Design of Digital Systems 1

The subject covers how complex digital circuits and systems are modeled and simulated using Hardware Description Languages (HDL). Register Transfer Level (RTL) descriptions adapted for correct synthesis to integrated circuits is emphasized. RTL design-methods for energy efficient circuits and for production test of digital circuits and systems are also covered. The course includes lab exercises and a term project with use of FPGA. The subject covers these thematic parts: Advanced use of HDL, automatic and manual synthesis of digital modules and components at RTL level, trade-offs between performance, power consumption, and other functional and non-functional properties. Within test, fault models, test-generation, fault simulation, design for testability, self-test, test quality and test standards are covered.

Knowledge The candidate -understands how advanced properties of Hardware Description Languages may be utilized to design (model) digital circuits and systems. -understands how the functionality of digital circuits and systems may be verified using simulation and test-benches. -has specialized knowledge about methods for high-level and register level synthesis of digital circuits and systems. - has detailed understanding of design methods used to make digital components and systems energy efficient and testable. B. Skills: The candidate -can use state-of-the-art software to model digital circuits and systems using Hardware Description Languages. -can write test-benches for simulation and verification of digital circuits and systems. -can use state-of-the-art synthesis tools to optimize and translate high-level and register-level hardware descriptions to digital circuits and systems. -can design energy efficient and testable digital components and systems. C. General competence: The candidate -can cooperate in a group on solving a practical term project. -can present results from a term project in a project report.

Lectures. Practical/theoretical exercises and a term project in groups of two or three students. The term project has milestones during the semester and a final submission. All exercises and milestones are compulsory. The final submission of the term project is part of the assessment in the subject.