This course introduces students to the underlying building blocks of digital system and microcontroller design. Digital systems topics that are covered include: number systems, truth tables, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential logic, and finite state machines. A microcontroller is used to teach register programming, reading and writing digital I/O, bitwise operations and bit-masking and microprocessor architecture. Laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate concepts, reinforce analysis and design skills, and develop instrumentation techniques associated with the lecture topics.

This course presents typical structures and applications of microcontroller systems. Emphasis will be on: hardware, programming, input/output methods, typical peripherals/interfacing (including Timers, ADC and micro to micro communications), interrupt handling and small system design and applications using high level programming languages. Microprocessor architecture and assembly programming will be introduced to provide a base for more advanced digital designs. Laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate concepts, reinforce analysis and design skills, and develop instrumentation techniques associated with the lecture topics.