PC/CP120 Digital Electronics Lab

Evaluation Methods

Lab Demonstrations [ May 12, 2017 ]
Design Project [ May 12, 2017 ]
Project List [ May 12, 2017 ]
Online quizzes
Several weeks will have pre-lab quizzes on MyLearningSpace. Read the appropriate material (and/or watch the video(s)) before doing the quiz. If you don't get 100% on the quiz, reread the material to correct your mistakes are retake the quiz.
The purpose of the quizzes is to prepare you for the labs so you can get throught the labs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Course Material

Week of ...	Lab Topic(s)	Reference Material [ this background indicates required reading; this background indicates optional reading this background indicates important items this foreground indicates updated items this background indicates weekly topics this foreground indicates unrevised items ]
	Introduction Integrated circuits Pinouts, breadboards, and debugger boards
Jan. 5	Safety - Emergency Numbers [ April 29, 2015 4.2K ] Laboratory Safety Lab Introduction: What is the purpose of the PC/CP120 labs? [PDF] [ May 23, 2014 187K ] New Device: Breadboards [PDF] [ May 1, 2012 14M ] Breadboards [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 7.1K ] New Information: Debugger boards [PDF] [ June 17, 2016 4.6M ] Debugger Boards [HTML] [ May 12, 2017 8.7K ] New Information: Pinouts [PDF] [ April 12, 2011 194K ] More Information: Finding pin 1 [PDF] [ May 23, 2014 2.1M ] New Device: Chip Pullers [PDF] [ February 12, 2014 7.4M ] Lab: Introduction to Digital Logic [ May 12, 2017 7.7K ] Exercise: Introduction to Logic Analysis using a Computer Algebra System [ May 12, 2017 5.4K ] Note: You can complete this exercise anytime over the next three weeks. Online Maxima Calculator This one you can use anywhere, with no download of anything. A related system is Wolfram Alpha truth tables which also doesn't require a download.	Breadboards [screencast of PDF] Debugger Boards [video] 74 series datasheets Pinouts [screencast of PDF] Finding pin 1 [screencast of PDF] Chip Pullers [screencast of PDF] NAND, NOR, and other gates
Jan. 5		N2083 Lab bench layout [video] Games [FLASH; Sinclair Community College] This has cool history on where the term "breadboard" came from Basics of Breadboarding [video] Collin's Lab: Schematics [video] How to Wire Circuits from Schematics [video]
	Resistors (including arrays), LEDs and switches Watch videos before lab! Input device: prototype switch Output device: LED
Jan. 12	Before lab: Read documents (or watch videos) about LEDs and prototype switches and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. New Device: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) [PDF] [ April 17, 2012 ] Light Emmitting Diodes (LEDs) [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] New Device: Switches [PDF] [ April 6, 2011 ] New Device: Prototype Switches [PDF] [ January 15, 2015 ] Prototype Switches [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Lab: Inputs and Outputs [ May 12, 2017 ] If you didn't do the computer algebra system exercise, you could do it this week. Discuss project This week you'll learn how some common input and output devices are used. (The debugger board used previously hides some of the details.)	Project [ May 12, 2017 ] Project List [ May 12, 2017 ] Resistor colour codes [ July 25, 2003 ] LEDs [screencast of PDF] Choosing resistors for LEDs [video] Switches [screencast of PDF] Choosing resistors for switches [video]
Jan. 12
	Introduction to Quartus II Watch videos before lab! Design skill: Circuit drawing and simulation
Jan. 19	Before lab: Read the lab (or watch videos) about Quartus II and QSim and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. New Information: Keypad access to computer labs N2085 and N2095 Lab: Quartus II Introduction [ May 12, 2017 ] If you didn't do the computer algebra system exercise, you have only one more week to do it. Pick project Project List Prepare project Phase I for next week Phase I checklist [ March 24, 2014 ] Sample Phase I (single output) prime number identifier [ January 31, 2013 ] Here's the original project description: Prime or not? -4 inputs, giving binary number -1 output, indicating whether the number is prime or not Another Phase I (multiple outputs) flag identifier [ September 3, 2010 ] Drawing a circuit diagram and simulating its operation can be done with software. This week you'll learn how.	Quartus II Introduction Simulating with QSim (version 13) Timing Diagrams [video]
Jan. 19		Quartus II Introduction using the ModelSim Simulator with Forced Outputs [ May 12, 2017 ] Using the ModelSim Vector Waveform Editor with Quartus II [ May 12, 2017 ] Using Testbenches in Quartus II [ May 12, 2017 ]
	Using Quartus II Multiplexers Gates with "extra" inputs; strobes, enables, etc.
Jan. 26	New Information: Enable, Gate, and Strobe Inputs [PDF] [ January 31, 2014 ] New Device: Multiplexers [PDF] [ February 1, 2012 ] Lab: Quartus II Task [ May 12, 2017 ] Switch who uses the computer and who supervises from what you did last week. If you haven't done the computer algebra system exercise, do it this week. Project Phase I due (attach checklist )	Enable, Gate and Strobe inputs [screencast of PDF] Multiplexers [screencast of PDF]
Jan. 26		Multiplexers
	Encoders Keypads (with resistor arrays) Active low signals "No connection" pins Watch videos before lab! Input device: Keypad
Feb. 2	Before lab: Read documents (or watch videos) about keypads and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. Review: Debugger boards [HTML] [ May 12, 2017 ] Review: Switches [PDF] [ April 6, 2011 ] New Device: Keypads [PDF] [ October 13, 2011 ] Keypads [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] New Device: Resistor Arrays [PDF] [ April 7, 2011 ] Resistor Arrays [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] New Device: Encoders [PDF] [ January 27, 2012 ] Lab: Encoders [ May 12, 2017 ] This week you'll learn to use a keypad for digital input.	Keypads [screencast of PDF] Resistor Arrays [screencast of PDF] Encoders [screencast of PDF]
Feb. 2		Priority encoders How to cascade encoders
	Decoders Gates with "extra" inputs; strobes, enables, etc. 7 segment displays Push button (or momentary) switches Watch videos before lab! Input device: Pushbutton switch Output device: 7 Segment display
Feb. 9	Before lab: Read documents (or watch videos) about 7 segment displays and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. Review: Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) [PDF] [ April 17, 2012 ] Light Emmitting Diodes (LEDs) [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] New Device: 7 Segment Displays [PDF] [ April 6, 2011 ] 7 Segment Displays [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Review: Switches [PDF] [ April 6, 2011 ] New Device: Pushbutton Switches [PDF] [ October 21, 2011 ] Pushbutton Switches [HTML version] [ October 11, 2019 ] Review: Enable, Gate, and Strobe Inputs [PDF] [ January 31, 2014 ] New Device: Decoders [PDF] [ January 27, 2012 ] Lab: Decoders [ May 12, 2017 ] Prepare project Phase II for next lab period Phase II checklist [ March 24, 2014 ] Sample Phase II (using Karnaugh maps and Maxima) prime number identifier [ March 7, 2013 ] Another Sample Phase II (using Boolean algebra and Maple) flag identifier [ May 23, 2012 ] Sample Revised Phase I Phase I (revised)example [ September 3, 2010 ] This week you'll learn to use momentary switches for digital input, and 7 segment displays for output.	Pushbutton Switches [screencast of PDF] 7 Segment Displays [screencast of PDF] Testing a Common Cathode 7 Segment Display [video] Testing a Common Anode 7 Segment Display [video] Decoders [screencast of PDF] Enable, Gate and Strobe inputs [screencast of PDF]
Feb. 9		Minimal Boolean Expressions [video] Karnaugh Maps (K-Maps) [video] Don't Cares [video] Display decoders Karnaugh Maps
	Reading Week
Feb. 16	READING WEEK - No labs
Feb. 16	READING WEEK - No labs
	CPLDs Assigning pins in Quartus II Downloading designs into CPLDs Bargraph LEDs (with resistor arrays) Output device: Bargraph LED Design skill: Using programmable logic
Feb. 23	Before lab: Read documents (or watch videos) about bargraph LEDs and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. New Device: Bargraph LED Displays [PDF] [ October 27, 2014 ] Bargraph LED Displays [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Review: Resistor Arrays [PDF] [ April 7, 2011 ] Resistor Arrays [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Review: Keypad access to computer labs N2085 and N2095 Lab: CPLD Introduction [ May 12, 2017 ] Project Phase II due (attach checklist ) This week you'll learn to use bargraph LEDs for output.	Bargraph LED displays [screencast of PDF] Quartus II CPLD Programming
Feb. 23		A commercially available board similar to the one you are using is the LC MAXII EPM240 CPLD board.
	CPLD Lab Task Design skill: Good drawing for schematics
Mar. 2	New Information: Drawing tips for digital circuits [PDF] [ March 1, 2012 ] Drawing tips for digital circuits [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Lab: CPLD Lab Task [ May 12, 2017 ]	Drawing tips for digital circuits [screencast of PDF]
Mar. 2
	Design Project
Mar. 9	Review: Keypad access to computer labs N2085 and N2095 Review: Drawing tips for digital circuits [HTML version] [ May 12, 2017 ] Drawing tips for digital circuits [PDF] [ March 1, 2012 ] Prepare project Phase III for next week Phase III checklist [ March 24, 2014 ] Sample Phase III (single output) prime number identifier [ March 7, 2013 ]
Mar. 9		XOR and XNOR gates in Karnaugh Maps [PDF; University of Waterloo] More about XOR and XNOR gates in Karnaugh Maps (starting at page 14) [PDF; © 2009 Carlton University]
	Design Project (continued)
Mar. 16	Before lab: Reread documents (or watch videos) about LEDs and prototype switches and then do the quiz on MyLearningSpace. The quiz will be available from Friday at 7 p.m. until Monday at 11:30 p.m. It will not be available the day of your lab, so you must do it ahead of time. Project Phase III due (attach checklist ) Prepare project Phase IV for two weeks from now Phase IV marking Note: 1/5 of the project Phase IV mark will be for demonstrating the working prototype with final inputs and outputs in either week 10 or week 11. This is to ensure that all wiring is complete before the final demonstration. marking sheet [ April 7, 2014 ] marking rubric [ May 12, 2017 ] partner evaluation [ November 17, 2010 ] Sample Phase IV Poster (single output) prime number identifier [ March 7, 2013 ] Project Phase IV Preparation: Week 1 New Information: Project layout tips New Information: Prototype options Keypad encoding If you want to use a keypad for input, and need all 16 inputs, you can cascade encoders. The parts are in the Quartus II "Maxplus II" libraries, so you can make it part of your circuit.	Glitches and Hazards in Digital Circuits Eliminating Hazards
Mar. 16		Introduction to Breadboards [ May 1, 2012 ] Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) [ April 17, 2012 ] Bargraph LED Displays [ October 27, 2014 ] 7 Segment Displays [ April 6, 2011 ] Switches [ April 6, 2011 ] Prototype switches [ May 12, 2017 ] Keypads [ October 13, 2011 ] Pushbutton Switches [ October 21, 2011 ] Resistor Arrays [ April 7, 2011 ] How to cascade encoders [ May 12, 2017 ]
	Design Project (continued)
Mar. 23	Prepare project poster and prototype for next week If you are having a poster printed professionally, note that there is often an additional charge for rush jobs, and there may be a normal turnaround time of a day or more. Dont leave it until the day before your presentation to print. Project Phase IV Preparation: Week 2
Mar. 23		Tips for poster design Poster Presentation Preparing a Poster Presentation Rock, Paper, Scissors glove Poster Design: Layout [video]
	Project Presentation
Mar. 30	Project Phase IV: Final Presentation You will set up your poster and prototype, and mark other students' projects. There will be a deduction from the final project mark of 10% for every 5 minutes of lateness for the final presentation. In other words, 10 minutes late will mean 20% will be deducted from the final project mark. Groups that are on time should not have to wait for others who are late. (About 5 minutes at the beginning of the lab will be for setup. Marking will begin after that.) Lab evaluation
Mar. 30

PC/CP120 Digital Electronics Lab

Introduction

Evaluation Methods

Course Material

Resources