS technology and circuits

- Introduction to basic digital gates

- I/O inverter characteristic

- Inverter design for optimum performance

- Power consumption of CMOS inverters

- Dynamic behavior of CMOS inverters

- CMOS inverter design from delay specifications

- Design of NOR and NAND CMOS gates

- Design of complex CMOS gates, dynamic and DOMINO logic, Pass transistor logic

Readings/Bibliography

- J.M. Rabaey, A. Chandrakasan, B. Nikolic: “Digital Integrated Circuits: a Design Perspective, Second Edition”, Prentice Hall Int.

Teaching methods

The course consists of classroom lectures in which the basic electronic elements are presented. In particular we will focus on the key concepts of Digital Electronics.

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is done through a final exam that ensures acquisition of knowledge and expected skills. It will be an oral examination.

The oral test consists in 3 questions. To obtain a passing grade, the student must demonstrate the capacity to manage the key concepts illustrated in the course program. The duration of the oral test is about 45 minutes.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University office in charge in due time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. Such accommodations must be submitted to the instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval, which will be granted based on the relevance and compatibility with the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

-PC, projector, Power Point slides.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Gnani

See the website of Alessio Antolini

See the website of Davide Rossi