Subject 'Digital Systems Design'

Year:   2019/2020    2020/2021    2021/2022    2022/2023    2023/2024    

Tallinn University of Technology

• To elaborate knowledge of the design process from design description in VHDL through functional simulation, synthesis, timing simulation, and FPGA/PSoC programming.
• To gain experience in designing and verifying digital systems using synthesis and simulation tools.
• To provide students the theory and practice of rapid prototyping of digital systems in a laboratory environment.

Having finished the study of the subject a student :
• can proceed from a digital system description in VHDL to its implementation in programmable logic (FPGA) and programmable system-on-chip (PSoC) using of a number of computer-aided design software tools;
• can analyse design tool outputs in evaluating alternative system designs for a specific set of requirements, and how to use the knowledge gained to improve the design;
• can integrate heterogeneous blocks such as digital hardware and analog interfaces while optimizing power consumption, performance, cost;
• can correctly use different tools from state-of-the-art industrial computer-aided design systems.

Overview of the main topics of digital design. Digital systems design methodology using VHDL and FPGA/PSoC. Programmable logic (FPGAs) and programmable system-on-chip (PSoCs) as means for building reconfigurable systems. Rapid prototyping of digital systems.
The most important feature of the course is continuous evaluation based on simple but complete mini-projects. Such projects have to be implemented starting from the initial specification (given by instructors and discussed with students) to the final implementation in FPGA/PSoC.

2019: CNS/TECH*  

2018: CNS*  CNS/TECH*  

* Optional subject