Digital Electronics

A course that’s all about digital logic, digital circuits, and the design and creation of circuits that can solve real problems

1st Quarter

Unit 1: Circuit Theory

Due: September 2, 2022

An introduction to Digital Electronics ideas, and the concepts behind the creation of basic digital circuits.

Unit 2: AOI Design

Due: September 23, 2022

The use of the “And, Or, and Inverter” (AOI) logic to design and create working digital circuits!

Unit 3: NAND/NOR Design

Due: October 14, 2022

The use of the “NAND” and “NOR” logic gates to build and simplify larger digital circuits using a cool application of abstract algebra!

2nd Quarter

Unit 4: Displays

Due: November 4, 2022

How 7-segment displays of different kinds can be controlled in a digital circuit and used to share and organize information.

Unit 5: The Birthday Problem

Due: November 23, 2022

Here we bring all the ideas of AOI/NAND/NOR logic together with displays to make a birthday counter!

Unit 6: Individual Mini-Projects

Due: December 16, 2022

We wrap up the semester with a chance to use our knowledge of digital electronics to build our own personal projects!

3rd Quarter

Unit 7: Digital Logic

Due: January 20, 2023

Use more complex digital structures to build a cool digital circuit for counting.  It’s not as easy as it sounds!

Unit 8: Flip Flops & Counters

Due: February 17, 2023

This unit is all about an IC chip called a “Flip Flop” and how it can be used to save single bits of information and make counters.

Unit 9: Synchronous Counters

Due: March 10, 2023

Here we learn more about different kinds of counters and how we can combine large single-task circuits into even larger ones

4th Quarter

Unit 10: State Machines

Due: April 7, 2023

Next we get to learn how digital circuits are used to control physical machines as we build a few devices that run on digital circuits.

Unit 11: Microcontrollers

Due: April 28, 2023

For those that haven’t seen them, this unit gives us an introduction to microntrollers like the Arduino!

Unit 12: Individual Projects

Due: May 12, 2023

Here you get the chance to apply everything you’ve learned about engineering to plan, design, and build your own project!