Digital Electronics Course Description
Digital Electronics TM is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discreet voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world electronics. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras, high definition televisions, etc.
The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation.
Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities and understanding of the design process.
Digital Electronics ™ (DE) is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th or 11th grade students interested in electronics. Other than their concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses, this course assumes no previous knowledge.
Digital Electronics ™ is one of three foundation courses in the Project Lead The Way® high school pre-engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
The course of study includes:
Foundations of Digital Electronics
Combinational Logic Analysis and Design
Sequential Logic Analysis and Design
Introduction to Microcontrollers
Digital Electronics Topical Outline
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Analog and Digital Electronics
Lesson 1.1: Foundations and the Board Game Counter
Lesson 1.2: Introduction to Analog
Lesson 1.3: Introduction to Digital
Unit 2: Combinational Logic
Lesson 2.1: Introduction to AOI Logic
Lesson 2.2: Introduction to NAND and NOR Logic
Lesson 2.3: Date of Birth Design
Lesson 2.4: Specific Comb Logic Circuits & Miscellaneous Topics
Lesson 2.5: Programmable Logic: Combinational
Unit 3: Sequential Logic
Lesson 3.1: Latches & Flip-Flops
Lesson 3.2: Asynchronous Counter
Lesson 3.3: Synchronous Counters
Lesson 3.4: Introduction to State-Machine Design
Unit 4: Microcontrollers
Lesson 4.1: Introduction to Microcontrollers
Lesson 4.2: Microcontroller: Hardware
Lesson 4.3: Microcontroller: Process Control