Revised 1-17-12

Syllabus
OEES 160 Digital Electronics I
NMSU Grants Campus
Electronics/Electrical Department Web Site: mounttaylor.com

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Links to frequently-used sections of this syllabus. (Click on them.)
General course content Textbook and materials Classroom conduct policy Phone numbers, etc. Office hours
Attendance policy Grading Weekly topics

Master Syllabus (Information pertaining to the course regardless of which semester it is being taught, or which instructor teaches it.)
Course Description: Number systems, codes, Boolean algebra, logic gates, Karnaugh maps, combinatorial circuits, flip-flops, and digital troubleshooting techniques. 
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab per week. (3+3P)
Prerequisites: OEET 110 or consent of instructor.

Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to successfully do the following:
  • Convert between the following number systems: binary, decimal, and hexadecimal.
  • Use Boolean algebra to express moderately complex logic.
  • Use Karnaugh maps to simplify designs.
  • Use gates and flip-flops to design and construct moderately complex combinatorial and sequential digital circuits. Also be able to simulate such circuits.
  • Troubleshoot moderately complex digital circuits
Course Overview/Content and Scope
  • Digital vs. analog
  • AND gates, OR gates, and inverters.
  • Truth tables
  • Using simulation software
  • NAND, NOR, and XOR gates
  • Combinatorial circuits
  • Boolean algebra
  • De Morgan’s theorem & De Morgan’s equivalent gates
  • Logic families & spec. sheets
  • Karnaugh maps
  • Number systems and BCD vs. binary
  • Adders
  • RS, JK, and D flip-flops
  • Timing diagrams
  • Counters, shift registers, and D-latches
  • One-shots and astable multivibrators
  • Generating leading-edge and trailing-edge pulses
  • Digital to analog conversion, and vice versa
  • Construction and troubleshooting of moderately complex circuits
Performance Assessment – Grading and Evaluation
The following methods will be used to measure your performance and determine your grade for the course:
  • Points earned for homework, class exercises, lab work, attendance, etc.
  • Quizzes.
  • Final exam.
  • Instructor’s observation of your abilities during class and during lab time.
Textbook and Materials
  • Book: Introduction to Electronics, by Earl Gates, ISBN-13: 978-1-4018-8900-5
  • Pencil and large eraser.
    • We’ll be drawing a lot of diagrams, and you’ll be erasing a lot. We recommend a mechanical pencil and an eraser pencil (an eraser that clips onto your pocket and lets you bring out more eraser material as needed).
  • Flash drive (sometimes called “jump drive” or "thumb drive").
    • For saving computer circuit simulations we’ll be doing on the computer.
    • Even the smallest flash drive is more than enough for this class.
    • Floppy disks are too small, too slow, and too unreliable.
  • Optional (but highly recommended): 3-ring binder with dividers.
    • There will be a lot of handout sheets for this class, and you’ll need some way of keeping them in order. 
    • You might as well get a zip pouch to put into the binder. You can keep pencils, etc., in the pouch.
Special Fees: $25 lab fee

 Web sites
Philosophy of Teaching for This Department
We believe an instructor’s job is to help everyone succeed. You’ll get lots of one-on-one help from us. Also, we’ll do our best to make the course exciting. And, we encourage students to help each other (but, of course, not by doing work for other students!). If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, and are tempted to be absent a lot, talk to us! Or, if you think you understand the material so well that you can miss a lot of class, talk to us! If you’re bored, we can give you some interesting extra credit projects to work on. Electronics books are usually written with a one-size-fits-all approach, and they are often overly theoretical. Material we present during class will help overcome these deficiencies.

How to Get a Lot Out of This Class (and also have an enjoyable time)
  • Be on time and avoid missing class.
    • Electronics is a lot like math: each concept builds on those previously covered.
  • Let the instructor know right away (during class) when you don’t understand something being explained.
    • If you don’t understand something, chances are there are others who don’t either.
  • Keep up with your homework.
    • Difficult concepts aren’t so difficult when you read about them and do problems designed to help you understand.
  • Let yourself get excited about the things you’re learning.
    • Electronics is often like magic. If you give electronics a chance, you’ll find yourself being wowed by it.
Classroom Conduct Policy
In this department, we like to run our classes in an informal manner. However, sometimes there are students who interfere with the learning of others. Thus, we have the following rules:
  • Electronic devices: Use of cell phones, mp3 players, etc., is prohibited during lecture time.
    • If you must be available for your children, etc., you may set your cell phone to vibrate-only mode during lecture time. If you have forgotten to set your phone to vibrate-only, and your phone rings during lecture time, please exit the room immediately and answer the phone once you are outside.
    • Tell those who might call you to avoid times you’re in class. (You’ll have an easier time learning if you’re not interrupted.)
  • Texting is only allowed during officially declared break times.
    • This is also true for other uses of your phone, PDA, etc.
  • Computer use: We’re supposed to be teaching good work habits, and we’ll expect you to conduct yourself as if you were at a workplace. The following are a few of the things you shouldn’t do during our classes or when at a job:
    • View pornographic or hate Web sites.
    • Play computer games, except during breaks.
    • Listen to music out loud. (The instructor will indicate whether or not it’s OK to listen with earphones.)
  • You’re expected to contribute to a positive learning environment. Conduct that is detrimental to this end can lead to your dismissal. Examples of such conduct are rudeness, disruptive behavior, poor hygiene &/or distractive clothing. In extreme cases, we may ask you to leave.
  • Normally, I do not need to resort to the use of minus points to control inappropriate behavior. However, if such behavior becomes a problem in this class, I will make use of minus points for the rest of the semester.
    • Minus points are subtracted from your class points, and thus will affect your grade. (Class points are given for attendance, lab work, class exercise, homework, etc.)
    • Usually, I do not announce that I am giving you minus points. Instead, if you have received minus points, I will simply write them in my gradebook, along with an explanation of what they were for. Outside class, I will notify you that you have received minus points.
Academic Misconduct
Any student found guilty of academic misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions: CHEATING; PLAGIARISM; UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF EXAMINATIONS, RESERVE LIBRARY MATERIALS OR LABORATORY MATERIALS; UNAUTHORIZED CHANGING OF GRADES ON AN EXAMINATION, INSTRUCTOR’S GRADE BOOK OR GRADE REPORT; NONDISCLOSURE OR MISREPRESENTATION IN FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS OR OTHER COLLEGE RECORDS. The following disciplinary actions and sanctions may be imposed for any of the above infractions or regulations: disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, dismissal, expulsion.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
If you have, or think you may have, a disability that interferes with your performance as a student in this class, you are encouraged for academic reasons to discuss this on a confidential basis with your instructor, and/or The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in the Main Office, or at 287-7981. If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit from the premises in case of an emergency, you are urged, for safety reasons, to notify the ADA coordinator.

Last reviewed by Bruce McDowell on 1-17-12
 
Operational Syllabus (Information pertaining to the course as it is being taught this semester and by this instructor)
Spring 2012
Instructors: Mark Eversole and Bruce McDowell

Recommended Preparation
In addition to having taken OEET 110 (Electronics I), you will have an easier time in this course if you have basic skills at using a computer; we’ll be simulating many circuits on the computer. We’ll be glad to help you if your computer skills are limited.

Contact Information
Office phone: 287-6636; Bruce’s home phone: 285-4600; Bruce’s e-mail: bruce@mounttaylor.com; Mark’s e-mail: meversol@nmsu.edu .

Office Hours
Mark: To be announced.
Bruce: Mon., Tue., Thur.: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; or by appointment.

Class Meetings
Section 1: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 to 11:55 a.m.
Section 2: Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Attendance Policy
Electronics/electrical classes are unlike some other classes where you can simply read the book and catch up. Much of the learning in our class will be of a hands-on nature, with class exercises and interaction with the instructor being an important part. Being absent or arriving late will make grasping the concepts of this class difficult for you.

Frequently during lecture periods, there will be at least one class exercise, for which you will get points. Because of the interactive nature of class exercises, they may not be made up if you are absent. (If there is a handout for a class exercise you missed, you are welcome to get a copy of the handout. However, completing the work on the handout will not earn you any points.)

For each hour of class you will receive 5 points for being there to participate. These points reflect the fact that you were present and learning something. No matter how good your reasons are for being absent, you still won’t get attendance points for class periods you miss. If you are late registering for the class, you will only get attendance points for the classes you actually attended.

If you are sick or have some other legitimate reason for missing class, you can compensate by coming in during office hours and earning points by doing lab work (both regular projects and extra-credit lab projects). Another way of earning points is by doing extra-credit pencil-and paper work.

The only time you can earn attendance points is during regularly-scheduled lecture periods. You can't earn attendance points when you come in during office hours.


Grade for the Course  

Points grade (Homework, class exercises, lab work, attendance, etc.)  70%
Quizzes 10%
Instructor’s evaluation (A subjective assessment taking into account observations of your knowledge in the classroom and the lab, attendance, giving help to other students, getting help from other students, and classroom behavior. Will normally be used only to raise your grade if warranted. It can have a negative effect on your grade if your attendance or behavior has been a problem.)  10%
Final Exam 10%
Total 100%


Grading Scale for the Course
95 - 100%   A
90 - 94%    B
70 - 89%    C
60 - 69%    D
0 - 59%      F

Why This Grading Scale?

We believe that the basics are highly important, and we stress them a lot in quizzes and assignments. Because of this, the "90% = A, 80% = B" scale would result in too many A’s and B’s. The good news is that with this grading scale, you'll probably get at least a C if you have a good grasp of the basics. We feel that anyone who has mastered the basics deserves at least a C.

Homework, Class Exercises, and Lab Work, and Other Ways of Earning Points
The main part of your Points Grade is determined by homework, class exercises, and lab work. The following are some rules regarding these types of work:
  • For the first day a homework or lab assignment is late, you will lose 10%. After that you will lose 10% for each week the assignment is late.
  • Class exercises cannot be made up. You can compensate for a missed class exercise by spending additional time doing lab projects.
I realize most of our students do not need encouragement to have good study habits. However, there are often some who do need such encouragement and I want to see them do well. Thus, occasionally, there will be surprise “ready for class” checks. When these checks are made you’ll get the maximum number of points if you have the following: pencil, eraser, paper, and handout sheets kept in such a way that you can quickly find any one of them that’s needed.

As mentioned in the Classroom Conduct Section above, there is a possibility of your receiving minus points for inappropriate behavior. These points are subtracted from your point total.

Usually, I do not announce that I am giving you minus points during class time. Instead, I simply write the minus points in the gradebook. Then, outside class I let you know you got minus points.

At the end of the semester, I will total up your points for attendance, homework, class exercises, lab work, etc. I will then make a grading curve for the class (i.e., so many points = A, so many = B, etc.) Notice that attendance points are lumped in with all the other points.

Quizzes
  • Some or all of the quizzes will be surprise quizzes. Surprise quizzes gauge what’s actually in your head to stay (as opposed to what was crammed in there the night before!). These surprise quizzes will be easier than if they were announced quizzes. Also, about 70% of the problems will be based on the fundamentals for this course—in other words, you should be able to earn at least a C if you understand the fundamentals.
  • Instead of makeup quizzes, we will use your Points Grade for any quizzes you’ve missed.
Weekly Topics
The following list is only an approximation. Even though classes are composed of several individuals, each class has its own “personality.” Different classes require different amounts of time on each concept. Concept A may be difficult for class #1 and easy for class #2. Similarly, Concept B may be easy for class #1 and difficult for class #2. Thus, the topics actually covered during any particular week will differ from those shown below. Assignments will be listed on the class’s Web site (go to mounttaylor.com and click the link for this class). This Web site assignment list will contain due dates, and assignments will be added to it as the course progresses.

Week Topics Week Topics
1
  • Digital vs. analog
  • Basic gates
  • Truth tables
 9 Continuation of previous week:
  • Number systems
  • Clocked D flip-flops
  • Drawing timing diagrams with slanted lines to represent rise and fall times
2
  • Combinatorial circuits
  • Going from truth table -to- schematic -to- hardware circuit
 10
  • Chips with multiple D latches
  • Adders
  • One-shots
  • Astable multivibrators (555 timer)
3
  • Boolean algebra: basic theorems
  • Converting from Boolean algebra equations to circuits and vice versa.
 11
  • Shift register using D flip-flops
  • Using clocked D flip-flops and gates to create a leading-edge pulse.
  • Using clocked D flip-flops and gates to create a trailing-edge pulse
  • Counter using D flip-flops and gates
4
  • Karnaugh maps
  • Going from rules -to- truth table -to- Karnaugh map -to- Boolean equation -to- schematic -to- simulated or hardware circuit
 12
  • JK flip-flops
  • Up counter and down counter using JK flip-flops
  • Shift register using JK flip-flops
5
  • De Morgan’s theorem
  • Constructing circuits with NAND gates and NOR gates
  • Using De Morgan’s equivalents for NAND gates and NOR gates to make schematics easier to understand
 13
  • Up/down counter chip (74193)
  • Shift register chip (74174)
  • Detecting specific bit patterns in counters and shift-registers
6
  • Going from rules -to- truth table -to- Karnaugh map -to- Boolean equation -to- AND/OR/NOT schematic -to- schematic using NAND and NOR gates -to- simulated or hardware circuit
 14
  • Up/down BCD counter chip (74192)
  • Cascading counters and shift-registers
  • Digital to analog conversion
7
  • Spec. sheets
  • Logic families
  • Non-clocked RS flip-flops
  • Timing diagrams
 15
  • Analog to digital conversion
  • Review
8
  • Number systems
  • Fan-out considerations
  • Clocked D flip-flops
  • Drawing timing diagrams with slanted lines to represent rise and fall times
 16
  • Final Exam

Modifications to This Syllabus
This syllabus may be modified as necessary during the semester to meet the needs of the class. Major changes will be discussed and announced a minimum of one week in advance.
Reviewed by Bruce McDowell 1-17-12

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